Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
There are a lot of ways to keep your hands warm and protected for winter, and though some might prefer lighter-weight wool gloves or heavily insulated mittens, for those of you in more temperate climates a leather glove can serve you just fine. And, at least in the mind of this writer, look better than the rest. While a quality pair of leather gloves is certainly not cheap, it’s an investment piece that will only look and feel better with age.
1) Hestra: Handsewn Gloves in Elk Leather/Cashmere Lined
Hestra is one of the most well-known names in the glove game, and their Elk Leather/Cashmere Lined gloves do nothing but raise the bar. Available in three different colorways, these gloves feature handsewn gauge-stitches throughout, gusseted thumbs, and a relief split on the underside of the wrist. And in terms of materials, Hestra spares no expense with these gloves, using Scandinavian Elk and Italian cashmere to find the perfect balance between comfort and durability.
Available for $225 from Division Road in Black, Cork, and Espresso.
2) Geier Glove Co: Lined Deerskin Gloves
If you are looking for a quality pair of gloves without breaking then bank, Geier Glove Co. is a great option. Their classically styled products are made in the States of great materials, but they remain relatively inexpensive for what you get. The pair of Lined Deerskin Gloves is made of a soft deerskin with a 14oz. pile lining for warmth, an elasticated cuff for superior fit, and features a removal inner tab to make pulling them on a breeze. If there is one area of criticism for these gloves, itis the small number of sizes. But if the glove fits, they’re a fantastic choice.
Available for $72 from Context Clothing.
3) Dents England: Unlined Hairsheep Gloves
It’s hard to do any glove shopping at all without coming across something from Dents England. Personally, I’m rather drawn to their Unlined Hairsheep Gloves, which are thin, strong, and will mold to the shape of the wearer’s hand wonderfully. Like all of Dents England’s gloves, these are handmade in England to some of the highest standards of any glove company. While this style might not appear to everyone, their wide range of products will make it easy for anyone to find a pair they like.
Available for $155 from No Man Walks Alone in Black, Brown, and Highway Tan.
4) Toy McCoys: A-10 Goatskin Gloves
I’m a big fan of reproduction clothing, and Toy McCoy’s A-10 Goatskin Glove repro is one of the best I’ve ever seen (gloves or not). They’re made in Japan from goatskin, a material I’m quite fond of due to its thin yet strong nature. Details include decorative stitching on the back of the hand, a wool cuff, and a leather triangle accent on the wrist. The stamp of the back of the hand might not appeal to everyone, but it’s exactly that type of attention to detail that attracts some of us to Toy McCoys’.
Available for $225 from Blue in Green.
5) Filson: Insulated Deerskin Gloves
If you are looking for a pair of gloves that are a bit more workwear-y, then it’s hard to pass Filson’s Insulated Deerskin Gloves. As their name implies, these gloves feature a durable deerskin exterior with a warm, 100g Thinsulate lining and a nylon-ribbed cuff. As you’d expect from Filson’s products, these gloves are made-in-the-USA with great attention to detail, but an even better price. And if all their pros haven’t sold you on them just yet, these gloves are also available in a wide range of sizes.
Available for $85 from Filson.
Plus One – Mr. Hill: Deerskin Glove With Silver Concho
Last, but certainly not least, are Mr. Hill’s Deerskin Gloves with Silver Concho. These gloves are not for most of us. But it’s hard to deny that they’re fantastic for what they are: beautiful, over-the-top leather gloves. In addition to their sterling silver conchos, these gloves feature leather fringes, decorative stitching and brogueing, and a supple deerskin exterior. I can’t say I’d ever wear these, but I’m glad there is a company making them for the people who will.
Available for $330 from Canoe Club in Black and Brown.