How to Size Motorcycle Gloves

A glove that doesn't fit doesn't protect the way it should — too loose and it twists on your hand so the knuckle armor slides off the knuckle; too tight and it kills bar feel and cuts circulation. Getting the size right takes two minutes and a tape measure.

Measure your hand

1. Wrap a soft tape measure (or a strip of string) around your dominant hand's palm at the widest point, just below the knuckles, with the hand open. Don't include the thumb.
2. Note the measurement in inches or centimeters.
3. Measure hand length too — from the base of the palm to the tip of the middle finger — some charts use it as a second check.
4. Measure twice and take the larger reading.

Read the chart (per brand)

Match your palm measurement to the manufacturer's size chart. As a rough guide, palm circumference maps to glove size like this — but always check the specific brand's chart, because they differ:

Check the fit

• Snug across the palm and around the fingers, with no loose, bunched material.
• No gap at the fingertips — your fingers should reach the ends.
• The knuckle armor should sit directly over your knuckles when you make a fist.
• You can still work the controls and squeeze the levers without strain.
• Leather stretches slightly with use, so a firm new fit is right — a comfy-loose new glove will be sloppy in a month.

Between sizes? For a leather glove, size down for a snug fit that will break in. For a textile or winter glove that won't stretch much, size up. Then check the whole setup against the best gloves to pick a pair.