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Best Leather Gloves?

Schambach

Practically Family
Messages
575
Location
Ithaca, NY
If you are looking for the absolute best, in terms of style, fit, materials, craftsmanship & durability, look no further than Churchill gloves. Their "Maverick' glove is IMO the quintessential leather glove in terms of design, and they offer it in 3 different lengths (regular, short 'police-style' and gauntlet) with a variety of lining options, as well as the option to add padding for further protection and a velcro strap for tighter fit at the wrist. The color selection is great, too. These come in at about 60 USD for the regular and short-wristed versions, with added costs as you customize them, up to over 160 USD for the padded gauntlets.

https://www.jrcglove.com/product-category/motorcycle-gloves/classic-motorcycle-gloves/

dk3569651.jpg

CS-BLK_1024x1024.jpg

5f71d118897b6.jpg


Here you can see the tan, short-wristed gloves with padding in action:

Geier is a great option as well, best to order those through TexasGoodGloves if you're from the States. I used to be all over these, until I discovered the Red Wings & Churchills, which I think are even better. The leather on Geier is thinner and less sturdy in comparison. These come in at about 60-70 USD. Here are my black unlined elkskin ropers & brown pile lined deerskin driving gloves:

AeQDOd9.jpg


Red Wing also offers both lined and unlined gloves, which I would almost expect to be made by Churchill due to the striking similarity in both style and color. These gloves are a great option for European customers, as Red Wing stores across Europe keep these stocked. The other brands I mentioned are primarily US-based. They come in at 100 EUR/100 USD.

Same pair of Red Wing 9230 lined Nutmeg gloves, new vs 5 months of use (not mine):

red-wing-shoes_handschoen-heritage-gloves-nutmeg_545ccfb9d954b.jpg

MG_4363_2.jpg


My personal pair:

WlL1mDP.jpg


Hestra gloves are nice as well. I have two pairs of them, but they feel much more fashion-oriented than the Red Wings or Churchills. If I had to go for a motorcycle ride or a week of camping in the forest, I'd take the Red Wings or Churchills over the Hestra's in a heartbeat. The deerskin is much softer on the Hestra's, which makes them feel more luxurious but also more like a flimsy fashion product instead of true outerwear. I don't think they would hold up to rain very well. They are hella nice and superbly comfy, though. The top ones in the pic below are 110 EUR, and the bottom ones are 170 EUR. Considering you can have the Red Wings for 100 EUR, these are not worth the price IMO. But what can I say, I just had to have them.

Here are mine:

YLxhEtr.jpg


The deerskin on the Red Wings is chrome tanned, so you'll know they will stand up very well to abuse and the elements. The Thinsulate lining on them is also super nice, soft & warm with a nice, hefty feel added to the glove yet without becoming too bulky.

If you're in Europe, the short-wristed gloves by Café Leather from Spain are also really nice. They are on the pricey side, coming in at 120-140 euros, depending on whether or not you go with the deerskin with/without the superb Kevlar lining, or the thick and supple elkskin. They do offer 15% off on your first purchase, however. Craftsmanship is outstanding, and the elkskin pair might just be my bestfitting pair of leather gloves. Here are mine in black deerskin & cream elkskin:

joNOBuO.jpg

JV1oGki.jpg

Nice breakdown! I'll add that Hestra makes all sorts of gloves, the ones you posted are indeed dressy and probably a bit delicate. They have a work line, as well as athletic stuff. Their "ergo grip" gloves are great, I use them for everything from dog walking to chopping wood to mountain biking and they've held up wonderfully. A bit um, sporty looking though. I have a set of churchills on the way to better match black leather jackets, hope they are as nice as I've heard.
 

mendelboaz

One Too Many
Messages
1,242
Location
The Netherlands
Nice breakdown! I'll add that Hestra makes all sorts of gloves, the ones you posted are indeed dressy and probably a bit delicate. They have a work line, as well as athletic stuff. Their "ergo grip" gloves are great, I use them for everything from dog walking to chopping wood to mountain biking and they've held up wonderfully. A bit um, sporty looking though. I have a set of churchills on the way to better match black leather jackets, hope they are as nice as I've heard.
Awesome! Which Churchill model did you go with?
 
