- Held Spring Ride Gloves - January 5, 2026
- 100 Motorcycle Tours - December 27, 2025
- Bhutan Motorcycle Tour - December 9, 2025
Some people own multiple motorcycles. I collect motorcycle gloves.
I purchased these gloves from the Held Flagship store in Germany back in July 2025 but did not get to use them much on my tour of Norway and have been waiting until I had some more miles on them to post how I find them.
Although I have not used Held gloves for some time I have previously owned two pairs (10-15 years ago) which I found to be supremely comfortable however I don’t find this latest pair to be quite as comfortable.
It may be I do not have enough miles on them yet. I have used them now for an additional 10 riding days in Bhutan however they remain stiff.
Perhaps they will improve but I don’t recall my previous Held gloves needing any break in period. They were very compliant and comfortable right from day one.
At the Held shop in Germany I asked the sales person perhaps if I need one size larger as they felt so stiff but was assured having been measured these were my correct size and the gloves just need to be worn a little and will stretch.
I’m starting to have my doubts. Not sure that is the issue. Perhaps the leather is less flexible than what was used in the previous gloves I owned from Held or the cut of the glove is changed and less generous in it’s shape to that of my hand.
These gloves are made in China where as the previous pairs I owned were both made in Germany. That should not be a factor if quality is maintained but regardless it is a difference I wonder about. Appearance wise they look to be very well constructed. I guess the other niggling thought is now they are mass produced in China not hand made in Germany the cost seems extraordinarily high.
Well fit and price aside the gloves do work in the temperature range I was seeking to match gloves to which is coolish morning starts and on into mild warm days up to when it gets hotter in latter part of day. That temperature spread has proved to be such a useful working range with my Rough & Road Gore-Tex gloves that I found myself using them on almost every tour I have ridden since buying them. I’d go so far to say they have been the best pair of gloves I have ever owned but finding something to replace them now they are wearing out has eluded me.
Previous to these I purchased another pair of gloves from Rough & Road but their design was quite different to my original pair. Then a pair of Contrast GTX gloves from Rev’it which actually were very good and more comfortable than these Held gloves – until they fell apart after 10 days on my Norway ride.
I will persevere with these Held Spring Ride gloves some more. Worst case I am considering applying leather conditioner to see if that might help soften these gloves a little but the leather is in new good condition not old so I doubt doing that would achieve much.
Sorry to upset any Held fanboys reading but I just write my own experiences here with no need to appease sponsors or followers.
Well that is good to know Warren. I too collect gloves and haven’t been able to find a quality leather pair since my old ones wore out. Lately I have been wearing a textile glove from Fly Racing for a year now in colder weather and they are the best I’ve found so far. Unfortunately they don’t make the same model anymore. I got them from the Dennis Kirk website. They do have a model that looks very similar though called Cascade. Here is a link to them, you may find them elsewhere too?
https://www.denniskirk.com/fly-racing/cascade-gloves.pfp3583278.prdf
Good luck in your search, Mark
Thanks Mark 🙂
I have a trip to Japan later this year where I will be trying to look at the domestic brand moto gloves most of which are not exported. Hope to find some like I previously owned.
I have a pair of Held Travel 6 gloves (no longer sold) that I bought a couple of years ago and have found them to be well made and comfortable. They seem reasonably durable. They are made in Pakistan like many leather gloves I have noticed.
However a very expensive pair of Held pants had to be sent back to be repaired as the stitching came apart. They are made in Vietnam. I do love the pants (and jacket) as they are very comfortable and well designed but it is really disappointing for premium priced gear to have quality issues after not a lot of use.
I don’t think many things are as well made as they used to be. I think it is probably a process of “enshittification” whereby businesses increase profit margins by gradually cheapening quality. The temptation to do so is just too much I suspect.
Hi Tim,
Yes I think there is always pressure from the stakeholders to make more money.
I owned an original Alpinestars leather jacket made in Italy, the quality was superb, but the last items I had from them were very low quality, I would not touch anything they make now.
Even Japanese brand Rough and Road who I liked very much have shifted away from their original focus on high quality.
Maybe that model for retailing moto gear doesn’t work for younger generations in current global market?