Retro motorcycle gloves need to look the part with minimalist or vintage-inspired styling but importantly they should offer robust protection for the modern classic rider.
Yet, as a rider who appreciates the retro aesthetic, finding the perfect pair of gloves is about more than just function — it’s about complementing the classic style of your bike.
With that in mind, all the stylish vintage-inspired moto gloves featured here are certified to CE standards for abrasion resistance and impact protection. Whether you’re a café racer, bobber or scrambler rider, these gloves ensure you stay stylish and safe.
Best Retro Motorcycle Gloves: Vintage-Inspired Hand Protection
In recent years the market for retro motorcycle gloves has exploded, mirroring the demand for modern classic machines. Many moto gear brands occupy this segment giving riders an overwhelming number of options. Finding protective gloves that match your bike’s aesthetics while offering proper protection has never been easier. For this list, we’ve focused on short-cuff summer / warm-weather gloves.
So without further ado here are our top retro motorcycle gloves.
1. Goldtop Predator Gloves
Up first on the list are the distinctive and ever-popular Goldtop Predator gloves. Crafted from 1.0mm drum-dyed aniline cowhide, these CE Level 1 certified vintage-inspired moto gloves look equally at home on the hands of retro and urban riders alike.
Established in 1951, Goldtop England is a brand from the golden era of motorcycling. Revived in the 21st century and now family-owned, it’s become a firm favourite with a new generation of custom and retro riders.
The Predator gloves are available in a range of eye-catching colourways: classic Black, Oxblood and Racing Green and Sand. For those after something truly distinctive, there’s even a special edition in collaboration with Return of the Cafe Racers (ROTCR), featuring a two-tone jet black and whisky brown leather combo with an embossed ROTCR emblem.
The floating Knox Microlock armoured knuckle panel gives the Predator their distinctive appearance while offering superb comfort. The single-hide palm construction features a reinforced lower section housing Knox Microlock offering greater impact protection. Yet, the unlined palm provides excellent tactile feedback from the controls. These gloves are constructed with triple-stitching using 5-strand cotton thread at all stress points meaning robust resilience.
Designed for warm-weather riding, the Predator gloves combine a perforated leather outer with a silk-lined interior on the back, striking a good balance of breathability and protection from wind chill.
The whole package is secured with a ribbed velcro fastening, finished with a subtle Goldtop motif rivet, adding both style and function.
While the Predators meet the up-to-date EN13594:2015 safety standard, one modern convenience, touchscreen compatibility is absent. It’s unlikely to be a dealbreaker for most retro, classic and custom riders.
With top-notch craftsmanship, the Goldtop Predator gloves offer a versatile mix of style, comfort and protection attracting high praise from many riders. Perfect for summer, late spring or early autumn, these gloves should serve you well for many miles.
Read our Goldtop Predators gloves Review
2. Pando Moto Onyx Gloves
Up next are the refined and more contemporary Pando Moto Onyx 01 gloves. Constructed from 0.8 mm cowhide – these CE Level-1 gloves are lightweight, minimalist, short-cuff gloves, for warm/hot-weather riding.
If you’re unfamiliar with Pando Moto, the European brand has been creating protective motorcycle gear since 2011, specialising in combining minimalist design with modern safety features.
The Onyx gloves demonstrate this approach perfectly – blending style with serious protection, meeting CE Level 1 certification standards. The quality is immediately evident in the precise double-stitching throughout, and the perforated leather sections on the knuckles and fingers feature subtle ribbed borders that enhance both movement and aesthetics.
Matte suede found on the leather palm is complemented by a black TPU slider which adds a striking design feature and a functional layer of protection. And yet, these gloves offer excellent ventilation in warm weather via the perforated cowhide design. Also, their thin nature means excellent, tactile feedback from the throttle and controls.
The pre-curved design means out-of-the-box comfort, while the touchscreen-compatible fingertips on the thumb and index finger add a convenient nice touch — (pun intended).
