Biker gloves, what to get?

[ButteMT61]

I've got a couple pairs of old Z. Deerskin. They didn't have the hard knuckle protection, but were made locally and to order. Didn't even know they were still around.

 

[01flhr]

Im really leaning towards having them build me a jacket. The owner seems very enthusiastic about building me whatever i want and ive heard the turnaround on builds and repairs is really fast. Any chance youve had any other products of theirs? They dont seem to be as common as vanson or bates, but i havent heard anything bad either.

 

[ButteMT61]

They're a smaller shop. Used to see their stuff all the time years ago in the mag's. I've not owned anything but gloves of theirs.
I would not hesitate to get something though. Seeing now that I am really loving jackets made for me, I think I'd try that route next time. I'm currently "between bikes" so I have no need at the moment. It's possible I may never own one again, but if I do, I'd go the custom jacket route.

 

[01flhr]

Im definately going the custom route next time. Vanson has been great to deal with. Bates and langlitz have been good over the phone, but have failed to send leather samples when they said they would. Z has been awesome to deal with. Apparently they make many styles not even in their catalog. Ive had vanson, bates, and langlitz and all three were of similar quality. Im not familiar with z and that might be the only reason id go with a custom vanson.

 

[Edward]

I'm keeping an eye on the revived GoldTop range - they told me recently on Facebook that they are exploring the possibility of doing their 59 model (similar to the Aero Original 59er Highwayman, or the Lewis Dominator / Corsair) with built in CE aromour - they're just working on the pattern to get the right combintation of accomodating the safety features while getting it to look right.

padded gloves are so bulky, there must be a way to carry them when not in use,

Why not just cut-proof mittens/ gloves for kitchen or fishing

Depdns on their abrasion resistance. Though I did at one point consider buying a pair of kevlar safety gloves, and wearing those under a hevy leather gauntlet, like the Aero RAF ones. I think thast would be a pretty good combo for abrasion resistance.

I love these!

Rather improbably, Alpine Stars, of all people, are now doing some very cool gloves too:

https://www.motocard.com/en/gloves/...7HNz36utLuC6pFggSxu8A6btDkKBjN6drgaAlky8P8HAQ

The Oscar Rayburn model - based on a seventies design, originally, I believe:

 

[Edward]

Another recent discovery, and probably what I'm gonig to buy fairly soon: Helstons gloves. Helstons are a long-established name in French motorcycling - www.helstons.net . Most of hteir jackets are a bit more 'branded' than we tned to like round here (that said, I think the Ace looks pretty cool if you want a retro, racing leather jacket that you could imagine Steve Macqueen wearing), though they do have a couple of plainer cafe-racer types. Their gloves, however.... probably the best looking ones I've seen that have a bit of a retro vibe to them that would look good with a vintage-style motorcycle, and yet also provide modern protection. Indeed, the only cool-looking ones I've managed to find that have a CE-1 certification....

http://www.helstons.net/gants.html

48 models for men, 18 for women. Both with and without knuckle protectors...

Some examples:

I can see myself in a piar or two of these! Gonig to investigate in the near future...

 

[roadking04]

I have some deerskin gauntlet gloves from Fox Creek. They have the 100 gram thinsulate. They are bulky gloves. I ride in the 30's and 40's, they keep you warm for about a half hour or so.

 

[rocketeer]

These are nice, slightly different to your standard 'Roping' gloves

http://www.helstons.net/gants.html

 

[Edward]

These are nice, slightly different to your standard 'Roping' gloves

Yes. We're holidaying in Paris in August; hoping to check out a few Helstons bits in person if I don't get into a UK stockist before then. Really nice looking range of gloves, and the CE1 rating is a real plus. JUst surprised the clothing / protective gear side of thnigs has lagged so far behind the classic-style revival ith bikes themselves....??

 

[rocketeer]

Yes. We're holidaying in Paris in August; hoping to check out a few Helstons bits in person if I don't get into a UK stockist before then. Really nice looking range of gloves, and the CE1 rating is a real plus. JUst surprised the clothing / protective gear side of thnigs has lagged so far behind the classic-style revival ith bikes themselves....??

