The Best Heated Gloves for Winter Rides
Evan Rally
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Ever had your fingers go completely numb mid-ride, even with your thickest gloves on? Yeah, that’s not just cold, that’s your gear tapping out.
Doesn’t matter how “winter-rated” or “insulated” they claim to be. When the temps drop and the wind picks up, regular gloves just can’t keep up. You either cut the ride short or muscle through with frozen hands. Not ideal.
That’s why heated gloves are a game changer. They don’t trap heat, they make their own. Whether you go with a battery-powered setup or wire into the bike, it’s the single best cold-weather upgrade you can make.
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Pair them with a proper winter motorcycle jacket and AAA-rated motorcycle jeans, and suddenly winter riding isn’t so brutal.
This guide covers the best heated motorcycle gloves we’ve tested: battery and bike-powered picks that actually work when the weather turns savage.
The Top Picks for Heated Motorcycle Gloves
If you’re ready to completely defeat the cold, start here. These heated gloves are praised for their heat output, reliability, and essential protective features.
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The industry standard for serious touring. It offers immense, unlimited heat wired directly to your bike, robust protection, and a waterproof build for the most demanding riders. | A rugged leather chassis with a simple battery setup, waterproof liner, and practical heat levels. Ideal for daily riders who want warmth without giving up protection or style. | The Highway 21 7V Radiant Heated Gloves offer easy, wireless warmth with rechargeable batteries, solid insulation, and waterproof protection for reliable cold-weather riding. |
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The industry standard for serious touring. It offers immense, unlimited heat wired directly to your bike, robust protection, and a waterproof build for the most demanding riders.
- Microwire heating system warms every finger
- Waterproof Aquatex membrane & 150g Thinsulate insulation
- Premium cowhide leather with TPU knuckle protection
- Heat controller and battery harness sold separately
A rugged leather chassis with a simple battery setup, waterproof liner, and practical heat levels. Ideal for daily riders who want warmth without giving up protection or style.
- Rechargeable Li-ion battery-powered heating with three levels
- Waterproof, windproof HiPora liner for all-weather protection
- Touchscreen-compatible fingertips and knuckle armor for safety
- Battery life is limited on high heat settings
The Highway 21 7V Radiant Heated Gloves offer easy, wireless warmth with rechargeable batteries, solid insulation, and waterproof protection for reliable cold-weather riding.
- Rechargeable batteries for cordless convenience
- Waterproof Hipora® membrane keeps hands dry
- Three heat settings for customizable warmth
- Durable palm reinforcement for better grip
- Good balance of warmth and dexterity
- Battery life limited to a few hours on high
- Heat output less intense than wired 12V gloves
For budget-conscious riders looking at non-heated alternatives, our guide to the best cheap motorcycle gloves includes insulated picks that still punch above their price.
Common Myths About Heated Gloves
Don’t let myths keep you in the cold. Let’s bust a few misconceptions about heated gear.
“Heated gloves will drain my bike’s battery.” False. While the engine is running, your bike’s charging system produces more than enough power to run the bike and power your gear. 12V gloves are designed to run off this excess power. You only risk draining the battery if you leave them on with the engine off.
“The wiring is too complicated to install.” Not anymore. Modern 12V systems use a simple ring-terminal harness that connects directly to your battery terminals in minutes. The rest is simple plug-and-play. Battery-powered (7V) gloves require no installation at all. You will benefit from having a good understanding of your bike’s electrical system, but this 12 minute video will sort you out.
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“Heated gloves aren’t safe to use in the rain.” False. Reputable heated gloves are built with high-quality waterproof membranes (like GORE-TEX, Drystar, etc.) and fully sealed heating elements and wiring. They are designed from the ground up to be used in harsh, wet weather.
“Heated gloves don’t have real protection.” This is a dangerous myth. All the gloves on our list are true motorcycle gloves first. They are built with abrasion-resistant materials and feature integrated knuckle armor, reinforced palms, and other safety features you’d expect from proper riding gear.
