The best motorcycle gear for November riding is a layered kit built around warm hands and a wind-blocking torso, not one heavy piece. For most riders in the 30 to 50°F range, that means fleece-lined deerskin gloves, a gauntlet cuff for highway days, and a leather vest that fits over a warm base layer. Here are the Legendary USA pieces we would put in a November kit, with the tradeoffs spelled out.
How to build a November riding kit
November riding is a hands-first problem. Your torso has options, since you can layer under a vest or jacket, but your hands sit in the airstream with nothing in front of them. Start with gloves, then add a torso layer, then think about the details.
Temperature matters less than wind. A 45°F day at 60 mph feels colder than a 40°F day at 25 mph, so match your gear to how and where you ride. If you are unsure of your bands, the cold-weather gear temperature guide is a good starting point.
The picks, in the order we would buy them
Fleece-Lined Deerskin Gloves for most November rides
The Fleece-Lined Deerskin Gloves are the first pair to buy. They pair a 100% American Whitetail deerskin outer with 3M Thinsulate 40-gram lining, suited to the 30 to 50°F range, with a keystone thumb and an elasticized wrist. Size up one from your normal size so the lining has room. They are not waterproof, and they will run warm on a mild afternoon.
Classic Deerskin Gauntlets for highway days
The Classic Deerskin Gauntlets close the wrist gap with a full gauntlet cuff that sits over or under a jacket sleeve. They are unlined, so they need a thin liner for real cold, but they are the better pair for long highway runs where wind at the wrist is the problem. Our winter gauntlet guide covers the pairing.
Leather Club Vest with side lacing as an adjustable layer
The Legendary Men's Leather Club Motorcycle Vest is top-grain cowhide with side lacing that gives 2 to 4 inches of chest adjustment. That matters in November because you wear more under it than in summer, and the laces let you let it out for a sweater or base layer. It adds wind blocking over your torso, but it is a vest, so it does not cover your arms.
Black Jack Lightweight Cordura Vest for mild days
The Legendary Black Jack Lightweight Cordura Vest is a water-resistant Cordura nylon shell with leather trim, side lacing and wide armholes for layering. It is the right call for early November, when the afternoon is mild and a full leather vest would be heavy. It is not a winter piece, and you should not rely on it below the 40s without something warmer underneath.
Leather vs Cordura vest in November
Leather blocks wind better and ages well, but it is heavier and warmer to wear. Cordura is lighter and sheds light moisture, but it offers less wind resistance than a thick hide. If your November riding is mostly mild and wet, the Black Jack makes sense. If it is cold and dry, go with the leather club vest and layer under it.
For a deeper look at layering a vest over warm clothing, see our winter motorcycle vest guide. To see everything in one place, browse the Made in USA motorcycle vests collection and the Made in USA motorcycle gloves collection.
What to skip in November
Skip anything you cannot layer. A tight vest that fits only over a T-shirt will leave you cold or uncomfortable. Skip ventilated gloves for anything but warm afternoons, since the perforations are built to let air through. And skip the idea that one piece can do everything, because November rewards a small rotation more than a single heavy item.
For the wind chill math behind November riding temperatures, the National Weather Service publishes a cold wind chill chart.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the most important piece of gear for November riding?
- Gloves, because your hands sit in the airstream with nothing in front of them. A fleece-lined deerskin glove such as the Legendary USA Fleece-Lined Deerskin Gloves, with 3M Thinsulate 40-gram lining, covers most 30 to 50°F rides. Add a gauntlet cuff or liner if you ride highway miles in the cold.
- Is a leather vest enough for cold-weather riding?
- A vest blocks wind over your torso, but it leaves your arms exposed. In November, wear it over a warm base layer, such as a flannel or sweater, and under a jacket when the temperature drops. For rides near freezing, a jacket with sleeves is a better primary layer than a vest.
- Should I size up gloves for cold weather?
- For fleece-lined gloves, yes. Legendary USA recommends sizing up one from your normal size so the lining has room and does not squeeze your fingers. If you plan to wear a thin liner glove under an unlined pair, try them on together before you ride, and consider the larger size if you are between sizes.
- Are leather motorcycle gloves warm enough for winter?
- Unlined leather is not warm on its own below the 50s. Deerskin stays pliable in cold air, which helps feel, but warmth comes from lining, liners and cuff length. Fleece-lined deerskin suits roughly 30 to 50°F, and below that you will want a liner, a gauntlet cuff, or both.
- Can I wear a Cordura vest in November?
- On mild days, yes. The Legendary USA Black Jack Cordura vest is water-resistant and light, with wide armholes for layering, so it works over a long-sleeve shirt in early November. It is not insulated and not a cold-weather piece, so below the 40s choose a leather vest or a jacket.
Bottom line for November riders
Start with fleece-lined deerskin gloves, add a gauntlet for highway days, and pick a vest you can layer under. Match the kit to your coldest ride, not your warmest. Everything on this list is hand-cut and stitched in the USA, and you can browse all motorcycle gear to fill in the rest.