Mid-season motorcycle gloves: 4 models under €50

Mid-season is the trickiest time to find gloves. Too thick, you sweat as soon as the sun beats down. Too light, you freeze in the early morning or whenever the temperature drops below 15°C. The budget climbs quickly, yet certified models under €50 exist and do the job. I put four pairs under scrutiny: Five WFX2, Held Air n Dry, Alpinestars SP-X and Ixon RS Rise. All EN 13594:2015 certified, all under €50, all with their compromises.

EN 13594 certification: what it actually guarantees

The EN 13594:2015 standard defines two levels. Level 1 requires abrasion resistance of 4 seconds minimum at 45 km/h on an abrasive drum. Level 2 increases to 7 seconds. Knuckle protection shells must reduce impact from 9 kN to less than 4 kN for level 1, less than 2.5 kN for level 2.

The four models tested are level 1 certified, which represents a good compromise for mid-season. Shells that are too thick (level 2) limit dexterity and increase bulk. For a daily commute of 30-40 km, level 1 is more than adequate. I checked the certification labels sewn inside: all present, with batch number and manufacturing date.

Glove prices rise quickly with protection level. A level 2 pair with Gore-Tex membrane starts at €120 minimum. Staying under €50 with level 1 certification already represents good value for protection.

Leather vs textile: the mid-season match

Goatskin leather equips the Five WFX2 and Alpinestars SP-X. Superior abrasion resistance, unmatched feel at the controls. However, drying after a shower takes 8 to 12 hours depending on thickness. Leather also stretches over time: expect 5 mm more in circumference after 5000 km of use.

Synthetic textile (reinforced polyamide) on the Held Air n Dry and Ixon RS Rise dries in 2-3 hours. Maintenance remains simple: machine wash at 30°C every 3000 km. The waterproof membrane withstands repeated washing better than leather water-repellent treatments.

"A well-fitted leather glove should be slightly tight at first. It will break in within a week of daily riding. Too loose from the start, it will flop around on your hand after a month."

The operating temperature also changes. Leather heats up quickly in the sun: above 22°C, ventilation becomes insufficient on the Five WFX2. Textile with mesh breathes better but protects less from cold below 10°C.

The four models dissected

Five WFX2: goatskin construction across the entire palm and back. TPU shells at knuckles, 5 mm thick foam on metacarpals. Short cuff (65 mm) that easily fits inside jacket sleeves. Touchscreen compatible on index finger and thumb. After 3000 km in the rain, the touchscreen function still works. Single-strap velcro fastening. The thin fleece lining (2 mm) keeps you warm down to around 12°C. Below that, fingers go numb. No waterproof membrane: soaked in 15 minutes under heavy rain.

Held Air n Dry: textile/leather mix with leather reinforcements on the palm. Proprietary waterproof membrane sewn between lining and outer textile. I rode 45 minutes in pouring rain: interior stayed dry. Soft plastic shells at knuckles, 8 mm foam inserts on metacarpals. Long cuff (95 mm) with double velcro fastening + strap. The most versatile glove of the four. Touchscreen function adequate but less precise than the Five. Comfortable use from 8 to 20°C. The textile dries quickly but the extra weight (210g versus 175g for the SP-X) is noticeable on the highway after 200 km.

Alpinestars SP-X: the lightest at 175g, all-goatskin construction. Synthetic carbon shells at knuckles, 6 mm EVA foam palm protection. Medium-length cuff (75 mm) with single velcro fastening. No membrane: water penetrates in 10 minutes under rain. Ventilation remains excellent: mesh between fingers and perforations on top. Optimal use between 15 and 25°C. Below 12°C, plan for glove liners. Touchscreen function operational on index and thumb. The medium-quality leather hardens slightly after drying. I apply conditioning balm every 2000 km to maintain suppleness.

Ixon RS Rise: 600D polyamide textile construction with synthetic reinforcements at wear zones. Waterproof and breathable Drystar membrane. TPU knuckle shells, 7 mm high-density foam metacarpal protection. Long cuff (90 mm) double fastening. The most protective glove against rain: 1h30 in downpour without infiltration. 3 mm fleece lining maintains warmth down to 10°C. The stiff textile requires 500 km break-in before becoming truly supple. Touchscreen function present but not very responsive: requires firm pressure. Average ventilation: above 23°C, hands sweat.

Waterproofing and breathability: squaring the circle

A waterproof membrane traps perspiration moisture. The Held Air n Dry and Ixon RS Rise evacuate adequately up to 18°C. Beyond that, condensation accumulates. I measured: after 1h riding at 25°C, the Held's interior is damp. The Five WFX2 without membrane stays drier in these conditions but gets soaked in rain.

Water-repellent treatments (DWR) on leather lose effectiveness after 2500 km. Re-waterproofing costs €8 for spray and provides 1500 km of protection. Proprietary membranes last 8000 to 10000 km before losing waterproofing.

Breathability also depends on the number of layers. The SP-X with its single-layer leather ventilates better than the RS Rise and its three layers (textile + membrane + lining). Riding at 90 km/h at 20°C, air circulates in the Five and SP-X. The two models with membranes remain more stifling.

Dexterity and touchscreen function

Protection shells reduce sensitivity. The Five WFX2 maintains the best dexterity: handling keys, jacket zippers, visor adjustment all work without removing gloves. The Held Air n Dry remains acceptable but thicker shells require adaptation.

The Ixon RS Rise with its lining and thick textile really limits feel. Impossible to sense the exact clutch position on a CB500X with standard cable adjustment. I had to tighten the cable by 3 mm to compensate.

The touchscreen function works on all four models but with differences. The Five responds at first contact on smartphone and motorcycle GPS. The SP-X sometimes requires two touches. The Held needs medium pressure. The RS Rise remains the least responsive: unusable with applied screen protectors.

All touchscreen inserts resist washing. After 5 machine washes at 30°C for the Held and RS Rise, the function remains operational.

Which pair for which use

For daily urban commutes in temperate climate (10-22°C): the Held Air n Dry at €49 combines rain protection and versatility. The membrane delivers on its promises, solid construction handles 15000 km without major issues.

For sporty rides in dry weather between 15 and 25°C: the Five WFX2 at €45. The leather provides the best feel, dexterity remains maximal. Take a snug size that's slightly tight. Plan for glove liners if starting mornings below 12°C.

For minimal budget with ventilation priority: the Alpinestars SP-X at €42. The lightest glove, leather construction that breathes well. Limited in rain and thermal protection. Works for 80% of mid-season rides outside rainy regions.

For maximum protection under €50: the Ixon RS Rise at €47. Top-level waterproofing, thick shells and foam. Accept losing dexterity and breathability. The long break-in (500 km) may deter some.

None replace winter gloves below 5°C or ventilated summer gloves. Mid-season precisely requires this compromise: a bit of everything without excelling anywhere. The four models meet EN 13594 level 1 certification and stay within the €50 budget.

Summary

Choose the Held Air n Dry at €49 for versatile daily use: its waterproof membrane and operating range of 8 to 20°C cover most mid-season situations. Expect 8000 km lifespan before replacement.

Choose leather (Five WFX2 or SP-X) for dexterity if riding stays mostly dry: control feel and touch finesse justify the absence of membrane. Apply conditioning product every 2000 km to preserve suppleness.

Take a size that's slightly tight on leather gloves: they'll stretch 5 mm in circumference after a week of daily use. Textile maintains its original size but requires 500 km break-in to soften seams and reinforcements.