Trying to learn a bit here - curious about why some people wear driving gloves?

I tried to find out a bit of the history, reasons, etc but without much success. I'd really appreciate any enlightenment/info!

Cheers:thumbup:

Bas

I suspect it has to do with sweaty palms. Wearing gloves will give you a continuous grip on the steering wheel, whereas in the thick of action an ungloved hand may become slippery. Not the thing you want when fighting for first place

I'm referring to these gloves btw:

And not the big girls blouse leather ones like these:

I like my rally gloves with their suede grip, really improves grip and feel on steering wheels even more so on a suede wheel but even on plastic it can give a better grip. it gives you the control of the wheel as if you were gripping hard with the ability to turn the wheel witha light smooth controlled precise touch. However I can only get away with wearing the gloves when driving the rally car, look a bit stupid driving a people carrier wearing sparco gloves...

As for normal driving gloves never tried them, maybe they help grip or maybe its just to keep the hands warm before the heaters finally get round to warming up their hands (my hands generally take a long time to warm up in a car). Also handy to wear if the car needs any work enroute, keep your hands free from oil.

Back in my days of driving mk2 escorts I wanted a fingerless set maybe with studs on the back just because I thought it would really suit the jet black and chrome look of my car... I was young.

In the winter i use big girls blouse leather ones, thanks Quinten. They seem to grip the steering wheel okay, but not the best. As above only on till my hands and car are warm.

The best gloves for driving are the £1.00 ones with the rubber things all over the palms, that your nan buys you.

I'm sorry, but seeing them always makes me smile... loud

what's wrong with just fitting a large leather glove to the steering wheel instead then??

Racing type ones are supposed to allow you to grip the wheel more lightly and pick up the nuances of the steering more sensitively.

String or open backed ones, last used by MG drivers in the 60s are a bit YMCA....

String or open backed ones, last used by MG drivers in the 60s are a bit YMCA....

And Alan Partridge - nuff said

Chris

Surely they originally came from 'back-in-the-day' when steering wheels were made from wood, which would become slippy with sweaty palms. However, today with modern plastics and suedes on steering wheels this is not an issue, so guessing their only purpose is because they're fire retardant.

Surely they originally came from 'back-in-the-day' when steering wheels were made from wood, which would become slippy with sweaty palms. However, today with modern plastics and suedes on steering wheels this is not an issue, so guessing their only purpose is because they're fire retardant.

If youre talking about racing gloves is most certainly not just because they're fire retardent they add a heck of a lot to car control especially with a suede wheel. A bit like those wonderfull pixie boots we wear, they might have some fire proof abilities but the reason they are worn is because they are far better on the pedals than a pair of doccers. Even on road rallies where nomex overalls are a no no many drivers will be wearing racing gloves and boots for car control.

If you are talking about the road gloves - well I think keeping the hands warm on a cold morning is more of a practical use than fire retardent abilities. that though is just a guess having not used them.

Yep, to keep your hands warm, whilst walking to the car.

Required for open top motoring, when it's a clear, dry night and about 2deg

I'd go for some Sparco ones, maybe, allegedly etc...

Steve

what's wrong with just fitting a large leather glove to the steering wheel instead then??

I did that on my other car because my hands are very dry and the wheel didn't have ridges underneath. I've loads of gloves by putting them on my lap and then leaving them on the road when I get out, so it's either

To stop you staining light coloured leather steering wheels in high end cars ie bentleys etc with your sweat/muck on hands.

How about heated steering wheel?? should be easy to do

Back when cars was first invented..it took a lot of effort to turn the steering whell(no power steering option on the model T Ford) and this could give you blisters....same goes for the early rally cars and maybe even today they are used for better grip and fire protection.......but the real reason they are worn is give other road users a warning to keep their distance....if I see someone wearing driving gloves...I class them as bad drivers and keep a long way away from them

Seeing everyday drivers with suede gloves has a nasty side effect on my bladder - I laugh so much i want to p**---i't looks that ludicrous.

Seeing everyday drivers with suede gloves has a nasty side effect on my bladder - I laugh so much i want to p**---i't looks that ludicrous.

yea i agree!!!!

well I must say - you're a knowledgeable lot.

So it's not just me that finds them weird-looking on the road!!!

Cheers all

Bas