Motorcycle Rider’s Glove Buying GuideTABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction Find the right glove for you

2. Why motorcycle gloves?

3. Three Key Factors Budget, Weather, and Personal Requirements

4. Safety Features Cruising, Adventure/ADV, Sport/Street/Track

5. Proper Fit Howtomeasure/fitgloves? American Fit vs. European Fit Fit of Leather vs. Fabric

6. How Long Should Gloves Last? Glove Care

7. Summing up: Choosing gloves

It doesn’t matter if you’re an old hand at motorcycling, or if you’ve just bought your first bike. There are hundreds of brands and styles of motorcycle gloves to choose from.

Having so many choices can be confusing!In this guide, we’ll answer the following questions:

• Whattolookforinamotorcycleglove?

• Whichfeaturesprotectfrominjury,weatherandhandfatigue?

• What’sthedifferencebetweenaglovefor$50,andonethat coststwiceasmuch?

• Whichdesignfeaturesandmaterialsare“musthave’s”foryourstyleofriding,andwhicharesimplycosmetic?

Areyouatouringrider?Doyouridethetrailsasanadventurerider?Areyouansportrider,pushingyourskillstothelimit?

Regardlessofyourpreferredstyleofriding,thisguideisdesignedtohelpyoumakeaninformedchoice.Nohype.Justhonesttalkabout motorcyclegloves.

Read on, and happy riding!

GOAL OF THIS GUIDE: INTRODUCTION

THE BASICS: WHY MOTORCYCLE GLOVES?

Some riders ask us: Do I really need motorcycle gloves?

The answer is yes, you do.

Handsarevulnerablewhileriding.Agoodmotorcycleglove will ensure:

• Protectionfromroadrash…orworse Accidentsdohappen.Mostnewridersexperienceanaccidentwithin theirfirst3monthsofriding.Yournaturalinstinctistothrowyourhands outinfrontofyoutoprotectyourselfinafall.Therightglovesprovides kidprotectionandpreventabrasioninjuriesonthepalmsandfingers.

• Protectionfromweather Sun,wind,rain,coldandhail…MotherNatureisunpredictableduring aride,andunderpassescanbefewandfarbetween.Butifyouhave therightglovesandgearfortheelements,lifehardlygetsanysweeter thanthat.

• Protectionontheroad,trailsandtrack Whenfollowingatruckorothertypeofvehicle,smallrocks,retreadfromtires,nuts,boltsandalimitlessvarietyofroadhazardsgetthrownatyou. Onthetrailsandonthetrack,well-placedpaddingonyourhandsmakes allthedifference.

• Relieffromhandfatigue Someglovesincorporategel,padding,curvedfingersandotherfeatures forcomfortaroundthegrips.Withthesefeatures,handfatigueand numbnesscanvirtuallybeeliminatedduringyourride.

• Improvedcontrol GreatTACTILESENSATIONforthethrottleandotherhandcontrolsareamust.Somemotorcyclegloveshavestrategicallytexturedpalmsandfin-gers,forimprovedgripandcontrol.

HOW TO CHOOSE? THREE KEY FACTORS:

Selectingagloveisapersonalchoice.Everyone’sbudget--andneedforcomfort,style,andsafetywhileriding--isalittledifferent.

Makesuretochooseaglovewiththefeaturesyouneedforthetype ofridingyoudo,andtheprotectionyouneedtokeephandssafe.

Atit’smostbasiclevel,therearethreebasicconsiderations:Budget,WeatherConditions,and Personal Factors.

Budget:Glovescancost$15…or$300!Valueisintheeye–orthehand–ofthebeholder.Likeanything,itboilsdowntothecombinationofworkmanship,materials,and featuresthatarerightforYOU.

Premiumfeatureslikemoreinsulation,breathableliners,ormorearmorcomewithapricetag.And,iftheglovesaresportingafancybrandname,youwillpayforthattoo.Thesamequalityglovecancost$20-$30moreforthebrandname.

Onceyoudeterminewhat’smostimportanttoyou,therewillcertainlybeaglove thatfitsboththatandyourbudget.

Howmuchshouldglovescost?You’llfindlotsofchoicesatallpricepoints.

Forinstance,all-seasonglovesinthe$30-$75rangecanrangefroma verycomfortableall-aroundglovethatisreflective,hasgel,andleather palms(around$30)toaruggedall-seasonglovethatismadefromleather andGore-texinserts(around$75).

Amorespecific,highlyfunctionalglove,willobviouslycostmore.

WorkmanshipandMaterials:Therightworkmanshipandmaterialscanmakeglovesfitbetter,andlastlonger,thanothers.Takealookattheseams,trythemon.Qualityglovesfeelbetteron thehand.

