Today, I want to share some thoughts about driving gloves.

To be honest, I never really considered the idea of wearing driving gloves while behind the wheel. My initial thought was, “I’m not a racer… I don’t need those.”

But once I started using them, I couldn’t imagine driving without them anymore (laughs).

How It All Started: A Gift from My Husband

It all began about four or five years ago. For my birthday, my husband gifted me a pair of CACAZAN driving gloves.

At first, I thought, “Gloves? For my birthday? No thanks.” I pictured bulky gloves that covered every fingertip, making smartphone use a hassle.

But the pair he chose was a women’s style with fingertips exposed. The brown and white combo looked cute and stylish.

Image source: CACAZAN website

Looking back, they were so pristine back then…

My husband explained, “You really should wear driving gloves—not just because they prevent your hands from slipping on the wheel, but also because as a woman, you probably wear foundation or hand cream, and those oils can really stain the leather steering wheel. Gloves help protect it.”

That made sense. I realized they also help prevent the steering wheel from getting shiny and worn. That’s when I started wearing them regularly.

The Difference in Confidence: With and Without Gloves

Once I started using them, driving gloves became an everyday essential. I used my first pair until they were completely worn out and retired them.

Around two years ago, my husband bought me the same model again for my birthday (my second pair).

Now, this second pair is also incredibly worn (laughs). I’m almost embarrassed to show photos—they’re so dirty. I wonder if my hands are really that grimy to cause this much wear.

Thinking about what makes driving gloves so great, it’s definitely the fit. It’s not that I can’t drive without gloves, but when I compare driving with and without them, the gloves give a noticeably firmer grip on the wheel.

They make it easier to hold and control the steering, especially when navigating intersections or curves.

I’ve gotten so used to this feeling that driving other cars without gloves feels insecure.

That firm “grip” sensation is addictive, and without it, I feel uneasy.

Another subtle benefit is sun protection. Even in winter, the right side of the driver’s seat gets a lot of sun, so my right hand tends to tan. Wearing gloves prevents sunburn and weird tan lines.

That said, sometimes when I have passengers, wearing gloves can create a funny vibe. They might look at me like, “Wow, are you really that serious about driving? (laughs)”

But honestly, I just wear them because they feel comfortable and natural—not because I’m trying to shave seconds off my lap time.

Washing My Driving Gloves

So, driving gloves have become an integral part of my driving life. Since my second pair has gotten quite seasoned, I decided it was time to wash them.

…Honestly, they’re shockingly dirty.

After some research online, I found advice to “wash with lukewarm water and mild detergent, air dry in the shade, and use a leather cleaner afterward.” So I started by washing them in lukewarm water with mild detergent…

The water turned incredibly dirty! Yikes! (Sorry for the gross photo.)

The leather color faded a bit, but the grime was so stubborn that even after washing and air drying indoors, the gloves didn’t get as clean as I hoped. Maybe the dirt had set in too deeply over time.

This might be the perfect excuse to buy a third pair of driving gloves. Maybe I’ll pick out another cute pair from CACAZAN.