The Lowdown on Motorcycle Gloves

You're looking primarily to keep your hands warm, so simply remember that cold is really just the loss of heat. To help trap heat, look for a thin, efficient lining that covers the whole hand, especially the fingertips and between the fingers. Keeping the hands dry also keeps them warm. Did you know a human hand sweats approximately two teaspoons of water in an hour of moderate activity? Losing just one teaspoon can steal enough heat to drop skin temperature by 10 degrees. A waterproof/breathable membrane will keep the elements out and usher sweat away from the hand, so there's no convective heat loss. Nylon/ leather shells with synthetic insulation combined with this waterproof/ breathable layer are your best all-around solution.

But perhaps the most important issue for winter gloves is dexterity. Your digits should always be left to move freely without binding and reducing circulation. If the mitts are too snug, get the next size up. Look into options with a thinly insulated palm, which will maximize throttle and lever feel.

Winter gloves should be designed to protect against impact, too. The choice between leather and textile often boils down to personal preference -- leather feels better and offers superior impact protection, but it's usually not waterproof. Textiles are more flexible and often give better sensitivity at the controls. If you're shopping for leather, go for premium hides that are at least 1mm thick. If you go with man-made material, avoid the cheap, flyweight stuff and splurge on tightly woven synthetics.

The best gloves will have extra reinforcement in the hardwearing crotch of the thumb and forefinger and additional layers on the palm to diffuse vibration. Look for a fastening system to keep the glove securely in place in a crash. A gauntlet will offer better coverage, too.

Finally, check the construction, if the gloves have multiple layers, they can slip and bind if not assembled correctly, which is not only uncomfortable but also potentially dangerous. Liners or inserts should be firmly anchored so they won't shift, bunch or pull out.

Motorcycle gloves sometimes help to ward off any kind of road rashes and are considered a bike safety accessory.