Leather gloves have many uses from casual winter wear to dress winter wear. Leather gloves make great work gloves, as well as great gloves for recreation. Leather is popular for driving gloves and motorcycle gloves. Leather is extremely versatile compared to other materials.

The versatility of leather gloves is partially due to their durability. Fur gloves just don't suit any work environment. You also wouldn't want to wear fur gloves on a casual day or when having a snowball fight with your kids. In this respect, leather makes gloves more versatile.

Leather gloves are more versatile in no small part because of their efficiency at retaining body heat. Leather gloves retain body heat more effectively because leather, made from the skin of an animal, has to be wind proof. Other, less wind proof materials, simply let the heat escape. Leather's inherent warmth makes leather popular for all types of gloves from dress gloves, to driving gloves, to work gloves.

Leather gloves are a favorite among people that ride motorcycles. The wind resistance is by far the most significant reason for using leather in their gloves. Driving down the highway subjects riders to large amounts of wind and thus they need protection from the wind. Fur even though it is warm does not provide that resistance and riders will still suffer from cold hands.

Several different varieties of leather are commonly available. Most gloves, for example, are made from kangaroo, deer or cow leather. There are some noticeable differences between these main varieties of leather. For example, different types of leather may have a different "feel", may stand up better to wear and tear, or may be more resistant to damage from moisture.

For instance gloves made from the deer skin leather will typically be a more luxurious look and feel to them than gloves made from the cow skin leather. However, their ability to repel water is not as good as that of the cow skin leather.