Rukka Rocky-R gloves in black

The Rukka Rocky-R glove is new for 2026. We think it's one of the nicest, most comfortable gloves in the entire Rukka motorcycle collection. In concept, the Rocky-R is a short-cuffed, summer-waterproof glove.

Now there are quite a few similarly-configured gloves out there. There's the KlimAdventure glove and the Dainese Teyde. But it's not the kind of glove that everybody wants; and that's because a waterproof glove will be better at keeping the wet stuff out if the cuff is longer. 

With a waterproof glove what you would normally do is tuck the cuff inside the sleeve of the jacket. When you do this water running down the sleeve cannot get into the glove.

But some people just prefer a glove with a shorter cuff. And that's because a shorter cuff will be easier to wear. It will be lighter and less sweaty; and in warmer conditions it will allow cool air to run up the sleeve to cool you down in the way that can't happen if you've got a longer, bulkier cuff.

It is, as ever I suppose, horses for courses. But remember that a membrane is not just about the wet stuff. A membrane is also about protecting your hands from the effects of the wind; what we call the wind-chill factor. 

The problem with most pure-summer gloves without a membrane is that, when the sun isn't shining, you can very quickly get very cold in them. And so here is a glove that may not flow loads of air like a summer or mesh glove, but it will wear like a summer glove, it will be a tad warmer than a summer glove and, of course, if it rains it will keep your hands drier than a summer glove.

The palm is goatskin. We like goatskin. It's softer than cowhide, more supple than cowhide, yet for its thickness it's stronger than cowhide. Goat hide makes for great motorcycle gloves. On the palm you also get a panel for what is often known a digi-leather. It's there for extra grip and for extra cushioning on the bars.  On the Rocky-R you also get a panel of suede leather that runs down the outside of the hand.

You get some leather on the back of the hand; particularly around the edge of the knuckle protector, but most of the back of the hand  is constructed from an elasticated, ribbed fabric. And it is this that makes the glove so nice to wear. It runs down the front of the middle three fingers. There's more of it behind the knuckle protector. And what this material means is that when you curl your fingers around the bars the whole back of the glove stretches with you. There's no feeling of pressure or resistance. There's another kind of stretch fabric in the finger forchettes, down the thumb and around the cuff. Just for good measure there's also some concertina banding on the main three fingers.

We've already touched on the fact that this is a waterproof glove. And with Rukka that means that it's a Gore-Tex glove. Furthermore, in this instance, the membrane is a laminated one meaning that 'wetting out' won't be a factor. What a Gore-Tex membrane also means is that you're getting the highest levels of waterproofing and the highest levels of  breathability. But, importantly, what it also means is that  waterproofing is guaranteed for life.

And this is a warranty that stands up. If your glove leaks, you send it to an independent Gore test facility. If they agree they will tell Gore, and Gore will send you a new pair. And they will do this forever; well until the glove has holes in it.

In terms of protection you get a hard, shaped knuckle protector. This is foam backed; and that's important because the primary role of a knuckle protector is to absorb the energy of an impact, and hard protectors don't do that. You also get a couple of rubber bumpers on the fingers. And a large, rubber slider on the palm.

There's not a lot more to say about the Rocky-R. You get a visor wiper on the left hand. The index finger and thumb are touchscreen sensitive. The cuff of the glove which, as we have said, is quite short, fastens with a Velcro strap.

And that's about it. That's Rukka's new Rocky-R; and you can only get it from us.