Best Heated Motorcycle Gloves to Conquer the Cold
In some conditions, even the thickest insulated gloves just aren’t enough. If you’re riding in real winter weather (below 40°F / 5°C), dealing with poor circulation, or logging serious highway miles, traditional gloves eventually give out. Heated gloves are built for exactly that moment. Instead of just holding onto body heat, they produce their own, keeping your hands warm mile after mile, no matter how cold it gets.
Gerbing 12V Vanguard Heated Gloves
This is the go-to winter glove for riders who don’t park the bike when the temperature drops. The Gerbing 12V Vanguard is built for all-season riders who face real winter conditions and need gear that delivers, day after day. It connects directly to your motorcycle’s 12V battery using a simple harness, which means you get unlimited, full-strength heat as long as the engine’s running, no worrying about battery life or mid-ride shutdowns.
Inside, Gerbing’s Microwire heating system runs through the entire length of each finger and across the back of the hand, giving you fast, even warmth that doesn’t fade. It has a durable leather construction, Aquatex waterproof membrane to block out wet weather, and 150 grams of Thinsulate insulation to hold heat in when the wind picks up. A hard knuckle protector and reinforced palm add proper motorcycle-grade protection.
While the initial setup takes a few minutes to wire to your bike, it’s a one-time job. Once it’s in place, the Vanguard becomes a set-it-and-forget-it solution for winter touring, commuting, and long-haul rides.
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The Catch? The initial setup requires you to connect a wiring harness to your motorcycle’s battery. This can be a barrier for some and makes the gloves less portable between different bikes without extra harnesses. They also represent a significant investment.
The Silver Lining: The heat is immense and it never runs out. For long-distance tourers or daily commuters in freezing climates, this reliability is a game-changer. It completely removes cold hands from the equation.
Alternative Option: For riders who are intimidated by the wiring or only need heated gear for shorter trips, the battery-powered Highway 21 7V Radiant offers a simpler, more convenient experience.
Unmatched warmth and protection for any ride.
- Microwire heating system warms every finger
- Waterproof Aquatex membrane & 150g Thinsulate insulation
- Premium cowhide leather with TPU knuckle protection
- Heat controller and battery harness sold separately
Our Rating 4.7/5: Consistent warmth at highway speeds, even in mid-30s temps, without relying on heated grips. Build quality is solid, and warmth holds even when unplugged. Fit can run tight in the fingers or oversized depending on hand shape, and the wiring requires thoughtful routing, but overall performance and heat delivery are top-tier for cold-weather riding.
Joe Rocket 7V Rocket Burner Leather Heated Gloves
The Rocket Burner Leather is Joe Rocket’s upgraded take on heated gloves, offering better materials, more protection, and a more refined feel than the original Lite version. It’s powered by a pair of compact 7V lithium-ion batteries—one in each cuff—delivering three levels of adjustable heat at the press of a button. The controls are simple and glove-friendly, with an LED indicator that lets you know what setting you’re on.
What sets this model apart is the full leather chassis. It not only adds durability and abrasion resistance but also gives the glove a more classic, premium feel. Inside, you get a waterproof Hipora® liner to keep your hands dry, plus 100g insulation to help the battery-powered heat go further. It’s also got integrated knuckle padding for light impact protection, touchscreen-compatible fingertips for convenience, and a tailored fit that doesn’t feel overly bulky.
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For cold-weather commuters or riders who want a tough, street-focused heated glove without diving into high-end touring gear, the Rocket Burner Leather delivers. It’s easy to use, well-built for the price, and brings real winter capability to a familiar, no-fuss design. The leather construction on the Rocket Burner makes it a great match for classic bikes or vintage gear setups. If that’s your thing, you might also like the best retro motorcycle gloves lineup.
The Catch? Battery life is solid but still limited on high settings, expect up to 4 hours depending on conditions.
The Silver Lining: A big step up in build quality and abrasion resistance over the textile version, without giving up ease of use.
Alternative Option: The Highway 21 7V Radiant is still a great value pick for those who prefer a simpler textile glove with a slightly lighter feel.
Joe Rocket Rocket Burner Leather Heated Gloves provide warmth, protection, and comfort for cold-weather rides.
