Which motorcycle glove size should you choose?
Red Hold Fast Boardtrack gloves, photographed for the catalogue. Check road-use certification for each model.
In this article
The wrong motorcycle glove size makes itself known quickly: a fingertip presses against a seam, the palm feels tight, or spare leather folds inside your hand. Before choosing a colour, reach for a tape measure. Two measurements and a proper fitting tell you more than “I always wear a large”.
This guide helps you compare sizes and read a product listing. It also distinguishes road protection from vintage style accessories. At School of Cool, the look matters. So does the intended use.
Motorcycle glove size: start with your hand
First, lay your dominant hand flat without tensing your fingers. Wrap a flexible tape around your palm, just below the knuckles, leaving out the thumb. Let the tape touch your skin without squeezing it. Write down the circumference in centimetres.
Next, measure from the tip of your middle finger to the base of your palm. This second measurement helps explain a poor fit. A broad hand with short fingers fills a glove differently from a narrow, long hand. Finally, measure the other hand if you notice a clear difference.
- Use a sewing tape, or mark a piece of string and measure it against a ruler.
- Remove bulky rings and keep the tape loose enough to avoid compression.
- Measure twice to confirm the number.
- Compare it with the chart for your chosen model, rather than a random size conversion.
FIVE explains this measuring method in its sizing guide. However, its chart belongs to its own gloves. It does not replace the Hold Fast chart.
Reading the Hold Fast Le Mans 1971 size chart
The table below is currently published on the white Le Mans 1971 gloves listing. It applies to that product family. It is not a universal conversion for every glove in our shop.
| Labelled size | Hand circumference |
|---|---|
| S / 7 | 19–21 cm |
| M / 8 | 21–23 cm |
| L / 9 | 23–25 cm |
| XL / 10 | 25–27 cm |
| XXL / 11 | 27–29 cm |
| XXXL / 12 | 29–31 cm |
A chart may include more sizes than are available to order. Therefore, always check the options on the product page. If your measurement falls between two sizes, send us both measurements before buying. A lining, a different cut or finger length can change the fit.
A close fit should still let your fingers move
Pull the gloves fully on, then gently close your hand. The leather should follow the movement. If your middle finger hits the end or a seam pinches, the fit needs another look. On the other hand, too much material in the palm can create an awkward fold.
For certified road gloves, also check the wrist fastening and your movement on the controls with the engine switched off. A handsome photograph cannot answer that question. Your fingers can.
Do not rely on breaking in a glove that is clearly too small. Leather can soften, but the pattern does not grow longer. Likewise, adding a thick liner that you did not allow for changes the space you need.
Before the fit, check suitability for road use
In France, both rider and passenger must wear CE-certified protective gloves on the road. The French public service explains this requirement. Thick leather, reinforcements or the word “motorcycle” in a product title do not establish certification.
The Hold Fast Tattoo and Le Mans listings featured here describe style and non-road display accessories, without road-protection certification. They do not replace a certified pair of road gloves. Read the intended-use information for each model before choosing.
Putting together an exhibition outfit, a photo shoot or a vintage look? For those uses, fit, flexibility and design still matter. That is where this selection belongs.
Three characters, three pairs of Hold Fast gloves
Red Boardtrack 1936 gloves
Patinated red leather, cord wrist details and a design inspired by board track racing. Check the intended use and the model-specific size chart.
Black Tattoo 1340 gloves
White designs on black leather, handmade construction and an old school silhouette. Style accessories without road-protection certification.
White Le Mans 1971 gloves
Patinated white leather, coloured stripes and an adjustable wrist closure. Style accessories without road-protection certification.
Product links open in a new tab. This lets you keep your measurements beside you while comparing details, without losing the guide.
Motorcycle glove size: questions before ordering
What if my motorcycle glove size falls between two sizes?
First, compare both hand circumference and length with the listing. Then ask for advice and name the model. Sizing up can help, but it is not a rule for every cut.
Is a large the same across different brands?
No. The size label alone does not describe the pattern. Use centimetres and the product chart, especially when switching brands.
Can hot water stretch a glove that is too small?
Avoid doing this to a new pair. It can alter the leather without fixing the shape. Before using the gloves, check the size and the exchange conditions instead.
Keep three notes: hand circumference, hand length and model. If you are unsure about your motorcycle glove size, contact School of Cool with that information. Then choose the pair that feels like you.
