Budget Motorcycle Gloves in Combat Sports: A Field Test

“Those aren’t HEMA gloves,” Nathan pointed out during gear inspection. He wasn’t wrong – the $65 motorcycle gloves covering my hands looked distinctly motorcross compared to traditional sparring gear. Six months later, those same gloves have become a common sight at our club, and there’s a good reason why: proper HEMA gloves are expensive.

While we’ll always recommend dedicated gear for serious competition, the reality of running a growing club means sometimes getting creative with protective equipment. These motorcycle gloves, with their hard knuckle protection and reinforced wrist support, have proven surprisingly capable in our controlled sparring sessions. The construction is straightforward: leather outer, plastic armor over the knuckles, padded fingers, and a dual-strap wrist system that extends far enough to offer decent wrist protection.

During our weapon retention drills, that extra wrist support proved particularly valuable. William noticed the difference immediately: “The grip feels more secure than with my old sports gloves, especially during intense exchanges.” However, quality control is where things get interesting. Our first batch from AliExpress were a mixed bag – two pairs held up beautifully while one started showing loose stitching around the thumb after just a month. Through trial and error (and a lot of review reading), we’ve identified reliable manufacturers. The pairs available through our armoury cost slightly more but come from consistently good production runs.

The real test came during our mixed weapons training. The knuckle protection, designed for motorcycle crashes, handled defensive blocking techniques admirably. Even in trapping scenarios, the leather construction maintained its integrity. Nathan, initially skeptical, found they offered better weapon control than expected: “They’re more dexterous than they look, though you’ll want to size down for the best fit.” That said, these aren’t miracle workers. During a particularly intense training session last month, I caught a heavy strike to the wrist that completely separated the hard plastic knuckle protector from its leather base – a sobering reminder of manufacturing variability. In another instance, William’s three-month-old pair developed split stitching along the ring finger after repeated weapon manipulation. The reinforced thumb protection, a rare feature we’ve come to appreciate compared to other sports gloves, remained solid even as other areas failed. During Saber Skirmish, we still require proper sport-specific gloves for high-intensity matches.

Maintenance has proven straightforward – the leather responds well to standard conditioning, though the metal velcro loop has started rusting a little. One unexpected benefit: the all black aesthetic has attracted younger students who appreciate the darker, sith look. William’s pair, now bearing the scars of countless training sessions, has developed a character that expensive competition gloves rarely achieve.

For instructors outfitting a club on a budget, these gloves offer a viable stepping stone. At roughly a quarter the price of entry-level HEMA gloves, they allow clubs to maintain a stock of loaner gear without breaking the bank. We’ve successfully used them in our beginners’ program, gekiken practice, and general drilling sessions.

The key to success with budget gear lies in understanding its limitations. We inspect all gloves before training, retire them at the first sign of structural compromise, and maintain clear guidelines about appropriate contact levels. When sourced carefully and used within their limitations, these motorcycle gloves demonstrate that effective protection doesn’t always require premium pricing.

Summary: