Category: Advice & Guides

If you’ve ever ridden through a frosty morning or battled numb fingers on a long winter ride, you’ve probably considered investing in heated motorcycle gloves. But how do heated motorcycle gloves actually work? And are they better than traditional gloves or heated handlebar grips?

In this guide we’re going to break down the technology behind heated gloves, explore their benefits, and see why they’re becoming a must-have accessory for cold weather rides, here in the UK and around the world.

What Are Heated Motorcycle Gloves?

Heated motorcycle gloves are electrically-powered gloves that are designed to keep your hands warm during cold rides. Unlike standard thermal gloves, heated gloves generate their own heat through embedded heating elements, providing consistent warmth regardless of the outside temperature. This ca be a real life-saver on those cold winter mornings and means they’re often worth the investment.

How Do Heated Motorcycle Gloves Produce Heat?

Now you know what they are, you’re probably wondering how these heated gloves actually produce the heat. Well, the key to heated motorcycle gloves lies in the heating elements built into the fabric. The heating system is typically made from thin carbon fibres or metal wiring woven into areas like the fingers and the back of the hand, carefully targeting the areas where heat is craved the most.

These gloves are generally battery-powered, using lithium-ion batteries as the power source, with the battery pack usually stored in the wrist or cuff. They usually offer different temperature settings and can last for many hours on the same charge. A simple temperature controller or button allows the wearer to adjust the level of heat provided, giving you control based on riding conditions.

Benefits of Heated Motorcycle Gloves

Full Hand Coverage

Heated gloves distribute warmth evenly across your entire hand, including your fingertips, knuckles and the back of your hand.

Better Than Heated Grips

Heated grips warm your palms, but the backs of your hands are left exposed and these bear the brunt of the wind chill. Heated gloves provide 360-degree heat, eliminating cold spots and improving overall comfort.

It’s also worth noting that most riders don’t keep their heated gloves powered on for the entire ride. Thanks to their excellent insulation, heated gloves tend to retain warmth effectively even after the power is turned off. This means you can conserve battery life while still enjoying long-lasting warmth, which is especially useful for extended journeys.

Improved Circulation and Safety

Warm hands aren’t just about comfort. Cold fingers can become stiff and slow to react, making it harder to operate the bike’s controls safely. Heated gloves help maintain circulation and dexterity, reducing fatigue and enhancing control, ideal for long rides.

Customisable Heat Levels

Many heated gloves come with adjustable heat settings, so that you can tweak the warmth depending on how cold it is. This level of control isn’t possible with thick insulated gloves alone, which may be too cold or too hot for the conditions you’re riding in.

Windproof and Waterproof

Most high-quality heated gloves (like those available at BDLA Motorbikes) also come with weather-resistant shells, adding an extra layer of protection from the wind and rain.

Heated Gloves vs Heated Grips: Which Is Better?

While heated grips are better than not using any heating assistance, they only heat your palms. Even with hand-guards, your fingers and the backs of your hands are still exposed to wind chill. Heated gloves are the far superior option in extreme cold temperatures, especially on longer journeys or higher-speed rides. That said, some riders in the UK use both for maximum warmth during the winter months.

Some of those riding in extremely cold conditions (like delivery riders or commuters) opt to combine heated gloves with handlebar muffs. Muffs act as a barrier against wind chill, helping to trap the heat generated by the gloves and extend comfort even further. While bar muffs are undeniably practical, especially for all-weather riders, they’re often seen as an eyesore by leisure riders.

Final Thoughts: Are Heated Motorcycle Gloves Worth It?

Heated motorcycle gloves are absolutely worth it, especially if you live in a climate like Britain. If you ride through autumn, winter or early spring, heated motorcycle gloves are one of the best riding gear investments you can make for both comfort and safety. They’re easy to use, highly effective and help keep your hands warm and nimble when you need them most.And if you’re on the lookout for a pair of high-quality heated gloves from premium brands in the motorcycling world, check out our collection here today!

Motorcycle helmets are the single most important piece of motorcycle gear for riders, providing essential head protection which can be a life saving device in the event of a collision. Due to their importance in what is a genuine life and death matter, ensuring your helmet is always providing maximum protection is of paramount importance. Age, damage, care and other environmental factors can determine whether or not your helmet still has strong protective capabilities or whether it’s compromising safety. As such, the question of, ‘how long do motorcycle helmets last?’ is often posed to us by our customers.

In the following guide, we are going to discuss the average lifespan of a motorcycle helmet and explain some of the guidance out there for how often you should consider purchasing a new helmet. As with many things, the lifespan of your helmets depends on several factors, however there are industry recommendations that all riders should take note of. Remember to check out our range of motorcycle helmets to find your new helmet.

