Gloves

24MX Motocross Gloves for Protection and Control

Every motorcyclist should choose to wear gloves. Yet a motocross rider needs a specific type of glove to get the most from their ride. The primary goal of dirt bike gloves is to protect the hands. However, they must also tick many other boxes, such as comfort and style. Apart from the usual broken bones and pulled ligaments, blisters are one of the most common motocross injuries. Riders have to grip the bars tightly. Due to the constant bucking movement of the bike, handlebar grips can tear gloved hands very quickly. You would think it's possible to offset this with gloves featuring heavily padded areas on the palms and inner fingers, yet this is not the case.

Suitable MX gloves walk a fine line regarding palm and finger padding. The padding needs to be thin enough not to interfere with the feel of the throttle or the speed at which the rider can operate the clutch and brake. At the same time, the palm and inner finger area must enhance grip while offering just enough protection to fend off handlebar vibration. It is these attributes that make motocross gloves a standout piece of kit. Although protection on the back of a glove is essential due to the amount of debris kicked up or obstacles encountered, ventilation is equally important. Air entering through the back of the glove and finger gussets must circulate to the palms to prevent sweat, resulting in a loss of grip and painful blisters.

Why do motocross riders change their gloves so often?

There are many reasons for buying new motocross gloves, and as the sport is strenuous, the most common will be to replace worn-out gloves. Motocross kit's prime role is to protect the rider, but that doesn't mean it has to appear lackluster. Shirts, trousers, and even boots are often a riot of colour, and the same goes for MX gloves. So when a gear manufacturer launches the new season's styles, many riders update their gear, whether worn or not. If you change your dirt bike or treat it to a new paint job, the chances are you'll buy new gloves to match it too.

Dirt bike glove materials

Being so hardwearing and flexible, it's little wonder Polyester features heavily in dirt bike glove manufacture, but it's not the only fabric in town.

Synthetic leather is also used extensively on the back of MX gloves and usually covering the palms. This material provides just the right amount of grip. What's more, it combines well with other materials such as silicone.

Silicone is bonded to the pads of the fingers and even the palms to help precisely control the brake and clutch levers.

Some manufacturers opt for armoured backs and reinforced fingers. However, to ensure that the MX glove doesn't lose its pliability, material like TPR (thermoplastic rubber) is used. This easily molded polymer provides shock-absorbing impact protection while not interfering with the glove's flexibility.