driving gloves

[simple]

Last week I drove from Auckland to Palmerston North, on an intermittently
rainy day, with the roof down. It got quite chilly at times - down to 2 degrees
(Desert Rd).

Mostly this was just fine - a windproof jacket, scarf, and warm hat kept me
cosy. But, my hands were getting cold - cold enough that sitting on one while
driving with the other was more comfortable, although not so good for safety.

So, my question: does anybody know if driving gloves help much?

In general I shy away from the idea because of the image, but I am after all
driving a hairdressers car, and I mainly want these for Winter trips at night,
when people won't see them. (Don't bother suggesting driving with the roof up -
that's not a realistic option)

I plan to make a windblocker - presumably that will help reduce the chill-factor
on my hands. I'm away from home for a month though, house-sitting in
tropical Palmerston North & then the lovely seaside resort of Raumati.

From my [internet] research thus far, it appears that driving gloves are a fairly

uncommon [luxury] item in NZ. Does anybody know where I should look for
some nice black ones?

thanks,
Karl.

[MX5PWR]

Last year I bought a pair of Black Windstopper gloves from Kathmandu
(that's the store not the country) they are nice and light with grip on the
palm and fingers - an excellent glove. There is a store recently opened here
in Hamilton so will check out prices tomorrow for you.

[Mike Pearson - WYSIWYG...]

Karl wrote:
Does anybody know where I should look for some nice black ones?

Having spent most of one Saturday scouting all over Wellington,
yes. You can compare NZ prices/styles with the US here:
http://www.leatherglovesonline.com/cgi- ... sp=md1b.ht
m


On Cuba St:

Kingston Leathergoods - three pairs in stock, that they had on
appro for NZ Police, as parade gloves. More like your normal
glove, not really thin enough. About $40.

Leather Direct - two types in stock. Similar to US Hatch
HSG25, G0749 styles. Tacky velcro fastener on one pair,
bulky leather on the other. About $35 - $50. Most
promising value for money.

On Willis St / Manners St:

Just Men - Italian driving gloves, $110+
Similar to US RZ3006P. The real thing.


I lament the fact that we don't make any decent quality ones in NZ.

And the same goes for sheepskin bomber jackets. Couldn't source one here
for less than $1,200. I've had to bring in a 2nd hand one from the US.

PS If anyone's interested (smaller people only) Hunters and Collectors on
Cuba St have 3 second hand ones at the moment, but they're too small for me
(like S, M sizes).

Mike - 1990 Eunos Roadster - WYSGUY
www.eunos-roadster.com

[my2cta]

Belated reply as I've been in the UK for the last 2 weeks. Yes, driving
gloves do make a difference and I use them all the time in cooler weather.
I also have the hot air from the heater delivered to the eyeball vents and
aim them at my hands on the steering wheel. A windblocker makes a big
difference too in cooler weather (and in the rain), very glad the M2 has
one as standard.

I couldn't find any driving gloves other than at ridiculous prices, but
bought some thin black leather horse-riding gloves that do the same job
from a saddlery shop. Horse riders need them to grip the reins, but they do
a good job on steering wheels as well. I got mine last year from Dwights
Canvas Goods in Wellington for $69.95.

Image? Bugger that. I don't care how I look (e.g. beanie on top of peaked
cap for driving in winter when the sun is low in the sky - must look pretty
silly), it's the car that counts and the snugger I feel the more I can
enjoy the top down experience.

Tim Dutton
MY2CTA