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Nothing compares to a proper pair of motocross for technical offroad work. Stretchy, breathable, and oh-so-affordable, here's how to pick a pair of MX gloves to add to your kit.
Funny how the simplest things can often be the most effective. Although they're typically little more than a single layer of suede attached to a single layer of fabric, a dedicated motocross glove can dramatically improve the quality of your off-road riding experience.
"If you aren't riding on the street, CE-certified gloves are probably overkill."
Motocross are tailor made to deliver comfort, breathability, and maximum control at the bars. By stripping away all the added leather, padding, and reinforcement needed for on-road protection, you're left with everything you need and nothing you don't.
With that being said, motocross gloves come in a few distinct flavors that you'll want to be aware of. Here's what to look for to ensure your next pair of MX mittens matches your riding style.
What to Look For in Motocross Gloves
While MX gloves are by far the simplest form of two wheeled protection for your hands, there are a few key features that separate different models and their applications. Here are the cliff notes on the most important things we look for when shopping for a new pair.
Feel At the Controls
Motocross gloves are a significant departure from your typical street or adventure gloves in several ways. Things like abrasion resistance, impact protection, and weatherproofing all take a back seat (or just ride in the trunk) to comfort and feel at the controls.
That's because the main purpose of the best MX gloves is to provide as much feedback, dexterity, and grip as possible. Even the most technical, well-fitting street gloves on the planet should pale in comparison to a basic pair of motocross gloves in this regard.
"Motocross gloves aren't just for the track. They're great for long days on the trail as well, especially in the heat of our Vietnam tour."
The main thing to look for to ensure good feel is synthetic suede palm (also called by the brand name "clarino"), which will ideally made from a single layer of material. Some motocross gloves use a double layer of suede for added durability and blister protection, but keep in mind that any time you add a seam between your hand and your controls, you're going to feel it.
Another important feature to look out for here is added silicone grip material, which is typically found at the fingertips for better purchase on the levers but can also be added to the palm as well.
We've found silicone at the fingers to be a feature worth buying, while the palm application is typically just for looks.
Durability
One important place that a good pair of motocross gloves distinguishes itself from a cheap pair is durability. Granted, the shelf life of pretty much all traditional motocross gloves is comparatively short due to their fabric and stretch-heavy construction, but you shouldn't have to worry about a good glove splitting seams after one or two rides either.
"If you're taking your motocross gloves out on a dirt tour, durability is an important consideration."
Unfortunately there's really no cut-and-dry way to predict the durability of a MX glove. The overwhelming majority of the gloves in this segment use seemingly identical materials and construction, and single-stiched seams, thin mesh, and lycra are all hallmarks of the genre. When in doubt, go with a brand you trust with some decent reviews already posted.
The best advice we can give is that in our experience, gloves made to appeal to "professional race" applications tend to be the shortest-lived, as they favor outright comfort and stretch over multi-season longevity.
With that being said, all motocross gloves are inexpensive compared to their street-going siblings, and even the best in the business typically retail for $50 or less.
Breathability & Comfort
Motocross, enduro, and other off-road riding is particularly active, which is why traditional motocross gloves are made almost entirely from either mesh or lycra/spandex.
Pure MX gloves typically sport a 100% mesh/fabric/spandex construction at the back of the hand, whereas more enduro/trail-focused gloves add some sort of rubberized/TPU protection over the knuckles to protect them from stinging branches.
Both designs are extremely breathable and comfortable when properly fit, although in our experience knuckle protection can slightly impact the overall flexibility and "natural" feel of a motocross glove.
If you plan on riding anywhere other than an open racetrack, we recommend choosing a glove with some degree of knuckle protection. The difference between the two is minor both in terms of comfort and flexibility, but your knuckles will thank you the first time you feel something bounce off your hand at speed.
Our Top Picks For Best Motocross Gloves of 2023
Our goal with the list below was to choose the ideal MX glove for every rider, whether you're riding track, trail, or a little bit of everything. If you plan on connecting your off-road shenanigans with pavement, we highly recommend checking out our rundown of adventure and dual sport gloves, as a motocross glove simply isn't going to protect you from the speeds or hazards of paved roads.
1. Klim Mojave MX Gloves
We've been running the Klim Mojave on all manner of off-road exploits from the slickrock trails of Moab to rocky climbs in the Colorado backcountry. If you're looking to take your motocross gloves anywhere other than a dedicated race track, the Mojave is a great option.
So what's to love about the Klim Mojave? Well, for starters they're about as light, flexible, and breathable as you could ask for, and deliver outstanding feel at the controls thanks to a single-layer synthetic suede palm with silicone grips at the fingers and natural articulation.
We're also big fans of the Mojave for their elevated durability: Our current pair has been issue-free after several thousand miles of off-road use, with no discernable wear in the seams, mesh, or palms, even on the silicone overlays.
Klim even managed to sneak a second layer of suede reinforcement in between the thumb and forefinger, which keeps any extra material off the palm while doubling down the blister protection along the inside of the grip.
As far as drawbacks go, our only real complaint with the Mojave has been the added knuckle protection. We love that it doesn't impede ventilation at all, however it does create some light pressure across the knuckles, which you'll start to feel after a few hours out on the trail.
Pros:
- Flexible, comfortable, and breathable
- Outstanding durability for a MX glove
- Great feature set including knuckle protection and touchscreen compatibility
Cons:
- Not quite as light/flexible as pure fabric-backed gloves
- Knuckle protection may create pressure points for some users
CHECK PRICE:
Klim Mojave MX Glove
2. Fox Dirtpaw MX Gloves
We've come to think of the Fox Dirtpaw as the everyman's motocross glove. No, it's not the most high tech or race-oriented glove on the market, but it's damn tough, affordable, and checks all the boxes for your average dirt rider.
