Buying guide for best men’s leather gloves
Leather gloves are timelessly chic and useful, thanks to their comfort, protection, and classic style. A quality pair of leather gloves can last you for years, but it’s important to consider what you’re looking for before buying them so you can enjoy your gloves for decades.
There’s no one “best” type of leather, as each variety offers a different texture, softness, and durability. Work gloves are made of less expensive yet durable leathers like cowhide, while driving and dress gloves use sleeker leathers that are typically more expensive.
You should know your hand size and how much flexibility you will need in your gloves. Whether you are looking for gloves for work, driving, or dressing up, it’s important to know what style and size you need. If you are ready to pick out a pair of gloves, take a look at our top five choices. To learn more about the varieties of leather gloves and their features, continue reading.
Men’s leather gloves considerations
How often will you wear your gloves, how much protection from the cold do you need, and what size are your hands? These are all questions to answer as you start your search for the ideal pair of leather gloves.
Purpose
You won’t want to wear the same pair of gloves for heavy lifting as you would to keep your hands warm on your daily commute. Leather gloves are designed for a specific task or occasion.
Work gloves are typically made of cowhide or pigskin, both of which are durable and comfortable for hours of work. Split-leather, the durable lower layer of skin, is typically used for work gloves. Work gloves usually have moderate padding to prevent injury and can withstand abrasion and even high temperatures or chemicals. You should select work gloves that compliment your typical tasks to ensure that your hands are comfortable and appropriately protected.
Dress gloves are sleek and classy, designed more for looks and comfort than for flexibility or durability. They are typically black in color and are most commonly made from hair sheep, lambskin, kidskin, or calfskin. Peccary is one of the more luxurious options that gives gloves a distinct look with its lighter brown or yellow tone. Each leather has a slightly different feel and look, and the leather will be a large determiner of the price.
Casual leather gloves are often functional while looking quite attractive as well. These tend to range in their color, with many lighter options available. Driving gloves are a popular variety, which can be worn behind the wheel or on a winter stroll. They lack a lining, which makes them a bit colder but allows you to have better grip on the wheel while you drive.
Lining
A lining adds insulation to keep your hands warm in cold conditions. Not all gloves have linings, but if you live in a warmer climate, this may not be a concern for you.
If you are looking for something to protect your hands from the cold, a lining is a must. Dress gloves tend to have thinner linings to keep the gloves sleek and form-fitting. Cashmere and synthetic linings are popular choices, with cashmere being the more expensive option.
For more functional gloves, wool is a warm yet bulky option, with alpaca offering a bit more insulation. Fleece linings are another fairly warm option and are typically found in casual gloves. Work gloves may have jersey or wool linings.
Sizes
Gloves are measured in one or two sizes: length and width. A good pair of gloves should fit your hand closely without straining or stretching the material and allowing for flexibility. There can also be variations in sizing between men’s and women’s gloves, so pay attention to what gender they are geared toward, if any.
The width is usually the form of measurement used if only one size is given. This is the measurement around your hand at the knuckles (but not the thumb).
The length is the measurement from the tip of your middle finger to where your palm meets your wrist.
You should know your hand size before shopping for a pair of gloves. Most glove manufacturers will include their sizing chart on their website, so you know what measurements correspond to the small, medium, and large sized gloves.
Did you know?
While quirks can be decorative, in a well-made glove they are typically designed to be invisible.
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Men’s leather gloves features
Once you know what type of leather you are looking for, what your hand size is, and which style of gloves you are looking for, you should consider additional features that will make your gloves the best fit for you.
Hand or machine-sewn
Hand-sewn gloves are typically more expensive and have visible stitching so you can admire the handiwork of the craftsperson. Despite the higher price, they are generally less durable than machine-sewn gloves and are more casual than dressy. If you like knowing that someone spent time and care making your gloves by hand, a hand-sewn pair is for you.
Machine-sewn gloves are less expensive and are more commonly dress or work gloves due to their invisible stitching and durability. These factors combined make them the more popular choice for dress, casual, or work gloves.
Vents, holes, and flexibility
Some gloves, particularly driving gloves, have openings and vents in certain places to allow your fingers to move freely. Many driving gloves have holes on the knuckles which make it easier to grip a steering wheel without straining the material.
Vents are notches in the cuff, which enable your wrist to move more freely. Some gloves may have quirks, which are small triangles of leather between each finger for additional flexibility. If you are looking for a close-fitting glove that still allows for flexibility, look for these design features.
Closures
Leather gloves securely fit on your hands in different ways, or in some cases lack a closure mechanism entirely. Strap-and-button closures are a popular choice for their ease of use and snug fit. Buckles are less common but allow for more precise adjustments to fit your wrist. Some more expensive gloves may have traditional button-and-loop closures, which take a bit more time to open and close but look stylish and classic. Budget priced or work gloves may have Velcro closures.
Touchscreen compatibility
Some leather gloves may have touchscreen-compatible fingertips, which can work well for commuters who would rather not take off their gloves while they text or do other tasks on touchscreens. Touchscreen-friendly designs are typically more casual and thus less expensive than formal gloves.
Details and design
Additional details can make your gloves stand out, which may be important if you opt for a pair of black dress gloves.
Points are stripes on the back of the hand, which break up the texture of the large piece of leather that makes up the back of the glove.
Fourchettes are panels on the sides of the fingers and are not always included. They may be a different color from the rest of the glove to stand out.
- The cuff style can also set your gloves apart. Some gloves have longer gauntlet-style cuffs, while others are as short as ending at the wrist. The cuff may also be made of a different material like cashmere or fur.
Men’s leather gloves prices
Lower-end leather gloves can be found for $20 to $50. These are typically machine-sewn and made from cowhide or lambskin. Many lower-priced leather gloves can be used while texting, and are usually designed for work or casual wear.
Moderately priced leather gloves fall between $50 and $100. These are typically more stylish and are made from a variety of leathers. In some cases, the lining may be made from materials like cashmere. Gloves in this range can be hand- or machine-sewn.
More expensive leather gloves tend to cost $100 to $200. They are often hand-sewn and are made from more expensive leathers like hair sheep, calfskin, or peccary. Gloves in this range are often dressy, with cashmere or rabbit fur linings, or very rugged work gloves.
Tips
If your gloves become wet, they should be dried at room temperature rather than near a heat source.
Dirt and dust should be wiped away with a dry cloth.
Work gloves can be cleaned with cold water and a gentle soap.
Leather gloves should be somewhat water-resistant, but waterproofing products are available for a more reliable seal.
When cleaning your gloves, use a cloth instead of a sponge.
Avoid allowing your gloves to become totally submerged in water.
FAQ
Q. How do I make sure my gloves last a long time?
A. Depending on the type of leather, how often you wear your gloves, and what you do while wearing them, leather gloves can last for several years, if not a lifetime. Even without care, most gloves will last for five years or longer. By wearing your gloves frequently, keeping them dry, and storing them in a cool and dry place, your gloves can last a decade or more.
Q. What is the best way to remove leather gloves?
A. To prevent overstretching the gloves, you should pull the fingertips gently until the glove slides off of your hand.
Q. Should I condition my leather gloves?
A. Leather conditioners are absolutely a good idea, as they can keep leather flexible, make them more water resistant, and will prevent dirt and oil from building up and staining the leather.
