What Is The Importance of Comfortable Driving Gloves

When it comes to the hand protection we can not ignore the importance of gloves. There are many types of gloves available in the market but in this article we will explore the importance of driving gloves. As we all know driving for long periods can be taxing on the hands. The constant gripping of the steering wheel, gear shifts, using touchscreen systems, and exposure to elements like cold and wind can leave hands sore, stiff and uncomfortable.

This is why having a good pair of driving gloves is important for long journeys. Driving gloves help provide grip, protection, warmth and comfort so you can focus on driving safely. They come in a variety of materials like leather, cotton, wool blends, and synthetic fibers. 

The right pair distributes pressure evenly across the palm, provides flexibility, and reduces hand fatigue. With better cushioning and breathability, they make long distance driving easier and more enjoyable. This comprehensive guide covers the key benefits, features to look for, and tips on finding the best driving gloves for your needs.

Benefits of Wearing Driving Gloves

Improved Grip and Control

Quality driving gloves are designed to provide exceptional grip and dexterity. Silicone prints, tactile lines on fingertips and palms increase contact with the steering wheel allowing better control. This becomes useful navigating winding roads, making tight turns. The right gloves keep hands in place, preventing slippage while shifting gears or using secondary controls.

Reduced Hand Fatigue

Driving for extended periods can overwork muscles in the hands and fingers leading to cramps, numbness, tingling and soreness. Cushioned padding and ergonomic designs distribute pressure evenly across palms taking stress off high impact zones. Flexible materials and articulated knuckle panels allow for a natural closed fist position without restrictive strain. This significantly cuts down on fatigue allowing you to drive further without discomfort or need to frequently stop and rest your hands.

Enhanced Comfort

The inside lining of driving gloves plays a big role in keeping hands comfortable over long miles. Seamless interiors with smooth fingertips prevent chafing and irritation. Breathable fabrics and ventilation panels regulate temperature and airflow preventing excess moisture. Snug fits limit extraneous movement while stretch fabrics allow ease of motion. All these factors come together to create a stable, quick drying and blister-free environment, ideal for long hauls.

Added Warmth

Unprotected exposure of hands to cold, dry air from open windows or convertibles can leave them numb and stiff. Driving gloves act as insulation barriers retaining warmth in fingers and palms. Heat retaining fabrics like wool, fleece and soft-shell trap air while maintaining breathability. Some models even have battery powered heating elements that generate warmth at the touch of a button. From early morning freezing commutes to late night snowy drives, gloves help hands stay warm and responsive.

Touchscreen Sensitivity

Modern vehicles and GPS systems rely heavily on capacitive touchscreens. Normal gloves limit conductivity making such screens unresponsive. Special touchscreen driving gloves have conductive leather pads on fingertips allowing operation without removal. This allows drivers to access navigation maps or control music while staying focused on the road ahead. Some models even have grippy pads for scrolling and tapping without fingerprints marrying glass surfaces.

Added Protection

Driving involves minor cuts, abrasions and bruises from handling equipment. Quality gloves provide barrier protection from such occupational hazards. Tear resistant exteriors shield against scratches from sharp gear sticks or trunk edges. Thermoplastic rubber cladding across knuckles safeguards against knocks and impact while changing tires or handling emergencies. Such protections make driving safer in the long run.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Driving Gloves

With a wide variety of options, choosing the right pair of driving gloves for your needs and preferences can get confusing. Here are some key factors to take into account:

Size and Fit

Measure hands properly and check size charts when shopping online. Gloves should fit snug without constricting movement. Palm width, finger lengths and knuckle size should align comfortably with gloves patterns. Proper fit prevents twisting, slipping and loss of tactile feel while driving.

Breathability

Fabric composition directly affects moisture wicking, ventilation and temperature regulation. Leather and synthetic blends have good airflow properties while being weatherproof. Wool liners provide insulation while letting heat escape preventing sweaty hands. Such breathable materials keep hands dry over long distances reducing skin irritation.

Dexterity

Grip is fine but dexterous flexibility is equally important allowing hands to adapt to various positions. Articulated panelling in fingers, perforated palms and gusseted construction allow effortless curling, bending and twisting motions. Ensure gloves move naturally with your hands without sagging or constriction when selecting a flexible pair.

Durability

Driving gloves take a lot of abuse from wear and tear factors – hours of driving, sun exposure, scrapes against rough surfaces and contact with gas and oil. Durable fabrics like top grain leather, mixed synthetics and reinforced seams withstand such damage without losing structural integrity. Check for abrasion resistance and sturdy stitching in high mileage glove models.

Weather Protection

Wind, cold, rain and snow are predictable factors affecting road trips and commutes. Thermal liners, weatherproof membranes and water repellent treatments protect hands from such ambient conditions. Identify probable weather variables for the season and choose gloves offering corresponding temperature regulation and moisture protection.

Pricing

The adage “you get what you pay for” is mostly true for driving gloves. Premium leather and mixed material gloves provide better features but cost more. Set a reasonable budget keeping in mind frequency of use, features required and kilometres expected to cover. Consider it a long term investment towards driving comfort and safety.

Task Specific Design

Some glove features make them suitable for particular tasks over others. Rugged reinforcement across knuckles for loading cargo, conductive fingertips for easy device control or cut-resistant padding for emergency repairs. If using gloves for specialized non-driving tasks as well, choose models catering to those specific requirements.

Conclusion

Driving for extended duration without proper hand protection inevitably causes discomfort impacting alertness and safety. Investing in a good pair of ergonomic, durable and weather-appropriate driving gloves prevents such issues and lets you focus fully on the road. Taking some time to assess individual needs, hand measurements and intended functionality helps narrow down options. 

While pricing indicates quality, balance key priorities over cost alone for maximum returns on road trips. Remember to periodically care for gloves as per material guidelines for extended service life. Making informed choices goes a long way in staying protected and in control behind the wheel on even the longest hauls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why shouldn’t I buy cheap driving gloves?

Cheap driving gloves tend to use inferior quality materials and lack structural reinforcements making them less durable, breathable and protective. They might not retain grip, shape or insulation properties after brief usage making them a poor investment in the long run.

Q2. Are fingerless gloves suitable for driving?

While fingerless gloves provide ventilation and touchscreen conductivity, they offer very limited protection and grip rendering them unsafe for driving. Exposed fingers are prone to abrasions, cuts, weather factors and fatigue. Full fingered gloves reinforce dexterity and control needed for driving.

Q3. How should good driving gloves fit?

A good pair hugs contours of the palms and fingers without sagging or tightness in any spot. Measure hands against size charts for ideal close fit with about 12mm clearance from fingertips to glove tips allowing flex room. Snugness around the wrist prevents creeping movements without pinching blood flow.

Q4. Can I use leather treatment on driving gloves?

Yes, leather gloves should be treated regularly with conditioning creams or oils to retain suppleness and sheen. Ensure products used are specifically meant for apparel leather which penetrates better than industrial compounds. Avoid using excess silicone greases as they attract grime affecting grip.

Q5. What’s better, cotton or leather gloves for driving?

Premium leather gloves edge out cotton by a huge margin when it comes to driving. The material is far more durable to abrasions, provides better insulation in all weather, wicks moisture better and crucially offers superior grip and dexterity due to inherent texture. Leather also ages better with conditioning becoming softer over time.