A lot of old style bikers tend to look back and want the look of the old times also. There is not much in the way of retro clothing without being a bit chunky in the protection areas, some semi hard padding is better than nothing especially at elbows and knees. I have to say I may be guilty of this also as I have an Eastman Luftwaffe jacket but wear an armoured vest underneath. Not sure about Barbour and Belstaff modern riding gear but I doubt anything like Lewis Leathers retro stuff would make the grade in the CE1 ratings.
I wear the Eastman riding my Triumph Street Triple though that is more a modern street fighter look than the modern Bonneville based bikes.

Never ridden through the centre of Paris on a bike. Would love to though and get a photo in front of the Tower.

 

[Bjorn240]

Lee Parks DeerTour Outseam has been my glove of choice for the last 100,000 miles.

 

[Edward]

A lot of old style bikers tend to look back and want the look of the old times also. There is not much in the way of retro clothing without being a bit chunky in the protection areas, some semi hard padding is better than nothing especially at elbows and knees. I have to say I may be guilty of this also as I have an Eastman Luftwaffe jacket but wear an armoured vest underneath. Not sure about Barbour and Belstaff modern riding gear but I doubt anything like Lewis Leathers retro stuff would make the grade in the CE1 ratings.

I was recently told by Goldtop that they are working on putting CE1 armour into their jackets, but they need to get the pattern right for the look first. It's certainly true that if it's not cut right it can look odd - that sort of hunchback look a lot of the power ranger gear can have. It'll be interesting to see what they come up with; I'd certainly like one of their 59 jacket if they do it. I have my eye on some Aeros, of course(!), but the GT has the attraction of being something at the sort of price where I wouldn't mind having some patches sewn on it, and, well, y'know...

Lewis' repop jackets they've been making for years are on the light side (a lot of originals I handled were too), though in the ast few years they've started offering heavier stuff too. The Urban Rider jackets seem to have been able to avoid distorting the look of them, and they're made of a hecvier horsehide, so hopefully that's a sign of things to come....

Never ridden through the centre of Paris on a bike. Would love to though and get a photo in front of the Tower.

Yeah, some day I'd like to do a holiday tour on the bike, once I've had enough time in post-licence to be safe. Got my eye more on Scotland than France as a more bearable climate for it, mind!

 

[Edward]

Just had a pair of Helstons' Legend gloves arrive in the post. Technically Summer gloves, but plenty warm enough for wearing off a bike in Winter. No real hint on them of being bike gloves at all, very subtle. Full price is GBP59.99, but Motolegends currently have them on sale on their eBay store at GBP27.99 with free postage. There's no knuckle guard as on some of their other models, but it is a lovely, light but durable bovine leather glove, reinforced leather strip along the index finger and thumb, and there's a Kevlar layer between the poly lining and the outer shell. They're certified to ECE Level 1, which is about as good as it gets with a glove. I'll definitely be buying more gloves from them in future.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Helstons-Legends-Summer-Gloves-/292023689493

 

[Downunder G Man]

Riding Gloves in Australia ?

At Daytona Bike week in 2011 I bought 2 pair of UNLINED deerskin short gloves from a stallholder at the raceway. zip up the rear

10 USD per pair from memory. Unlined because here in Western Australia for most of the year gloves can be too hot.

One fawn pair and one black. Shoulda bought 4 pairs at the time because can I find them anywhere NOW ??

Nearly 7 years of constant wear and they're both pairs well used. A "no name" brand , only tag says XXL

So I have just received a pair of MARS Australian made gloves with a very light lining, well made with Velcro fastening

 

[bluesforchallah]

Langlitz. After all, that's how Ross started Speedway Togs all those years ago.

For my summer gloves, I have a pair of Aerostich "Ropers" in black that are really comfortable once broken in. I also have a pair of "Dead Beat" that are similiar to the Roper, though I don't know if they'll last as long as any of my jackets, but they weren't terribly expensive either.

