Best riding gloves for Ladakh
Wind, cold, grip — from Rynox to budget options for Manali–Leh
There is a specific kind of misery that hits you on the descent from Baralacha La. The pass sits at 4,890m on the Manali-Leh highway, and if you cross it in the morning the temperature at the top is reliably between 2C and 6C. By afternoon in Nubra valley, you are looking at 28-32C. I learned this the hard way on my first Ladakh ride. I crossed Baralacha La in a pair of Rs 800 mesh gloves I had grabbed off Amazon. By the bottom of the descent, my fingers were numb enough that when I reached for my phone I fumbled it out of the holder entirely. Watched it bounce across the tarmac. This guide is about solving that specific problem: hands that work at 5,000m passes and hands that do not overheat in valley heat. The short answer is that one glove cannot do both well, and the right approach is two gloves and a swap at the base of the climb.
Detailed reviews
1. Rynox Air GT v2 Gloves
Best for valley riding✓ Pros
+ Mesh construction moves air aggressively in valley heat
+ CE Level 1 knuckle protector
+ Touchscreen fingertips work for phone navigation
+ Good grip on wet handlebars with silicone palm patches
✕ Cons
– Zero insulation - fingers numb within 3 minutes at Khardung La without layers
– No waterproofing
– Not a pass glove - valley and highway only
2. Rynox Storm Evo Gloves
Best overall✓ Pros
+ Waterproof membrane keeps hands dry through Rohtang rain
+ Insulated lining handles 0-5C pass temperatures
+ CE certified knuckle armor
+ Gauntlet cuff seals against wind entry at the wrist
✕ Cons
– Too warm for valley riding above 20C
– Touchscreen compatibility is poor with the insulated fingertips
– Rs 2,799 adds up with the Air GT v2 for the two-glove system
3. Alpinestars SP-8 v3
✓ Pros
+ Premium build quality and leather palm
+ Full gauntlet with wrist closure
+ CE Level 1 across all impact zones
+ Excellent road feel and feedback
✕ Cons
– Not waterproof - needs a liner for rain
– Not insulated - needs a liner for cold passes
– Rs 3,999-4,999 for a single-purpose summer glove
– Overkill for Ladakh speeds - designed for sport riding
4. Endura MT500 D3O Gloves
✓ Pros
+ D3O impact protection - hardens on impact
+ Good grip in wet conditions
+ Mid-weight insulation works for moderate cold
+ Versatile for cycling and motorcycling
✕ Cons
– Not motorcycle-specific CE certification
– D3O coverage limited to knuckles only
– Availability inconsistent in India
– Not warm enough for Khardung La without a liner
5. Budget Mesh Gloves (Amazon Generic)
Not recommended✓ Pros
+ Cheapest option available
+ Basic knuckle padding
+ Work for city riding in warm weather
✕ Cons
– No CE certification - protection claims unverifiable
– Stitching fails under sustained cold and wet use
– Palm grip deteriorates on wet handlebars
– Fingers numb within minutes at any pass above 4,000m
Buying guide
The two-glove system
No single glove handles -5C wind chill at Khardung La and 32C in Nubra Valley. The solution: a mesh summer glove for valley riding and a waterproof insulated glove for passes. Swap at the base of each climb. Carry the unused pair in a tank bag or handlebar pouch for quick access.
The latex liner trick: for rain on passes, a thin latex or rubber glove worn under your riding glove adds waterproofing for Rs 299-499. This is what long-distance touring riders use globally. It works.
Bottom line
The two-glove system for Ladakh: Rynox Air GT v2 (Rs 1,799) for valleys and highways below 3,500m + Rynox Storm Evo (Rs 2,799) for passes above 4,000m and rain. Total: Rs 4,598, weight under 400g for both pairs. Add latex liners (Rs 299-499) for unexpected rain with the Air GT. Never cross a pass above 4,500m in mesh gloves - numb fingers at 80 kmph on a mountain descent is a genuine safety risk, not a comfort preference.