Buying guide: the best enduro gloves approved by the EC in 2026
Do you ride in enduro? Since 2016, the wearing of motorcycle gloves CE approved is mandatory for all bikers on the road. This also applies to endurists during liaison or official events. In this guide, we explain what the law says, how to recognize certified gloves, and especially how to choose them well.
What does the motorcycle gloves law say?
In enduro, you often drive on an open road. And who says road, says regulation! Since November 20, 2016, French law requires all drivers of two-wheelers to wear gloves CE certified, meeting the standard EN13594:2015.
To be “in the nails”, it is imperative to check the presence of these two elements on the inner label:
- The “Motard” pictogram (mandatory).
- The mention EN13594:2015 or the old Directive EC 89/686.
What is an EC-approved enduro glove?
Caution: a CE-approved glove is not just a cross glove. To obtain its certification, it must offer superior protection on three key points:
- Protection of metacarps: Compulsory presence of high density soft hulls or reinforcements on the joints.
- Premium materials: use of leather, reinforced Clarino or Kevlar for increased resistance to tearing.
- Seam strength: lined on the impact zones to avoid skin exposure during a slip.
Choosing the right enduro gloves: the advice of the editor
In enduro, protection should never sacrifice precision on the handlebars. Here is our Freenduro Test Protocol :
- The “grip”: We prefer a thin palm (often in Clarino) to keep a perfect feeling with the handles and the clutch and brake levers.
- Adjustment: gloves too large create folds, suddenly causing light bulbs after 2 hours of rolling. Too tight, they cut off circulation and cause loss of sensations in the doights while causing the famous “arm pain”.
- The handlebar test: Put on the glove and close the fist. If the hull presses you on the joints, it will become unbearable in full special.
Our TOP 3 of the best enduro CE gloves
Note of transparency: Our guides are made in complete independence. This guide contains affiliate links: if you buy through these links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, which allows us to support Freenduro.
🥇 Gloves FIVE E2: the reference of enduro gloves (developed with Steve Holcombe)
Why it is the “nec plus ultra”: this model is not just a marketing coup. Five worked on the morphology of the moving hand. The E2 uses a superior structure in 2-Way Spandex for flexibility and a palm in AX Suede Cinco, an ultra-resistant synthetic material that offers exceptional grip even when wet.
The technical detail that changes everything: It incorporates a shell ERGO PROTECH® in a single piece, hidden under the fabric to avoid rubbing, but above all mini TPR shells on the phalanxes that do not block the extension of the fingers.
The opinion of the pros (Steve Holcombe): “The challenge was to have the protection of a road glove with the finesse of a cross glove to feel the skating point at every millimetre.”
Back to the field: Users point out that, unlike many approved gloves, the E2 does not cause “pressure points” on the joints after 3 hours of technical rolling.
🥈 FIVE E3 Evo gloves: The perfect price/protection balance
The best quality/price ratio on the market: The E3 Evo is the little brother of the E2. It sacrifices ultra-premium materials like AX Suede for a Clarino™ monolayer, very robust but a little less ‘second skin’.
Technical details: it has a flexible protective shell in TPR (thermoplastic rubber). This is the secret of its comfort: the hull deforms with the hand instead of resisting.
Why we like it: it is extremely easy to put on thanks to its tongue Pull’N’Ride. It is the ideal glove for the leisure driver who wants to be in good standing without investing €60.
Back to the field: “An increvable glove”. Many pilots note that despite repeated machine washes after muddy outlets, the Clarino remains flexible and does not harden.
🥉 Alpinestars Full Bore XT Gloves: the king for the summer
Ideal for extreme conditions (heat and humidity): Alpinestars has designed this CE-certified enduro glove for pilots who sweat. Its structure is a mixture of Breathable Stretch Fabric and perforated areas.
Technical details: the palm is reinforced with padded suede leather at the contact areas with the handles to limit vibrations and prevent early bulbs. Here, the phalanx protectors are injected directly into the fabric (overmoulding technique).
The “Plus” Enduro: the reverse of the thumb incorporates a sponge fabric yoke to wipe the sweat or fog on the mask in full special.
Back to the field: Be careful, the mesh is very airy: it is a 30°C bliss in the pierriers, but the testers report that they are less protective against aggressive brambles than the Five models because of the fineness of the mesh on the top.
The complete selection by brands
All prices are updated in real time via our exclusive comparator.
Enduro 100 Gloves%
Acerbis Enduro Gloves
ALPINESTARS Enduro Gloves
FIVE Gloves Enduro Gloves
Fox Enduro Gloves
KENNY Enduro Gloves
LEATT Enduro Gloves
SHOT Racing Enduro Gloves
Standards and approval: what to remember
To obtain approval EN 13594, a glove must pass rigorous tests in an independent laboratory:
| Checkpoint | Standard Requirement |
|---|---|
| Abrasion resistance | The glove must withstand at least 4 seconds of continuous friction. |
| Wrist support | The glove shall not be able to tear off during violent traction. |
| Seams | Maximum resistance to prevent the glove from bursting at first impact. |
Reminder of the three levels of certification:
- Level 1 : approved, optional hulls (rare in enduro).
- Level 1 KP : approved with Knuckle Protection. This is the essential standard in enduro.
- Level 2 KP : higher level of protection, often required for Rallye-Raid type events.
Comments
Leave a comment