- Rechargeable Li-ion battery-powered heating with three levels
- Waterproof, windproof HiPora liner for all-weather protection
- Touchscreen-compatible fingertips and knuckle armor for safety
- Battery life is limited on high heat settings
Our Rating: 4.4/5 The Rocket Burner Leather stands out as a well-built, street-oriented heated glove with solid warmth and weather protection. Heat coverage focuses mainly on the back of the hand, and the batteries last multiple commutes on a single charge. Finger length runs long and the touchscreen function is inconsistent, but overall comfort and cold-weather usability make it a dependable value in the heated glove space.
Highway 21 7V Radiant Heated Gloves
The Highway 21 7V Radiant Heated Gloves are one of the easiest ways to step into the world of heated motorcycle gear. Designed for simplicity and everyday functionality, they run on rechargeable 7V lithium-ion batteries housed in each cuff. You get three heat settings, controlled by a glove-friendly button, making it quick to adjust on the fly—no wiring to your bike, no complicated setup.
Beyond the heat, the Radiant is a legit winter glove in its own right. It features a Hipora® waterproof membrane to block out rain and snow, 100g of Thinsulate™ insulation for added warmth, and a hard knuckle protector for impact protection. The palm is reinforced for abrasion resistance and grip, and the fit strikes a good balance between warmth and dexterity.
While battery life on high won’t last all day, it’s solid for short to medium rides, commuting, and everyday use. For riders who want a reliable, budget-friendly heated glove with real protective features and zero installation hassle, the Radiant is one of the most convenient and well-rounded options out there.
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The Catch? Battery life is the main trade-off. You’ll get a few hours on the highest setting, and longer on low, but they will run out. The 7V system is also not as powerfully hot as a 12V bike-powered system.
The Silver Lining: Unbeatable convenience. The lack of wires makes these incredibly easy to use and portable. It’s the simplest, most accessible way to add active heating to your winter rides.
Alternative Option: If you need unlimited heat for all-day rides, the bike-powered Gerbing 12V Vanguard is the next logical step up in performance.
The Highway 21 7V Radiant Heated Gloves offer easy, wireless warmth with rechargeable batteries, solid insulation, and waterproof protection for reliable cold-weather riding.
- Rechargeable batteries for cordless convenience
- Waterproof Hipora® membrane keeps hands dry
- Three heat settings for customizable warmth
- Durable palm reinforcement for better grip
- Good balance of warmth and dexterity
- Battery life limited to a few hours on high
- Heat output less intense than wired 12V gloves
Our Rating 4.4/5: The Highway 21 7V Radiant delivers dependable heat without the hassle of a wired setup, ideal for commuting, snow shoveling, or switching between bikes. Heat levels are effective above 35°F, especially with heated grips, and battery life holds up well on low or medium settings. Build quality and insulation are solid, though extreme cold may push its limits.
Klim Inversion GTX HTD Gloves
The Klim Inversion GTX HTD Gloves are built for riders who stay on the bike deep into winter and need real, reliable heat without sacrificing feel at the bars. These plug into your bike’s 12V system and deliver steady warmth across the fingertips and backhand. They’re less bulky than most winter touring gloves, which makes a big difference when you’re riding off-road or just want better grip and throttle control in cold weather.
You still get serious protection: a GORE-TEX waterproof membrane, a goatskin leather palm for durability and feel, and hard knuckle armor. The glove is shaped to move with you and designed to integrate with Klim’s heating controller, but works with most standard 12V systems just fine.
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Now about the RevZilla rating, but that’s based on only three reviews. One flagged sizing issues because of the battery compartment (though this glove isn’t meant for standalone battery use), and another misunderstood the auto-adjusting heat system. These aren’t dealbreakers, they’re setup quirks more than anything else. If you’re looking for a glove that delivers full-strength heat, stays waterproof, and still lets you ride like it’s not freezing out, the Inversion HTD is absolutely worth a look.
The Catch? It’s a 12V system that requires wiring and, ideally, a Klim heat controller (sold separately) to function best. The price reflects its top-tier Klim and GORE-TEX branding.