Durability wise, the top of the Dirtpaw is made from a breathable mesh, but its also a much thicker/burlier material than your typical lycra racing gloves.
They're still plenty flexible, mind you, but they're also not the kind of thing you have to worry about bouncing off branches if you split your time between the track and the trails.
On the underside we love that the Dirtpaw benefits from a single layer of Clarino synthetic suede for that seam-free feel, but Fox also incorporates a thin layer of padding along the inside stretching across the hand for more comfort and less friction on all-day rides.
You're also getting plenty of silicone over the first two fingers, as well as a second layer of clarino reinforcement around the throttle grip.
As far as drawbacks go, the Dirtpaw is tough to fault for your average rider. The mesh between the fingers isn't the toughest stuff we've ever come across and the thicker material and padded knuckles won't stretch or breathe quite as well as a pair of ultralight racers, but if a damn fine all-rounder at an agreeable price sounds like a smart buy to you, we're right here with ya.
Pros:
- Hard-wearing fabric construction
- Added padding at palm and knuckles
- Works well in all conditions
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not quite as stretchy or breathable as some
- Lightweight mesh between fingers isn't as hard-wearing as some
CHECK PRICE:
Fox Dirtpaw MX Glove
3. Klim XC Lite MX Gloves
If you're a fan of Klim gear but want something even more minimalist than the Mojave above, check out the Klim XC Lite. The XC Lite is Klim's lightest and most breathable offering, and as close to a hardcore MX racing glove as they've ever made.
In fact our favorite thing about the XC Lite is that aside from the glove's sparse TPU protection around the knuckles, this is every inch a racing glove: The palm is made from a single seam-free layer of synthetic suede, the back is entirely made from stretchy, breathable fabric, and there's a healthy dose of grippy silicone at the fingers and pads of the hand as well.
In fact our only complaint with the XC Lites is that Klim chose to omit a wrist closure of any kind, relying instead on a simple "slip-on" design that lacks any adjustability.
It makes for an incredibly light and airy glove, but some riders will miss the ability to "snug up" the XC Lite at the closure for added security.
Pros:
- The highest and most breathable in the Klim lineup
- True MX performance with a touch of added protection for the trail
- Affordable, but well made
Cons:
- No wrist adjustment included
CHECK PRICE:
Klim Xc Lite MX Glove
4. 100% Brisker MX Gloves
While we love 100%'s minimalist motocross gloves like the iTrack and Ridecamp, it's the 100% Brisker that's always stood out for us. We love the Brisker because it takes your quintessential MX gloves and adds a touch of insulation to the mix, making these the ideal gloves for cool mornings or track days in late fall.
We like to rock the 100% Brisker on our fall/winter tours of Baja, where we spend entire days riding in the dirt and temperatures tend to be a bit brisk in the mornings.
The lightweight insulation on the top of the glove cuts just enough air and holds just enough heat to keep us comfortable when we're working hard on the bike.
Our only real complaint with the Briskers is that because 100% uses a slightly thicker microfiber material rather than the usual suede on the palm of the glove, feel at the bars isn't quite as direct as traditional options.
It's still degrees of magnitude better than your typical street glove though, so if your offroad exploits stretch into the shoulder seasons, this is the best motocross glove to have.
Pros:
- A solid MX glove that works great for cooler weather
- Solid materials and construction for improved longevity
- Still incredibly affordable
Cons:
- Not quite as direct a feel as a traditional suede palm
- Not quite as much airflow due to added insulation
CHECK PRICE:
100% Brisker MX Glove
5. Troy Lee Designs Air MX Gloves
If you're looking for a no-compromise motocross glove for the track, the Troy Lee Designs Air is our top pick. Pound for pound this is probably the most flexible, breathable, and comfortable MX glove on the market, and you'll be hard-pressed to beat them at any price.
The Air's secret sauce is all in the materials. On the palm the TLD Air uses a single piece of suede stretched across the palm, fingers, and thumb for a seam-free design that feels nearly naked on the bars.
Everywhere else the glove is made from laser-perforated lycra mesh, which delivers seemingly unlimited stretch and airflow as well as a next-to-skin fit.
You're also getting a healthy dose of silicone grip at the fingers and palm, as well as a highly breathable neoprene cuff for a snug fit that never feels restrictive. The TLD Air gloves include some sonically-welded TPR graphics on the top of the hand as well, but it's more for looks than protection, so we wouldn't recommend these for trail/woods use.
Pros:
- Insanely light and breathable
- One-piece suede palm for outstanding feel
- Quality construction and design
Cons:
- No added protection
- Warm weather only
CHECK PRICE:
Closing Thoughts on the Best Motocross Gloves…
Truth be told, you've got a ton of options out there for motocross gloves, and so long as you know what you're getting into, the majority of gloves out there from reputable brands will suit you just fine.
These gloves come with varying degrees of protection, but no matter which brand/model you select, it's important to understand that they're simply not built to perform out on the street.
With that being said, nothing else is quite as comfortable, breathable, or forgiving for long sections of dirt. We highly recommend finding a pair that fits well and stashing them in your gear bag for your next off-road tour, just remember to swap them back out when you get back to civilization.
→Read More: 5 Best Dirt Bike Helmets and 6 ADV Riding Techniques for Offroad Riding.
