This thread and poll is a direct result of this other thread
it's summer! and my right hand burns... started by sleeprx8, discussing the burn from the shift **** when the interior of the car gets too hot.

Anyways, some people suggested driving gloves.

I asked several people their opinions of driving gloves and I heard comments like,
- You must like Knight Rider
- Crank-up Jouney's greatest hits while you're at it.

While I try to be fairly open-minded to suggestions and new ideas, I don't have a positive association with driving gloves.
Basically, I have 2 images that come to mind when I hear driving gloves.

1) Black leather, fingers Cut-off type of glove, and a mullet.
2) Full leather gloves (like the ones OJ wears) and a Members Only Jacket with the sleeves pushed up.

If this were the mid 80's, I would believe people were just imitating TV shows, but in 2006, I have to think that there is a reason for it. I understand that the steering wheel can get very hot in summer, and very cold in winter, but what about people that wear them everyday regardless of weather conditions. If it's about grip, then it would make sense for the track, but in everyday driving, I don't see it.

There was also some discussion in this thread
Anyone recommend driving gloves?, but it quickly turned to jokes about oven mitts, and latex gloves.

So, if you wear them, enlighten me please.
I will be doing autocross this weekend, and I may pick up a pair for that.

- Cesar -

 

I dont wear them but I believe they are used on cars where vibration comes thru the steering wheel causing hand fatigue, the gloves prevent your hands from going numb and causing you to die from numb hand sydrome.

 

Only if you are driving in an open convertible and the ambient temp is less than 15 degrees Celsius.

 

teh ghey

 

I drive with the Sparco's all the time

 

<coughtoolboxcough>

 

yah i wear gloves when i drive the s2k. and also for fun i would drive around town with my shoei helmet on :P aroudn town with the top down. its funny watching ppl's reaction.

 

I drive in a fire-retardant flame suit.

 

lol!

ive considered finding a cheap helmet at a thrift store just for laughs...even if i'm the only one laughing.

ive also considered getting gloves, but living in southern california, id probably just look like a jerk!

 

lol

i also like to use that Muscle men mentality. like you know when you see a fine girl and they say hi maam do you know where the local work gym is?

well instead ill be at the light and ill look over to other car. And once we get eye contact ill shut my visor and re tigten my gloves to make it like we are going to race. then ill end up taking off normally. i bet he was saying to him self. dude your only racing your self :P

 

Grey gloves for winter
Fuzzy sheepskin wheel covers for summer when it's over 105 degrees
Can seatcovers be put over leather seats - air bag problems?

 

You can walk around saying, "I'm the Juggernaut, BITCH!!"


As for the gloves: Absolutely NOT.

 

My dad asked this very same question—why would anyone wear them? I know that, years ago, some sports car drivers wore them because the steering wheel would get slippery from the sweat on your hands (this is when steering wheels were big and smooth and skinny and not covered with leather or vinyl). And, just like now, some people wore them in winter because it was cold. And undoubtedly some people wore them because all the race car drivers of the day (Stirling Moss and chums) did, so they thought it was cool.

I have a winter set and some "stringback" summer gloves, too—but I don't wear 'em very much—the summer gloves really don't havy a practical purpose, though if the shift **** got really hot that would be one. Basically I have them just for fun.

 

driving gloves are as cool at fanny packs

 

[QUOTE=New Yorker]My dad asked this very same question—why would anyone wear them?

Because a very cold steering wheel steals heat from your hands, you can't control the wheel as well, and if you have Granny joints they hurt - gloves are a very comfortable. It also links back to an older time - gentlemen and women wore gloves as well as hats. It was a status symbol, like a top hat, cane, and spats. Women continued to wear them, for comfort, long after men abandoned both hats and gloves.

When its hot enough to blister your palms, gloves, or a wheel cover, are simply practical. It keeps hard spots from developing on the hands when you are doing cross country trips. When you are racing you might consider gloves for the same reason you wear a fire resistant suit - if there are flames, fingers are the first to, go and you might still want to pick your nose some day!

 

My driving outfit...

 

I beleve it

 

hahaha!!! its good to be able to entertain yourself.
i might steal your routine if thats okay with you.

 

I have a fingerless set of MOMO cabretta gloves in all 3 of my cars that I always wear when driving.

Started doing it after going to Bondurant for the first time, some 18 years ago.

Police and Bikers with Mullets wave at me unless I'm in the 8, then they just stare.

Gotta problem with that???

 

The only reason I can think of to use driving gloves is in an older car where the steering wheels can be made of wood or hard plastic and get slipery, but even that's stretching it. If I saw somneone driving around with driving gloves the first word that pops into my head is douchebag. If it's a newer Japanese car I'm thinking "moronic ricer".

 

Do you still wear acid washed jeans?

 

Indeed. The only time I wear them is in a race car. I can't imagine putting a pair on for anything but racing.

 

Some of you have mentioned gloves help with older, slippery steering wheels. Well, I think my 8's steering wheel is somewhat slippery, even though it is leather wrapped. Even though I have avoided treating it with the typical leather wipes that I sometimes use on the seats, it still is pretty smooth. A little rougher surfce would be more easy to grip. I have had the steering wheel slip in my hands a couple times, luckily not at a critical moment. Maybe mine is just unusually smooth, but sometimes driving gloves help.

Have any of you found a leather treatment that improves the grip on the 8's steering wheel?

Zoom, Zoom!