RiDE Magazine Recommended Motorcycle Gloves brings together models that have carried a RiDE testing tag in Moto Central's catalogue. The range is deliberately varied, including short sports gloves, waterproof touring designs, insulated winter options, heated gloves and women's-specific versions.
An editorial award is useful evidence, but it is not a claim that every glove is ideal for every rider or condition. RiDE explains that its Best Buy marker recognises products that performed strongly while offering exceptional value, while Recommended can identify strong performance at a higher price or acceptable performance at a much lower price. The original test context and exact glove version still matter.
What a RiDE recommendation tells you
RiDE's triangle records the outcome of an editorial comparison at a particular time, using the price, sample and rival products available for that test. It can help narrow a shortlist, but stock specifications, prices and model generations can change. Use the Moto Central product page for the item currently supplied and consult the original RiDE article where the precise test result is important.
Different colourways of the same glove may appear separately in this collection. The recommendation normally relates to the model tested, not a claim that a colour changes its performance. Equally, a later version with a similar name should not automatically inherit the result of an earlier generation.
Recommended does not mean identical performance
The gloves here do not share one level of warmth, waterproofing, protection or value. RiDE's own published heated-glove findings illustrate the difference: Keis G901 was favoured for strong warmth in cold, dry use, while Merlin Curborough kept water out in the test but was judged to need greater heating power. Choose around the result that matches your riding.
Choose the glove for the job
Short sports gloves
Models such as RST Tractech Evo 4 Short and Dainese X-Ride 2 use a shorter cuff and focus on control feel and warm-weather road use. Check how the cuff overlaps your jacket sleeve and whether the wrist closure remains secure in your normal riding position.
Waterproof touring gloves
Richa Street Touring Gore-Tex, Richa Hurricane Gore-Tex, RST Fulcrum Waterproof and Alpinestars SP-365 Drystar sit in the weather-focused part of the range. Membrane brand, insulation, cuff length and seasonal intent vary, so waterproof wording alone does not describe warmth or dexterity.
Cold-weather gloves
Winter designs such as Richa Ice Polar and Arctic use insulation to retain heat. Thicker construction can change lever feel, while individual circulation, wind chill and journey length affect comfort. Make sure the glove remains flexible enough for every control.
Heated gloves
Keis G901 and Merlin Curborough add powered heating. Check whether batteries, controllers, connecting leads or motorcycle power harnesses are included, optional or required. Heating zones, run time and weather performance are product-specific.
Leather road gloves
Leather products in the collection range from sports-led models to simpler casual designs. Look beyond the material name to the palm construction, seams, knuckle protection, cuff and stated certification for the exact glove.
Women's-specific versions
Richa Arctic Ladies and Street Ladies Touring use their own sizing and pattern. A women's model is not simply a smaller men's glove, and the correct finger length, palm width and wrist closure still need to be checked.
Motorcycle glove fit
A correctly sized glove should allow a full grip without pulling tightly across the knuckles or leaving excess material at the fingertips. Close your hand around a handlebar or similar grip and operate each finger independently. The liner should not bunch, twist or pull away when the glove is removed.
Check the thumb reach, little-finger length and the position of any hard protector. A knuckle shell that presses when the hand is curved can become painful on a longer ride. The wrist retention should close securely, and a longer cuff must overlap your jacket in the direction recommended for the conditions.
Brand sizing differs, and insulated gloves often feel different from unlined sports models. Use the size guide for the exact product and try gloves in riding position where possible.
Protection and certification
Motorcycle gloves may be certified to EN 13594, but the level, test details and marking must be checked on the individual product. A CE reference in a product name does not mean every model in the collection uses the same construction or protection layout.
Inspect the palm, wrist retention, seams, knuckle area and any finger protection. Added hard parts do not compensate for poor fit, and a glove that can pull off too easily is not the right size or adjustment. Replace gloves after significant impact damage or when seams, fasteners or protective sections become compromised.
Waterproofing, warmth and control feel
Waterproof, insulated and heated are three separate properties. A membrane may manage rain without providing substantial insulation, while a very warm glove may not remain waterproof. Heated gloves can add adjustable warmth but still depend on battery charge, electrical connections and the underlying glove construction.
For changing weather, consider carrying a second pair rather than asking one glove to cover every season. A lighter glove can preserve dexterity in mild conditions, while a full-length insulated or heated option can be reserved for colder journeys.
When evaluating a test result, note the temperature, rain exposure, journey type and power arrangement used. RiDE's published findings are most useful when those conditions resemble your own.
Care and maintenance
Follow the glove manufacturer's care label. Leather, textile membranes, waterproof laminates and heated electrical components require different cleaning methods. Do not machine-wash or immerse a heated glove unless its instructions explicitly permit it, and disconnect batteries or power leads before cleaning.
Dry wet gloves naturally with the cuffs open, away from direct heat. Aggressive heat can damage leather, membranes, adhesives and wiring. Check electrical connectors for dirt or damage before the next use and store batteries according to the maker's guidance.
Why buy RiDE-tested gloves from Moto Central?
Moto Central lets you compare the editorial shortlist alongside the features that determine real-world suitability: cuff style, insulation, membrane, heating system, protection, fit and price. Our Hinckley showroom is particularly useful for checking finger length, knuckle position and control feel before choosing between very different recommended models.
For the full choice beyond this editorial collection, browse all motorcycle gloves at Moto Central.
RiDE-recommended gloves: customer questions
Does every glove have the same RiDE award?
No. Best Buy and Recommended have different meanings, and the collection can include products from different tests and years. Check the original test where the exact result matters.
Are all gloves in this collection waterproof?
No. The range includes sports, touring, winter and heated gloves with different weather performance. RiDE specifically reported that the Keis G901 was not waterproof in its 2025 test.
Does a recommendation guarantee the glove will fit me?
No. Fit depends on hand shape and the individual model. Use the exact size guide and check the glove with your hand curved around a grip.
Do heated gloves include batteries?
It varies. Some can use motorcycle power, portable batteries or both, and the required accessories may be optional. Read the individual listing before ordering.
Are newer colourways tested separately?
Usually the meaningful result applies to the glove model tested, but do not assume that a later generation or similarly named product is identical. Confirm the specification and test date.
