As motorcyclists, we always use our motorcycles for different types of commuting. First comes the daily commute, where we ride from home to the office and from the office to home.
Sometimes, we use it for intercity travel. Then, there are short-distance weekend rides. In these cases, we do not ride too far but somewhere outside the hustling city life. Finally, we do long rides once or twice a year, where we ride for longer distances.
Some people do major off-roading instead of longer rides.
With all the different types of commuting we do, it becomes essential to choose the right gear for the right purpose. In this blog, we will address this by keeping motorcycle gloves at the forefront. We will cover some key differences between a full gauntlet riding glove and short-cuff riding gloves to help you decide which one might be better suited for you.
The easy answer to choosing the right motorcycle gloves
If we were to address this topic with an easy and simple answer, then it is clear that high-quality, purpose-built, full-gauntlet riding gloves like the Viaterra Grid MK-3 will always be more protective than any shorter cuff or semi-gauntlet counterpart.
While several of the protective features over the hand - at the knuckle, palm, and fingers - can be similar between full gauntlet and semi-gauntlet gloves, the area where the real differences lie is towards the wrist and forearm.
The leather cuff on a full-gauntlet glove extends over the wrist and onto the forearm, providing an extended area of abrasion protection. The carbon fiber impact protector on a glove like the Viaterra Grid MK3 or Superfabric on the Viaterra Kruger provides additional impact and slide protection over the wrist.
This type of full-gauntlet riding glove also has a robust dual closure system - using 2 straps to hold it in place instead of the single closure system that you see on shorter cuff gloves. The combination of a smaller adjustable strap near the wrist and a larger one at the cuff ensures that a full gauntlet glove is held in place more.
A full gauntlet glove also overlaps over the sleeve of your riding jacket - this prevents wind from entering through the jacket and drastically reduces the likelihood of any direct abrasion injury at the area between the glove and jacket.
The question of riding gloves remains
If full-gauntlet gloves were good at so many things, why would anyone use semi-gauntlet gloves?
The answer to that is based more on practicality and personal preference. Many of the defining features of full gauntlet gloves can also be limiting factors in certain scenarios.
Practicality and Personal Preference
Let’s take an example here: doing off-roading on an adventure motorcycle like the KTM Adventure 250 or KTM Adventure 390 or riding on an off-road trail can be a very dynamic activity also requiring constant and precise adjustments to your clutch and brake levers. In such scenarios, having a light glove like the Viaterra Roost V2 that allows more mobility and feedback is far better suited than a more bulky full gauntlet option.
Likewise, when you are riding in the city, you mostly ride at a slower speed, and you need to frequently remove and wear your gloves multiple times. Hence, in these cases, shorter cuff or semi-gauntlet riding gloves like the Viaterra Fender and Viaterra Holeshot Pro offer different combinations of balance between protection and comfort to cater to different preferences and use cases.
While on the subject of personal preferences, some people simply find full gauntlet gloves uncomfortable to use. This is why a glove like the Viaterra Shifter offers the same protective features at the knuckle, palm, and fingers as the full-gauntlet Viaterra Grid MK-3, but with a shorter cuff.
Wrapping Up
A good full-gauntlet riding glove is an easy default option and will have all the important bases covered from a protection perspective. But, semi-gauntlet riding gloves or shorter-cuff riding gloves might be the better and more practical option in specific situations like urban riding, off-road, and trail use, as well as for those who have strong and specific personal preferences.
Check out our YouTube video for a better understanding of the product here
FAQ: Full Gauntlet vs Semi Gauntlet Riding Gloves
Q: Can you use one type of motorcycle riding gloves for all types of riding?
A: While it is possible, using motorcycle gloves tailored to specific riding scenarios (e.g., full gauntlet for long rides and semi-gauntlet for urban or off-road use) can enhance both comfort and safety.
Q: In what scenarios are semi-gauntlet riding gloves like the Viaterra Holeshot Pro more practical?
A: Semi-gauntlet riding gloves are more practical for city rides, short-distance commuting, and off-road adventures where mobility, comfort, and ease of use are prioritized over maximum protection.
Q: Why do some riders prefer semi-gauntlet gloves to full-gauntlet gloves?
A: Riders prefer semi-gauntlet gloves for their lighter weight, better mobility, ease of frequent removal, and comfort during activities like city riding or off-road trails.
Q: Which type of riding gloves offers better protection?
A: Full-gauntlet gloves like the Viaterra Grid MK-3 provide better protection due to their extended coverage, dual-closure system, and additional features like carbon fiber or super fabric reinforcements.
