Best Motorcycle Gloves for Colorado High-Altitude Riding
- jamesjordan
- Jun 28
- 3 min read
Colorado is a motorcycle paradise — and a cold one. The state has more paved roads above 10,000 feet than any other state in the lower 48. Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park reaches 12,183 feet. Independence Pass climbs to 12,095 feet. Mount Evans Road reaches 14,130 feet — the highest paved road in North America. These routes are spectacular, and they're cold. Even in July, temperatures at altitude can drop into the 30s and 40s. Glove choice in Colorado is not a casual decision.
Colorado's Altitude Problem for Gloves
Temperature drops roughly 3.5°F for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. If it's 80°F in Denver at 5,280 feet and you're riding to the top of Trail Ridge Road at 12,183 feet, the theoretical temperature differential is about 24°F — meaning the top might be in the mid-50s while the city was pleasant. Add wind chill at motorcycle highway speeds and you're looking at conditions that feel genuinely cold.
Gauntlets: The Colorado High-Altitude Essential
For Colorado pass riding, the Legendary USA Classic American Whitetail Deerskin Gauntlets are the practical choice. The extended cuff seals the gap between jacket sleeve and glove at wrist level — a gap that becomes significant when you're riding at 12,000 feet in 45°F conditions with wind. Gauntlets provide the coverage that short-wrist gloves don't at altitude, without the complete restriction of heavy winter gloves.
Colorado Valley and Front Range Riding
Not all Colorado riding is at altitude. Denver, Colorado Springs, and the Front Range run at 5,000–6,000 feet — warm enough in summer for ventilated gloves. The Eastern Plains of Colorado are basically Great Plains riding conditions — hot, flat, and windy. For Front Range and plains riding in summer, the Short Wrist Ventilated Touchscreen Gloves are the right call. The touchscreen capability is practically useful in urban and suburban Front Range riding.
Colorado Fleece-Lined Gloves: The In-Between Solution
For Colorado's shoulder seasons — spring and fall — and for mid-altitude riding between 7,000 and 9,000 feet in summer, the Legendary USA Fleece Lined Deerskin Gloves cover the 40–65°F range that defines most Colorado non-extreme riding. They're warm enough for the cool Colorado mornings that persist even through the summer at elevation, without being overwhelming on warmer valley afternoons.
Browse all American-made motorcycle gloves at Legendary USA — built for Colorado's altitude demands.
Colorado's Legendary Riding Routes
Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Independence Pass on CO-82. The Million Dollar Highway (US-550) through the San Juans. Guanella Pass. Mount Evans Road. These are some of the most spectacular motorcycle roads in North America. They all require gloves appropriate for altitude and rapidly changing conditions.
FAQ: Motorcycle Gloves for Colorado High-Altitude Riding
Q: What gloves do I need for Trail Ridge Road? A: At minimum, lined gloves or gauntlets. The summit is above 12,000 feet and can be in the 40s even in July. Don't ride Trail Ridge Road in ventilated summer gloves without a backup pair.
Q: How cold does it get on Colorado mountain passes? A: In summer, passes above 11,000 feet can be in the 40s and 50s. Add wind chill at motorcycle speed and it feels significantly colder. Spring and fall passes can see temperatures in the 20s and 30s.
Q: Can I ride Colorado year-round? A: The Front Range and southern Colorado valleys can be ridden most of the year. Mountain passes are typically closed from November through May. Some passes have earlier and later closures depending on snowpack.
Q: What's the most versatile glove for a Colorado mountain riding trip? A: If you're doing a mix of valley and pass riding, bring the ventilated short wrist gloves for warm sections and the gauntlets for passes. Two pairs covers the full Colorado range.
Q: Are Legendary USA gloves good for high-altitude UV exposure? A: Yes. American deerskin handles UV exposure well. Condition the leather regularly and it maintains its integrity under the intense mountain UV that Colorado riding delivers.
