The Best Driving Gloves

The Best Driving Gloves You Can Buy

Many people tell me that driving gloves are only for those with vintage cars or for professional racecar drivers but I completely disagree with them. They are more than what people think they are, just some expensive luxurious pair of leather gloves.

I believe that you, the everyday driver or the person who loves to take their cars out on the track, should own or at least give these leather driving gloves a chance.

Why Do People Wear Driving Gloves?

Driving gloves have been around since the first cars were made and were very popular because cars back then had no power steering or cabin so they were somewhat of a necessity. You were exposed to the harsh weather conditions that mother nature threw at you.

The gloves provided protection from the elements and ensured that the wooden steering wheel would not slip out of your hands when steering your vehicle. Especially because no power steering meant you had to use a good amount of force to turn that sucker.

They lost their popularity after cars came with enclosed cabins and the steering wheels came with features for a better grip. There wasn’t really a need for them anymore other than just for fashion.

Nowadays, you really don’t see anyone with a pair of driving gloves on or find any when opening someone's glove box but they are somewhat making a comeback. I love this because they are truly a unique accessory and a very useful one to have.

Wearing driving gloves is beneficial for warm weather driving and as well for those in the harsh cold weather. In warmer climates, you might have to deal with a hot steering wheel or the sun beating down on your hands while driving. The driving gloves provide protection from the sun.

In cold weather environments, the best winter gloves you most likely have will keep your hands warm but, will not provide you with the right grip necessary to drive around in the snowy conditions. It's a good idea to have an extra pair of winter gloves in the car and why not them being a pair of the best driving gloves you can get your hands on. They will be your, winter gloves and your racing gloves on the track.

Are Driving Gloves any Good? Who are they for?

Many of the gloves that I have researched are on the expensive side but you do have to keep in mind that they’re on the pricey side for a reason. Many of the cheaper options that I looked into had many problems with their stitching, cheap leather, fake leather, too thick, and some even leave dye on your hands.

We all will have different uses for these leather gloves, you could be a truck driver who’s looking for a comfortable pair of driving gloves for those long hauls or someone who has an expensive car who wants to keep the steering wheel looking immaculate and prevent it from deteriorating. Some of these driving gloves will get used more than others and some only on certain occasions but we all want the best driving gloves that will fit comfortably on our hands and do their job.

I have narrowed down the best gloves for either driving on the track, cruising around town in your classic convertible, and for those who want to have some on hand for daily driving.

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Driving Gloves Buyer's Guide

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What Materials are Used in Driving Gloves?

Most of the best driving gloves use high quality perforated leather for breathability, comfort, and excellent grip. There are three popular kinds of leather used in driving gloves, hairsheep, deerskin and peccary. They all do their job of keeping your natural oil off your steering wheel and shifter, providing you with a much better grip, and keeping your hands protected from the elements.

The hairsheep leather is the best and usually the most comfortable. The leather is mainly sourced from Ethiopia or Nigeria. This leather is very smooth, light, thin, and has a nice natural elasticity to fit your hands perfectly.

The deerskin leather can also be very comfortable but it's usually on the warmer side in my opinion. The best deerskin leather usually comes from North America. It is similar to hairsheep leather in the fact that it is also naturally elastic and strength but it is more rugged and heavier than the hairsheep leather.

Peccary is very popular in luxurious leather gloves but I am not a fan because the gloves tend to be much thicker than the others. It is the rarest used in driving gloves because how difficult it is to work with. This leather is usually sourced from South America.

Driving Gloves Appearance and Comfort.

Leather driving gloves typically come with holes in them for ventilation but if you live in a warmer climate and tend to sweat a lot, I suggest looking into fingerless gloves. Some gloves have knuckle cutouts but from personal experience, they almost never align with your knuckles and often tend to irritate them.

The most comfortable gloves tend to be a bit more expensive because they usually are hand stitched rather than machine sewn. Hand stitched gloves almost always have seams on the outside, therefore provide you with a much more comfortable fit. Hand stitched driving gloves also look much nicer and makes you appreciate them even more knowing that someone took their time to create such beautiful gloves.

That doesn't mean that machine sewn gloves are not as good. It usually is a personal preference. Also if you purchased a pair of lined gloves then the seams inside won't be a big deal.

Choosing between lined and unlined gloves will depend on if your hands tend to sweat easily and if you will be using them in cold weather. I would get a pair of each especially if half of the year I will be driving in snowy conditions and the other half in nice sunny weather. I love the unlined leather gloves because I can feel the leather on my hands and appreciate the craftsmanship a bit more.

Caring for your Leather Driving Gloves

You should take care of your gloves and try to only use them for driving. Leather can be very durable if you take care of it properly. When purchasing your gloves, I suggest going for a snugger fit because the gloves will naturally stretch as you break them in. No matter which leather you decide to go with.

If your gloves are wet from either your sweat or after washing them with some water and soft soap, do not dry with any heat. It is best to lay out a small towel or dry cloth and let them dry at room temperature away from any direct sun.

Never leave your gloves in your car if it is not stored in a garage because the heat will dry them out or cause them to shrink. You’re better off taking them inside your home and store them in a nice cool place away from any direct sunlight.

When taking them off, loosen all your fingers and pull all the fingers together. Try not to pull off by pulling only one finger or by pulling off by the wrist. Same goes with putting them on, avoid pulling at the wrist and instead slowly push the glove down onto your fingers.

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Best Driving Gloves you can Get your Hands on

I have compiled a small list of the best driving gloves you can buy now. Each one earned its place because of a few factors. Their material, durability, and comfort.

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