The Silver Lining: Unbeatable waterproofing and world-class ergonomics. The integration with other Klim gear is seamless, creating a truly unified riding suit for the most extreme weather.
Alternative Option: The Gerbing Vanguard offers a similar high-power 12V experience in a slightly more traditional touring glove package, at a lower price point.
The Klim Inversion GTX HTD Gloves deliver powerful 12V heating, waterproof Gore-Tex protection, and durable construction, perfect for serious winter riders seeking warmth and control.
- High-output 12V heating system for consistent warmth
- Gore-Tex membrane ensures full waterproofing
- Goatskin leather palm for durability and grip
- Hard knuckle armor for impact protection
- Ergonomic design with excellent throttle control
- Requires wiring to bike’s 12V system
- Sizing may feel tight due to battery placement
Our Rating 4.2/5: The Klim 7V Heated Gloves offer solid warmth with the battery on and decent dexterity for throttle control, but performance drops off when unplugged, insulation alone doesn’t hold up in true winter conditions. The auto-reset from high to medium heat limits effectiveness in extreme cold, and battery placement can make sizing tricky.
Merlin Minworth II D3O Heated Gloves
If you want heated gloves that don’t look like heated gloves, the Merlin Minworth II might be the only game in town. I’ve been riding in these through early winter and into the low 40s, and they’ve quickly become my go-to when I want warmth without looking like I’m wearing snowmobile gauntlets. They’re made from soft goat leather with classic ribbed panels and a short cuff, so they look right at home on a vintage twin, a café build, or anything with a little style baked in.
But it’s not just about looks. These have D3O armor in the knuckles, foam scaphoid padding, a Hipora waterproof membrane, and enough insulation to hold heat even without the battery system running. The heating system gives you three levels, and battery life has been solid, around 3.5 hours on high and longer on medium or low. The YKK zipper battery pocket is low-profile, and the touchscreen fingertips actually work. The heat is focused more on the back of the hand than the palm, so you still feel the grips clearly, which I prefer when riding in the cold.
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My only nitpick is the auto-reset that kicks the heat from high down to medium after 10 minutes. It’s a safety feature, and you can click it back up, but it would be nice to have a manual override. Still, if you’re the kind of rider who sweats the details, gear that looks as good as it works, these are hard to beat. Warm, waterproof, protective, and actually stylish. That’s rare.
The Catch? The vintage styling means a shorter cuff, which may not provide as much weather seal as a full gauntlet. The focus is on style as much as function.
The Silver Lining: You get on-demand heat and modern D3O® protection in a glove that has timeless style. It’s one of the very few heated gloves that doesn’t look like a technical piece of gear.
Alternative Option: If function trumps form for you, the Alpinestars HT-5 Heat Tech Drystar Gloves offer a more modern, touring-focused design with similar high-end features, including integrated heating, waterproof Drystar® membrane, and solid knuckle protection.
The Merlin Minworth II D3O Heated Gloves offer classic style, battery-powered warmth, and D3O protection—ideal for cold-weather riding.
- 3-level heated system
- Waterproof and breathable
- Includes D3O impact protection
- Shorter battery life on high setting
- Long charge time
- Slightly bulky feel
Our Rating 4.5/5: The Minworth II D3O delivers serious winter capability in a classically styled leather package. Warmth is strong across all three heat settings, and the D3O protection, waterproofing, and overall construction feel purpose-built. Slight bulk and limited touchscreen precision are trade-offs, but for cold-weather touring with timeless looks, this glove gets it right.
Comparison Table: Best Heated Motorcycle Gloves
| Feature | Gerbing 12V Vanguard | Highway 21 7V Radiant | Klim Inversion HTD | Joe Rocket 7V Rocket Burner Leather | Merlin Minworth II |
| Primary Use | Hardcore Touring | Commuting | ADV / Touring | Commuting / Touring | Retro / Urban |
| Type | 12V Bike-Powered | 7V Battery | 12V Bike-Powered | 7V Battery | 7V Battery |
| Waterproofing | Aquatex® | Hipora® | GORE-TEX® | HiPora® | Hipora® |
| Knuckle Armor | Hard Knuckle | Hard Knuckle | Hard Knuckle | Polyurethane Armor | D3O® |
| Price Range | $$ | $$$ | $$$$ | $$ | $$$$ |
| Get One | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Buying Guide: What to Look for in Heated Motorcycle Gloves
Choosing the right heated glove comes down to understanding your needs and the technology.
