FAQ's
Why wear motorcycle gloves?
Alongside a motorcycle helmet, motorcycle gloves are the next most important thing to wear while riding your motorcycle. In the event you fall off your motorbike it is usually your hands that make the first contact with the ground. You should NEVER ride without protection gloves as the soft skin and delicate structure of the hand must be protected especially from impact and abrasion.
How to measure your hand for your new pair of Motorcycle gloves?
Our preferred method is very simple. Measure the tip of your index finger to the base of your palm. Then measure the width of your hand across the middle. You can also measure the circumference of your hand. Please see below.
What size of motorcycle gloves do I need?
Every hand is different so motorcycle glove fit will be very individual to you. Motorcycle gloves by 78 are hand crafted from natural leather hides meaning that the gloves will mature to your hand over time and will fit 'just like a glove'! It is always best to have a snug fitting glove one that when fastened up feels secure without discomfort that cannot simply be pulled off with force. At the same time you also want comfort and 100% dexterity so your fingers and thumb can move without restriction. If you have long fingers there is a risk that the finger tips will irritate but if the glove fits perfect elsewhere you may be able to stretch the fingers a little. Read below for more.
Will motorcycle gloves stretch?
After an initial burn in time of around 4-6 weeks we would say that our motorcycle gloves have 'matured' (this varies on use and exposure) and during this time the leather hide will soften and move after heat and movement cycles. The amount of stretch will be minimal but keep in mind if you opted for a larger fitting pair this will be more noticeable on the handlebars.
How tight should motorcycle gloves be?
Motorcycle gloves should be 'snug' but not 'tight'. You should be able to slip the glove on without too much effort or tugging and have freedom of movement BUT you should not be able to twist the glove around whilst on nor should you be able to pull it off with the wrist strap fastened. Fingers that are too long will just irritate on the handlebars and ruin the ride.
Can you stretch your motorcycle gloves?
Yes with a little care you can stretch the fingers and thumb of your gloves but this has to be done gently using leather balm (Lanolin, Beeswax, Almond etc) simply massage the glove and stretch the areas carefully several times. For best results warm the glove up with a hair dryer and apply leather balm to warm hide. Just be sure that you do not 'pull' aggressively as you must not disturb stitch work or seams.
Can you shrink motorcycle gloves?
Gloves that are not used for long periods or gloves keep in dry, hot spaces will naturally over time dry out and shrink this is why we recommend caring for your gloves so they can last over time. If the gloves are too big you can wash them, during our long testing program for our gloves we actually washed a pair of gloves 8 times through the washing machine and they survived BUT we would not recommend this as washing in a spin cycle will eventually weaken the seams and structure of the gloves. The best advice to to replace with a new pair.
How to wash motorcycle gloves?
Over time your leather motorcycle gloves will accumulate dirt, contaminants and debris especially if used in wet weather and urban environements. 78 gloves are constructed from 'aniline' leather meaning they will absorb moisture and dirt from the skin, road and handlebar grips. If you wish to clean them the best advice is to place on a towel and clean the affected areas with warm soapy water (Dove or similar) and a soft toothbrush. gently massage the areas with warm soapy water, dab off excess moisture and repeat. Leave the glove wrapped in a dry, soft towel away from direct heat and allow to dry. When the glove is 90% dry this is a good time to apply some leather balm, massage it into the leather gloves and allow to dry fully.
Which motorcycle gloves should I buy?
Motorcycle gloves come in so many styles from so many brands, you can find Alpinestars gloves, Rev It! Gloves, FIVE Gloves and brands like Goldtop gloves. What sets 78 gloves apart is that for over a decade we hand produce in very small numbers and you won't find us in big retail stores. We sell in selected small stores around the world but most of our business is online. Furthermore we design our gloves from scratch, we don't buy a pre-designed glove from one of thousands of factories so our designs are original and unique. To find the best motorcycle gloves think about where you ride, how often and in what weather. Style and design is everything here at 78 so we always focus on this alongside safety so the main question is how much protection do you require as generally a bigger, bulkier glove will offer more protection at the expense of comfort, usability and style. However if you ride on motorways at high speed you should wear the biggest, safest glove you can cope with. If you ride in urban areas, commute or ride weekends a lighter, more stylish glove will work. You can explore our street collection of motorcycle gloves.
How long should motorcycle gloves last?
We have gloves around the world still in use from our inception in 2015 with regular updates and photos from customers. We provide a two year warranty as standard but with good care your 78 motorcycle gloves will last several years. If you notice areas of excessive wear or in very rare cases a split in the seams then it's time to replace!
What is 'CE' Approved'?
As of April 2018, all motorcycle garments now fall under the scope of the PPE Regulation 2016/425. This means that for manufacturers who produce motorcycle gloves for use on motorcycles, it is now deemed as 'Personal Protective Equipment', and should be officially tested and certified like all PPE used in other industries.
These tests should be carried out against a strict set of standards, from chemical leather testing, pull off testing, impact testing to abrasion resistance. in order to prove and measure compliance, and once certified, those products must show a declaration of their compliance with a formal certificate and via the "CE" labelling found on CE approved motorcycle gloves.
"CE" stands for Conformité Européenne” (French for European Conformity), and is now mandatory for all motorcycle products produced to be sold within the EU.
Level 1: Offers a baseline of protection, adequate for general riding, with good flexibility.
Level 2: Provides higher impact and abrasion resistance, often featuring additional knuckle protection.
Performance Tests: To pass, gloves are tested for:
Ergonomic requirements: Ensuring dexterity to operate controls.
Innocuousness: Material safety (pH value, chrome VI content).
Abrasion resistance: How well the material withstands sliding.
Cut resistance: Resistance to sharp objects.
Tear strength: Resistance to seams tearing.
Impact protection: Specifically, knuckle protection ("KP") is tested if the glove includes armor.
Restraint: Tests to ensure the glove remains on the hand during a crash.
78 Motorcycle gloves are certified within the scope of EN135/94 CE Level 1. If you would like to view our certification you can request this via email, sayhello@78motorco.com.