Die Technologien und Materialien unserer Motorradhandschuhe: ein umfassender Leitfaden

The Technologies and Materials Used in Our Motorcycle Gloves: A Comprehensive Guide

Choosing a pair of motorcycle gloves is first and foremost a matter of safety. Whether you're cruising a highway on a Sunday morning, carving through a mountain pass, or commuting to work, your motorcycle gloves are always with you — protecting you every mile of the way. At Racer, we've been crafting gloves for nearly 100 years. Today, we're pulling back the curtain on how we do it, and more importantly, what goes into them. Every technology integrated into our gloves has been carefully selected — or developed in-house — with precise requirements in mind.

Impact Protection in Motorcycle Gloves

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D3O: Intelligent Protection That Adapts to Impact

There's a persistent misconception in motorcycle gear: to be truly protected, you have to accept being stiff, bulky, and restricted in your movements. D3O is here to break that myth.

D3O is a perforated structure made from a blend of so-called "non-Newtonian" polymers. In plain terms: its molecules behave differently depending on the force applied to them. Under normal use, the material stays soft, lightweight, and barely noticeable. The moment an impact occurs, the molecules react instantly and lock together to form a rigid barrier capable of absorbing up to 90% of the impact energy. Once the shock has passed, the material returns to its original flexibility — with no deformation, no premature wear.

90%

of impact energy absorbed

0

permanent deformation after impact

D3O is particularly well-suited to motorcycle gloves because it combines two often contradictory imperatives: freedom of movement and maximum protection. No need to choose between a comfortable glove and a protective one. With D3O, you get both — with the material positioned strategically on the areas most exposed during a fall.

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ERGOFLEX: Active Protection That Moves With You

There is a lot of talk about shock-absorbing materials, waterproof membranes, and impact reinforcements. But there is another aspect of protection that is often overlooked: mechanical protection during movement. In the event of a fall, the hand does not necessarily experience a frontal impact—it twists, bends, or may absorb forces in multiple directions at once.

ERGOFLEX addresses this issue with flexible metacarpal shells, designed to be ergonomic in motion and durable upon impact. The flexible structure of the shells allows them to follow the hand’s natural movement on the handlebars—flexion, extension, slight rotation—without creating uncomfortable pressure points.

In the event of a fall, the ERGOFLEX design comes into play in two complementary ways:

  • Their curved shape and material absorb and disperse energy over a wider surface area, reducing the concentration of stress on a specific point.
  • Their flexibility allows them to partially follow the movement of the hand rather than abruptly resisting it—which reduces the risk of secondary joint injuries.

The result is a rare compromise: certified, reliable protection that does not restrict the rider’s natural movements. This sustained freedom of movement prevents fatigue—an often-underestimated risk factor.

Adapting to the weather when riding a motorcycle

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POLYMAX: waterproof AND breathable

Rain is the number one enemy of comfort on a motorcycle. Wet gloves mean you start to feel cold, your grip deteriorates, and your concentration wanes. Settling for a “water-resistant” glove is tempting but not recommended: the difference between withstanding a few drops and guaranteeing total waterproofing over several hours on the road is crucial.

To meet this demand, Racer has developed POLYMAX, an in-house designed membrane that exceeds industry standards.

10 000

Schmerber — certified waterproofing

A level designed for the most extreme conditions, such as prolonged heavy rain or partial submersion. In other words, your hands stay dry no matter the weather. But this waterproofing shouldn’t mean you end up in a “sauna.”

10 000

g/m²/24h — breathability

The membrane allows sweat to escape to the outside. This two-way flow is made possible by the microporous structure of POLYMAX, whose pores are large enough to allow water vapor molecules (small) to pass through, but too narrow to allow raindrops (large) to pass through.

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DDS (Direct Dry Solution): a heat-sealed membrane for even greater efficiency

A traditional waterproof glove works like a mille-feuille: the waterproof membrane is sandwiched between the layers but remains separate. The seams between the layers are potential weak points where water can seep in or the glove can become damaged.

DDS eliminates these vulnerabilities thanks to an exclusive direct heat-sealing technology: the waterproof membrane fuses to the glove’s outer layer, with no intermediate seams. This process creates a continuous, uninterrupted barrier across the entire surface.

The other advantage is mechanical: by eliminating loose layers, DDS reduces internal slippage between materials, which improves support and tactile feedback. This is a benefit that is often underestimated, but one that motorcyclists accustomed to long distances feel very clearly.

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No introduction needed: GORE-TEX®, THE gold standard in membranes

Gore-Tex® is a waterproof, breathable, and windproof membrane invented by Bob Gore in 1970. Originally used in the aerospace industry, it is now used in medicine and in a wide range of equipment designed for harsh environments. Gore-Tex® is one of the best solutions for creating high-performance waterproof gloves.

Exceptional grip, optimal safety

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NANOFRONT®: the ultra-fine Japanese polyester fiber

Developed by Teijin Frontier, the NANOFRONT® fiber has a diameter of 700 nm — or 1/7,500th the width of a human hair. Inspired by the adhesive mechanism of a gecko’s feet, its ultra-dense structure offers exceptional grip and traction, ensuring perfect control in all conditions.

What these technologies have in common

Beyond their respective functions, all these technologies share the same design philosophy: never forcing the rider to choose between protection and comfort, between performance and freedom of movement. Each of these technologies exists because we weren’t satisfied with a compromise solution.

At Racer, we design gloves for people who take motorcycling seriously—whether it’s raining or sunny, on the track or on the open road, for a daily commute or a trip lasting several weeks. These technologies are our answer to your demands. And they will continue to evolve, because the road never stops.

See all our motorcycle gloves