Quick answer: driving gloves are thin, close-fitting and usually unlined, with a short cuff, a snap at the wrist and often open knuckles or a crochet back, so nothing comes between your hand and the wheel. Normal leather gloves, winter gloves above all, are lined with cashmere, rabbit fur, shearling or silk and cut for warmth. One is made for feel, the other for comfort in the cold.
Last updated: 20 October 2026
The difference between driving gloves and normal gloves comes down to one question: what is the glove for? A driving glove exists to give you grip and feel at the wheel; an everyday leather glove exists to keep your hands warm and look right with a coat. This guide comes from NM Gloves, a leather-glove workshop in Târgu Mureș, Romania, where gloves have been made since 1925 and where we make both kinds.
Driving gloves vs normal gloves at a glance
| Driving gloves | Normal leather gloves | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Grip and feel at the wheel | Warmth and everyday wear |
| Lining | Usually unlined | Cashmere, rabbit fur, shearling or silk |
| Back of the hand | Perforated knuckles; crochet-back and fingerless versions | Solid leather |
| Cuff | Short, with a snap or button at the wrist | From short to semi-long and opera length; some winter pairs close with a strap |
| Fit | Snug, nothing loose at the fingertips or palm | Close, with the lining allowed for in the cut |
| Our leathers | Deerskin, peccary, carpincho, lambskin and nappa | Deerskin, lambskin, peccary, shearling |
| Best for | Long drives, warm weather, classic and open-top cars | Cold days, walking, evenings out |
What makes a driving glove different from a normal glove?
Every detail of a driving glove serves the wheel. The leather is thin and the glove is usually unlined, because a lining puts a layer between your palm and the rim. The holes over the knuckles let the glove bend where your hand bends most, and they let heat out. A short cuff keeps the glove clear of your shirt cuff and your watch, and the snap at the wrist stops the glove shifting while you steer.
Some driving gloves go further. A crochet back replaces the leather on the back of the hand with open cotton, so heat escapes while the leather palm keeps its grip; we explain the design in why driving gloves have a crochet back. Fingerless gloves leave the fingertips bare for the most feel on the wheel and switchgear. Both are warm-weather designs.
Can you drive in normal gloves?
Yes, if they are cut for it. The trouble with most winter gloves is bulk: a thick lining stops the fingers closing around the rim, and the wheel feels distant. A leather glove with a slim cashmere lining and a close fit behaves much like a driving glove, only warmer. A strap at the wrist helps too, because it closes the gap between glove and coat sleeve when your arms reach for the wheel. Our guide to men's winter gloves that still work at the wheel goes into the details. If a pair feels loose or slippery on the rim, take it off.
Can you wear driving gloves as everyday gloves?
On a mild day, certainly: an unlined deerskin or peccary driving glove is simply a fine, light leather glove. But unlined driving gloves are not built for warmth, and crochet-back or fingerless pairs make little sense in winter. For cold weather, choose a lined pair from our winter gloves.
Do driving gloves and normal gloves fit differently?
You measure for both the same way: around the hand just below the knuckles, excluding the thumb, and compare the result with our sizing chart. Men's sizes run from 7.5 to 10, women's from 6.5 to 8.5. A driving glove should sit close, with no spare leather at the fingertips or across the palm, since loose leather bunches when you turn the wheel. In a lined glove the lining is allowed for in the cut, so you order the same size. If you fall between two sizes, write to us before you order.
Which should you buy first?
- You drive a lot, or own a classic or open-top car: start with an unlined driving glove. Deerskin from Finland is our everyday recommendation and the hardest-wearing leather we use; peccary from Peru is softer still and needs no breaking in.
- You live somewhere cold and drive every day: a deerskin glove with a cashmere lining does both jobs reasonably well, warm enough for the walk and slim enough for the wheel.
- You want warmth above all: rabbit fur or shearling, and keep a thin pair in the car.
Browse our driving gloves in full-finger, crochet-back and fingerless styles. If your hands fall between sizes or you want a combination we do not stock, a made-to-measure pair takes up to five days to make, so 8–12 days in total within the EU.
Frequently asked questions
Do driving gloves keep your hands warm?
Not much. Unlined driving gloves are made for grip and feel, not warmth. For cold mornings, choose a slim lined glove instead.
Are driving gloves the same size as normal gloves?
Yes, you measure the same way and use the same sizes. A driving glove is simply worn close, so if you are between sizes, ask us before ordering.
Can I return gloves that do not fit?
Ready-made gloves can be returned within 30 days of delivery, unworn. Made-to-measure pairs cannot be returned, which is why we check the measurements with you first.
Questions about which pair suits your car or your winters? Write to us, at info@nmgloves.com or +40 754 301 994. Free shipping across the European Union, delivered in 3–7 days.