Driving gloves have a reputation problem. Mention them in the wrong company and you get raised eyebrows — something about old men in cardigans pottering to garden centres. The reality is different. A quality pair of driving gloves sharpens your feel for the wheel, reduces fatigue on longer drives, and on a cold morning, transforms an otherwise unpleasant leather rim into something you actually want to hold. These are not a costume. They're a tool.
This shortlist focuses on three gloves worth your money — one classic British leather from Dents, a heritage name that has been making gloves in Warminster since 1777, and two from Fawler, a specialist brand bringing modern touchscreen compatibility and contemporary styling to traditional sheep leather construction. All three sit in the £70–£80 range where quality starts to mean something.
| Product | Material | Best For | Price | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dents Delta Classic Leather | Hairsheep leather | Classic cars, road driving | £80.00 | Amazon UK |
| Fawler Tan & Ivory Touchscreen | Sheep leather | Modern cars, touchscreen use | £79.99 | Trendhim |
| Fawler Tan Touchscreen | Sheep leather | Everyday driving, clean look | £69.99 | Trendhim |
Dents Delta — The British Classic
Dents have been making gloves in Warminster, Wiltshire since 1777. That is not marketing — it is a genuinely long track record in a craft that rewards accumulated knowledge. The Delta is their driving glove: hairsheep leather, which is softer and more supple than standard sheepskin, cut with an open back and a simple wrist snap fastening. No fuss. No padding. No unnecessary detailing. Just good leather, correctly constructed for a driver's hand.
Hairsheep is the correct material for a driving glove. It's thin enough that you don't lose feel through the rim, strong enough to wear well, and supple from day one — there's no real break-in period in the way you get with thicker leathers. The Dents Delta is available on Amazon UK and arrives finished to a standard that makes the price feel justified. If you drive a classic or want a glove that will look correct on any car made before this decade, this is it.
Hairsheep leather driving gloves made in England by Dents, Britain's oldest glove maker. Open back, wrist snap fastening, supple from day one. Correct construction for road and classic car driving — slim enough to maintain full feel through the rim. The benchmark for traditional British driving gloves.
Pros
- Hairsheep leather — exceptionally supple
- Heritage British construction
- No break-in period required
- Clean, unfussy styling
- Available on Amazon UK
Cons
- No touchscreen compatibility
- Classic open-back style — not for all tastes
- Premium price point
Fawler Tan & Ivory — The Modern Driver's Choice
Fawler approach the driving glove from a different angle. The tan and ivory two-tone colourway is confident and contemporary — it reads as intentional rather than nostalgic, which suits a modern performance car rather than a classic. The material is sheep leather with touchscreen-compatible fingertips, which means you can interact with your infotainment or phone without removing the gloves. A small thing, but the kind of practical detail that makes a glove usable every day rather than reserved for weekend drives.
The sheep leather has a texture that grips well on both leather-wrapped and Alcantara rims. The construction is clean — stitching is tight, the wrist fastening sits flat, and the fit is close without being restrictive. Available through Trendhim, who specialise in men's accessories and carry the full Fawler range with accurate sizing guidance.
Sheep leather driving gloves with touchscreen-compatible fingertips in a distinctive tan and ivory two-tone colourway. Modern styling that sits naturally in a contemporary performance car cockpit. Good grip on leather and Alcantara rims, clean construction, practical daily use. Available via Trendhim with full sizing guidance.
Pros
- Touchscreen compatible fingertips
- Contemporary two-tone styling
- Sheep leather — excellent feel
- Practical for modern cars
- Clean, considered construction
Cons
- Not on Amazon UK — Trendhim only
- Two-tone may not suit all styles
- Ivory panel requires care to keep clean
"The steering wheel is your primary interface with the car. The quality of what sits between your hands and the rim has a measurable effect on feel, fatigue, and ultimately, enjoyment."
Fawler Tan — The Everyday Option
The single-tone tan version of the Fawler is the cleaner, more versatile option. Where the tan and ivory draws attention, this one lets the driving do the talking. Same sheep leather construction, same touchscreen-compatible fingertips, same quality of finish — just a single-colour tan that works with everything from a sports car to a daily driver.
At £69.99 it's the most accessible of the three gloves here, and it doesn't feel it. The materials and construction are the same as its two-tone sibling. If you want a driving glove that you'll reach for without thinking about it — one that disappears as an accessory and just does the job — this is the one. Also via Trendhim, with the same sizing guidance available.
Single-tone tan sheep leather driving gloves with touchscreen-compatible fingertips. The more versatile, understated option from Fawler — same quality construction as the two-tone model at a slightly lower price. Works with any car, any outfit. Clean and considered. The glove you'll wear without thinking twice.
Pros
- Touchscreen compatible fingertips
- Versatile single-tone styling
- Sheep leather — soft and grippy
- Most accessible price of the three
- Same build quality as ivory model
Cons
- Not on Amazon UK — Trendhim only
- Tan can darken with heavy use
Getting the Glove Fit Right
A poorly fitting glove is worse than no glove at all. Too loose and it bunches at the palm, reducing feel and making inputs imprecise. Too tight and your hands fatigue quickly — especially relevant on longer drives.
Measure across the widest part of your palm (knuckles, not thumb) in centimetres. Most manufacturers publish sizing charts. For reference: 8cm = XS, 9cm = S, 10cm = M, 11cm = L, 12cm = XL. Dents use UK glove sizing; Fawler's sizing guide is on the Trendhim product pages and is worth consulting before ordering.
The correct fit: the glove should sit snugly with no bunching at the base of the fingers, the fingertips should reach comfortably to the end of the glove without pressing, and the wrist fastening should close without straining. A new leather glove will soften and conform slightly over the first few uses — buy your true size, not a size up.
Beyond Gloves — The Cockpit Philosophy
The cockpit is the one part of the car you inhabit. Everything else — the engine, the suspension, the brakes — serves the cockpit. It's worth treating it with some thought. Beyond gloves and the wheel, there are a few other things that make a measurable difference:
- Seat position: You should be able to fully depress the clutch with a slight bend in the knee, and reach the top of the steering wheel with your wrist resting on the rim with your back against the seat. Most people sit too far back.
- Pedal placement: Heel-and-toe is easier with flat-soled shoes. On track, this matters. On the road, it still helps with smooth downshifts.
- Sightlines: Adjust your mirrors last, once your seat position is set. Side mirrors should show a sliver of your car's flank at the inner edge — not your car.
- Sun visor: A polarised clip-on for low-sun driving is worth keeping in the door pocket. Not glamorous, but useful.
Final Verdict — Three Gloves, One Principle
If you want the classic British driving glove without compromise, the Dents Delta is the answer. Hairsheep leather, made in England, available on Amazon. It's the benchmark — and the heritage is real, not marketing.
For modern cars where touchscreen use is part of the drive, the Fawler range solves the problem elegantly. The tan and ivory is the statement option; the single-tone tan is the one you'll wear every day. Both are well made, correctly priced, and available via Trendhim with proper sizing support.
In this category, provenance and material quality matter. Cheap unbranded driving gloves feel cheap at the rim and wear out quickly. These three are a level above — buy once, buy properly.