Noticedetailslike:

• Fingersthatareangledlikeyourhandwheretheyjointhepalm

• Externalseamsthatarelessirritating

• Slipproofinsertsthatwon’tbunch,shiftormovearoundintheglove.

Features: Twoglovescanlookthesame,butperformcompletelydifferently.

Forinstance,doesaglovethatismarked“waterproof”alsoallowyourhands tobreathe,orwillyourhandssweatlikecrazy?

Premiummaterialslikeweatherproofingmightnotalwaysbevisible,butwill addtothecost--andperformance--oftheglove.

(SeeAppendixforsomeofthemostcommonlyusedfeaturesandmaterials)

Your Budget: Bottom line Forunder$50.00,youcangetaquality,wellfittingglovethatprovidesboth protectionandcomfortwhileriding.

Setabudgetthatmakessenseforyou…anddon’tcutcornerswhenitcomes tofeaturesthatenhancesafetyorcomfort.

Ifyoudecidetopaymoreforstylingorbrandname,that’suptoyou.

Cold-Weather/Winter Motorcycle Gloves:

• Youneedwarmhandstooperatethehandcontrolsandstay comfortable:Ifyoucontinuetorideinthecoldermonths,it’sworthinvestinginagoodcoldweathermotorcycleglove.

• Lookforadvancedinsulatedlayerstokeepyourhandswarm

• Specialfeaturessuchaswindproofingandwaterproofing,provideprotectionfromcold,windandrain.

• Coldweatherglovesshouldprotectyouinfrigidtempsrangingfromthelow20stoabout55degreesFahrenheit.

All-Weather Motorcycle Gloves:

• All-weathermotorcycleglovesshouldprovideallaroundprotectionfromtheelements(wind,rainandcold).

• They’llkeepyoureasonablycomfortablefromroughly35degreesFahrenheittoaround60degrees,withoutalotofbulkbetweenyouandthehandlebars.

• Allweatherglovesareusuallydesignedtoprovidewarm,breathableyetwickinglayeredmaterialstohelpkeephandsdryfromboth perspirationandprecipitation.

Summer Motorcycle Gloves:

• Summermotorcycleglovesarespeciallyconstructedtokeep yourhandscoolandprotectedonsummerridesabove 65degreesFahrenheit.

• Summerfeatureslikespecialvents,mesh,fingerlessconstruction,specialtextilesforaddedventilationtothepalm,fingersandthebackofyourhand,andabsorbentmaterialstowickawaysweat.

• Inadditiontothesefeatures,thesummergloveshouldbeprotective,andprovidefreedomofmotionandtactilefeelforthecontrols.

• Afingerlessgloveoffersaclassicwaytostaycoolandprotectedatthesametime.Comfortandsafetyfeaturescanincludeperforatedleatherforventilation,gelpalms,armoredknuckles,andmore.

WEATHER

Personal Requirements: Do suffer from vibration? Do you ride on rough terrain? Ride at night? Here’s a summary of special features you might look for, depending on your personal requirements

FEATURES TO LOOK FOR:

Gelpadsandextrafoampaddingonpalms.

Doubleinsulationonfingertips,waterproof inserts,Thinsulatematerials,hydrofillinings, extrainsulationonbacksofhand,heated gloves/grips,gauntlets.

Gore-tex,Aqua-tex,Dri-lock,depending onyourneedforbreathability,builtin gogglewipers.

Nylonmesh,perforatedleather,Stretch Nylonfingers,specialventing.

Wind-stopper,Wind-Tex,Gore-Tex,Aquatex.

Vents,meshfabrics,materialsthat “breathe”likeGore-tex,perforatedleather,andneoprene.

Gelpalms.

HardKevlarorcarbonfiberknuckles, moldedsoftknuckleprotection,skidpads onpalms,paddinginvulnerablehandareas,Kevlarthread,wriststraps.

Softleathers,soft/stretchyfabrics,gel, extrapaddinginspecificareas,externalseams,easyon/off,adjustablewriststraps,boxfingerconstruction,seamlesspalms,elasticizedcuffs

Texturedpalmsandfingers,forimprovedgripandcontrol.

Leather,toughfabricslikeCordura,doublestitchedandreinforcedseams,useof heavyweightthread

Highvisibilityfabrics,LEDlighting

Gloveswithtouchscreenand/orBluetoothcapabilities,dependingonyourneeds.