Power Source: 12V vs. 7V Battery: This is the most important choice.
- 12V Bike-Powered: Wires to your bike’s battery. Pros: Unlimited power, hotter output. Cons: Requires installation, tethers you to the bike. Best for serious tourers and daily cold-weather commuters.
- 7V Battery: Uses rechargeable batteries in the cuff. Pros: Utterly simple, use on any bike. Cons: Limited battery life (2-6 hours), less heat than 12V. Best for shorter commutes or riders with multiple bikes.
Waterproofing & Insulation: Heat is useless if you’re wet. A good waterproof membrane (GORE-TEX, Drystar, Hipora, etc.) is essential. Insulation (like Thinsulate) is also key, as it holds the heat in and keeps the glove warm even if the battery dies.
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For wet and cold adventures off-road, it’s also worth considering glove options from our adventure motorcycle gloves and motocross boots gear lists, heat alone isn’t enough when you’re sliding through mud and snow.
Controller & Heat Levels: Good gloves offer at least three heat settings. A large, easy-to-press button is crucial for making adjustments while riding.
Safety First: Don’t forget these are motorcycle gloves. Ensure they have proper protection, including a hard knuckle protector, reinforced palms, and durable, abrasion-resistant materials.
System Integration: If you plan to get a full heated suit, check if the gloves can plug into a heated jacket liner. This simplifies wiring and is a key feature of most 12V systems.
FAQ: Heated Motorcycle Gloves
Whether you’re commuting in the cold, chasing alpine passes, or just stretching your riding season, heated motorcycle gloves can make the difference between a miserable ride and a comfortable one. But with so many options, battery types, and tech features, it’s normal to have questions.
In this FAQ, we tackle the most common concerns riders have about heated gloves, from safety and power systems to fit, durability, and cost.
How long do the batteries last on 7V heated gloves?
It varies by brand and heat setting. Generally, you can expect around 2-3 hours on the highest setting, 4-5 hours on medium, and 6+ hours on the lowest setting. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications.
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Is it hard to wire a 12V system to my bike?
Not at all. Most systems include a simple harness with two rings that connect directly to your battery’s terminals or through a relay system (recommended). It typically takes less than 15 minutes to install, and you only have to do it once. The below video gives a very solid overview of everything you need to know to wire up accessories (including heated gear) to your motorcycle.
Will heated gloves make my hands sweat?
They can if you have the heat turned up too high for the conditions. That’s why multiple heat settings are important. Premium gloves with breathable waterproof membranes (like GORE-TEX) are much better at managing moisture than basic liners.
Are heated gloves bulky and stiff?
Modern heated gloves have improved fit dramatically. They are thicker than summer gloves, but modern heated gloves are far more dexterous than older models. The use of micro-wire heating elements and pre-curved fingers helps maintain a good feel for the controls. If you still struggle with sizing, especially for smaller hands, check out our guide to the best women’s motorcycle gloves for slimmer cuts and better proportions.
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Can I use one brand’s gloves with another brand’s controller or jacket?
It is strongly recommended to stick with one brand for your entire heated gear ecosystem. Different brands use different connectors (coax, SAE, etc.) and may operate at different voltages or polarities, which can damage the gear.
Wrapping Up…
Heated gloves really do change the game. What used to be a season of frozen fingers and short rides becomes just… another ride. They make winter actually doable.
Whether you go battery-powered for the flexibility or plug into the bike for all-day heat, it’s hands-down one of the best upgrades you can make if you ride year-round.
Find the pair that fits your setup, your weather, and your style—and you’ll wonder how you ever rode without ’em.
Stay warm out there. Catch you on the next ride.
