The Complete Handbook of Motorcycle Gloves
A practical reference for buyers, sellers, and riders who need to understand motorcycle glove construction, protection, and fit without marketing hype.
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
A complete technical and commercial reference for understanding, choosing, and selling motorcycle gloves.
About this book
A Practical, Technical Reference for a Safety-Critical Piece of Gear.
Motorcycle gloves are not an afterthought. They are a complex piece of safety equipment doing a specific job: keeping your hands attached and functional when things go wrong. Yet most of what you read about them is marketing copy, and most of what you hear in forums is anecdote. This handbook replaces that with hard facts. It breaks down the anatomy of a glove, from the outer shell to the liner, and explains what each component does in a real crash scenario. It clarifies the standards that actually exist — like CE levels for abrasion, impact, and cut resistance — and translates those certification numbers into practical performance terms.
For Buyers and Businesses Alike.
Inside, you'll find a systematic method for evaluating gloves against your own specific riding needs, with concrete checklists and comparison frameworks. The book also serves as a business manual: it profiles the major brands, explains wholesale pricing structures and margins, and lays out viable business models — from niche retail to private-labeling to repair services. It concludes with a forward-looking analysis of where glove technology is heading, including smart fabrics and new regulatory pressures.
This is not a buyer's guide that tells you the 'best' gloves. It is an educational tool that teaches you how to tell the difference yourself, for the rest of your riding career.
Reader Reviews
Sandra Martinez
★★★★★I got the technical detail I was looking for in the chapters about leather and stitching, so I can't say it was a waste of money. But I was hoping for a bit more practical comparison of popular models. The book refuses to name names when it comes to 'which is best,' and I think a reference book could afford to do that while staying objective. It's a good textbook, but I wanted a few more answers.
Steven Rivera
★★★★★It's a well-written book, almost like a college textbook for gear. I appreciated the chapter on how the business side works, which is something you never get from a rider magazine. My only real gripe is that it lags in some places — the chapter on choosing gloves could have been a single list, not a whole chapter. Still, I've come back to it twice to double-check my sizing logic, so it has value.
Jason Baker
★★★★★This is the book I wish I'd had when I first started doing my own gear research. I'm a canyon rider and track day regular, and I've always bought on anecdote from forum posts. This book gave me the exact language to understand CE scores and why my old leathers were not as safe as I thought. The chapter on business opportunities is a bonus — I'm now seriously looking at starting a small online retail setup. Highly recommended.
Laura Hall
★★★★★Really strong reference material, and I appreciate that it treats motorcycle gloves as safety equipment rather than fashion. The section on break-in procedures and fit over time was spot on, and I learned a lot about why some gloves get baggy. I'm giving it 4 stars because I felt the chapter on future trends spent a bit too long on concepts like smart fabrics that are still sci-fi. Other than that, it's been very useful.
Joshua Roberts
★★★★★Finally, a book that tells you why the gear works, not just which one to buy. I work part-time at a dealership, and I've already used the knowledge from this book to help confused customers choose gloves that actually fit their riding style. The chapter on standards alone is worth the price. I keep it in the back office now as a quick reference. This is a real, technical handbook — exactly what it claims to be.
Laura Smith
★★★★★I bought this for my own knowledge as a long-distance tourer, and I found the chapters on choosing and maintaining gloves helpful. The glossy marketing material from brands always made everything sound the same, so it was nice to have a neutral source. My gripe is that it feels slightly academic at times, and I found my attention wandering during the earlier parts of the business chapter. Still, a good desk-side manual.
Amy Hall
★★★★★Solid, dense, and thorough. It doesn't spoon-feed you but it gives you the tools to make your own decisions, which is how I like it. The chapter on troubleshooting (flattened knuckles, twisted liners) was something I couldn't find anywhere else. I knocked off one star because I was hoping for a slightly larger glossary, but overall this is a serious reference for a serious audience.