When the temperatures drop and the roads turn icy, many riders pack away their helmets until spring. But riding in winter doesn’t have to mean freezing fingers and struggling for control. With the right gear, you can extend your riding season and stay comfortable, even on the coldest days.
They protect your hands from the elements while preserving the dexterity you need to control your bike. Whether you’re commuting on frosty mornings or enjoying a countryside ride on a crisp winter day, a good pair of winter gloves makes all the difference.
Let’s take a closer look at why investing in proper winter motorcycle gloves is essential for any serious rider, and how the right pair can transform your winter riding experience.
The Hidden Risks of Cold Hands While Riding
Cold hands aren’t just an inconvenience; they’re a real safety risk.
When your fingers start to go numb, you lose the ability to operate key controls properly. Throttle control becomes less precise, braking feels clumsy, and engaging the clutch can be a struggle. On the road, these tiny errors can have serious consequences.
Research shows that manual dexterity drops significantly when hand temperature falls below 15°C. Reaction times slow, and grip strength weakens. When riding a motorcycle, where split-second decisions can be critical, losing control is dangerous.
Cold hands also lead to distraction. Instead of focusing on the road, you’re preoccupied with how uncomfortable and numb your fingers feel. This divided attention reduces your awareness of potential hazards, increasing the risk of accidents.
Prolonged exposure to the cold can also cause longer-term issues, such as frostbite or Raynaud's phenomenon, which affects blood circulation in the fingers. That’s why winter gloves aren’t a luxury; they’re essential for protecting your hands and ensuring your safety.
What Sets Quality Winter Motorcycle Gloves Apart
Not all winter gloves are made equal. The best winter motorcycle gloves combine several key features that standard gloves can’t offer.
Advanced insulation is at the core of effective winter gloves. Premium options, like PrimaLoft® insulation, trap heat close to your skin without adding unnecessary bulk. This keeps your hands warm while still allowing for the fine finger movements needed to control your bike safely in freezing temperatures.
Waterproofing is another must-have feature. British winters are unpredictable, throwing rain, sleet, and snow into the mix. A high-quality waterproof membrane keeps moisture out while letting perspiration escape, ensuring your hands stay dry and warm no matter the conditions.
Safety features are what separate motorcycle gloves from regular winter gloves. Hard knuckle protection absorbs impacts, while abrasion-resistant materials like HDM SuperFabric® and premium leather protect your hands in the event of a slide. Proper motorcycle gloves are designed not just to keep you warm, but to safeguard your hands on the road.
Touchscreen compatibility is a modern necessity for riders. Being able to check navigation, answer calls, or adjust music without removing your gloves helps you stay connected without exposing your hands to the cold.
Finally, reflective elements like 3M reflectors make sure you stay visible during those dark winter rides, especially with early sunsets around 4 PM.
How Roadskin Winter Gloves Deliver Everything You Need
The Roadskin Easyrider Winter Motorcycle Gloves offer all the features serious riders need, wrapped up in a stylish and practical design.
The outer layer is made from premium aniline goat leather, known for its soft feel and exceptional durability. Unlike cheaper materials that become stiff in cold weather, this leather remains flexible, giving you precise control over your bike, even in freezing temperatures.
Inside, PrimaLoft® insulation keeps your hands warm without feeling bulky. Originally developed for the U.S. Army, this insulation offers excellent warmth-to-weight performance, so your hands stay toasty without sacrificing control.
The gloves also feature an HDM SuperFabric® liner, adding an extra layer of abrasion resistance to protect your hands and extend the gloves’ lifespan. This hard-wearing material outperforms standard fabrics, making these gloves a long-term investment.
Hard knuckle protection offers peace of mind on every ride. The reinforced plates shield your knuckles during impacts but remain flexible enough for comfortable movement. The gloves are CE-certified to EN 13594:2015 - Level 1 KP, meaning they’ve been rigorously tested for motorcycle safety.
A breathable waterproof membrane keeps rain and snow out while preventing the clammy feeling caused by non-breathable materials. This ensures your hands stay dry from both external moisture and internal sweat.
Additional features make these gloves even more practical: a built-in visor wiper helps you clear rain from your helmet without stopping, touchscreen-friendly fingertips let you use devices without exposing your hands, and 3M reflective accents improve your visibility during dark winter rides.
At £69.99, the Roadskin Easyrider Winter Motorcycle Gloves are an exceptional choice for riders who value quality and safety.
Extend Your Riding Season with Confidence
Winter riding offers its own unique rewards, quieter roads, stunning scenery, and the invigorating chill of crisp air. But it’s only enjoyable if you’re adequately equipped.
Quality winter gloves are the foundation of cold-weather riding comfort. They allow you to focus on the road instead of worrying about frozen fingers. They keep your hands warm and your grip steady when conditions demand your full attention. And they protect you from the weather and potential accidents.
For many riders, investing in proper winter gear opens months of extra riding time, letting them enjoy their passion year-round.
As Ian, one of Roadskin’s co-founders and a lifelong rider, says: "The right gear turns winter riding from a chore into a pleasure. I've ridden through brutal conditions, and a good pair of gloves makes all the difference between a miserable slog and an amazing ride."
Choosing the Right Gloves for Winter Rides
Selecting winter motorcycle gloves means balancing warmth, protection, and functionality. You need gloves that keep you warm without being bulky, ensure safety without restricting movement, and provide waterproofing without making your hands sweaty.
Look for gloves with proven insulation, waterproof membranes, and proper safety certifications. Make sure they also include the features you need, such as hard knuckle guards, abrasion-resistant materials, and reflective details. Touchscreen compatibility is another handy addition for modern riders.
The Roadskin Easyrider Winter Motorcycle Gloves tick all these boxes. Designed by riders for riders, they offer premium materials, outstanding protection, and innovative features to make winter riding safer and more comfortable. They’re also CE-rated, so you can trust they meet high safety standards.
Don’t let the cold stop you from riding. Invest in gloves that let you tackle winter with confidence.
Shop Roadskin Winter Gloves and experience how warm, dry, and protected hands can transform your winter rides.
Author: Mark Kingham, Marketing Director at Roadskin.
