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Give Mother Nature the driest middle finger she’s ever seen with our favorite waterproof motorcycle gloves of the year.
If you want to tour the world on two wheels, you'd better be prepared for rain. On our recent trip through Vietnam, the crew and I probably spent about half our time riding through wet conditions, and good waterproof gear made all the difference.
We probably don’t have to tell you that wet hands can ruin your ride in short order.
"A normal day riding in Vietnam 🌧️🏍️ "
To that end, waterproof motorcycle gloves help make the most out of less-than-ideal conditions and should be a part of your gear list for any serious two-wheeled touring.
Our Top Pick Waterproof Glove Quick list:
| Waterproof Gloves: | Summary: | Price: |
Klim Badlands GTX |
The gloves most of our tour guides use in bad weather. Expensive, but quality. | CHECK PRICE |
Highway 21 7V Radiant Heated Glove
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Waterproof, windproof, insulated, and heated. The warmest waterproof glove out there. | CHECK PRICE |
Alpinestars Corozal V3 Drystar Gloves
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A versatile short cuff glove that works great throughout peak riding season. | CHECK PRICE |
Leatt ADV HydraDri 6.5 Gloves
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Waterproof protection and ultralight comfort for warm-weather riding. | CHECK PRICE |
Leatt ADV SubZero 5.5 Short Gloves |
A warm & waterproof option for the off-road lovers out there. | CHECK PRICE |
Can Motorcycle Gloves Really Be Waterproof?
Any motorcycle glove with a quality waterproof/breathable membrane will be effectively waterproof.
With that being said, nothing shy of rubber gloves or plastic bags will keep water at bay forever, so let’s take a moment to set some expectations.
GoreTex is regarded as the best waterproof membrane on the market, and considering the premium we pay for it, it damn well better be.
In our experience, a solid pair of GoreTex equipped gloves will keep outside moisture at bay for a full day’s ride.
"Can escape our home base in Oregon without a little drizzle."
A long enough downpour, however, will overwhelm even the mightiest three-layer GoreTex membrane.
The buildup of moisture outside the glove, combined with the buildup of heat/sweat inside the glove, will always lead to wet hands eventually.
The hallmark of a good waterproof motorcycle glove is to be “waterproof enough” to keep rain at bay for several hours, then “breathable enough” to return to a fully dry condition in between showers.
How Do You Wear Motorcycle Gloves In The Rain?
When you’re riding a motorcycle, moisture comes at your hands from two directions.
Rain falling from the sky blows forward onto your gloves as you ride, and rain beading off your jacket rolls down your arms toward your hands.
"Cinching down the Badlands GTX glove as weather comes in"
The most reliable way to lock out moisture is by layering a full-length gauntlet glove underneath the sleeve of a jacket.
This prevents rain from rolling down your arm into the glove, while the tightly cinched wrist of the jacket seals out falling rain.
It’s important to note that some gloves out there use a “double gauntlet” system that’s designed to go over your sleeve, but this is the exception rather than the norm.
It's also worth noting that when riding off-road, having your jacket over your glove (rather than the other way around) is much more conducive in the standing position, as the glove doesn't push into and bunch up on the sleeve of the jacket.
What Are The Best Motorcycle Gloves For Wet Weather?
It used to be the case that any glove with a three-layer GoreTex membrane was the gold standard in waterproof motorcycle gloves.
While Gore-Tex is still as good as ever, it’s important to note that many proprietary membranes from brands like Alpinestars, Dainese, and Rev’it now deliver nearly identical results, usually for much less money.
Do your research, read the reviews, and when in doubt, hang on to that receipt.
For what it’s worth, we’ve yet to experience an actual failure from a Gore-Tex glove, so if you're willing to spend the money, the Gore-Tex guarantee seems to hold up.
Our Favorite Waterproof Motorcycle Gloves
Below we’ll highlight our favorite current gloves you can buy now for a variety of conditions.
Whether you're a globe-trotting adventure rider or a daily commuter, these are the waterproof motorcycle gloves proven to keep you dry.
1. Klim Badlands GTX
The Klim Badlands GTX is the one waterproof motorcycle glove we’ve put more miles on than any other, and is hands-down our top recommendation for adventure riders everywhere.
An utterly bulletproof glove through and through, the Badlands GTX is easily the most advanced all-terrain glove we’ve ever slipped our hands into.
"Putting the Badlands GTX gloves to the test on a recent RIDE down to San Diego on our Pacific Coast Highway trip"
On the weather protection front, Klim integrates both a Gore-Tex membrane and the latest Gore-Grip technology into the Badlands.
Gore-Grip is a game-changer because it binds the inner lining of the glove to the outside shell for a slip-free grip.
We also dig that the Badlands Pro is lightly insulated with 60g Thinsulate on the back of the hand.
It's enough to keep you warm in chilly weather, but won't completely melt your hands in summer. You can pretty much get away with these gloves year-round.
The Badlands Pros are an expensive piece of kit, but we've always felt we've got our money's worth. They run a bit hot in the dead of summer thanks to the waterproofing and fleece liner, but in terms of quality, there's nothing else like them on the market.
