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When was the last time you saw anyone wearing driving gloves? It was likely watching an F1 race, to which we say, why let them have all the fun? Just because you're not driving a $14 million speed machine doesn't mean you can't drive in style.
Driving gloves originated in the late 1890s when all steering wheels were made from uncovered metal or wood. Drivers needed to wear gloves in order to properly handle the wheel in extreme temperatures, as well as protect them from splinters. Early race cars had steering wheels taken directly from road cars with mostly wood steering wheels. In modern times, classic car owners wear driving gloves in order to protect the vintage wooden or ivory steering wheel.
Driving gloves are used for a few main reasons: grip, protection, and of course, style. Unless your dream job involves being a stunt driver for the Fast and the Furious franchise, chances are you don't need driving gloves. But if you want to prevent wear and tear on a leather steering wheel and look good doing it, treat yourself to a pair of driving gloves.
From vintage-inspired to luxury leather, we've rounded up the best driving gloves to get you riding in style.
Read more: Best Winter Gloves for Men
Supple leather, knuckle holes, and a snap closure on the wrist strap give these driving gloves a luxury look at an affordable price.
This British heritage brand has been making the finest leather goods since 1777, and even made driving gloves for James Bond. This pair of driving gloves pays homage to the brand's historical roots, but with one essential modern update: touchscreen-friendly fingertips.
Bored of black leather? The unexpected combination of chocolate brown leather against pops of deep forest green gives this pair of gloves a rich and sophisticated feel.
If you live in an area that sees a lot of snow in the wintertime, driving gloves are more than a style statement. They're a practical way to keep your cold hands from completely going numb as you wait for your car to warm up. This fleece-lined pair is our go-to for cold weather climates.
These gloves are made of durable full-grain cowhide leather, which provides a good grip on the steering wheel. The outer shell is seemingly impenetrable, yet has just enough give to allow for movement.
Channel your inner Ryan Gosling with these Drive-inspired gloves. The touchscreen pads on the thumb come in handy, while the traditional reinforced knuckle holes provide extra stretch – and honestly, they just look cool.
If you're looking for authentic European driving gloves, look no further. 1861 Glove Manufactory sources its products from Pécs, the European capital of glove making. Each pair of gloves is table cut one by one, according to French glove-making tradition. It's then hand-sewn in contrasting black and brown leather ethically sourced from the best tanneries of Italy and France.
These high-performance gloves are more modern than the leather options on this list. They feature silicone print on the inside to enhance your grip and sensor fabric on the index fingers to allow you to use your phone without removing the gloves.
We love the maroon detailing on this pair of black leather gloves. A buttery leather construction helps these slide onto your fingertips like a dream. Comfortable and contemporary, these gloves will never go out of style.