Short motorcycle gloves are the go-to choice for warm-weather riding, commuting and urban runs where wrist mobility matters. This range covers textile, leather and mesh constructions from Merlin, Macna, Five, Leatt, Motodry and Oxford, with CE-certified knuckle and palm protection across the board.
MOTODRY FINGERLESS GLOVE BLACK
LS2 Dart II Men's Gloves - Black
Shark Fingerless Leather Gloves
Choosing the Right Short Gloves
Short gloves sit below the wrist cuff, trading weather coverage for ventilation and packability. Construction and certification are the deciding factors -- not length.
Protection Standards
CE EN 13594 is the benchmark for motorcycle gloves. Level 1 certified gloves absorb impact energy at lower thresholds; Level 2 certified gloves meet the higher impact requirement and suit faster road riding. Check for the CE mark and level printed on the label before buying.
Material Comparison
| Material | Abrasion Resistance | Ventilation | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-grain leather | High -- natural fibre density resists tearing | Low to moderate | Road, sport, touring |
| Textile (polyester/nylon) | Moderate -- varies by denier (600D to 1000D common) | Moderate to high | Commuting, adventure, all-season |
| Mesh (open-weave) | Lower -- prioritises airflow over raw abrasion | Very high | Summer, urban, warm climates |
Armour Placement
Quality short gloves position hard or soft armour over the knuckles -- the first contact point in a slide. D3O impact armour, used in the Merlin Griffin Urban gloves, is rated for high-energy impact absorption. Palm sliders add a secondary abrasion layer; look for a minimum 2mm palm reinforcement on road-focused gloves.
Fit and Sizing
Measure your dominant hand circumference at the knuckles in centimetres. Most brands size XS through 3XL, with 1cm increments between sizes. A glove that bunches at the palm will shift during a fall, moving armour away from the knuckle. Macna and Five publish individual size charts -- use them.
Waterproofing
RTX-suffix gloves from Macna integrate a waterproof membrane tested to 10,000mm hydrostatic head. Waterproofing adds roughly 2-3mm of bulk but retains warmth down to approximately 5 degrees Celsius. Non-waterproof mesh gloves are not suited to sustained rain. For riding below 10 degrees Celsius, see the Cold Weather Riding Gear guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between CE Level 1 and CE Level 2 short gloves?
Both meet EN 13594 certification, but Level 2 gloves pass a more demanding impact absorption test. For regular road or sport riding above 80 km/h, Level 2 is the better choice. Level 1 suits urban commuting and lower-speed routes.
Are short gloves suitable for year-round riding in Australia?
In most Australian climates, yes -- with the right construction. Mesh short gloves suit summer and coastal conditions above 20 degrees Celsius. Textile or leather short gloves with a waterproof RTX membrane handle cooler and wetter days down to around 5 degrees Celsius before a gauntlet becomes more practical.
How should short motorcycle gloves fit?
The glove should sit snug against the knuckles with no bunching at the palm and no gap between finger seams and fingertips. Loose fit causes the armour to rotate away from the knuckle during impact. Measure hand circumference at the knuckles in centimetres and match to the brand's published size chart.