Adventure gloves are built for the long days where road turns to dirt and weather turns on you. This range pairs waterproof membranes, D3O knuckle armour and tough leather palms from Leatt, Merlin, Motodry and Shark Leathers. Short cuffs for airflow, gauntlets for storm protection, all sized for control.
Leatt 7.5 ADV HydraDri Glove - Stealth
Leatt 5.5 ADV Rally Glove - Grey
Leatt 5.5 ADV Rally Glove - Stealth
Merlin Gloves Rexx Hydro D3O Black M 102430
Merlin Gloves Rexx Hydro D3O Black 2XL 102393
Merlin Gloves Rexx Hydro D3O Black 4XL 102416
Merlin Gloves Rexx Hydro D3O Black 3XL 102409
Merlin Gloves Rexx Hydro D3O Black XL 102454
Merlin Gloves Rexx Hydro D3O Black L 102423
Merlin Mahala Raid D3O® Gloves Black
Leatt 7.5 ADV X-Flow Glove - Desert
Leatt 7.5 ADV X-Flow Glove - Stealth
Leatt 7.5 ADV SubZero Glove - Stealth
How to choose adventure motorcycle gloves
Adventure gloves balance abrasion protection against airflow and feel. A waterproof membrane like HydraDri keeps hands dry on long touring legs, while X-Flow mesh construction moves air for hot days and technical off-road sections. D3O armour at the knuckle absorbs impact yet stays flexible until struck. Glove abrasion shares the EN 17092 family logic used for jackets, where AAA, AA and A bands set the bar for slide resistance against the road surface.
| Type | Best for | Cuff | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproof gauntlet | Cold and wet touring | Long, over jacket | HydraDri membrane |
| Waterproof short | Mixed conditions | Short, under cuff | Sealed seams |
| Mesh / X-Flow | Hot weather, off-road | Short | High airflow |
| Leather palm | Road and grip feel | Short | Abrasion resistance |
Armour and fit
CE Level 1 armour passes a 4 to 5 kN transmitted force limit, while CE Level 2 holds under 2.5 kN for harder impacts. D3O hardens on impact and stays soft otherwise. Look for a knuckle protector plus scaphoid sliders on the palm, the bone most often loaded in a fall. Leather palms typically run 0.8 to 1.2 mm thick for grip and wear resistance, and EN 17092 AAA construction sits at the top of the abrasion scale.
Fit matters as much as protection. Measure around your palm at the knuckles in cm, then match the size chart, usually S through 2XL across 6 standard bands. Fingertips should reach the seam without bunching. A pre-curved finger box of around 95 percent closure reduces fatigue over a full day in the saddle.
For your full kit, match these to an adventure jacket and protective boots so every contact point is covered.
Frequently asked questions
Are adventure gloves waterproof?
Many in this range use a waterproof membrane such as HydraDri to keep your hands dry on long wet rides. Others use X-Flow mesh for hot weather and airflow instead, so check the listing for the membrane if all-weather sealing is your priority.
Do I need gauntlet or short cuff adventure gloves?
Gauntlet cuffs seal over your jacket sleeve to block wind and rain, ideal for cold touring. Short cuffs sit under the sleeve and run cooler, which suits hot weather and technical off-road riding where you want more wrist movement.
What armour do adventure gloves use?
Most use a hard or D3O knuckle protector that absorbs impact while staying flexible. Better gloves add palm sliders over the scaphoid bone. Look for CE certification, where Level 1 meets a higher force limit and Level 2 offers stronger impact protection.