Best Motorcycle Gloves and Glove Accessories Online
- jamesjordan

- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Motorcycle gloves are the core purchase, but the accessories around them — liners, dryers, conditioners, sizing tools, and replacement parts — are what extend the life and comfort of a good pair. Here's what's worth buying online and what you can skip.
Key Takeaways
Glove liners extend the temperature range of a single glove purchase — thin silk or merino wool liners add 10–15°F of cold-weather capability
Leather conditioner is not optional for leather gloves — apply it every 3–4 months to prevent cracking
Glove dryers remove moisture that causes leather to stiffen and textile to degrade prematurely
Proper sizing tools (tape measure, brand size charts) matter more for online glove purchases than any other gear item
Replacement velcro, snaps, and closures extend glove life significantly — worth finding a repair source
Finding the Right Gloves Online First
Before the accessories, you need the right gloves. Online glove purchasing has one significant challenge: fit. Gloves that fit wrong are uncomfortable and, in the case of motorcycle gloves, less protective — a loose glove can come off in a crash; a tight glove restricts circulation and grip feedback.
The measurement that matters: your dominant hand circumference at the widest point (across the knuckles), and your middle finger length from base to tip. Cross-reference both against the specific brand's chart since sizes vary between manufacturers. Size up if you're between sizes for a leather glove (it will break in); size to measurement for textile (no significant break-in).
Our best motorcycle gloves guide covers current picks across riding styles, price ranges, and seasonal categories.
Glove Liners
A thin glove liner worn under your motorcycle gloves adds warmth without requiring you to buy a separate pair of cold-weather gloves. This is one of the most cost-effective pieces of riding gear you can add.
Material Options
Silk liners: ultralight, minimal bulk, adds moderate warmth. Good for mild-cold conditions.
Merino wool liners: better insulation than silk, naturally moisture-wicking, naturally odor-resistant. Better for sustained cold.
Windproof/Thinsulate liners: most warmth from a thin liner format. Worth it for cold-weather commuting.
Waterproof liners: a waterproof inner liner worn under your regular gloves extends waterproofing on gloves that aren't fully sealed. Works better than it sounds.
Key fit consideration: a liner adds bulk. If your gloves are already a tight fit, a liner may cut circulation. If you know you want to use liners, size up one half-size when buying your primary gloves.
Leather Conditioner and Care Products
Leather gloves dry out. The natural oils in leather that give it flexibility deplete over time, especially with exposure to weather, UV, and repeated wet-dry cycles. Cracked leather is weaker leather — both aesthetically and structurally.
Recommended Conditioners
Explore the best motorcycle gloves from Legendary USA — American-made deerskin and cowhide riding gloves built for serious riders.
Leather Honey: penetrating conditioner that works well on heavy leather gear including gloves. Not greasy, doesn't darken most leathers significantly.
Bickmore Bick 4: light conditioner, good for gloves you want to maintain without altering the look of the leather.
Oakwood Smooth Leather Care: popular in Europe, works well on waxed and smooth leathers. Cleans while it conditions.
Mink oil: traditional option, effective conditioner but darkens leather noticeably. Fine if you don't mind a slightly richer patina.
Application frequency: every 3–4 months with normal use, or after any sustained wet riding. Apply sparingly to clean, dry leather, let it absorb, buff lightly. Don't saturate the leather.
For premium handmade American leather gloves built to last, Legendary USA's glove lineup is worth a look — quality leather that responds well to proper conditioning.
Disclosure: MotoGearRater is affiliated with Legendary USA and may earn a commission on purchases made through links in this article.
Glove Dryers
Wet gloves are a problem. Leather gloves that dry while balled up will stiffen, crack, and lose shape. Textile gloves with foam liners stay damp longer than you might expect, leading to odor and premature degradation.
Glove dryers circulate warm air through the glove interior while holding the shape properly. Good options exist at $25–$60. Boot dryers work for gloves too — many models come with glove attachment fittings.
If you don't have a dryer: stuff wet leather gloves with crumpled newspaper to absorb moisture and hold shape while they air dry at room temperature. Never use direct heat (radiator, hairdryer, direct sun) on leather gloves — it accelerates cracking.
