Best Driving Gloves: Combining Function and Fashion
Max out your driving enjoyment and control with these high-quality driving gloves.
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A good pair of driving gloves can make a big difference when it comes to steering control. That's why you see professional race car drivers wearing them. If you drive for long periods of time, driving gloves can reduce vibrations and prevent blisters from forming. They also protect the steering wheel from breaking down and keep your hands warm in colder weather.
There are many reasons why a high-quality pair of driving gloves will change your driving experience for the better. Check out some of the top options in our guide below.
There are many reasons why wearing driving gloves is practical. For one, gloves help protect the integrity of your steering wheel and other upholstery by preventing the transfer of damaging oils and sweat from your hands. Wearing driving gloves also allows you to have better grip and greater control of the wheel, thus improving your response times.
Wearing driving gloves on long road trips can also help diminish fatigue for your hands by providing cushion and reducing vibrations felt through the steering wheel. At any rate, you don’t need a reason to wear driving gloves other than the fact that you want to. If you’re in the market for a functional and sleek driving glove, check out our top picks and our informative buying guide so you can be sure you’re getting the pair that suits you best.
Forzieri Italian Leather Driving Gloves
- Long-lasting and durable
- Super comfortable
- Two-year warranty
- Costly
- Limited color options
Riparo Reverse Stitched Touchscreen Texting Leather Driving Gloves
- Super affordable
- Works with touchscreen
- Money-back guarantee
- Leather is slightly less supple than some other options
- Fit is small
Dents Silverstone Touchscreen Leather Driving Gloves
- Elasticized wrists for snug fit
- Classic, timeless design
- Money-back guarantee
- Fit is quite small
- Chosen colors and sizes may be tough to find
Our Methodology
When it comes to driving gloves, the choices are almost as numerous and confusing as overpriced gluten-free snack options at any local market. For this review, I wanted to stick with the most trusted name brands. Since that significantly narrows the playing field, I made the rest of my picks based on versatility, user friendliness, and durability. I also wanted to offer a variety of pricing options to suit any budget. For more info regarding product selection, check out The Drive’s Gear About page, which further explains our methodology.
Why Trust Us
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
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Best Driving Gloves Reviews & Recommendations
Specs
- Brand: Forzieri
- Sizes: 8-10
- Material: Leather
Pros
- Long-lasting and durable
- Super comfortable
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Costly
- Limited color options
When it comes to classic Italian design and styling as well as comfort and durability, our top pick for the best overall driving gloves has to be the Forzieri Italian Leather Driving Gloves. They’re exactly what you would picture wearing as you drive your favorite sports car on a winding, twisting, highway with jaw-dropping views. They give you a timeless and debonair look thanks to their traditional styling.
These gloves are constructed from high-quality, extra-soft, unlined cowhide Italian leather and feature perforated detailing, a reliable snap closure, and precise stitching. The two-year warranty is a nice added peace of mind. The rub: These gloves are a little on the pricey side, and they come in very limited color options.
Specs
- Brand: Riparo
- Sizes: 7.5-1
- Material: Leather
Pros
- Affordable
- Works with your touchscreen
- Money-back guarantee
Cons
- Leather is less supple
- Fit is small
If you’re in the market for a great quality, comfortable, yet budget-friendly pair of driving gloves that won’t make you cry at checkout, try the Riparo Reverse Stitched Touchscreen Texting Leather Driving Gloves. These are one of the best value options on the market. These full-finger gloves are handmade in Pakistan using a specialty vegetable tanning process that leaves out harsh and toxic chemicals. They’re a classic design that never goes out of style.
Perforated leather allows for decent breathability, and you can easily use your smartphone without having to remove them. The leather-wrapped button closure is a nice touch, considering their low price. As an added bonus, the company also offers free repairs and/or replacements and free shipping within the United States. When you call customer service, you get to talk to a real person. These gloves fit pretty small, however, so they might not be the best choice for everyone. Also, they’re slightly thicker and less supple than some other models.
Specs
- Brand: Dents
- Sizes: M-XL
- Material: Leather
Pros
- Elasticized wrists for snug fit
- Classic, timeless design
- Money-back guarantee
Cons
- Run small
- Colors, sizes can be tough to find
It might stand to reason that the company that makes driving gloves for James Bond and the British royal family might be good enough for you as well. Dents Silverstone Touchscreen Leather Driving Gloves are made by one of the most revered and longest-standing manufacturers in the world. This pair of gloves seamlessly melds the impeccable craftsmanship and timeless design that Dents is known for with modern technology that makes these driving gloves some of the best in the world. It’s upgraded specifically to allow you to use your touchscreen devices without having to remove your gloves.