The minimalist styling of the Onyx makes them remarkably versatile – pairing well with both urban and vintage-inspired riding gear. If you’re looking for short-cuff gloves that blend vintage aesthetics with contemporary protection, the Onyx gloves deliver that in a beautifully executed package.
Read our Pando Moto Onyx Gloves Review
3. Age of Glory Victory & Rover Gloves
Age of Glory is a relatively new brand rapidly gaining traction, wooing retro riders with its vintage Californian off-road moto-racing-influenced
Founder Sebastian Gerodias’ background in building motorcycle clothing brands and love of all things vintage has combined perfectly in creating a fresh moto brand.
The use of vintage-style fonts for branding and lettering throughout AOG’s collection, coupled with bright colours is reminiscent of classic MX. No question, the brand’s imagery evokes a nostalgic atmosphere.
A while back, AOG commissioned a flat track, custom build by Egerie Moto. So, it’s no surprise to see flat-track, style cues evident in its designs.
The two standout gloves in the collection are the minimalist, Rover (waxed yellow) and the boldly styled, Victory (black/yellow).
Made from soft leather, protection is offered through reinforced rubber integrated into the palms. Both gloves are CE Certified and feature wrist straps for adjustment and comfort.
4. Velomacchi Speedway Gloves
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest USA, Velomacchi is best known for its innovative approach to moto backpacks and luggage design, namely in the form of the Speedway collection.
With each product, the emphasis is placed on the use of quality materials and fine craftsmanship, with much consideration for testing for high-speed travel. Though more so, Velomacchi is distinctly anti-status-quo in its approach to design and problem-solving. And it’s in that same spirit the Speedway Glove has been created.
Inspired by the classic flat track and road racing gloves of the sixties and seventies, Velomacchi says this glove “…pays homage to flat track legends” – such as “Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson and Ray Carroll”.
Sleek in design, the Speedway Motorcycle glove is constructed from a combination of soft deerskin on the palm, enhanced with gel-backed brass rivet palm sliders.
On the back of the glove, you’ll find Highland goatskin augmented with rubber finger guards for protection. So, throughout the gloves, there are considerations for comfort and safety.
The Speed Motorcycle Glove is available in tan/black or simply black, though it’s with the title of this piece in mind, that only the former is featured.
5. Fuel Motorcycles Moto X Gloves
Next up is Fuel Motorcycles Moto X gloves. Fuel’s transition from a custom motorcycle workshop into a moto lifestyle brand is well documented. The Barcelona brand now has a sturdy range of riding gear and motorcycle apparel. Items in Fuel’s riding
For this list, the Fuel Moto X gloves have been selected. They’re one-hundred per cent leather, finished in bright yellow and black. Inspired by motocross designs of the sixties, the aesthetic is bold and bright.
Apart from styling, protection is offered through integrated PVC knuckle armour. A safety feature that is consistent across all Fuel motorcycle gloves. Furthermore, the leather panels that provide abrasion resistance on the palms have been anatomically contoured for additional comfort.
6. Biltwell Borrego Gold-Black Gloves
Another brand that made a successful transition from its original products is Biltwell. Held in great affection by customisers the world over Biltwell began in 2006. Its primary business back then was aftermarket motorcycle parts.
The brand has since diversified into riding
Forming part of Biltwell’s riding
Notably, it’s the first of Biltwell’s glove range that meets Europen certification standards. High-impact, plastic knuckle guards no doubt contribute to its safety certification.
Regardless of its classic looks, the Borrego glove is built for the modern rider. Smart screen-compatible thumb and fingertips allude to that. Additional function comes in the form of flexible palm panels – along with wind and water-resistant thermal lining.
The latter probably means that riders in warmer climates can use these gloves on slightly cooler days. Riders in more temperate environments, however, may see the Borrego as Spring/Autumn riding gloves.
