Five things to look for

1 FIT If a glove doesn’t fit properly, you’ll never be happy with it. It’s not just the size, it’s also the cut: make sure the palm is snug and secure without knuckles feeling pinched. Check the fingers and thumb are long enough and wide enough, without being baggy or without pinching the tips. Make sure the glove fastens securely and still allows a full range of movement.

ARMOUR

A hard knuckle protector with a padded backing is much more likely to absorb and disperse the forces of impact and look after your hand in a crash than a soft, padded protector. Hard-armoured insets in fingers can help if you’re sliding on the road. A soft scaphoid protector on the palm is a good thing, but a hard scapoid protector is better. A reinforced or armoured wrist is good – as long as it doesn’t restrict movement. Having the little finger attached to the pinky can help protect it.

STRAPS

A good glove will have two straps: a wrist strap to hold it securely on the hand; and a cuff adjuster to make a good seal with the jacket. Make sure there’s enough adjustment in the wrist strap to fit it firmly in place. Whether you prefer to have the glove inside or outside

the sleeve, check the cuff of the glove works well with the cuff of your riding jacket. LINING Thick liners tend to be warmer but reduce feel – and get sweatier in summer. The more effective your heated grips, the less lining you need in winter – but cold hands are awful, so some kind of warm lining is important. Materials like Thinsulate and Outlast promise good insulation with minimal bulk. WATERPROOFING

The big name in waterproofing is Gore-tex and gloves that use it command premium prices – but there are plenty of alternatives. In our experience, the advantage of the big-name brand is its ability to perform over long periods and in extreme conditions. If you’re a year-round rider and expect to see a lot of rain, it may be worth investing in a Gore-tex set. If not, save a few quid and get a glove with an alternative membrane.