The General Lifespan of Motorcycle Helmets

The general consensus within the industry, echoed by organisations like SHARP, Snell and most helmet manufacturers, is to replace your motorcycle helmet at least every five years. However, it’s important to understand that this is a general guideline, not a rigid expiry date. While helmets are built to last, the materials, especially the EPS liner and resins, can degrade over time due to exposure for the helmet shell to UV light, the helmet liner to sweat and everyday wear and tear for the whole helmet. This degradation can occur even with helmets that are unused, as the materials still age. As such, your helmet’s ability to keep you safe degrades over time, leaving you more susceptible to head injuries.

Helmet material also has a big impact on the lifespan of the helmet. As a general rule of thumb, we suggest that polycarbonate helmets should be replaced every three years if used regularly (even once a month) as they are more vulnerable to UV degradation from the moment they’re exposed to sunlight. Fibreglass, multi-composite and carbon fibre helmets are generally more durable and can last up to five years if looked after. However, riders who use their helmet daily may want to consider replacing even these premium models closer to the three-year mark to ensure peak safety.

What Factors Affects How Long A Motorcycle Helmet Lasts?

While the five-year general rule is a good starting point, several factors significantly influence a helmet’s actual lifespan. The materials and construction play a crucial role. For instance, helmets made with advanced materials like carbon fibre or high-quality fibreglass generally offer better durability than those made from polycarbonate. The frequency of use is also a major contributor, as you’d expect. A helmet worn daily by a commuter will likely show wear and tear faster than one used only for occasional weekend rides, for example.

Storage conditions are also important. Leaving your helmet in direct sunlight, extreme heat or exposing it to harsh chemicals can rapidly degrade the EPS foam liner, interior padding and outer shell. Crucially, accidents and impacts, even seemingly minor drops onto a hard surface, can compromise a helmet’s integrity and protective capabilities without any visible damage. Finally, substances like sweat, hair oils and cleaning chemicals can gradually deteriorate the internal components, including the comfort liner and retention system, affecting both hygiene and safety over time.

How To Know When It’s Time For An Upgrade

Beyond the general age guideline, your helmet will often give you clear signs that it needs to be replaced. Look for any visible damage such as cracks, deep scratches or loose parts on the shell or visor. The interior lining or padding is another tell-tale sign. If the inner lining is compressed, torn or no longer provides a snug and proper fit, its protective qualities are diminishing. Similarly, loose-fitting chin straps or a worn-out retention system mean the helmet won’t stay securely on your head in an impact, which again suggests it’s new time for an upgrade.

Most critically, any impact, regardless of whether it shows visible damage, warrants immediate replacement. Helmets are designed to absorb and dissipate energy during a single impact and their structural integrity can be compromised even if the damage isn’t obvious to the naked eye. When in doubt, it’s always safer to replace your helmet.

Another common mistake riders make that can quietly compromise safety is sitting on their helmet. While it might seem harmless, placing weight on a helmet can damage the internal structure, even if there’s no visible cracking. Helmets are designed to absorb impact forces in a very specific way, and any undue pressure on the shell or liner can weaken this ability. If you see someone doing it, it’s worth knowing that the helmet may no longer offer full protection and should be replaced.

How To Extend Your Helmet’s Lifespan

While you can’t stop the natural aging process of materials, you can significantly extend your helmet’s useful life with proper care. Proper storage is a good starting point and we’d always recommend you keep your helmet in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. For cleaning, stick to mild soap and water so as to not damage the helmet’s finish and internal materials with harsh chemicals.

It’s also advisable to avoid sharing your helmet. Not only does this prevent the transfer of sweat and oils, but a helmet forms to the unique shape of an individual’s head and sharing can compromise its fit and comfort for both users. Finally, always transport your helmet in a dedicated helmet bag. This protects it from accidental knocks, drops and unnecessary exposure to UV light, helping to preserve its structural integrity and appearance over time.

In Summary: How Long Does A Motorbike Helmet Last?

Hopefully by reading this guide you will now feel confident knowing when it’s time to change your motorcycle helmet. As the most important piece of protective gear you own, it’s always a good idea to follow this golden rule: when in doubt, get it checked or replaced. While the five-year rule is a helpful indicator, it’s not set in stone and doesn’t take into account all of the potential factors we have discussed above.For more information about motorcycle helmets and whether you need to purchase a new helmet, feel free to get in touch with the expert team at BDLA Motorbikes. And be sure to check out our huge range of motorcycle helmets from the best manufacturers in the field to find your upgrade.