7. Racer Legacy Moto Gloves
Based in Southern France, since 1927 Racer has been creating technical gloves for winter sports and outdoor activities. With that extensive experience, in 1970 the brand launched its first moto glove collection and just over a decade later produced its first heated motorcycle glove.
The glove featured here is the Legacy motorcycle glove, inspired by one of the brand’s models from the seventies. Nonetheless, it’s a refined modern take.
The Legacy gloves have a full goatskin outer layer augmented with a POLYMAX membrane and FIBERFILL insulation. Hands, dry and toasty is the effect. The gloves lack knuckle protection, however, they are CE Certified.
There’s a distinct seventies vibe about the gloves which are understated and classically styled. These lavish gloves are available in, a black/gold or a brown/tan combination; both achieve a stunning visual effect.
Despite the classic styling, a nod to the modern world is made with the inclusion of a tactile thumb, for seamless, smartphone scrolling. The Legacy gloves are for the modern classic rider who wishes to perpetually channel Distinguished Gentleman’s ride vibes.
Which Retro Motorcycle Gloves?
Finding the perfect retro motorcycle gloves is about more than just style – it’s about blending protection and comfort while acknowledging the style of the past.
Whether you’re after the rugged durability of Goldtop’s Predator gloves, the urban cool of the Pando Moto Oynx or the qualities of any of the other examples on our list, each option offers something unique for custom, café racer, scrambler and classic bike riders.
By no means is this list of retro motorcycle gloves exhaustive. The aim is to spark your imagination and guide you towards
For more ideas on vintage-inspired protective gear, from head to toe, check our article on retro motorcycle suppliers
Buying Motorcycle Gloves: Things to Consider
Like with most motorcycle PPE purchases, there are several considerations you should be aware of, whether choosing retro gear or otherwise. Here we’ve listed the most important factors.
Motorcycle Gloves Safety Certification
The benchmark certification for motorcycle gloves is Conformité Européene (CE) EN 13594:2015. Despite being a European standard, many global motorcycle gear manufacturers conform to this standard to sell into the market.
The UK now has its own standard UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) which mirrors CE. CE-certified motorcycle gloves are certified at two protection levels: 1 or 2.
The level of your gloves will be displayed on a label featuring an icon of a motorcycle rider and the number 1 or 2. Certification is awarded after testing the gloves in several areas. SATRA (the independent testing body) lists those areas as:
- Innocuousness
- Sizing and cuff length
- Seam strength
- Tear strength
- Restraint system
- Resistance to cutting
- Impact abrasion resistance
Protection Levels Explained
Level 1 motorcycle gloves are ideal for urban and casual riders. They offer lighter protection while maximising flexibility and comfort. These gloves provide excellent abrasion resistance but don’t have to be tested for impact protection. The emphasis is placed on ergonomics and flexibility, allowing greater movement. That makes them suitable for everyday, lower-speed riding and ideal for urban and leisure riders. Level 1 gloves don’t need to have knuckle protection.
Level 2 motorcycle gloves provide enhanced protection against impact, abrasion and cuts. They’re bulkier due to thicker materials and additional protective reinforcements, making them slightly more restrictive than Level 1 gloves. At Level 2, the gloves must pass tests in all areas and have knuckle impact protection.
The trade-off is flexibility and comfort for enhanced protection. Level 2 gloves are more suited to aggressive riding styles, where superior safety is paramount, like off-roading and track days.
Choosing the Right Size Motorcycle Gloves
Measure the palm of your dominant hand at the widest part below the last knuckle of your index finger, circling around to your little finger. It’s easier if you place your hand on a flat surface and use a tailor’s tape measure. Some manufacturers require only the diameter instead of the circumference of your palm.
You can repeat the process for your other hand, to be sure. But use the larger of the two measurements when sizing up a glove. Consult the sizing guide on the manufacturer’s or retailer’s website or ask a sales rep if you’re in-store. And if you’re in between sizes, go for the larger of the two.
Make sure that the gloves you select adequately cover your wrist area. Naturally, with a short-cuff style, there will be less coverage.
