Mens Off-Road Gloves: MX & Dirt | Shark Leathers

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Choosing Mens Off-Road Gloves

Off-road gloves trade road-style hard armour for low weight and bar feel. Most motocross gloves run a single-layer palm around 0.6mm to 0.8mm thick for direct lever feel, while neoprene builds add warmth at roughly 4mm. Off-road gloves sit outside EN 17092, the abrasion standard that grades road jackets AAA, AA and A, because dirt riders prioritise dexterity over slide protection. The right pair depends on terrain, temperature and how much knuckle cover you want.

Style	Best Use	Palm Build	Temp Range
MX / Motocross	Track, jumps	Single-layer 0.6mm	15C to 35C
Trail / Off-Road	Enduro, bush	Reinforced 0.8mm	10C to 30C
Neoprene	Cold, wet days	4mm neoprene	0C to 15C
Summer	Hot, dusty rides	Perforated mesh	25C to 40C

Fit and Protection

Sizing runs from youth XS through adult 2XL across 7 size steps. A correct fit leaves about 5mm at the fingertips with no palm bunching, since a loose glove shifts under load and a tight one numbs your hands within 20 minutes. Knuckle cover on off-road gloves is moulded TPR rather than CE Level 1 or CE Level 2 armour, which is the EN 1621 impact rating you see on road gloves; the lighter approach keeps weight down for bar control. Look for silicone fingertip grip on the brake and clutch fingers and double-stitched seams that survive repeated washing. Perforated MX panels move air across roughly 40% of the back of the hand.

Brands in This Range

Thor, Leatt, Five, Shot and Macna each build to a clear use case. Leatt grades its gloves on a 1.5 to 4.5 scale where higher numbers add padding. Match the model to your terrain before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What size off-road glove should I buy?

Measure around your palm at the knuckles and match it to the brand chart. Sizing runs from youth XS to adult 2XL. A correct fit leaves about 5mm at the fingertips with no palm bunching, since loose gloves shift under load and tight ones numb your hands.

Do off-road gloves have knuckle armour?

Most motocross and trail gloves from Thor, Leatt, Shot and Macna use moulded TPR knuckle cover rather than the CE Level 1 or Level 2 hard armour found on road gloves. This keeps the glove light for bar feel while still protecting the knuckles against roost and branch strikes.

What is the difference between MX and neoprene gloves?

MX gloves use a single-layer palm around 0.6mm thick with perforated venting for hot, dusty riding in 15C to 35C. Neoprene gloves like the Five Neo-MX use a 4mm build that holds warmth for cold and wet days down to 0C.