Messages
10,672
If you are looking for the absolute best, in terms of style, fit, materials, craftsmanship & durability, look no further than Churchill gloves. Their "Maverick' glove is IMO the quintessential leather glove in terms of design, and they offer it in 3 different lengths (regular, short 'police-style' and gauntlet) with a variety of lining options, as well as the option to add padding for further protection and a velcro strap for tighter fit at the wrist. The color selection is great, too. These come in at about 60 USD for the regular and short-wristed versions, with added costs as you customize them, up to over 160 USD for the padded gauntlets.

https://www.jrcglove.com/product-category/motorcycle-gloves/classic-motorcycle-gloves/

dk3569651.jpg

CS-BLK_1024x1024.jpg

5f71d118897b6.jpg


Here you can see the tan, short-wristed gloves with padding in action:

Geier is a great option as well, best to order those through TexasGoodGloves if you're from the States. I used to be all over these, until I discovered the Red Wings & Churchills, which I think are even better. The leather on Geier is thinner and less sturdy in comparison. These come in at about 60-70 USD. Here are my black unlined elkskin ropers & brown pile lined deerskin driving gloves:

AeQDOd9.jpg


Red Wing also offers both lined and unlined gloves, which I would almost expect to be made by Churchill due to the striking similarity in both style and color. These gloves are a great option for European customers, as Red Wing stores across Europe keep these stocked. The other brands I mentioned are primarily US-based. They come in at 100 EUR/100 USD.

Same pair of Red Wing 9230 lined Nutmeg gloves, new vs 5 months of use (not mine):

red-wing-shoes_handschoen-heritage-gloves-nutmeg_545ccfb9d954b.jpg

MG_4363_2.jpg


My personal pair:

WlL1mDP.jpg


Hestra gloves are nice as well. I have two pairs of them, but they feel much more fashion-oriented than the Red Wings or Churchills. If I had to go for a motorcycle ride or a week of camping in the forest, I'd take the Red Wings or Churchills over the Hestra's in a heartbeat. The deerskin is much softer on the Hestra's, which makes them feel more luxurious but also more like a flimsy fashion product instead of true outerwear. I don't think they would hold up to rain very well. They are hella nice and superbly comfy, though. The top ones in the pic below are 110 EUR, and the bottom ones are 170 EUR. Considering you can have the Red Wings for 100 EUR, these are not worth the price IMO. But what can I say, I just had to have them.

Here are mine:

YLxhEtr.jpg


The deerskin on the Red Wings is chrome tanned, so you'll know they will stand up very well to abuse and the elements. The Thinsulate lining on them is also super nice, soft & warm with a nice, hefty feel added to the glove yet without becoming too bulky.

If you're in Europe, the short-wristed gloves by Café Leather from Spain are also really nice. They are on the pricey side, coming in at 120-140 euros, depending on whether or not you go with the deerskin with/without the superb Kevlar lining, or the thick and supple elkskin. They do offer 15% off on your first purchase, however. Craftsmanship is outstanding, and the elkskin pair might just be my bestfitting pair of leather gloves. Here are mine in black deerskin & cream elkskin:

joNOBuO.jpg

JV1oGki.jpg

I’ll second that the Geier gloves are really good and a value. I’ve got two deerskin pair I use for riding.

Also, I handled the Red Wing Gloves Mendel mentions. They indeed are awesome gloves. I was pleasantly surprised.
 

willyto

One Too Many
Messages
1,616
Location
Barcelona
Do any of you know any maker of gloves that is located in Europe?

Buying outside is a huge no. Shipping,taxes, custom duties,etc. hassle to return…

I’d love to give gauntlet type gloves a try to put over my leather jacket sleeve.
 

barnabus

One Too Many
Messages
1,526
Location
Britain's oldest recorded town
Do any of you know any maker of gloves that is located in Europe?

Buying outside is a huge no. Shipping,taxes, custom duties,etc. hassle to return…

I’d love to give gauntlet type gloves a try to put over my leather jacket sleeve.

