Heated Gloves vs. Heated Grips - Which One Is The Best?

[@savinggracechurch4112]

I'll go with the grips as I can choose between summer or winter gloves and the level of protection. I had an accident last October with a low slide at 50mph on my FJ1200. Your hands go out automatically to save you, and even though I sustained a dislocated shoulder, my hands we unscathed! A shoulder can be fixed, but a hand that has been completely worn away from dew to road-rash would probably result in an amputation. So heated grips are a win for me!

[@RiderUK20]

It's a good point, the grips are less limiting in terms of wearable protection. Although some brands like Gerbing do make premium quality heated gloves that offer ample protection against impact and abrasion.

[@andrewgent9334]

Use heated inner gloves, from Keis for example

[@paulshort1174]

With experience you never put your hand out if you go over the point of no return, pull your arms in, the padding of elbows and shoulders on your jacket as well as a crash helmet will lessen injury, stay up right.

[@adventurewithalex3707]

Heated grips with handle bar muffs. Provides heat, protects from wind chill and regular gloves provide better dexterity than winter/heated gloves.

[@SuperRunSpeed]

I would say, for winter highway riding and cold autumn and spring mornings, get both. For me at least, my heated gloves keep my hands warm enough only at the highest setting when we are talking about temperatures below 10 Celsius, which makes it worthless for long period riding as the battery runs out in an hour or so. When you combine the toasty feel of heated grips and the comfortable feel of the warmness from the heated gloves, they make a perfect combo together. You feel almost like it’s just summer outside. No pain. I only tested this at the lowest of 5 Celsius. Haven’t yet got to ride on lower temps with this combo, but I also haven’t used the highest temp setting on the grips yet either. So I’m confident it will be the same for freezing temps too. PS: Using original Yamaha heated grips for the MT-09.

[@MrSplitfield]

It's also worth pointing out that if you have more than one bike, the gloves are easily transferrable whereas you would need to have heated grips on all of your steeds. I have the Keis gloves and they are excellent!

[@RiderUK20]

Very good point!

[@tonybarton3746]

I big point is being missed here , the main problem with cold hands in the winter is wind chill , if you’re travelling on a bike at 70 mph and the temperature is +3 , it’s really about -6 on your hands . After living in Norway for 10 years the answer is heated gloves/ grips a good pair of hand guards( not the designer ones which cover the levers but large ones ( you can always take them of in the summer) been riding 50 years and I know it works 😊👍👍

[@RiderUK20]

Hand guards are definitely a good shout! 👍 been looking at some myself and would also recommend looking beyond what the popular brands have to offer. There's some more practical, and often less pricey, accessories to be found if you search around.

[@CoreyBrass]

I disagree. I'd use heated grips with handle bar mitts, and then the heat is trapped for maximum coverage. That way I can continue to use my standard gloves which give me a better feel of the levers and throttle.

[@aridlington2782]

Gloves powered by the bike a no brainer or grips get both and proper hand gaurds I am 67 and hate the cold but ride all year round

[@dazthemod69]

Heated grips in northern Germany at -8 did nothing. My hands were like ice. I bought some cheap, universal handlebar muffs for the trip home, and the temps reached -3, but I had my grips off, summer gloves, and my hands were toasty warm. Both trips were at 70/80 mph on motorways. Tried barkbuster blizzard covers, and they were useless. A total waste of money. When winter comes around, my €15 mitts come out.

[@Asualtedpeanut]

Great video! I was shocked at the microphone quality while you were riding. Tech has really come a long way

[@TKSp3c]

A bit of a late reply to this, but most Hot Grips have 5 heat settings, so your points from versatility would get sent back to the grips, making the grips a narrow winner Gloves are definitely a better option for anyone with multiple bikes and living in icy conditions, however, for lower temperatures, i find heated grips work well for me as i have far too many products to charge as it is, i can only imagine the frustration of needing my heated gloves and finding i forgot to charge them and having frozen hands for a ride.

