Gauntlet vs Short-Cuff Motorcycle Gloves: Which Cuff Suits You

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A gauntlet glove has a long cuff that normally goes over the jacket sleeve. A short-cuff glove stops at or just above the wrist and usually goes under the sleeve. Gauntlets suit touring, adventure and cold or wet riding, where sealing the gap at the wrist matters. Short cuffs suit warm weather, fitted sleeves and sport riding, where a slim glove is easier to live with. Your jacket and your weather decide it more than the glove does.

This is a single-feature comparison. For a full roundup by glove type, see our best motorcycle gloves guide.

What the two cuffs are

Gauntlet cuffs extend several fingers' width past the wrist bone, often with a wide opening and a closure such as a hook-and-loop strap, cinch or toggle. They are designed to sit over the sleeve of a jacket or a suit.

Short cuffs finish near the wrist and have a narrower opening, again with a strap or closure. They are designed to slip under a sleeve, though many riders wear them over a close-fitting sleeve too.

These are general descriptions. Makers decide how long a cuff is, how it closes and which jackets it pairs with, so read the product description and size chart for the exact pair you are considering.

Match the cuff to your jacket sleeve

Put your jacket sleeve and glove together in your head before you pick a cuff.

• Wide, adjustable sleeve cuffs (common on touring and adventure jackets) work with either cuff. Many are cut to let a gauntlet go over, or a short glove go under, and you tighten the sleeve closure afterwards.
• Slim, fitted sleeves (common on sport jackets and leather suits) usually pair better with a short cuff worn under the sleeve, because a bulky gauntlet over a tight sleeve can bunch.
• Rain jackets and overgear vary. Some are built so the glove goes inside the sleeve, others expect the sleeve to go over the glove. Check which your gear expects.

The practical test is to try the glove with the jacket you will wear, arms extended to the bars. The cuff should not ride up, bunch under your sleeve or leave a gap at the wrist when you reach for the controls.

Rain and wind

Which layer goes over which decides where water can get in, and the answer depends on how you hold your arms, how the sleeve is cut and how both closures seal. Glove makers and jacket makers do not all agree on the best pairing, so check what yours recommend. A cuff or sleeve closure that tightens fully matters more than cuff length on its own.

Rain-gear compatibility is worth checking first, since a rain jacket may be designed for the glove to go in or out of the sleeve. Our rain gear guide covers overgear in more detail.

Wind works the same way. A tight cuff closure helps keep cold air from blowing up the sleeve. Remember that a waterproof lining is up to the maker, so look for the description of how the glove is made, not just the word waterproof.

Heat, ventilation and cold

In hot weather, a short cuff has less material around the wrist and forearm, and many perforated summer gloves use it. A perforated gauntlet is still possible, and some riders like the way the cuff lets air in around the sleeve. In cold weather, the gauntlet's extra length helps cover the gap between glove and jacket, and it leaves room for a thin liner underneath. Our liners and overmitts guide covers cheap add-ons, and the cold-weather gear guide has the wider picture.

If you want heated gloves or a heated jacket with a wired connection, check the manual for how the cable leaves the sleeve, because cuff style can affect the routing.

Daily use: the small things

• On and off: a gauntlet takes slightly more effort to put over a sleeve when you are wearing the jacket. A short cuff goes on in a second.
• Reaching controls: a stiff gauntlet cuff can catch on the sleeve when you turn the grip. Check you can move your wrists freely.
• Closure: look for a strap or cinch that adjusts to your wrist, so the cuff stays where you set it.
• Bar-end and hand guards: check that a bulkier cuff does not catch on guards or muffs.
• Off the bike: a gauntlet is bulkier to stuff in a pocket. A short cuff folds away more easily.

It also helps to think about how often you take gloves on and off. A rider who stops often, for fuel, coffee or errands, may prefer the quicker routine of a short cuff. A rider who covers long stretches in one go may care more about a sealed cuff and will put up with the extra step.

Which suits which rider

Use the table as a starting point, not a rule. If you own more than one jacket, the sleeve styles may differ. Many riders end up with a gauntlet pair for cool or wet days and a short-cuff pair for summer. Size matters as much as cuff, so our glove fit guide covers sizing and break-in.

A buying checklist

1. Put your usual jacket on and note how the sleeve cuff closes.
2. Decide whether the glove should go over or under the sleeve, and check that the product description says it can.
3. Look for a wrist closure that adjusts and holds.
4. Check the size chart for your hand, not just your usual size.
5. Try the glove with your sleeve, arms out, hands on the bars.
6. Check how the cuff works with heated gear, guards or muffs if you use them.
7. Read the return policy, as fit can differ from the chart.

Glove protection features such as palm sliders, knuckle protection and certification vary by glove, so judge them from the maker's description, not from the cuff.

Frequently Asked Questions