How to Test Motorcycle Glove Fit Before You Ride
Glove fit problems do not announce themselves at the store. They reveal themselves after 200 miles when a poorly placed seam has created a hot spot on the palm, or a tight closure has reduced blood flow to the fingers on a cold morning. Testing fit correctly before you ride eliminates these problems before they develop.
Step 1: Measure Your Hand Before Ordering
Wrap a fabric measuring tape around the widest part of your dominant hand — across the palm, just below the knuckles, excluding the thumb. This measurement in inches or centimeters corresponds to the sizing charts for leather motorcycle gloves. Most quality glove manufacturers use hand circumference rather than generic S/M/L sizing, which produces more accurate fits.
For deerskin gloves, keep in mind that the leather will stretch and conform over the first few rides. A glove that fits snugly but without pressure points at purchase will break in to a precise fit. A glove that is loose at purchase will not tighten with use.
Step 2: The Grip Test
Put the gloves on and grip a round object roughly the diameter of a motorcycle handlebar — a rolled magazine, a water bottle, a hammer handle. Squeeze to simulate throttle grip pressure. Note: does the glove pull or bunch at the knuckles? Is there excess leather at the fingertips when gripping? Does the palm section feel tight or does it allow a natural grip position?
Bunching at the knuckles indicates the glove is too large across the hand. Excess leather at the fingertips when gripping means the fingers are too long for your hand in this model. Tightness in the palm under grip pressure means the glove is too small. All three of these problems will become more pronounced over hours of riding.
Step 3: The Flex Test
While wearing the gloves, open your hand fully — spread all fingers and extend the thumb. Then close into a tight fist. Repeat this several times quickly. The glove should flex with your hand without resistance and return to its open shape without pulling at any finger joint. Resistance at the knuckles when making a fist indicates the glove is too small or the leather needs break-in. Excess material at the finger joints when the hand is open indicates the glove is too large.
Step 4: The Seam Check
With the gloves on, press the palm flat against a surface and press firmly, simulating the pressure of a palm against a handlebar grip under riding. Note the location of any seams you feel against the skin. Seams that run directly across the palm crease or along the underside of the fingers will create hot spots under riding conditions. Quality glove construction places seams at the back of the hand and along the finger tops where contact pressure is minimal.
Step 5: The Wrist Closure Check
Close the wrist closure — whether snap, velcro, or buckle — to its normal riding position. Check: can you slide two fingers under the closure without stretching it? Does the closure allow the glove to move at the wrist, or does it hold the glove firmly in place? A correctly fitted closure allows the glove to stay in position without cutting into the wrist or allowing the glove to shift during riding.
For riders ordering the Deerskin Short Wrist Touchscreen Gloves or Classic Touchscreen Deerskin Gloves, the wrist closure should hold the glove in position without restricting wrist rotation. Browse the full American-Made Motorcycle Gloves collection for complete sizing information.
Order with confidence: Legendary USA deerskin gloves are available in a full range of sizes. Use the hand circumference measurement method above for the most accurate size selection at American-Made Motorcycle Gloves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should motorcycle gloves feel tight at first?
A quality leather motorcycle glove, including deerskin, should feel snug but not constrictive at first wear. Snug means no excess leather at the fingertips or palm and full closure of the wrist without stretching. If the glove causes discomfort or prevents full finger extension when new, it is too small. Deerskin will break in and conform slightly to your hand, so a snug new fit typically becomes a precise broken-in fit after a few rides.
How much do deerskin gloves stretch during break-in?
Deerskin stretches moderately during break-in — typically a quarter to half size across the palm and fingers over the first few uses. This stretch is not dramatic, but it means you should choose the snug end of your size range rather than ordering up if you are between sizes. A glove that fits correctly but snugly new will fit precisely broken-in.
What if my fingers are different lengths from the standard glove?
Standard glove sizing is based on hand circumference, not individual finger length. Riders whose fingers are longer or shorter relative to their palm width may find standard sizing slightly off at the fingertips. For deerskin specifically, the leather’s stretch and conform characteristics typically compensate for moderate length differences during break-in. Significant proportion differences may require contacting Legendary USA directly to discuss available options.