These are the best driving gloves for a summer road trip
From fingerless designs to pairs woven with crochet backs, these are the best, brightest and boldest driving gloves for a summer getaway
Words: Jonathan Wells
Summer! Friends! Freedom! Suddenly, 2021 isn’t looking so bad. And the best part of our upcoming sun-soaked, social season? Roadtrips. From the Cairngorms’ Old Military Road to the Brecon Beacons’ Black Mountain Pass, Britain boasts some of the finest, funnest driving routes the world has to offer — trips that present the perfect post-lockdown adventure.
So throw your personalised luggage into the back seat, gather a carful of your closest friends and hit the road this summer — with the most important driving accessory there is; a pair of wheel-gripping gloves. Whether they be bold and bright of colour or stitched together with breathable backs, these comfortable, practical mitts will keep you safely in control of your car for hours. Keep scrolling for our stylish suggestions…
Brightly coloured driving gloves will signal summer
A pair of vivid, vibrant gloves is the ideal place to begin. Summer is the brightest season, so why not signal the start of your sunny road trip with the best, boldest pair you can find. Something like the infamous Connolly ‘Road Rage’ gloves; stitched for a second-skin fit and finished with two standout, sweary patches on the first two fingers.
Alternatively, Café Leather offer a contrast pair of driving gloves — with bright orange backs and stylish navy palms. With Cobrax closures and elasticated wrists, you can even personalise this perforated pair for that extra bespoke touch. Or opt for the vintage stylings of 1861 Glove Manufactory, with these ethically sourced, cream-and-blue gloves — unlined for summer freshness.
A pair of fingerless gloves will keep you feeling fresh
Of course, pairing leather gloves with hot, long drives isn’t the most comfortable way to spend a summer. But find a pair of fingerless driving gloves and you’ll enjoy superior grip and stylish ventilation. Kicking off the one-two cool-cool punch are Dents, with this English Tan ‘Snetterton’ design. Named for the Norfolk racing circuit, they’ve got motoring heritage stitched straight into the leather.
Or once again steer yourself towards Café Leather, which has a stripped-back, pared-down jet black leather option; with open knuckles for even more breathability. But we particularly like ‘The Drive’ from Chester Jefferies. Not only are they made in England, but you can decide which two coloured leathers stitch together to create your own personal gloves, with over 40 options to choose from.
A pair of crochet driving gloves will add European flair
You should really keep a pair of classic crochet driving gloves tucked into your glovebox all year round. They’ve got soft, warming leather for the winter months — and a breathable back for the summer season. From Mazzoleni, these ‘Martin’ gloves are perhaps our favourite; with perforated lamb’s leather palms rendered in a sunny sky blue.
But English-made Chester Jefferies also have a reliable, reasonably priced option in ‘The Triumph’ gloves. With a soft, ecru back and optional touchscreen fingertips, they meld modern and traditional motoring accessories into one finely stitched accessory. Finally, for an unlined, impossibly lightweight deerskin pair of driving gloves, look no further than Goldtop — another Britain-based brand with its eyes on the road this summer.
Looking for more motoring accessories? Vacheron Constantin’s American 1921 celebrates its centenary in asymmetric style…
Become a Gentleman’s Journal member. Find out more here.
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