PROBLEM

Fatigue

Cold

Rain,sleet

Heat

Wind

Sweat

Vibration

Aggressive RidingConditions, Exposure to road hazards

Comfort

Control

Durability

Duskor Night Riding

Access to Electronics

SOLUTION

Flexiblematerials,padding

Insulation,oraddedwarmth,addalinerlayer

Waterproofinglayer

Ventilation,Fingerlessstyles

Windbarriers

Fabricsthat“breathe”,wickmoistureandother“airflow”features

SiliconeGelpadding

Armorandother protectivefeatures

Padding,comfortable exteriorandliningmaterials,constructionthatmoveswithyourhand

Texturedgrippingmaterials,strategicallyplaced

Ruggedconstruction, durablematerials

reflectivefeatures

Builtin“Touch”features that allow riders to use electronicseasily

PROTECT YOUR HANDS! SAFETY FEATURES

What special safety features do you require?Somepeoplesaythisdependsonyourstyleofriding.Wehaveadifferentview!

Afterall,youcangetinjuredontheroadjustaseasilyasonthetrack…andyoucangetthesamescrapesasanewrider,asyoucanwith40yearsonthebike!Trackracingorcruising,beginningriderorexperienced,handsneedprotection.

Herearesomeimportantsafetyfeaturesthatyoumightlookforbasedonyourtypeofbike/riding,

Touring/CruisingRiders,lookfor:• Gelinthepalmstoprotectfromvibration.

• Paddingonthebacksideofeachofyourfingersandpalms;thiswillpro-tectyouinaslide.

• Seasonalfeatures,dependingontheconditionsyourideinmost–venti-lationandinsulation.

• Grippingtexturesforbetterthrottleandhandcontrol.

• Reflectivematerials,tobemorevisibleatnightorinfoulweather

• Softmaterialstoprotectagainstskinagitationduringhighmileagerides.

Adventure/DualSportRiders,lookfor:• Hardprotectioninknuckles,wrists,andforearms.

• Moreruggedfeatureslikeventing,fingerprotection,andthumbprotec-tion.

• Texturedmaterialsonthepalmsandfingerstoprovideagriponthethrottleandotherhandcontrols.

• Sweatwiper.

• Floatingfingerpanelsorflexiblefoampaddingaroundknucklesandjoints,forgreaterdexterity.

• Reinforcedthumbs,forefingersandheels

ExtremeRoad/SportRiders,lookfor:• Hand/bodyarmorprotectionfromaccidentsandroadcontact.

• Sportridersshouldlookforthebeststiffarmoryourmoneycanbuy.

knuckleprotection

Addedprotectioninkeyimpact/skidareas

paddedandcoveredfingers,handandpalm

fabric:cut,abrasion,andpunctureresistance

hiviz:tobeeasilyseen24/7

Safety Component Checklist:

PROPER FIT

It’simportanttowearmotorcycleglovesthatfitwell.

Ill-fittingglovesarenotonlyuncomfortable,butalsoasafetyhazardbecausetheycancauseyourhandstobecomefatiguedmorequickly.Theycanalsocausecrampingofthehand,andnumbnessthatcangetinthewayofaquickhandre-sponse.

Howtomeasure/fitgloves?Everybrandofglovesfitdifferently.It’simportanttotrythemon,toseewhichbrandandstylefeelsbestonyourhands.

There are some general rules of thumb (no pun intended!):

American Fit vs. European Fit: Asageneralrule,“Americanfit”glovesrunalittlebigger,andfitNorthAmericanhandsbetter,thanleanercut,smaller,importedEuropeangloves.Ifyouareorderingglovesonline,isimportanttocheckthemanufacturer’ssizecharts,andmeasureyourownhands,asinstructed.

Leather vs. Fabric Fit:Newleatherglovesshouldfitonthesnugside,astheywillstretchtofityourhandsastheyget“brokenin.”Asageneralrule,thesoftertheleather,thelesstimeittakestobreakin.Textile(fabric)glovesdon’tneedtobebrokenin,whichmeanstheirinitialfitwillnotchange.

Women’s Glove Fit:Women’shandsarenotsimplyasmallerversionofmen’shands;womenneedprotectionfromtheelements,plusaspecialfitthattakesintoaccounttheiruniqueproportionsandproperties.

Forinstance,sincewomenwearmorerings,therearewonen’sglovesthataccom-modatethat.Morewomenareridingnowthaneverbefore,butitcanstillbehardtofindgood,fullyfeaturedwomen’sglovesthatfit.

Lookforwomen’sglovesthathavethefeaturesandfityouwant.

Nobunchinginthefingertipsortightness attheknuckles.

Shouldfitwellfromthe1stdayyouwear them.Nottootight,nottooloose

Gooddexterityandfinemotorcontrol... theglovescannotbeclumsy!

