Living in Southern California, it’s easy for me to avoid riding in the rain and cold. No matter how bad it is, if I wait a few days, the clouds depart, and the sun warms things up. However, part of my job involves traveling around the world to go riding. When I get there, I have to ride rain or shine. As I’m not used to cold and wet, it’s critical for me that I stay warm and dry. A recent trip to the Eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus gave me an opportunity to try the Spidi Metropole H2Out gloves in the environment they were designed for: mid-40s temperatures and sometimes torrential rain.

The Spidi Metropole H2Out gloves feature an unperforated leather exterior as the first line of defense against the cold, as well as abrasion protection in a fall. The leather is extremely supple off the rack, so these gloves require no break-in.  I’m a US Large and Euro 9, and the gloves fit perfectly.

The interior of the Spidi Metropole H2Out glove is wonderfully plush. Your hands feel warm simply from slipping into the 70/30 polyester/nylon blend lining.

To retain that feeling in inclement weather, you have Spidi’s proprietary waterproof H2Out membrane, which features Keramide (a durable aramid-based fabric) and PrimaLoft (microfiber insulation) between the lining and the leather. Put it all together, and your hands stay dry, warm, and protected.

The Metropole gloves are secured by a hook-and-loop strap and a D-ring, allowing for a quick personalized fit. Underneath is a loop of elastic so the glove stays on should the strap come loose.

Although rated Level 1, the less protective of the two CE standards, the Spidi Metropole gloves have a substantial feel with soft knuckle and scaphoid protection. While they certainly aren’t gloves you’d take to the track, I had no concerns tearing around the Troodos Mountains with them on board the 2026 Triumph Trident 800.

Riding through pouring rain in the 40s, per the Trident’s dash, my hands never detected any moisture and were never cold, though heated grips didn’t hurt the cause. Remember that the top of your hand can still get very cold with lightweight gloves, even with heated grips, so warm gloves are still essential when it’s chilly. The Spidi Metropole H2Out gloves passed their two most important tests with flying colors.

The glove has a short gauntlet design that just barely allows me to tuck in the sleeves of the Spidi Stretch jacket I was wearing. This kept the water from going up my wrist into the jacket.

The warm and plush comfort the Metropole gloves offer does mean that you don’t have anywhere near the feel of typical sport gloves. Still, the supple leather allowed me to ride the Trident 800 hard in the afternoon when the rain and cold subsided.

Happily, my hands remained comfortable when the temperature reached the mid-70s. Thanks to the H2Out membrane’s breathability. My hands didn’t get sweaty, and the leather exterior dried out quickly.

You’ll want to keep the Metropole gloves clean, as Spidi has an exhaustive Do Not list: wash, dry clean, bleach, wring, tumble dry, or iron; line drying in the shade is approved.

The Spidi Metropole H2Out gloves are excellent multi-purpose gloves that work in a variety of conditions. You can wear them for sport riding, touring, or in-town, and they easily handle a 30-degree temperature swing while keeping my hands dry in extreme conditions. At $120/pair, these are mid-priced gloves delivering premium performance.

Action photography by Gareth Harford and Chippy Wood

Spidi Metropole H2Out Gloves Fast Facts

• Size: S – 3XL
• Certification: EN 13594:2016 Level 1
• Color: Black

Spidi Metropole H2Out Gloves Price: $120 MSRP