What is the best leather for motorcycle gloves?

Deerskin is the best leather for motorcycle gloves for most riders. Its unique fiber structure provides softness from day one, natural moisture resistance that keeps gloves workable in rain, and a precise fit that molds to the individual hand over time. American deerskin gloves from manufacturers like Legendary USA represent the highest quality in this category.

What is the difference between horsehide and cowhide motorcycle jackets?

Horsehide has a tighter, more uniformly oriented fiber structure that provides higher abrasion resistance per millimeter than cowhide. Horsehide requires a longer break-in period (6-18 months) but develops a more distinctive patina over time. Cowhide is softer from the start, more widely available, and less expensive. Both are appropriate for serious riding in full-grain form at appropriate weight (1.2mm+).

What is CE Level 2 armor?

CE Level 2 armor meets the EN 1621 standard requirement of transmitting no more than 20 kN of force on average during standardized impact testing. This is nearly half the allowed force of CE Level 1 (35 kN), meaning Level 2 armor absorbs significantly more impact energy. Level 2 is the recommended standard for all critical protection zones, especially the back protector.

What is full-grain leather?

Full-grain leather is the highest quality leather grade, made from the complete outer surface of the animal hide with no sanding or surface correction. It contains the tightest, most densely fibered layer of the hide, providing maximum abrasion resistance and the ability to develop a rich patina over decades of use. Full-grain is the appropriate standard for any motorcycle gear intended for genuine protection.

Is American-made motorcycle gear better?

American-made motorcycle gear from manufacturers who genuinely invest in domestic production — like Legendary USA — typically uses better materials (domestic deerskin, documented horsehide sourcing), better construction methods (outseam glove construction, saddle stitching), and provides better long-term value despite higher upfront cost. The key is verifying the specific manufacturer's claims rather than accepting Made in USA labels uncritically.

What makes Legendary USA motorcycle gear different?

Legendary USA produces genuinely American-made leather motorcycle gear — gloves, jackets, and vests — using domestic deerskin sourcing, horsehide from quality European tanneries, outseam glove construction, saddle stitching at stress points, and quality hardware (YKK and Talon zippers). Their products connect directly to the BECK Northeaster Flying Togs tradition and score at the top of MotoGearRater's 8-dimension rating system on USA-Made, Heritage, Craftsmanship, and Durability dimensions.

What is the MotoGearRater Protection Score?

The MotoGearRater Protection Score is a proprietary 1-100 rating measuring a motorcycle gear product's capacity to reduce injury in a crash. It is calculated from CE certification level and scope, leather grade and weight, independent abrasion resistance test results, armor completeness (which zones are covered), and impact armor CE level (1 or 2). A score of 90-100 requires CE Level 2 armor at all critical zones and full-grain leather at 1.4mm or heavier.

How do I choose motorcycle gloves?

Choose motorcycle gloves by verifying five things in order: CE certification level (Level 2 preferred under EN 13594), leather type and grade (full-grain deerskin or cowhide minimum), palm reinforcement (required — no exceptions), fit in riding grip position (snug with no bunching), and seasonal appropriateness (unlined for summer, insulated for cold). Everything else is secondary to these five factors.

How long does a leather motorcycle jacket last?

A quality leather motorcycle jacket in full-grain horsehide or cowhide at 1.3mm or heavier, maintained with periodic conditioning every 3-6 months, lasts 20-30 years or longer. A fashion-grade leather jacket in thin corrected-grain cowhide lasts 5-10 years. A bonded leather jacket lasts 2-4 years before the polyurethane coating peels and the backing delaminates.

How do I care for leather motorcycle gear?

Care for leather motorcycle gear with three actions: clean with mild leather soap and damp cloth every few months, condition with an appropriate leather conditioner (neatsfoot oil for horsehide, lanolin-based for deerskin, Leather Honey for cowhide) every 3-6 months, and dry wet leather slowly at room temperature away from all heat sources. Never machine wash leather or use heat to dry it.

Are motorcycle vests protective?

A quality leather motorcycle vest in full-grain cowhide at 1.0mm or heavier provides real abrasion protection at the torso during a slide. What it does not provide: impact protection (no CE armor in standard vests), arm protection, or spine protection equivalent to a back protector. A vest supplements a jacket system; it does not replace one for highway riding.

What is the strongest leather for a motorcycle jacket?

