In the 1890s, the driving glove first appeared. All the steering wheels were composed of raw metal. All the automobiles were convertibles. Thus there was no inside heating. Unsurprisingly, it was cold, and during the summer, an exposed metal steering wheel could become sweaty and perhaps too hot to hold. Used gloves typically featured an inner layer of wool, fur, or lambskin and had the appearance of gauntlet gloves. Early on, having good sensitivity and contact with the steering wheel was not as crucial as having a firm grip and some muscles to drive straight.
If the steering wheel wasn’t made of metal, one key benefit of wearing driving gloves was to prevent splinters from entering the driver’s hands. In the past, car manufacturers included a wooden steering wheel in some automobiles. However, it’s conceivable that the quality of woodcarving back then was lower than it is now, making it possible to end up with splinters in your hands after a drive. To summarize, the early 1900s automobiles weren’t as pleasant as today, making the driving glove a necessary addition to run your car and provide extra warmth. But even in the 1960s, when cars had front windows and heating systems, driving gloves were very common and seen as a must-have accessory for anybody who cared about fashion.
Although they are no longer necessary for driving a car, gloves used to be more critical, both for practical and aesthetic reasons. You can protect the steering wheel from sweat and human oils. Driving gloves offer comfort in warm and cold temperatures and improve your steering wheel grip (please note lamb leather driving gloves will be slippery on a leather steering wheel, while peccary driving gloves will properly stick).
Why Do People Wear Driving Gloves
Below are the top 5 justifications for donning driving gloves:
- A better grip and sense of control
Have you heard of the Indianapolis 500, a small race? The drivers of the Indianapolis wore driving gloves. They look fantastic when they do it (even though it’s not). Driving gloves are necessary for professional racing drivers to improve their steering-wheel control. Of course, you would want complete control over the vehicle with a minor hand slip.
Driving gloves provide more precise steering for drivers who actively participate in SCCA clubs or driving schools like BMW’s track events or Porsche’s Driver’s Ed. Additionally, more control encourages safer events and better outcomes. While most of us won’t be racing vehicles in our lives, we might occasionally run into everyday scenarios that call for rapid and precise replies. A little extra tack to hold your hands firmly on the wheel will come in handy if you’re driving on the highway, especially while entering or exiting interstate on-ramps and driving in bad weather.
Most driving gloves on the market merely act as a barrier between your hands and the steering wheel. However, an orthopedic hand specialist created the black leather gloves made by Bionic. During the production of these gloves, the natural peaks and valleys of the hand were considered, and the surface was evened out with comfort pads to encourage a more stable grip.
- Reduces Hand Tiredness
If you drive for miles like most Americans, driving your kids to their favorite soccer practice or going to the mall won’t make your hands tired. Driving gloves make it easier to maintain control of the steering wheel at faster speeds. Most of us commute to work or run errands in our cars for less than an hour each day. However, there are situations when you might drive for longer than a few hours. And it’s in these instances that driving gloves come in so handy.
Unknown to most people, most truck drivers wear gloves. Why? Your hands will tire if you keep them on the wheel for more than five hours straight. Even though most of us do not drive professionally, truckers who log numerous hours of driving each week indicate that blisters can develop if gloves are not used to prevent the abrasion of holding the wheel. Driving gloves help to keep your hands happy and comfortable in several ways, whether you’re on a lengthy road trip or you drive a car for a living:
- The leather’s reduced vibration decreases hand tiredness.
- The knuckles have breathable mesh or holes to keep your hands relaxed.
- The glove protects your exposed skin and the steering wheel from abrasion.
- Keeps Your Steering Wheel Intact
Who would want to operate a gorgeous car with a damaged steering wheel? Depending on your vehicle type, driving gloves may be beneficial to wear to protect your steering wheel. In addition, maintaining the steering wheel on your car will aid in keeping its appearance and resale value. The steering wheel is frequently coated in leather or wood in high-end vehicles like Audi and Lexus. It makes sense to want to maintain the steering wheel as much as possible because an attractive wheel increases the value of a luxury vehicle or SUV.
Your lovely leather-trimmed wheel can deteriorate with time due to your body’s natural oils and any sweat or grit you may have on your hands. This is particularly true if you’re traveling for a long time in warm weather. Driving gloves are more than simply a trend among owners of premium cars and historic car specialists. Vintage cars already have decades’ worth of accumulated wear, and they lose value even more quickly if you drive with just your hands. High-quality driving gloves serve as a shield between the wheel and the sweat and oils created by your hands. Wearing driving gloves protects your investment if you have a great car.
- Comfort in Unfavorable Conditions
Driving gloves keep you comfy behind the wheel, whether scorching outside or bitterly cold. How? Driving gloves lessen hand fatigue by reducing vibration from the steering wheel. In addition, a set of driving gloves will keep your hands toasty in the cold. The driving gloves essentially serve as an insulator, locking in the heat from your body. Drivers frequently wear winter gloves to keep their hands warm, but they can be bulky and reduce your grip strength. Driving gloves for men and women provide warmth and a better grip for drivers.
When considering the natural human anatomy and driving position, driving gloves are extremely useful: Your hands and feet get cold because there isn’t enough blood flow to the extremities. You are holding your hands above your elbows when you place them on the steering wheel. As a result, you are decreasing blood flow to your hands, which lowers their temperature. Driving gloves with the proper design can help make up for the reduced blood flow.
Driving gloves keep your hands from spreading moisture to the steering wheel in high temperatures. As was previously indicated, this wetness will not only compromise your ability to control the wheel but may also result in blisters over time. Your hands will stay at a comfortable temperature if you wear a nice pair of driving gloves.
- You Look Great
Driving gloves undoubtedly exude an air of old-school elegance. Driving gloves have gained even more popularity in recent years. Perhaps they are like the well-liked “vintage” trend that has dominated fashion in recent years. For many folks, wearing driving gloves is more about style than anything else.
When did this specialty glove start to gain so much traction? Give Ryan Gosling some credit. Do you recall the movie Drive? Driving gloves worn by Ryan Gosling contributed to the look of his persona. His appearance blended a short, sophisticated dress code with the ominous and challenging. Who among men doesn’t desire to appear both like a dapper gentleman and a badass?
Where To Buy Driving Gloves?
Visit our article “Best 10 Driving Gloves Of 2023” to find solutions for solid protection and comfortable driving gloves that are long-lasting and highly protective. You have access to a choice of driving glove alternatives, including disposable and daily use. In addition, you can select driving gloves that are plain, striped, or checked, as well as winter, four-seasons, spring, and summer styles.
