Best Gloves for Scenic Route Riding (Blue Ridge Parkway, Pacific Coast Highway)
- jamesjordan
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Some roads exist purely for the riding experience. The Blue Ridge Parkway running 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina with no commercial traffic and sweeping mountain views. The Pacific Coast Highway from Malibu to Carmel and beyond. The Natchez Trace Parkway through Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. The Tail of the Dragon at US-129. These roads attract riders from across the country — and they all have unique climate and condition requirements.
Blue Ridge Parkway: Cool, Variable, and Worth Every Mile
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs at elevations between 650 and 6,047 feet across Virginia and North Carolina. At those elevations, temperatures are consistently 10–15°F cooler than the valleys below. Even in July, early mornings on the Parkway can be in the 50s. Spring and fall — the peak riding seasons — regularly see temperatures in the 40s and 50s. A pure summer ventilated glove is not enough for most of the year here.
The Legendary USA Fleece Lined Short Wrist Deerskin Gloves are the right choice for most Blue Ridge Parkway rides. They handle the 45–65°F range that defines the Parkway's prime riding season. For fall foliage season — the most spectacular time — they're essential.
Pacific Coast Highway: Cool, Coastal, and Exposed
The PCH is reliably cool and windy. Even on warm days in summer, Pacific Ocean wind creates temperatures 10–20°F cooler than inland temperatures. Riding with pure summer ventilated gloves on the PCH leaves your hands cold within an hour. The Short Wrist Ventilated Touchscreen Gloves provide enough structure and wind resistance to handle coastal conditions.
Natchez Trace Parkway: The Southern Scenic Option
The Natchez Trace Parkway runs 444 miles from Nashville through Alabama to Natchez, Mississippi, with no commercial traffic. The southern end runs hot — Mississippi summer is classic Deep South humid heat. The northern end near Nashville has more variable spring and fall conditions. A fingerless or ventilated glove is right for summer Trace riding; a fleece-lined pair handles the cooler Tennessee sections.
Tail of the Dragon: Technical Requires Good Grip
US-129 at the Tennessee-North Carolina border — 318 curves in 11 miles. The Dragon demands gloves with excellent grip and hand feel. Deerskin provides exceptional grip — soft enough to feel the controls, structured enough to protect your hands if the ride doesn't go as planned.
Glove Tips for Iconic American Riding Routes
Research the elevation and climate of your chosen scenic route. The Blue Ridge Parkway and Rocky Mountain scenic routes run cold even in summer. Pacific coastal routes run cool year-round. Southern routes like the Natchez Trace are warm most of the year but cold in winter. Dress for the route's climate, not the valley climate where you started.
FAQ: Best Gloves for Scenic Route Riding
Q: What gloves are best for the Blue Ridge Parkway? A: Fleece-lined deerskin for spring and fall. Ventilated for warm summer rides. Gauntlets for shoulder-season and high-elevation riding.
Q: Why do I need warmer gloves for Pacific Coast Highway? A: Pacific Ocean wind creates conditions significantly cooler than inland temperatures suggest. Even on warm days, the PCH is breezy and cool by inland standards.
Q: What's the best glove for technical motorcycle riding like the Dragon? A: A glove with excellent grip and hand feel. Deerskin provides both — soft enough to feel the controls precisely, firm enough to protect your palms.
Q: Are there different gloves needed for northern vs. southern Blue Ridge Parkway sections? A: The northern Virginia sections are typically cooler than the southern North Carolina sections at similar times of year due to elevation differences.
Q: Where are Legendary USA gloves made? A: All Legendary USA motorcycle gloves are American-made from deerskin — the same quality used by riders on America's most iconic roads.