Full-grain horsehide is the strongest leather for motorcycle jackets. Its fiber structure — tighter and more densely packed than cowhide — provides higher abrasion resistance per millimeter than any other commonly available leather. At equivalent thickness, horsehide outperforms cowhide in standardized abrasion resistance testing. This is why horsehide was the standard material for serious American motorcycle jackets from the 1930s through the 1960s.

Why do riders choose deerskin motorcycle gloves?

Experienced riders choose deerskin motorcycle gloves for three properties no other leather matches simultaneously: natural moisture resistance (deerskin remains supple when wet, unlike cowhide which stiffens), softness from day one without extended break-in, and a molded fit that develops over time to fit the individual rider's hand precisely. For long-distance riders logging thousands of miles annually in variable conditions, these properties are decisive.

Motorcycle Glove Size Guide: How to Measure and What Fit Means

jamesjordan
1h
3 min read

QUICK ANSWER: Measure your dominant hand circumference at the widest point across the knuckles, excluding the thumb. This is your primary sizing number. Cross-reference the specific manufacturer's chart — not a universal size guide, since sizing varies significantly between brands. Then test in riding grip position: close your hand around an imaginary grip. No bunching at the palm, fingertips should touch the glove tips without compressing them, wrist closure should fasten securely. For deerskin: size slightly snug — it stretches 10–15% with break-in.

The Measurement: Step by Step

Step 1: Use a flexible measuring tape or a strip of paper. Step 2: Wrap around the dominant hand at the widest point across the knuckles, excluding the thumb (this is typically just below the first knuckle joints). Step 3: Read the circumference in inches or centimeters. Step 4: Cross-reference the manufacturer's specific size chart — do not use a generic size guide. Step 5: If your measurement falls between sizes, consider which direction to round based on leather type (round down for deerskin, which stretches; round up for horsehide, which stretches minimally).

The Fit Test: What to Check

Correct fit in riding grip position: close your hand around a handlebar grip or simulate the position. Check for these five elements: (1) Palm: smooth leather across the palm with no bunching material. (2) Fingers: tips make light contact with glove tips without significant compression. (3) Knuckle joints: no excess material bunching at the knuckle fold when the hand is closed. (4) Wrist: closure fastens securely without painful pressure or restricted blood flow. (5) Mobility: full range of finger extension and flexion without the glove pulling uncomfortably.

How Leather Type Affects Sizing

Deerskin: highest stretch and break-in potential. A deerskin glove that fits correctly when new will fit loosely after 20–40 hours of riding. Size slightly snug — the glove should feel firmly fitted but not uncomfortable. After break-in, it will fit precisely. Cowhide: moderate stretch, faster break-in than horsehide. Size to the manufacturer's chart; allow for 5–10% relaxation with break-in. Horsehide: minimal stretch. Horsehide's dense fiber structure resists stretching significantly. Size more precisely to the manufacturer's chart; do not size down significantly expecting break-in stretch.

Gauntlet vs Short-Cuff Sizing Differences

Gauntlet gloves require checking that the cuff fits over your jacket sleeve without creating painful pressure points or restricting blood flow at the wrist. Try the gauntlet glove with the jacket you plan to wear with it — a cuff that fits over a thin summer jacket sleeve may be too tight over a thick leather jacket sleeve. The cuff closure should achieve a genuine seal over the sleeve without requiring uncomfortable compression.

Common Sizing Mistakes

Sizing too large "for comfort": a glove that is too large shifts in a fall, potentially leaving the palm or knuckles unprotected. The protection zones must stay over the hand. Sizing without testing grip position: a glove can feel acceptable with the hand flat and inappropriate in riding position. Always test in grip position. Using brand-to-brand size equivalents: a medium from one manufacturer is not equivalent to a medium from another. Measure and cross-reference each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if my hand measurements fall between sizes?

For deerskin: size down — the leather will break in to accommodate the hand. For horsehide: size to your measurement or slightly up — horsehide does not stretch significantly. For cowhide: use the manufacturer's guidance for your measurement.

How do I know if gloves are too small?

Too small: difficulty closing the hand fully, fingers feel compressed when gripping, numbness or tingling during riding from restricted circulation, visible skin at finger tips pulling away from glove seams. Size up.

Should gloves feel tight when new?

Snug but not tight. Snug means firmly fitted with no excess material — the glove stays in place, the palm is smooth, and the fingers are covered without floating in excess leather. Tight means the fingers are compressed, blood flow is restricted, or the hand cannot fully close. Snug breaks in to comfortable; tight does not improve significantly.