Waterproofing Sprays
Both leather and textile gloves benefit from periodic waterproofing treatment. Leather gloves treated with a wax-based waterproofer (Nikwax Leather Proof, Grangers G-Wax) repel water better and feel better wet than untreated leather. Textile gloves with DWR treatment benefit from Nikwax Tech Wash followed by TX.Direct spray to restore the DWR coating.
Apply waterproofing after conditioning on leather — not before. Apply to clean, slightly damp textile. Let dry completely before riding.
Replacement Closures and Repair
Most motorcycle gloves use velcro wrist closures, snap buttons, or a combination. These wear out before the glove body does. Replacement velcro can be found at fabric stores and sewn in — it's a 20-minute repair that extends glove life significantly. Replacement metal snaps require a snap tool and appropriate hardware, which is worth having if you ride quality snap-closure gloves.
Some manufacturers (particularly premium leather glove makers) offer repair services. Worth inquiring if the gloves are quality enough to justify repair versus replacement.
Glove Sizing Tools
A soft tape measure for hand circumference is the most important tool for buying gloves online. An accurate measurement eliminates most sizing mistakes. Combine this with the specific brand's chart and you get sizing right the majority of the time.
For complex glove shapes (gauntlet style with large cuffs), note that your hand measurement is what sizes the glove body — the cuff size is separate and typically adjustable.
Where to Buy Motorcycle Gloves and Accessories Online
For new gloves: RevZilla and Cycle Gear have the broadest selection with detailed size charts and return policies. Amazon carries common brands but has less technical support for selecting the right fit.
For accessories (conditioners, liners, dryers): Amazon is fine for standard products. Leather care specialty retailers carry a better selection of professional-grade conditioners.
For American-made gloves specifically: Legendary USA manufactures motorcycle gloves in the US — handmade, domestic quality, ships direct.
Also see our must-have motorcycle accessories guide for a broader look at what's worth adding to your kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I wash motorcycle gloves?
Leather gloves: spot-clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. Full washing is not recommended — it strips the leather of oils and can cause shrinkage and stiffening. If they get soaked, dry them properly (stuffed with newspaper at room temperature) and re-condition after drying. Textile gloves: most can be hand-washed in cold water with mild detergent and air-dried. Remove armor inserts before washing.
How often should I condition leather motorcycle gloves?
Every 3–4 months with regular use, or any time the leather starts to feel dry or shows surface cracking. After any sustained rain exposure. After extended UV exposure (touring in hot sun). Light conditioning more frequently is better than heavy conditioning infrequently — a thin coat absorbed regularly maintains the leather better than a heavy application after it's already dried out.
Do glove liners reduce grip feel?
Thin liners add minimal bulk and have negligible effect on grip feel and brake/throttle feedback for most riders. Thicker insulating liners can slightly reduce fine tactile feedback — a tradeoff most riders accept in cold conditions. If grip feedback is critical (track riding, technical off-road), stick to the thinnest liner that keeps you warm enough.
Are heated glove liners worth buying?
Electrically heated glove liners that connect to the bike's power supply are effective for cold-weather riding. They're bulkier than passive liners and require a power connection, but for winter commuting in genuinely cold conditions, the warmth on demand is hard to replicate with passive insulation alone. USB-powered versions are available for bikes without a dedicated accessory socket.
How do I know when to replace motorcycle gloves?
Replace when: significant wear-through or cracking at contact points (palms, knuckle areas), broken or non-functional closures that can't be repaired, armor that's visibly cracked or permanently compressed, or gloves that have been in a significant crash. Surface scuffing on palm sliders is normal wear — the slider is doing its job and can be replaced on some models.
What's the best way to store motorcycle gloves long-term?
Clean and condition leather gloves before storage. Store at room temperature away from direct light and heat. Keep them in a shape that won't crease the leather permanently — loosely stuffed with tissue paper or flat in a drawer. For textile gloves, make sure they're fully dry before storage to prevent mildew in the foam liner.
Bottom Line
The gloves are the main event — but a liner for cold days, a conditioner for the leather, and a dryer for wet rides extend the life and utility of any quality pair significantly. These are small investments that make a real difference over time.
Start with the conditioner if you already own leather gloves. Add a liner if you want to extend your riding season. The other accessories are worth considering as your needs develop.
Shop the full selection of best motorcycle gloves at Legendary USA, handcrafted in the USA with premium leather for every riding style.