Elasticized wrists ensure snug comfort and better fitment than many others. Leather offers natural strength and durability, but it molds nicely to your hands. These gloves will give you long-lasting comfort and protection for years. They fit quite small, however, and can be tough to come by due to their overwhelming popularity.
Specs
- Brand: AlpineStars
- Sizes: S-3XL
- Material: Leather and synthetic leather
Pros
- Dual-density knuckle protection
- Extended cuffs
- Waterproof
Cons
- Bulky and thick
- Not very breathable
The Alpinestars H-Dry Gloves are an ideal choice for motorcycle enthusiasts. Not too flashy, these gloves provide a thorough level of protection while riding. They’re constructed from a combination of full-grain, abrasion-resistant goat leather and synthetic leather in order to give you lasting durability and comfort. The MotoGP-derived dual-density protection guards your knuckles in the event of a crash or collision. Pre-shaped finger construction lets you effortlessly hold on to your handlebars.
These gloves also feature an anatomically modeled grip insert on the thumb and palm that’s meant to give you added performance, comfort, and security. They also help dampen vibrations from the handlebars. These gloves are much bulkier than typical automobile driving gloves. They’re also a little expensive.
Specs
- Brand: Triton
- Sizes: S-L
- Material: Lambskin
Pros
- Fingerless
- Made from safe, sustainable materials
- Palm stitching for added grip
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited size availability
Once you experience the luxury fit and feel of the Triton Fingerless Driving Gloves, it will be tough to imagine using another brand. These premium driving gloves are handcrafted in Spain from the finest, most carefully selected, 100 percent vegetable-tanned lambskin. They provide a level of suppleness and fit that is tough to match by other competing brands. For those looking for a little less restriction, more breathability, and added dexterity, the fingerless option is ideal.
Palm stitching allows for added grip, while the Cobrax closure and the elasticized wrist ensure a snug, secure fit. These gloves only seem to improve with use and time, as they mold to your hands and become more and more supple with wear. One of the only drawbacks to these gloves is their hefty price tag. The fingerless feature also isn’t the greatest for colder climates or winter weather wear.
Specs
- Brand: K1
- Sizes: S-XL
- Material: Nomex
Pros
- Lightweight and responsive
- Pre-curved
- Complies with FIA standards
Cons
- Designed for racing
- Expensive
The K1 Flex Glove is K1’s most advanced racing glove to date. Constructed from premium, lightweight, two-layered bonded Nomex, this glove complies with FIA and SFI standards for safety. It also features a flame-resistant inner lining for added protection. This is an ultra-light glove that has minimal external stitching in order to help promote comfort and better response while racing. It also features a fire-resistant silicon surface for even better grip and flexibility.
The Flex glove is equipped with a tapered and double-stitched wrist that includes a 180-degree elastic fastener for a snug and secure fit and confident wrist protection. High-contrast, fluorescent accents look sleek and are easy to see. The only drawback to these high-tech, well-designed gloves is that they’re specific to racing.
Specs
- Brand: Fratelli Orsini
- Sizes: 7-12
- Material: Leather
Pros
- Traditional Italian design
- Available in a variety of sizes and colors
- Highly breathable
Cons
- Fit is small
- Leather is thicker than some higher-end driving gloves
The Fratelli Orsini Leonardo Driving Gloves deserve a nod for being a classically designed and traditional driving glove that comes in a good assortment of sizes and colors to suit most personal styles. Constructed from North American deer leather, these gloves are durable and rugged. They’re mostly hand-sewn in Italy and include precisely placed ventilation and knuckle holes for maximum breathability and comfort.
These gloves feature a leather-covered snap closure but lack a good elastic for a super snug fit. They’re offered at a slightly higher price than some others, but that includes free worldwide shipping and a velvet storage bag and leather treatment gel. The fit of these gloves runs small, so consider ordering a size up. Also, be aware that they’re slightly thicker than some other driving gloves on the market.