Goldtop do some splendid motorcycle gauntlets.

 

Aloysius

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,158
Geier is a great option as well, best to order those through TexasGoodGloves if you're from the States. I used to be all over these, until I discovered the Red Wings & Churchills, which I think are even better. The leather on Geier is thinner and less sturdy in comparison.

If this is the case, I don't think I would want those others. My unlined Geier gloves are almost too thick and stiff. I can pick up logs and basically touch the fire unharmed with them. Don't know how I'd move my hands with something thicker and sturdier.
 

Aloysius

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,158
The ultimate, if you want class and warmth, are Dent's - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dents-Luml...ed+leather+gloves+mens&qid=1673529143&sr=8-14

I'd love a couple of pairs of these myself in due course - but very much not cheap. Ideal for daily, office wear, but pricey.

A pair of fur-lined Dent’s like these is my winter companion. Pricey–but deals to be had after Boxing Day, which is how I picked mine up a few years back. The sales might well be on at their site now, actually.
 

willyto

One Too Many
Messages
1,616
Location
Barcelona
Goldtop do some splendid motorcycle gauntlets.

Thank you! In the UK at least I can save some money on tariffs and stuff.

I'll have a look around just in case. The vintage design also catches my eye and they look great. Very affordable.
 
Last edited:

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,111
Location
London, UK

GT's stuff is excellent. Their bricks and mortar store also looks great - it's a relatively easy spot to get to (bit of a walk from the train station, but...); I'm hoping to go out for a look myself later in the year. Really good range of styles in their gloves; I think too, for anyone that cares about that sort of thing, they're the only company I've seen do these old-school gauntlets with an ECE PPE rating. EN something or other.

A pair of fur-lined Dent’s like these is my winter companion. Pricey–but deals to be had after Boxing Day, which is how I picked mine up a few years back. The sales might well be on at their site now, actually.

Yeah; won't be just yet, financially, but I definitely plan to keep an eye on those for an out of season sale at some point. I've had other gloves from Dents before, but never these beauties.

Chester Jeffries used to be one of my go-tos, have a couple of pairs in black leather, one fleece-lined, one red silk. Alas they no longer sell direct to the public, and only produce for wholesale. At one point they were going to go out of business entirely, so I'm guessing that the new business model is what kept the company alive.
 

Jack_Knife_Ben

New in Town
Messages
17
Location
Chicago, IL
If you are looking for the absolute best, in terms of style, fit, materials, craftsmanship & durability, look no further than Churchill gloves.
Thank you for all the suggestions!! Those Churchill look really nice. I like all the options I think I may give them ago. Much appreciated!
 

Jack_Knife_Ben

New in Town
Messages
17
Location
Chicago, IL
I think the big question for @Jack_Knife_Ben is going to be the trade off between warmth and dexterity
You are spot on. I like the idea of dents. Money isn't really an issue in terms of finding something that should last me a long time. I liked the look of the Churchill mendelboaz suggested, but will take a look at the Dents too. Compromise, like you said, is key - I'd like a nice middle ground between dexterity and warmth, trending more towards the former.
 

Goel

A-List Customer
Messages
344
Since Chester Jeffries is gone I gave Geier a try, as they're the only(?) US glove maker I could find that offers wool lining rather than synthetics. I like it so far, with the exception of the vent/split on the sides.
 

Mark

Practically Family
Messages
638
Location
UK
What are the favorite leather gloves around here? I've been looking for a good pair for a while and figured you all would be the right group to ask. Let's see em!
Problem with leather gloves as with leather packs/bags is it can be overkill if you are wearing a leather jacket. I only wear my leather gloves with my Barbour jacket. Cannot remember the name of them now but Google it, there are plenty of more upmarket stores that sell good quality leather gloves and the like.
 

Spiney

One of the Regulars
Messages
223
Do any of you know any maker of gloves that is located in Europe?

Buying outside is a huge no. Shipping,taxes, custom duties,etc. hassle to return…

I’d love to give gauntlet type gloves a try to put over my leather jacket sleeve.
Hestra
 

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