For Spring/Fall, I have a pair of Rev'it. Water resistant with fibers in the finger tips to allow for touch screen capabilities without having to take the gloves off. They're new this season, haven't had a whole lot of time with them yet. They are very well constructed.

For winter riding (below 40* for long periods of time), it's my Gerbing T5 heated gloves.

Dead Beat: Kind of goes without saying.

Rev'it!

Gerbing T5:

And while we're on the topic of riding gloves, my Pops died back in '83 (Lung cancer from exposure to Asbestos; career Coast Guard), was an avid biker; I was 13 at the time. One of the only things left of his that I have are an old pair of his riding gloves; they proudly hang over-head on my work bench.

 

[SkyTurtle]

As per the title, what gloves would you guys recommend for riding and where would you get them from?
I would like to get a nice warm pair that could last me as long as my jacket

Now that's like asking what kind of girl should I marry? There are all kinds of gloves to choose from and rarely is there a "do it all" glove, so expect to have as many pairs of gloves in your locker as you have helmets and boots. My number one rule for any pair of gloves is that they first be comfortable. Then I look at whatever I'm choosing that particular glove for (protection, water resistance, heated gear, summer airflow, etc.). That being said, here are some of my current favorite commuting gloves (track and specialty riding is a whole other post!):

The BMW 2-in-1s are pretty versatile, well made and have a lot of features that I like. They're made by Held and have a good deal of protection. The "summer side" has pretty good airflow and I wear them on long rides on hot days because of the longer, rigid gauntlet. They also have a visor wiper so I love them in wet weather:

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These are the BMW Airflow summer gloves. Very good airflow, good protection and well made (also made by Held). I bought these slightly small and formed them with Leather CPR so now they fit perfectly:

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I've had these Gerbing G3s for about four years and they are still going strong. No protection. No visor wiper. But they are warm and comfortable. Nice pocket for storing the plug when not powering them, too:

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This is a pair of Gerbing Glydes I bought last year. Better protection than the G3s but still no visor wiper and no pocket to store the plug when not in use so it flops about annoyingly. Oh yeah, the heat element in the left one failed last month so I have to return them under the warranty. High ratings for comfort and protection; low for rain use and reliability:

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And just to prove once again that money isn't everything, here's my third pair of Sedici Luccas that I still use for most commuting about town in the heat of summer. Excellent airflow and some of the most comfortable gloves I've ever owned. Very little protection and not as well made as some others. But Cycle Gear replaced one pair after a seam ripped after two years. About $39 or less, I believe:

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Go try on a bunch of gloves and see what you like. Then go ride!

 

[roadking04]

@SkyTurtle, great reviews, I am still looking for your vanson gloves review.

 

[SkyTurtle]

@SkyTurtle, great reviews, I am still looking for your vanson gloves review.

Working on it right now! So far, I love them. Like all Vanson products they take some breaking in so I'll report back as soon as I get them where I want them. They are unlined leather but very well-made. Comfortable out of the box but I imagine they'll do very nicely after a few treatments of Fiebing's Golden Mink Oil.

 

[Peter Mackin]

A lot of old style bikers tend to look back and want the look of the old times also. There is not much in the way of retro clothing without being a bit chunky in the protection areas, some semi hard padding is better than nothing especially at elbows and knees. I have to say I may be guilty of this also as I have an Eastman Luftwaffe jacket but wear an armoured vest underneath. Not sure about Barbour and Belstaff modern riding gear but I doubt anything like Lewis Leathers retro stuff would make the grade in the CE1 ratings.
I wear the Eastman riding my Triumph Street Triple though that is more a modern street fighter look than the modern Bonneville based bikes.

Never ridden through the centre of Paris on a bike. Would love to though and get a photo in front of the Tower.

I just took delivery of a new speed triple R on Wednesday ..all I need is the roads to clear of salt

 

[oneterrifichog]

If It's summer I prefer my Aerostitch simple Deerskin, Winter requires lined gauntlets and HEATED Grips!