Shorter Cuff vs Gauntlet Motorbike Gloves - Which is better?

Shorter Cuff vs Gauntlet Motorbike Gloves - Which is better?

This article will help you learn about the differences between short-cuff and gauntlet motorcycle gloves. You'll learn what the pros and cons are of each type, when to wear them, and how they protect your hands and wrists differently.
I will also help you decide which type of glove is best for your riding style/activity!

Pictured: Left is Originals Distressed Brown Gauntlet gloves, Right is Sluggas Short Cuff gloves in the Tan Suede version

 

What is a Gauntlet glove and what is a short-cuff?

Short-cuff gloves, as the name suggests, have a shorter cuff stopping just before the wrist bone (Ulna - the one that sticks out as you look at the back of your hand) while gauntlet gloves cover past the wrist. If you're looking for something simple to put on and remove then short-cuff gloves are typically the way to go. They also cost less than gauntlet gloves in most cases while using similar materials.
Gauntlet gloves, as they are longer and cover more of your wrist and arm, generally run a bit on the hotter side and as such make a great cool weather riding glove. You will more often than not only see weatherproof gloves in the gauntlet style to prevent cold air and water from getting up your sleeves on your commute! Gauntlet gloves as mentioned before offer more protection making them mandatory on most track days and highly advisable for a spirited street ride with your mates.
 

So which should you choose?

BOTH! is my answer but which one I choose to wear depends on the style of ride I am going on and the weather I will be riding in.
However, if you had to choose just one it really just depends on your riding style and what you want out of a motorcycle glove. If 90% of your riding is commuting to work and you live in a hotter climate like Perth, Queensland or Darwin then shorter cuff gloves will offer a tonne of airflow, comfort and still protect your palms, knuckles and fingers.
However, if you are riding to work in cold weather more of the time, (I am looking at you Melbourne, Canberra and Tasmania) then the warm embrace of a thick gauntlet glove is the only way to keep any feeling in your fingers by the time you arrive!
 

Street, Dirt or Track which glove to choose?

Street

Short Cuff gloves are generally our go-to for a jaunt to the coffee shop or a casual cruise along the coast at sunset. The ease with which they slide on and come off combined with the extra comfort and general dexterity they offer is hard to beat. They are perfect for those times when you don't want to look like a "power ranger" while riding but still need the protection of motorcycle gloves

Dirt

If you are doing any kind of dirt work the jury is split about 50-50. For more specialised riding such as motocross and racing, most riders will opt for a short-cuff glove. This is because the extra flexibility, feel and control you get when wearing them far outweighs the reduced protection, plus the dirt they ride on generally is a bit softer when you make an involuntary dismount.
For the other side of dirt riding such as cross country touring, riding down unsealed rocky and gravel tracks calls for the wrist support and protection of a gauntlet glove. For these adventure riders sustaining an injury in a remote location is not an option and safety and protection are essential.
 

Track

Track days are an excellent way for riders to hone their skills and push the limits of what they can do on a bike. With riding on the limit comes an increased risk of sliding down the tarmac further and faster than you did on that slippery dip last weekend. For that reason alone you need all the slide, abrasion and wrist protection you can get, which you guessed it, only a gauntlet glove can provide.

 

 Touch screen compatibility.

Technology is a beautiful thing until you have your gloves on and forgot to press the "navigate" or "play" buttons on your favourite riding anthem. For this reason it is really important to make sure your glove has touch screen compatible fingertips. Whether you choose a short-cuff or gauntlet style glove, Black Pup Moto's gloves have this technology built into the index, middle and thumb as standard and save a lot of time when setting off.

Choosing the correct glove requires you to take note of your riding style, climate and application then choose the best glove for the task at hand. Pun intended.

We hope this has helped to inform your decision to purchase the correct glove but as always please reach out to us if you have any questions at all.

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