Driving glove

Modern driving gloves

Driving gloves

Gloves were originally worn to keep the hands clean when driving a motor car. Early racing cars used steering wheels taken directly from road cars. They were normally made from wood necessitating the use and development of driving gloves.^[1]

A Driving glove is a hand covering used to give a driver increased control of the vehicle. Gloves have separate sheaths or openings for each finger and the thumb; if there is an opening, but no covering sheath for each finger, they are called "fingerless gloves."

Driver’s gloves fulfill at least three functions: grip, increase feel of the road, and protection. Although maximum tactility is an obvious starting point for driving gloves, any glove can be marketed as a driver’s glove, and can improve the grip on the steering wheel.

True driver’s gloves can be identified because they offer tactile advantages to drivers handling a car near the limits of adhesion. Made of soft leather, drivers gloves are unlined with external seams, which makes them seamless inside so as not to interfere with the sensitivity of the drivers touch on the steering wheel, and subsequently information from where the tire contacts the road.

Driver’s gloves feature, open knuckles and back for maximum flexibility, ventilation and to reduce stress on the soft, thin, skin tight, leather. Holes punched in fingers and palms for breathability, short cuffs so as not to restrict movement, and a stud fastener closure on the back for proper fit around the wrist and unobstructed view of the drivers chronograph.

Driving glove

Driving gloves have external seams, open knuckles and keyhole backs, ventilation holes, short cuffs, and snaps. They fit close, and stretch to conform to the hand's anatomy. Driving gloves are made from thin leather.^[2]

Dorothy Levitt The fastest girl on Earth -1906 “Never wear woollen gloves, as wool slips on the smooth surface of the steering-wheel and prevents one getting a firm grip,^[3] but wear gloves made of good soft kid."

Driving gloves are designed for holding a steering wheel and transmitting the feeling of the road to the driver. They provide a good feel and add comfort to the hands. The gloves fit tight and do not interfere with the hands movements. The increased grip allows for more control, and increased safety at speed.^[4]

The finest driving gloves, are handsewn using Peccary glove leather. Peccary is the world’s rarest and most luxurious gloving leather, although other materials and fasteners may be used. It is buttery soft, and hard wearing. Peccary is a difficult leather to sew, a time consuming and skilled process.^[5]

Racing drivers gloves

Driving gloves

Racing gloves are designed for protection against heat and flame intended for drivers in automobile competitions.^[6]

Racing gloves must have cuffs to provide thermal shielding in conjunction with racing driver’s suits. Racing gloves are made of Nomex.

Because leather shrinks considerably on exposure to flame, it is recommended that its use be limited only to the tactile areas of the hand. There shall be no leather on the cuff, on the back of the hand, or between the fingers (also called fourchettes). The racing glove shall be tight either at the wrist or at the extremity of the cuff. Elastic bands, labels, embroidery may not be in direct contact with the driver's skin.^[7]

The leather, if used, shall be added as an additional layer of material. The seams for attaching the leather shall be separate from the structural seams of the glove and shall use thread that fulfils the performance requirements of the garment. The thickness of the leather shall be preferably as thin as possible.^[8]

There shall be no flaming debris, molten debris, or holes formed during testing. The thread shall not melt or give any period of after-flaming and shall not break.^[9] Drivers of single-seater cars in races with standing starts must wear gloves in a high-visibility color, which contrasts with the predominant color of the car, so that the driver can clearly draw the attention of the race starter in case of difficulties.^[10]

Styles

• Unlined

The unlined designs allow the fingers senses through, so that drivers do not lose a layer of sensitivity lost with lined gloves.

• Lined

Driver’s gloves are frequently used to keep the hands warm, a function that is particularly necessary during top down operation in cold weather. The design of cars is such that the driver's hands remain on the steering wheel while driving, a position that leaves them exposed to the elements. The hands are also relatively inactive, and do not have a great deal of muscle mass, which also contributes to the possibility of chill. Lined gloves therefore contribute to insulating the hands while driving.

• Full fingered

Gloves should fit snugly but not be tight. Pay particular attention to the length of the fingers as the fingertips can become very cold if the glove's fingers are not long enough. Ideally the glove should be loose on the fingers and fit comfortably around the palm. A tight glove will tend to restrict blood flow and make the hand cold as it is at an extreme distance from the heart.

• Fingerless

Fingerless gloves have the fingers cut off. The exposed fingers interfere less with the sensation of gripping.

References

1. ^ "The Official Formula 1 website". http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/understanding_the_sport/5287.html. Retrieved 2011-02-01. 
2. ^ "Porsche Design". http://shop2.porsche.com/international/men/accessoires/wap081xxx16/. Retrieved 2011-02-01. 
3. ^ The woman and the car, a chatty little handbook for all women who motor or who want to motor – Dorothy Levitt ISBN 978-0238789670 1909 - page 26
4. ^ "What are driving gloves". http://leatherdrivinggloves.net/what-are-driving-gloves.html/. Retrieved 2011-02-01. 
5. ^ "Dents gloves since 1777". http://www.dents.co.uk/pages/Leather%20Gloves.asp/. Retrieved 2011-02-01. 
6. ^ "FIA Standard 8856-200 Protective clothing for automobile drivers". p. 2. http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/58EC1A58AA059025C125744300352A2C/$FILE/overalls.pdf/. Retrieved 2011-02-01. 
7. ^ "FIA Standard 8856-200 Protective clothing for automobile drivers". p. 9. http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/58EC1A58AA059025C125744300352A2C/$FILE/overalls.pdf/. Retrieved 2011-02-01. 
8. ^ "FIA Standard 8856-200 Protective clothing for automobile drivers". p. 10. http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/58EC1A58AA059025C125744300352A2C/$FILE/overalls.pdf/. Retrieved 2011-02-01. 
9. ^ "FIA Standard 8856-200 Protective clothing for automobile drivers". p. 14. http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/58EC1A58AA059025C125744300352A2C/$FILE/overalls.pdf/. Retrieved 2011-02-01. 
10. ^ "Appendix L to the International sporting code". http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/48F2FE30C329E49AC1257817003DC563/$FILE/11.01.06_Annexe%20L_2011.pdf/. Retrieved 2011-02-01.