PROS |
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Klim Badlands GTX Long
RIDE ADVENTURES
REVZILLA
2. Highway 21 7V Radiant Heated Gloves
If you want a pair of waterproof motorcycle gloves that will keep you warm in the most bitter cold conditions, we've got bad news for you: no glove will do that on its own.
Comfort in brutal weather requires both wind protection and heated grips, full stop.
"Highway 21s heated gloves are your best bet on brutal days down in Patagonia like this."
That being said, the warmest waterproof motorcycle glove we've found to date is Highway 21's Radiant Heated glove.
These gloves combine all of the best tools into one glove to give you the best chance possible at riding comfortably year-round.
As the name suggests, the Highway 21 is heated, and uses removable lithium batteries for convenience. The waterproof Hipora membrane works reliably, while the full leather chassis is ideal for blocking wind and trapping warmth.
These gloves' main drawback is that the rechargeable batteries only last a few hours at a time, but luckily, 100G Thinsulate insulation makes these a great winter glove with or without power.
Pack a few spare batteries, and you can easily go all day.
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Highway 21 7V Radiant Heated Glove
REVZILLA | AMAZON
3. Alpinestars Corozal V3 Drystar Gloves
Alpinestars' Corozal V3 Drystar is our go-to waterproof motorcycle glove for general-purpose street use. Spring, summer, and fall, if there's rain in the forecast, the Corozal V3 gets the job done.
The secret sauce here is that the Corozal is built mainly from full-grain leather, but leaves a few textile panels in the mix for breathability.
That makes it highly protective and built to last, but still able to regulate temperature well in a variety of conditions.
Weather protection is provided courtesy of Alpinestars’ proprietary Drystar membrane.
We've generally found Drystar to be about as reliable as GoreTex in terms of outright protection, and only a little less breathable in the heat.
"I'm glad I brought some waterproof gloves on our last scouting trip to Vietnam."
Safety-wise, there's hard knuckle protection, additional impact protection at the palm heel and thumb, and captured seams along the outside of the hand. We can also confirm that touchscreen performance is top-notch.
Our biggest complaint with the Corozals is that they've only gotten more expensive over the years, and the latest $150 asking price is a little tough to swallow.
They're dependable and hard-wearing though, so we're still fans at the end of the day.
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Alpinestars Corozal V3 Drystar Gloves
REVZILLA | AMAZON
4. Leatt ADV HydraDri 6.5 Gloves
If you want the coverage of a full gauntlet without all the bulk and insulation of a four-season glove, we've found Leatt's ADV HydraDri 6.5 to be a godsend. This is our current warm-weather waterproof glove of choice.
The ADV 6.5s are great because they pair a light and stretchy ripstop fabric (similar to a motocross glove) with a waterproof/breathable membrane that works as well as anything we've tested lately.
"Ever experience dumping hot rain? Welcome to a day on our last Colombia tour!"
Add to that mix a single-layer palm that's built for maximum feel at the bars, and you've got an all-weather, all-terrain rider's dream glove.
There's still enough reinforcement to survive a proper "off" on the street, but the minimalist approach is great.
As far as concerns go, we can't speak to the HydraDri 6.5's longevity just yet because they're still a new glove this season.
Either way, the $110 price makes this one feel like a no-brainer, but we'll cross our fingers and hope these make it through 3-4 years.
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Leatt ADV HydraDri 6.5 Gloves
REVZILLA | AMAZON
5. Leatt ADV SubZero 5.5 Short Gloves
Enduro lovers rejoice: There's finally a cold-weather waterproof motorcycle glove for the off-road crowd.
The SubZero 5.5 adds light insulation and laminated waterproofing to a minimalist dual-sport glove for maximum late-season riding comfort.
We dig the SubZero gloves because much like the HydraDri 6.5 above, they get a super-sensitive, single-layer Micron grip palm for maximum feel at the bars.
That unobstructed palm also happens to be perfect for heated grips.
There's enough light insulation over the top of the glove to stay comfortable deep into fall, and it's backed by a windproof layer for maximum effectiveness.
Protection comes courtesy of a microfiber palm slider and 3DF knuckle guards.
As for downsides, our only complaint with the SubZero to date is that while it's warmer than your typical off-road glove, it's not what we'd consider a hardcore winter glove either.
You'll still need a big, beefy gauntlet if temps drop below 40° F.
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Leatt ADV SubZero 5.5 Short Gloves
REVZILLA | AMAZON
Final Thoughts On Waterproof Motorcycle Gloves…
While our top picks remain backed by the GoreTex gold standard, we want to take a moment to reiterate that proprietary liners have only gotten better over the years.
Truth be told, most legit waterproof/breathable membranes nowadays are all made using the same technology, which means real-world performance depends more on material quality and construction than any particular name-brand association.
At the end of the day, we still often shell out for GoreTex-equipped gloves, as there’s no denying construction and quality control are all but guaranteed.
Still, buying a proprietary liner from a premium brand like Dainese, Alpinestars, or Leatt is a smart way to get a great glove for around $50-$100 less, so don’t let your budget keep you from riding rain or shine.
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