Gloves and Apparel
What Are Gloves Without Fingers Called?
Gloves without fingers are called fingerless gloves, or glovelettes. Here are the other names, glittens and lace mitts, and why the fingers are left open.
Gloves without fingers are called fingerless gloves. The name covers any glove with an opening, but no full sheath, for each finger. They are also called "glovelettes", as the Wikipedia glove article notes.
Part of the leather gloves and apparel guide.
The short version
Dictionaries use the same plain wording. Cambridge Dictionary defines a fingerless glove as one that does not cover the fingers. Every other name, along with names for wrist bands and sport mitts, is in our guide to fingerless glove names.
| If the glove... | It is usually called | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Has half-length, open finger tubes | Fingerless gloves, glovelettes | – |
| Is fingerless with a mitten flap that folds back | Convertible mittens, "glittens" | – |
| Is lace and worn with a dress | Lace mitts | – |
| Has open knuckles and back, for the wheel | Driving gloves | – |
Why the fingers are left open
The bare fingertips keep feel and grip, and the palm is often padded. That is why cyclists and motorcyclists wear them on handlebars. Bare fingertips also work smartphone touchscreens. For the full list of reasons, see why people wear fingerless gloves.
Fingerless gloves are not a riding standard. The SATRA summary of the motorcycle glove standard EN 13594 sets no rule for finger coverage, and it does not mention fingerless designs.
Are fingerless gloves warm?
They keep the palm and wrist covered, but not the fingertips. Dents, a glove maker, says the glove still covers the pulse point at the wrist. Full gloves are the usual choice when warmth is the goal. If cold fingers are the problem, compare gloves and mittens.
Full-finger leather gloves instead
If you need covered fingers on the bike, Leather Collection motorcycle gloves are full-finger styles in 0.8-0.9 mm cowhide. The store lists no fingerless model.
FAQ
What is the point of fingerless gloves?
Dexterity. They protect the palm while leaving the fingertips free to grip, type or play an instrument.
What are some synonyms for "hand gloves"?
For gloves with open fingers: glovelettes, lace mitts for the dressy lace kind and, for the flap style, glittens. "Mitt" can also mean a mitten or an oversized protective glove such as an oven mitt.
HitKB Editorial Team
HitKB articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.