Our Verdict
For the ideal combination of functionality, classical styling, comfort, and affordability, our top pick for the best driving gloves has to be the Forzieri Italian Leather Driving Gloves. For a budget-friendly, but well-performing driving glove, look to the Riparo Reverse Stitched Touchscreen Texting Leather Driving Gloves. These are a great quality, comfortable, yet budget-friendly pair of driving gloves that won’t make you cry at checkout.
Do you have a pair of driving gloves that you just love and can’t leave home without? Let us hear about them in the comments.
Consider Secondhand
When we shop for tools and products, we usually consider the secondhand market first. Whether you’re scrolling through Amazon’s Renewed section, eBay for car parts or tools, or flipping through the pages of Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, you have hundreds of thousands of used tools, parts, and gear ready to be shipped to your doorstep. Refurbished to like-new status, they’ll be willing to give you many more years of faithful service while saving you money.
Secondhand Tips
To make your secondhand search easier, here are a couple tips to finding the best deals and making sure your new-to-you gloves weren’t destroyed by the previous owner.
- When going with an online seller, make sure they have a high user rating and a great reputation among other consumers.
- When buying secondhand, do your homework. Shop around and compare pricing between sellers to make sure you’re not getting taken to the cleaners.
What to Consider When Buying Driving Gloves
More than just color and price, there are several factors to take into consideration when choosing the perfect pair of driving gloves. Driving gloves come with several features and benefits based on their intended purpose. This buying guide can help you decide which ones fit you best.
Types of Driving Gloves
Traditional Driving Gloves
Typically made from some type of genuine leather, the most common driving gloves lack an inner lining and are full-fingered to provide coverage and protection to your entire hand. They’re usually thin and supple with perforations and strategically placed holes for breathability.
Fingerless Gloves
These are just like traditional driving gloves, but without a full-fingered design. Typically made from genuine leather, they can also be made from more high-tech, moisture wicking materials or mesh to promote the most breathability. They’re a great option for warm-weather driving or times when you want the added dexterity of having the ends of your fingers exposed.
Racing Gloves
Think karting and circuit racing when you consider these gloves. Many racing gloves will be made from high-tech, breathable, fire-retardant materials that comply with FIA and SFI safety standards.
Cold Weather Gloves
These are just like traditional driving gloves, but usually feature a soft inner lining made from wool or cashmere for added warmth and comfort in cold weather. Like traditional driving gloves, they’re typically made from genuine leather.
Driving Glove Key Features
Material
While most driving gloves are made from genuine leather, the qualities of those leathers can vary greatly. Do you want ultra-soft lambskin or deerskin, or would you prefer thicker and more durable cowhide or goat leather? This choice will result in a very different price. Some driving gloves also feature synthetic leathers, nylon, or breathable mesh. So, consider your climate and the real purpose of owning driving gloves before you buy.
Design
The design of your chosen driving gloves can be solely based on personal taste, or it can be based on more practical considerations, such as environment and purpose. You can opt for traditional driving gloves, cold weather, fingerless, or even racing gloves. Within those categories, the design can also vary. Some driving gloves are very flashy and modern-looking, while others are more classically designed and understated.
Touchscreen Compatibility
This is a relatively new feature that is an option with almost any modern-day driving glove. It gives you the luxury of being able to quickly access your smartphone or touchscreen devices without the frustration of constantly having to remove the gloves. This time-saving feature usually comes with a higher price tag, as you might expect.
Pricing
You can get a decent pair of driving gloves for $60-$90. These can be made from genuine cowhide or goatskin, which is typically durable but less supple and thicker than more expensive brands. For between $100 and $250, you will be able to get some seriously swanky, luxurious driving gloves that are handmade from soft, supple leathers.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
Q: What’s the best way to care for leather driving gloves?
A: When you’re not using your leather driving gloves, store them flat in a protective case or bag. If you must clean or condition them, try to limit it to two or three times per year and use only those cleaners or oils approved by your manufacturer.
Q: Should driving gloves be tight?
A: Initially, yes, your brand-new driving gloves should be snug. They’re going to stretch and conform to your hands over time, so you don’t want them to be too loose at first.
Q: What should I do if I measure in between sizes for driving gloves?
A: Unlike with a lot of clothing, if you measure in between sizes for driving gloves, it’s recommended to actually buy the smaller size. These gloves are going to stretch over time, so preferable to have them fit snugly at first. If the brand you’re considering is noted for fitting very small, however, you may want to order a larger size.
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