Motorcycle gloves for numb hands

Riding a motorcycle is an extremely enjoyable hobby and for some even a way of life. It does, like most other active sports, come with some physical fatigue and risk. While the pioneers of the motorcycle community did not have much in the way of gear for protection and comfort, we have come a long way since then. With so many items on the market, there is no reason why you should not be able to remain comfortable while riding all day and also be relatively safe.

One of the most enjoyable things about riding a motorcycle is the long rides through the countryside, letting your mind wander, and letting go of the constant irritations of the day to day. This can be brutally interrupted, however, when there is a constant discomfort that you just can’t seem to shake. One such irritation is numbness in your hands.

The best gloves that I found to minimize numbness due to vibration are the Olympia All Season II’s (Amazon)

I will tell you more about the cause of numb hands in this article. But for those that don’t have 5 minutes to read it, I can just summerize by saying that you should get gloves that fit you well and that absorb the vibration of the bike. The best gloves for num hands I found are the Olympia All Season II’s (Link to Amazon).

Causes of numbness while riding a motorcycle

There are quite a few causes of numbness while riding that you may experience. The most common are injuries due to prolonged exposure to the vibration in your handlebars. Below I have listed the most common causes I have found and how to remedy this ride-ruining problem.

Vibration

The injuries due to prolonged exposure to vibration are by far the most common cause of numbness in motorcycle riders. The first and most obvious solution to this issue is to just check up on your bike. Do you notice anything loose or broken? If you do notice that your bike is vibrating more than normal, it may be a good idea to take it into your local shop to have a checkup.

On top of the discomfort due to the excess vibration, if there is something wrong it could lead to unsafe riding conditions. Always maintain your bike to the best of your ability to make sure that problems like this are less likely to develop.

If your bike is not the cause of the vibration, then the next step is to minimize the amount that actually reaches your hands. This can be done a number of ways, but the most common and easiest would be to upgrade your grips or invest in a pair of gloves that have shock absorption built into the palms. With both of these, there are a number of options on the market that range from affordable to pricey and in between. The best thing I can recommend here is that you do your research before you buy and make sure that you only have to buy it once.

Posture

Here in the states, we like our motorcycles like we like our armchairs and it shows. The most popular American motorcycle company is Harley Davidson and they are known for their shiny, luxurious cruisers that are sure to turn heads for their looks if not for their loud pipes. While these may be comfortable to sit on, I can tell you from experience that they do not always have the best posture for spending long periods of time in the saddle (there are some exceptions to this rule of course). The bad posture that these, as well as many sport bikes, cause is also a leading cause of numbness.

The best solution for this is to make sure that before you buy a motorcycle it is tailored to your body type and will be comfortable in the long run. When choosing a bike spend a long time sitting on it. Take it for a test ride (assuming the dealer allows it) and see that it suits you. The best position for me seems to be an upright riding style with my arms bent slightly downwards. To minimize the numbness, your arm position should be so that it maximizes the circulation to your hands.

Hand Position

This one is closely tied to posture in that it is something we often unintentionally do wrong. I am always having to make sure I’m not gripping the handlebars too tightly. When first getting into motorcycles, I decided to take an MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course, and one of the big things they pushed is that you should always maintain a loose grip on the handlebars to keep the road from jarring you (causing excess vibration) and to provide good circulation in your hands.

There is a product that can help with this called the throttle assist. This is a simple little lever that attaches to the right grip so that you can easily keep your hand open with a few fingers on the brake and use your palm to control your throttle. These are sold at most motorcycle shops and online.

Cold

Another cause of numbness is extreme cold. One thing that is often overlooked is that riding a motorcycle in cold or wintery conditions adds a huge wind chill that can cause injuries such as frostbite. It is my opinion that riding in these conditions exacts too much of a risk and should be avoided whenever possible. I do understand that it sometimes is unavoidable, however, extreme care should be taken in snowy or low-temperature conditions. Make sure that you have the proper gear and that it is all in good condition. If you can afford it and you will be riding in these conditions often, heated grips, gloves, or jackets may be a good investment.

More Serious Causes

If numbness continues long after getting off the bike, or becomes more common than you feel comfortable with, it may be linked to a more serious problem. Numbness in the hands is a symptom of a number of medical conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. If numbness persists it may be good to seek medical attention. If left alone it can lead to more serious issues and unsafe riding conditions.

Gloves for numb hands

While there are certainly a lot of good options on the market, the best gloves that I found to minimize numbness due to vibration were the Olympia All Season II’s (Amazon). They are not the cheapest glove on the market, but they do provide all year comfort. What you need to look for in a glove (at least for numbness) is that it has gel support on the palm. I actually found that of all the different brands, Olympia has the largest selection of gloves that offer this.

Olympia All Season II’s

I had heard good reviews about these gloves from a leather shop that I used to frequent, however, I did not know why people were talking about these until I started doing research for this article. The All Season II’s are really good at what they do, which is provide a good, comfortable, year round (as the name implies) glove. Most pertinent to this article, however, is its gel reinforced palm that cushions vibration and helps reduce the injuries from prolonged riding. While they are not the most affordable glove on the market, if you are going to buy only one pair, this is the pair to get. While they may not be the best at lower temperatures, the All Season II can be used with other products such as a heated grip (if you’re that fancy) for those cold winter rides to work.

Notes for Choosing a Glove

Riding a motorcycle is extremely reliant on your hands, therefore it is a good idea that gloves should be chosen with care. Make sure you have a good fit that does not leave too much room in the tips of the fingers. Do the research online and then find a place that sells the glove you want and go try it on. Note when fitting that the glove will probably stretch over time, so getting a tighter fit at first may be a good idea. A good glove should provide comfort, support, and offer protection from the road.

In Conclusion

Numb hands is a discomfort that you should never let get in the way of riding. Make sure that you take the time and resources to get to the root of the problem. Prolonged exposure to these types of injuries can cause problems down the line, so spending a few extra dollars now may be a good investment.