[@JetCooper3D]

Riding in the southern UK this year at minus 3 degrees with heated grips on my Rocket 3R. Above 1 degree the grips are good but, over 40 mph, the wind sheer and the iced levers burn my hands. The grips don't help the front of your fingers. Heated gloves solved that for me. I don't need warm hands - just ones that work and don't freeze.

[@RiderUK20]

Very good point about the levers, they don't make heated ones...yet! Another pro in favour of heated gloves 👍

[@garrycoates2147]

A great review with some possible improvements: 1. Use a temperature sensor to remove the subjectivity 2. Riding to be separated into 2 categories; town and country 3. Heated gloves are 2-3 times the cost of heated grips in Australia so long term costs should favour the grips. 4. Modern gloves quite often come with insulation and even reflective foil on top of the hand which would improve heat retention for the grips 5. If the time to warm up grips vs gloves is only 30 seconds different then it is not decisive 6. Convenience is subjective as the grips are always useable on one bike and the gloves can go with multiple bikes if you remember them My personal use is heated glove liners bought in the UK in 1985. Only use them when temperatures are lower than 5 deg celsius on a long ride... Probably will go with gloves when the costs lower a little more..

[@wolw66]

You need both. Even with Barkbusters and Oxford heated grips (UK spec, 9 settings) your fingertips will get cold (at least mine) below 5°C. I'm running Keis G701's as well as heated grips, perfect combo. Battery for gloves last for ages (even though hook up for motorcycle is available).

[@RiderUK20]

Those are an excellent pair of heated gloves. Keis make some of the best heated gear in general. I wrote about a few of their best items in a blog on the Rider UK website. If you're interested it's linked below: rideruk.com/is-heated-motorcycle-gear-worth-it/

[@robertnutt5285]

Interesting and informative , many thanks for posting.

[@RiderUK20]

Thanks a lot 👍 I'm currently writing a blog titled 'Is Heated Gear Worth It?' It'll be posted on rideruk.com in the next few days, if you're interested.

[@theodorecalkins4212]

I think the grips get round 4, if you forget to charge the gloves when you are late getting home the next ride could be a cold one. I've forgotten to charge my sena headset and ended up having them die half way home. Charging vs always having power is more convenient in my opinion.

[@RiderUK20]

Fair point! How do you feel about heated gear that is powered via the bike itself?

[@theodorecalkins4212]

@@RiderUK20 in not sure I would remember to unplug when I got off the bike. I live in an area where only my hands really need assistance. We get 30f only a few times a year and I mostly get 40f+ for my morning commute. A few of us at work are discussing how best to keep our hands warm in the mornings. Your video certainly helped us with our deliberations.

[@RiderUK20]

That's always the problem with being connected to the bike. I reviewed a Helite airvest and found the same problem with the tethering. One of the advantages to battery powered heated gear I suppose. Anyway, glad the video helped 👍

[@garyhoward4064]

I have both heated grips and battery heated gloves. I dropped the latter as they are cumbersome to charge and won’t last long. So I now also have connected my heated gloves to the bike battery which is the best of both worlds.

[@jamesw5713]

Never used heated gloves, have used installed Oxford heated grips on my cruiser for several winters now, they are great, but if the temp is below freezing (-2 to -8C) they are next to useless, you will feel no heat from them. Something to keep in mind.

[@RiderUK20]

It really affirms that gloves are the more effective way to keep your hands warm individually, but the combination of both might be better yet.

[@ligilar]

Thanks for the information

[@adamrudge6480]

I've had many heated grips over the years. I've found the one's supplied from the manufacturer, to be crap tbh. Also very over priced. I had the cheap r&g one's about £40. And they was better than the yamaha one's, which failed twice in 6 months. Only use Oxford hot grips now, as never had an issue personally. I fit them on every bike and use upto the "proper" winter. Then I use the heated gloves Gerbing to be precise, which I've had for 3 years now. Which are absolutely brilliant and I use straight from the bike. The battery's in my opinion are an over priced unnecessary add on. Takes seconds to plug In and never have to worry about them again. Gloves are better hands down as they heat the backs of the hand and each finger. As said I still use the grips, but in the real cold temps. They just heat you're palm and your fingers get cold still. I've also got the Gerbing heated under jacket, which I brought at the same time. I'm still yet to turn it on, as it's very warm without the heated side.

