If you buy through our links, Amazon pays us a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects our scores. How we are funded.
Frozen fingers cost you feel on the brake and clutch, which makes cold hands a safety issue. Heated gloves promise to fix that. Here is how they work and when they are worth it.
How they work
Thin heating elements run through the back of the hand and fingers. They are powered in one of two ways:
- A battery in each glove: no wires, but limited run time.
- Wired to the bike (12 V): unlimited heat, but a cable to plug in.
Most have several heat levels; the higher the level, the shorter the battery life.
How long the battery lasts
It depends on the level. As an example, Alpinestars quotes 120 minutes on the highest setting and 240 on the lowest for its HT-5. In practice:
- Use high only to warm up, then drop down.
- Carry the charger on long trips.
- Batteries perform worse in extreme cold.
What certification to look for
Being heated does not stop it being a motorcycle glove. Look for EN 13594 on the label. Many cheap heated gloves online are not certified as motorcycle gloves: they are ski or work gloves with heating elements.
Are they worth it over a good winter glove?
- Yes, if you ride daily in near-freezing temperatures, do motorway miles in the cold, or have poor circulation.
- Probably not, if you ride little in winter: a glove with a membrane and insulation is enough, cheaper and battery-free. Heated grips are another option: see heated gloves vs heated grips.
We compare them in Tourer W-7 V2 vs HT-5 Heat Tech.
