Find Your Fit
A riding glove only protects you if it stays where it should. This guide walks you through measuring your hand, reading the size chart, checking the fit on your knuckles and wrist, and knowing when a glove is worn out.
How To Measure Your Hand
You need a soft measuring tape, or a strip of paper and a ruler. Two minutes, done once.
1. Measure palm circumference
Wrap a soft tape around the widest part of your palm, just below the knuckles, with the thumb excluded and the hand relaxed and flat. Keep the tape snug but not tight. Note the number in centimetres — this decides your size.
2. Measure hand length
Measure from the base crease of your palm at the wrist to the tip of your middle finger, with fingers straight and together. Use this only when your palm measurement falls between two sizes.
3. Use your dominant hand
Your throttle hand is usually 0.5 – 1 cm larger. Always size for the bigger hand, then let the wrist strap take up any slack on the other side.
Glove Size Chart
Measure your dominant hand. Palm circumference is the primary measurement; hand length is the tie-breaker. These are the standard Indian riding-glove bands, so your usual Indian glove size will carry over.
| Size | India / EU | Palm circumference | Hand length | Typical fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 8 | 16.5 – 19 cm (6.5 – 7.5 in) | ≈ 18.0 cm | Slim adult hand, most women riders |
| M | 9 | 19 – 21.5 cm (7.5 – 8.5 in) | ≈ 18.5 cm | Most common men's size |
| L | 10 | 21.5 – 24 cm (8.5 – 9.4 in) | ≈ 19.0 cm | Broad palm, average fingers |
| XL | 11 | 24 – 26.6 cm (9.4 – 10.5 in) | ≈ 19.5 cm | Large hand |
| 2XL | 12 | 26.6 – 29 cm (10.5 – 11.4 in) | ≈ 20.0 cm | Very large hand |
| 3XL | 13 | 29 – 31.7 cm (11.4 – 12.5 in) | ≈ 20.5 cm | Widest palm, long fingers |
Between two sizes in leather? Take the smaller one — full-grain leather relaxes about half a size once it is broken in. If your hand length also falls into the larger band, take the larger size instead.
Fit By Product
Same chart, different cut. Each Shield Gears glove line is built around a different riding use, so the fit feels different on your hand.
Viper 2.0
A track and sport cut: close through the palm and pre-curved at the fingers so the knuckle armour stays seated when your hands are on the bars.
- Worn over the jacket sleeve
- Snug out of the box, relaxes in 2–3 rides
- Take your measured size — do not size up
- Cuff strap should stop the glove pulling off
Fur 2.0
A daily riding cut with a little more room across the palm, so it goes on and off quickly in traffic and sits comfortably under a sleeve.
- Worn under or over the sleeve
- Slightly roomier than Viper in the same size
- Size up only if you ride with liner gloves
- Wrist closure should sit flat, not pinched
Dry Gloves
A membrane and lining sit between your hand and the shell, so the same measured size feels a touch fuller than a leather glove.
- Built for monsoon and cold riding
- Fingers should not press the tips when wet
- Size up if you wear a thin liner underneath
- Does not relax like leather — fit it as it feels
The Five-Point Fit Check
Put the glove on, close your hand around an imaginary grip, and run through these. If one fails, the size is wrong.
Balaclava Sizing
Flex and Moso balaclavas are cut from four-way stretch fabric and are sold one size fits most.
| Size | Head circumference | Neck | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| One size | 54 – 62 cm (21.3 – 24.4 in) | 33 – 42 cm | Fits under every full-face and modular helmet size from S to XXL |
Wear the balaclava with the seam flat across the bridge of the nose and the neck tube pulled fully down over the collar before putting the helmet on. If the fabric bunches at the ear, rotate rather than stretch it.
Break-In, Care & Replacement
Fit changes over the life of a glove. Here is what to expect and when to stop riding in it.
Break-in
Wear the gloves and work your hand open and shut. Full-grain leather moulds to your knuckles and palm on its own. Never soak, heat or force-stretch the leather — it weakens the abrasion resistance you paid for.
Care
Air-dry away from direct sun and heat. Wipe leather with a damp cloth and use a leather conditioner sparingly. Machine washing, harsh detergent and radiator drying all shrink and stiffen the leather, which changes the fit permanently.
When to replace
Replace after any crash where the palm slider or knuckle armour took the hit, and whenever stitching, palm leather or the closure strap is worn through. Protective armour is single-impact equipment, even when the glove still looks fine.
Fit FAQ
Pick the smaller size in leather gloves such as Viper 2.0 and Fur 2.0. Full-grain leather relaxes roughly half a size after 200 – 300 km of riding. Pick the larger size only if your hand length also places you in the larger band, or if you ride with liner gloves in winter.
Firm everywhere, painful nowhere. A new Viper 2.0 should feel snug across the palm and slightly stiff at the fingers. If you cannot fully close your hand around a grip, the glove is too small.
About two to three rides. Wear the gloves, close your fist repeatedly and let your hand shape the leather. Do not soak, stretch or heat the leather — it damages the abrasion resistance.
Yes. Viper 2.0 is a full-gauntlet glove designed to go over the sleeve of a riding jacket. Fur 2.0 is a short-cuff glove that sits under or over the sleeve, whichever you prefer.
Not reliably. Riding gloves are cut closer than work gloves so the armour stays in place. Measure your palm and use the chart.
No. Flex and Moso are one size fits most, cut from four-way stretch fabric that fits head circumferences from 54 to 62 cm.
Yes, and we recommend it. Every authorised dealer stocks current product and can check the fit on your hand. Find a dealer near you
After any crash in which the palm slider or knuckle armour took an impact, or when stitching, palm leather or the closure strap shows wear. Protective gear is single-impact equipment.
Still Not Sure? Try Them On.
A chart gets you close; your hand decides. Authorised Shield Gears dealers stock current product and will check the cuff, palm width and finger length on your hand before you buy.