Made in USA cold weather motorcycle gear starts with the hands and the core, because those are the first places riders feel the cold. Legendary USA cuts and sews its deerskin gloves in the USA, and the lineup covers fleece-lined, aramid-lined, and gauntlet styles. This fall roundup shows what each piece does, who it suits, and where it falls short.
Fleece-Lined Deerskin Gloves for 30 to 50°F
The Fleece-Lined Deerskin Gloves use 100% American Whitetail deerskin with a 3M Thinsulate 40-gram fleece lining. They are the glove for fall and mild winter rides in the 30 to 50°F range without the bulk of a full gauntlet. The keystone thumb and elasticized wrist cuff keep the fit secure.
Size up one from your normal glove size to make room for the lining. These are not a deep-winter glove, so riders in sub-30°F weather often add a liner or choose a heavier style. For a deeper comparison, read our post on fleece-lined vs aramid-lined deerskin gloves.
Aramid-Lined Touchscreen Gloves for Cool Days
The Aramid Touchscreen Deerskin Gloves pair a Whitetail deerskin shell with an aramid fiber liner. They are touchscreen compatible, so you can use a phone or GPS without taking a glove off. The liner is thin, which keeps throttle and brake feel.
These work best on cool days rather than cold ones, since the aramid liner is not an insulation layer. Choose them if you want feel, a short wrist, and screen access. If you ride in the 30s, the fleece-lined style is warmer.
Deerskin Gauntlets for Cold Highway Miles
The Classic Deerskin Gauntlets cover the wrist and lower forearm, which closes the gap where cold air gets in at highway speed. They are unlined, so you get direct feel, and the cuff works over or under a jacket sleeve. Add a thin liner underneath if you ride in colder temperatures.
Gauntlets run warmer than short wrist styles, which is useful in fall and a drawback in summer. They are bulkier at the forearm and take a moment longer to put on. Our guide to unlined deerskin gauntlet gloves covers sizing and when to choose them.
Vests and Layers for Your Core
A vest holds your layers close and blocks wind across your chest. Leather blocks more wind than denim or Cordura, so choose leather as the temperature drops. Our winter motorcycle vest guide explains the differences between horsehide and cowhide.
Browse the full Men's Made in USA motorcycle vests collection for denim, Cordura, and leather styles. If you are building a full kit, our cold-weather riding kit guide shows how the pieces fit together.
Deerskin vs Goatskin for Cold Weather
Deerskin and goatskin both work for cold riding, but they feel different. Deerskin is soft and light, and it stays pliable in cold air. Goatskin is tighter-grained and more resistant to abrasion, but it feels firmer.
The Bad Billy Black Goatskin Gloves are unlined and listed for year-round and mild weather. For cold rides, pair the goatskin with a liner or choose a lined deerskin style instead.
How to Choose by Riding Style
Commuters who ride short distances in the 40s can use the fleece-lined short wrist glove. Highway riders and tourers get more from the gauntlet cuff. Riders who use a GPS or phone on the bike will like the touchscreen glove.
Whatever you buy, break the gloves in before the first cold ride. Leather stiffens in the cold and feels better once it has formed to your hand.
Bottom Line
Cover your hands and your core first, then add layers as the temperature falls. The fleece-lined glove handles the 30 to 50°F range, the aramid-lined glove works for cool days with a screen, and the gauntlet seals the wrist on the highway. All three are made in the USA from Whitetail deerskin.
To see how wind speed changes the temperature you feel on the bike, the National Weather Service publishes a cold wind chill chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best American-made cold weather motorcycle glove?
- It depends on how cold you ride. For 30 to 50°F, the Legendary fleece-lined deerskin short wrist glove uses 3M Thinsulate 40-gram lining. For cool, windy highway rides, a deerskin gauntlet closes the wrist gap. Both are made in the USA. Below 30°F, most riders add a liner or move to a heavier glove.
- Is deerskin or goatskin better for cold riding?
- Deerskin stays soft and pliable in cold air, which helps with feel at the throttle and brake. Goatskin is tighter-grained and tougher against abrasion, but it feels firmer. Legendary's Bad Billy goatskin glove is unlined, so pair either leather with a lined style when temperatures drop. Pick the leather by how you ride, then pick the lining by the temperature.
- Do I need a gauntlet glove for cold weather?
- A gauntlet is not required, but it helps. The long cuff closes the gap between glove and sleeve, which is where cold air gets in on the highway. A short wrist glove with a tight sleeve cuff can work for shorter rides. Many riders keep both and switch by temperature and ride length.
- Can I use a touchscreen glove in cold weather?
- Yes. The Legendary aramid-lined deerskin short wrist glove is listed as touchscreen compatible, so you can use a phone or GPS without taking it off. It is a snug glove with a thin liner, so it suits cool days better than deep winter. Pair it with a warmer layer for colder rides.
- What should I buy first for fall riding?
- Start with your hands and your core. A pair of fleece-lined deerskin gloves keeps your hands working, and a vest or jacket blocks wind across your chest. Add layers as the temperature drops. Buying in this order covers the two places riders feel cold first.