[@RiderUK20]

Well that's a fair summary I'd say. Glad you mentioned those specific heated items too. I just wrote a blog answering the question of whether or not heated motorcycle gear is worth it. You can read it here rideruk.com/is-heated-motorcycle-gear-worth-it/ I think we both know the answer, but my point is that I recommended my favourite heated products in the blog. Unsurprisingly Gerbing heated gloves and jacket liners made the pick, so I'm glad you can back that up!

[@adamrudge6480]

@Rider UK Hi, sorry I didn't mention that it was good content, though so apologies. But yes, the two are night and day for proper winter conditions. But I do still use both as necessary.

[@ralpht1965]

To me, you missed the actual most important factor, testing them side by side and saying which one kept your hands the most comfortable on an actual ride.

[@carcaz4755]

Good review Thanks

[@RiderUK20]

If you're interested in those particular gloves, I also reviewed them, as well as the heated vest by the same brand. Glad you liked my comparison video 👍

[@kiradotee]

The answer is: yes.

12v cable heated gloves best of both worlds.

[@johnnaunton221]

I have both ! Toasty !

[@BBD40]

I have both. But I don't think they are comparable. You will need heated gloves for true cold weather riding. I love my heated grips. I have them on in cold weather but the heat I feel most is from the gloves. In the summer heated grips are ideal for rain and evening rides.

[@RiderUK20]

I agree about the gloves, they are more effective in truly clod weather, and ultimately, that's what we need them for. They offer better coverage than the grips, but as you say, sometimes the milder heat is all you need.

[@ReggieChump]

BOTH. If you're dumb enough to ride after you've scraped the ice off your seat, you'll need BOTH.

[@dougiequick1]

IF one already have great heated grips which obviously are still unable to provide direct heat to the BACK of the hand and fingers? Then it sure does seem to be a shame I dont see ANY heated gloves that I can disconnect power to the palm side of gloves! Because obviously if you only need to power HALF of the glove's heating element then the battery life will be TWICE as long...I mean duhh! And so so many modern motorcycles DO come with really good heated grips...but if it is really cold damp windy? They might be simultaneously woefully lacking on the back of the hand as they are too hot for the palm....PLEASE one of you premium manufactures of heated gloves? Just give us a way to disable the palm side and double our battery life ...is that so hard??

[@dougiequick1]

There is also an opportunity for MC makers to sell heated gloves like above that are directly powered by your heated grips! No battery needed! I envision coorisponding conductive contact points on your heated grips and heated gloves meaning no wires no connectors! Just holding the grip powers the gloves and power level is all the same control! Maybe something in menu too to assign percentages grips vs back of glove...no element needed in palm area obviously....good idea? I sure think so

[@Carby4SZK]

just use muffs…much simpler and effective.

[@RiderUK20]

Do proper motorcycle gloves fit easily inside those? I see a lot of scooter riders using them without protective gloves on, which is obviously a terrible idea.

[@Carby4SZK]

@@RiderUK20 they do. Depending on the model you have there are no handling issues whatsoever. SW Motech has a more expensive version which is quite sturdy and doesn't limit hand movement at all. I use those with normal leather motorcycle gloves since using a winter one has no sense with these muffs.

[@kevindarkstar]

You are brave putting heated grips on a little lexmoto 🤣

[@RiderUK20]

🤣 too true, they came fitted!

[@philmcgerigal7229]

Best way to keep hands warm is a car 😅

[@pixel1565]

Gloves heated grips don't heat the back of your hands or the tips of your fingers 🤌

[@RiderUK20]

Heated gloves are certainly better for heating a wider area across the back of your hand and down your fingers. Grips are obviously better for the inside of your hand. A combo of the two offers the most heated coverage, but this video was to decide which was best as a standalone solution.