Glove FitChecklist:

GLOVE DURABILITY and CARE

How long should motorcycle gloves last?Itreallydependsontherider.Motorcycleglovesarenotlikeatirethatyoucanreliablyrideonfor20Kmiles.Someriderschangetheirgloveseveryyear,whileothersclock40Kmileswithasinglepairofgloves,andthey’restillgoingstrong.Also,someglovestakemoreabusethanothers(sportriders,we’relookingatyou!).As a general rule:

• Theglovepalmandtheclutchfingersgetsmorewear,solookforgloveswithmoredurablefabricsorleathers,reinforcedseams,andstrongerthreadsinthosespots.

• Leather,especiallyhigher-end,glovegradeleather,shouldholdupbetter,butitcompletelydependsonuse.Asageneralrule,lookforcowhide,deer-skin,goat,kangarooandpigskin,whichallhavedurableproperties.

• There’snosuchthingasnormal“wearandtear.”Youmightexpect$300glovestolastlonger–buttheywon’t,necessarily!

Attheendoftheday,onlyyoucanbethejudgeofwhetheryourglovesholduptoyourtypeofridingasexpected.

WeroutinelygetlettersfromriderswhohaveusedthesamepairofOlympiaglovesforyearswithoutwearingthemout.Astheysay,yourmileagemayvary!

Cleaning Instructions:Wewearourglovesalot…sometimesdaily.Wesweat,andtheyaresubjecttoroadgrimeordirtfromthetrails.Takingcareofyourglovescankeepthemlookinggoodandlastinglonger.

Whenitcomestomotorcyclegloves,it’sbestnottomachinewashthem.That’sbecauseofthevarietyofmaterialsandlayeredconstruction--notallofthoseinte-riorlayers,andtechnicalfabrics,canbecleanedinthesameway.

Leather Glove Care:

• Handwashtheinsidewithmildsoapandwater

• Useleathercleaneron the outside leather

• Usemildsoaponany externalfabric

• Airdryonly

Fabric Glove Care:

• Handwashtheinsidewithmildsoapandwater

• Usemildsoaponany externalfabric

• Airdry

What are some ways to judge a good motorcycle glove?

Noteverycompanyhasbeenmakingglovesforover70yearslikewehave,buttherearemanyfinebrandstochoosefrom.

Thingstolookforbeforeyoubuyahighperformancemotorcycleglove:

• Acompanywithagoodtrackrecord,thathasstoodthetestoftime

• Areputablecompanythatstandsbehindtheirproducts

• Aguaranteeformanufacturingdefects

Brand Quality Indicators:

Guarantee: Lookforcompaniesthathaveareputationtoupholdandstandsquarelybehindtheirproducts.

Premium materials and Construction: UseofbrandedmaterialslikeGoretex,Thinsulate,Kevlar,Primaloft,AquatexThermolite,Holofil,andDri-lock,aregoodqualityindicators,becausecompanieshavetoupholdcertainmanufacturingstandardsforthesematerialsupplierstoal-lowtheirbrandnamestobeused.

Style: Somecompaniesconsistentlyimproveandadapttheirdesigns,withaneyeto-wardssafetyandcomfort.Othercompaniesareontheforefrontoffashionandstyle.Thisisaverypersonalchoice.

Innovation: You’llwanttomakesurethatthecompanywhoseglovesyouchooseisincorporat-ingthebestmaterialsandcurrentmethodstheindustryhastooffer.

Forinstance,OlympiawasthefirstglovecompanytointroduceGore-texandgelpaddingtomotorcyclegloves,andoneofthefirsttouseKevlar,reflectivetechnol-ogy,moldedsoftknuckles,doublelayersofinsulationonfingertips,andtouch-screentechnology,tonameafew.

CHOOSING A GLOVE: BRAND QUALITIES

CONCLUSION

Moreimportantthanwhatacompanysaysaboutitself,iswhatotherriderssay.Doyourhomework,checkonlinereviews…andbesuretoleavereviews,too,sootherrider’scanbenefitfromyourexperience.

We want you to LOVE your gloves ... whether you buy ours or another brand.

Soshoparound,seewhat’snew,readreviews.

Then,makeaninformedchoice.Selectaglovethatfitsyourneedsandbudget,makesuretheyfeelgoodon,and…

… Hit the road, knees to the breeze! Ride safe!

ABOUT OLYMPIA GLOVES:

We hope you found this guide helpful!Inour70+yearsofmakinggloves,there’snoglovequestionthatwehaven’t beenasked!

Ifyoustillhavequestionsaboutselecting,fitting,orcaringformotorcyclegloves,pleasegetintouch.Emailusat:info@olympiagloves.comWe’rehappytohelp!

Andwehopeyou’llcheckoutourgear…durable,highperformanceglovesthatfitperfectly,keepyousafeandcomfortableontheroad,andholdupinaslide.Qual-itygloves,atareasonableprice.

Weappreciateyourbusiness.

Ridesafe!

-- Roger, and the rest of the team at Olympia Gloves

P.S.

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