How to Store Leather Motorcycle Gloves Between Seasons
- jamesjordan
- Jun 26
- 2 min read
How to Store Leather Motorcycle Gloves Between Seasons
Improper storage is one of the leading causes of premature leather glove failure. Here is exactly how to protect your investment through the off-season.
Step 1: Clean Before You Store
Never store dirty gloves. Road grime, salt, and sweat contain compounds that continue to break down leather fiber during storage. Clean thoroughly with a leather-appropriate cleaner or a slightly damp cloth. Remove all visible dirt, salt residue from winter roads, and sweat deposits from the interior lining. Allow to dry before proceeding.
Step 2: Condition Thoroughly
After cleaning, apply a quality leather conditioner generously and work it into the leather. The conditioner provides the oil content that prevents leather from drying and becoming brittle during storage. A well-conditioned glove entering storage maintains its suppleness through months of non-use. Unconditioned leather loses oil content and stiffens during the same period.
The quality of leather motorcycle gloves is preserved through storage as much as through riding — a few minutes of conditioning before storage protects years of investment.
Step 3: Dry Completely Before Storing
Before sealing gloves in any storage container, ensure they are completely dry. Storing damp gloves creates mold and mildew conditions that can permanently damage leather and lining. If your gloves were wet before storage, allow 48-72 hours of room-temperature drying before packing.
The Right Storage Environment
Store in a breathable cotton bag, not plastic. Keep in a cool, dry location away from windows. Avoid attics (temperature extremes) and basements (humidity). A bedroom closet at stable room temperature is ideal.
FAQs
How should I store gloves off-season?
Clean thoroughly, condition fully, dry completely, store in breathable cotton bag in cool, dry, dark location.
What happens if stored incorrectly?
Drying and cracking, mold growth, UV fade, stiffening — all preventable with the clean-condition-dry protocol.
Should I stuff gloves for storage?
Lightly — acid-free tissue in the palm maintains shape and prevents permanent crease lines.
How long can they be stored safely?
Quality leather, properly prepared, can be stored for years. Key risks — dryness and moisture — are both prevented by the storage protocol.
Store Right, Ride Well
Give your American-made leather motorcycle gloves the off-season care they deserve. Proper storage means perfectly preserved gloves every spring.
