The right motorcycle gear for Halloween weekend rides is a lined glove for cold hands, a gauntlet for the highway, a horsehide vest for a wind-blocking layer, and a ventilated pair for the warm afternoon. Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31 this year, so plan for a day that can start mild and drop fast after sunset. These are the four pieces we would put in the saddlebag.
Every pick below is made in the USA, and we have listed where each one falls short so you can buy what fits your ride.
The cold-hands pick: Fleece-Lined Deerskin Gloves
The Fleece-Lined Deerskin Gloves are our pick for the evening ride home. They pair a 100 percent American Whitetail deerskin outer with a 3M Thinsulate 40-gram lining, and Legendary lists them for the 30 to 50°F range. Size up one from your normal glove size.
Best for: cold evenings, short to medium rides, riders who want throttle feel. Skip if: you ride long highway miles below 30°F, or you expect hot afternoons, where a lined glove will run warm.
The highway pick: Classic Deerskin Gauntlets
The Classic Deerskin Gauntlets are the sleeve-gap solution. The cuff covers the wrist and lower forearm and can be worn over or under a jacket sleeve. They are unlined, which keeps direct throttle and brake feel and lets you add a thin liner when the evening gets cold.
Best for: highway transfers to and from the event, riders who layer. Skip if: you want warmth built into the glove with no extra layer.
The layer pick: BECK 566 Horsehide Motorcycle Vest
The BECK 566 Horsehide Motorcycle Vest is front quarter horsehide from BECK Northeaster Flying Togs, which has built riding gear in the USA since 1928. The one-piece back panel keeps the patch area seam-free, and YKK zippers and hidden-snap chest pockets handle the details. It also works over a costume without getting in its way.
Best for: wind resistance over the torso and a patch-ready back. Skip if: you need sleeves. A vest is a layer, not a cold-weather answer by itself, and it is not armor.
The warm-afternoon pick: Ventilated Short Wrist Deerskin Gloves
October afternoons can still run warm. The Ventilated Short Wrist Deerskin Gloves are unlined with a perforated back and a keystone thumb, so they breathe when the lined pair would not. They are the daytime pair, not an evening pair.
Best for: mild daytime costume runs. Skip if: your ride runs past sunset, when perforations will make your hands feel the temperature drop.
How the four picks compare
| Piece | Best moment | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Fleece-lined short wrist | Cold evening, short to medium ride | Warm in hot afternoons |
| Unlined gauntlet | Highway miles, layering a liner | No insulation of its own |
| Horsehide vest | Wind layer over the torso | No sleeves, not armor |
| Ventilated short wrist | Warm afternoon | Not a cold-weather glove |
What to pack for the weekend
If you can carry two pairs, take the lined short wrist and the ventilated pair, and swap at the first temperature drop. If you can carry only one glove, take the gauntlet and a thin liner, since you control the warmth. Pair either with the vest and a long-sleeve layer.
For a full cold-weather kit, our guide to building a riding kit for 30 to 50 degrees covers every layer, and the cold night rides roundup goes further into evening gear. Browse the Made in USA motorcycle vests collection or the Made in USA motorcycle gloves collection for more.
The bottom line
Halloween weekend asks for gear that handles a warm afternoon and a cold evening in the same ride. Take a lined pair for the dark, a ventilated pair for the day, a gauntlet if the highway is part of it, and a horsehide vest to block the wind. Put the costume over the gear, not in place of it, and check the wind chill chart below before you leave.
For the wind chill math behind these temperature bands, the National Weather Service publishes a cold wind chill chart.
Frequently asked questions
- What motorcycle gear do I need for a Halloween weekend ride?
- Plan for a warm afternoon and a cold evening. Pack a lined glove for the dark, a ventilated pair for the day, and a vest or jacket layer for wind. A gauntlet helps on the highway. Wear the costume over proper riding gear, and keep loose pieces away from the chain and controls.
- What gloves are best for cold October evening rides?
- A lined deerskin glove is a strong choice. Legendary's Fleece-Lined Deerskin Gloves use a 3M Thinsulate 40-gram lining and are listed for 30 to 50°F. For longer highway rides, an unlined gauntlet worn with a thin separate liner gives you more control over warmth.
- Is a horsehide vest good for Halloween weekend?
- It works well as a wind-resisting layer. The BECK 566 is front quarter horsehide with a one-piece back panel, so it also carries patches cleanly. It has no sleeves and is not armor, so pair it with a long-sleeve layer when evenings drop into the 40s.
- Can I wear ventilated gloves in October?
- On warm afternoons, yes. The Ventilated Short Wrist Deerskin Gloves have a perforated back that lets air through, which suits mild days. They are not winter gloves, and they will feel cold after sunset. Switch to a lined pair when the temperature falls.
- How should I dress for a costume run on a motorcycle?
- Start with riding gear and add the costume on top. Avoid capes, long fabric, or anything that can reach the chain, wheels, or controls. Do not wear a mask that blocks vision or interferes with your helmet. Layer for stops, since standing still in 45°F air cools you quickly.
- Is Legendary USA motorcycle gear made in the USA?
- The gear in this roundup is made in the USA. Legendary USA hand-cuts and stitches its deerskin gloves in the USA, and the BECK 566 vest is a Made in USA piece from BECK Northeaster Flying Togs, a Legendary house brand. Check each product page for the country-of-origin listing before you buy.