When did leather motorcycle gloves become part of American riding culture?

Leather motorcycle gloves became standard riding gear in America during the 1920s and 1930s, as motorcycles became faster and more common. Early racers recognized that hand protection in a crash was essential, and leather gauntlets borrowed from aviation and military traditions were adopted. After World War II, returning veterans who had ridden military motorcycles brought the leather gauntlet glove into mainstream American riding culture, where it became a defining element of the rider aesthetic through the 1950s and 1960s.

What were the earliest American motorcycle gloves like?

The earliest American motorcycle gloves were simple gauntlet designs borrowed from aviation and equestrian traditions — heavy full-grain leather with a long cuff, minimal hardware, often no closure beyond a simple snap or button. They were built for warmth and wind protection rather than crash protection, though the heavy leather provided significant abrasion resistance by accident. Many early riders used military surplus gloves or work gloves rather than motorcycle-specific designs.

How did American motorcycle glove design change after World War II?

After World War II, American motorcycle culture transformed and motorcycle glove design evolved with it. Returning veterans created a large rider population that turned motorcycles from utility to culture. The classic black leather gauntlet became the definitive symbol of American rider identity. Manufacturers began producing motorcycle-specific gloves with improved palm construction and better crash-focused design. The 1950s and 1960s saw the aesthetic peak of the classic American motorcycle glove.

How has American leather glove craftsmanship been preserved?

American leather motorcycle glove craftsmanship has been preserved primarily by small American manufacturers who maintained traditional construction methods while other manufacturing moved offshore. Companies in the midwest and west that have produced leather work gloves and riding gloves for generations maintained the skills — full-grain leather selection, outseam construction, quality thread and hardware — that define the American leather tradition. These manufacturers now represent the premium tier of the motorcycle glove market.

The History of Leather Motorcycle Gloves in America

MOTOGEARRATER

top of page

Widget Didn’t Load

Check your internet and refresh this page.

If that doesn’t work, contact us.

bottom of page

MotoGearRater is reader-supported. We may earn affiliate commissions from partners including Legendary USA when you buy through our links. How we make money & our editorial standards

Subscribe to our newsletter

The Motorcycle Gear Buyer's Guide

You're in.