Best Motorcycle Gloves for Mountain West Riders
- jamesjordan
- Jun 28
- 2 min read
Mountain West riding is some of the best in North America — and some of the most unpredictable. Beartooth Highway in Montana drops you from 60°F into near-freezing conditions within miles of elevation gain. Utah's canyon country runs blazing hot at the bottom and cold at the top. These rides demand gloves that handle a 40-degree swing in a single afternoon.
Elevation Is the Key Variable
In the Mountain West, elevation determines temperature more than season or time of day. A ride starting at 5,000 feet in the low 70s can end at 10,000 feet in the mid-40s in the same afternoon. Riders who plan a single glove for the whole day often regret it. The smarter approach is gauntlets or a lined glove that handles both ends.
Gauntlets: The Mountain West Versatile Choice
The Legendary USA Classic American Whitetail Deerskin Gauntlets are the Mountain West rider's most versatile tool. They provide enough coverage for cold mountain starts, enough breathing room for warm valley afternoons, and the deerskin construction handles the thermal cycling that mountain riding demands.
Desert Valley Riding: Ventilated Gloves
Riding through southern Utah in July — Moab, Zion, Capitol Reef — temperatures at valley floor can hit 100°F. The Short Wrist Ventilated Touchscreen Gloves are the right call here. Perforated deerskin keeps hands cool in desert heat.
High-Altitude Pass Riding
Planning a Beartooth Pass crossing or Trail Ridge Road in Colorado? The Legendary USA Fleece Lined or Insulated Mittens may be the right choice. These passes see frost even in August. Riding at 12,000 feet without warm gloves is a safety issue, not just a comfort issue.
Mountain West Routes Worth the Elevation Change
Beartooth Highway. Trail Ridge Road. Going-to-the-Sun Road. The Sawtooth Scenic Byway in Idaho. US-89 through the Grand Staircase in Utah. Once-in-a-lifetime rides — and the best views are always at the top, where it's always cold.
FAQ: Motorcycle Gloves for Mountain West Riders
Q: What gloves work best for rapid elevation changes? A: Gauntlets or lined gloves that handle both warm valleys and cold passes without forcing a stop to change.
Q: How cold does it get at altitude in the Mountain West? A: Even in July and August, passes above 10,000 feet see temps in the 40s and 50s. Summer afternoon storms drop it further with rain and wind chill.
Q: Can I wear ventilated gloves for Beartooth Highway? A: Not at the summit. At 10,947 feet, ventilated gloves are not enough. Bring a lined glove or gauntlet.
Q: Does deerskin hold up in Mountain West conditions? A: Yes. Deerskin handles thermal cycling, light rain, and UV exposure well under real-world mountain use.
Q: What glove for riding Utah canyon country in summer? A: Short wrist ventilated deerskin for the valley floor. Pack a lined pair for climbs above 7,000 feet.
