I have read that, of commonly available leathers, pigskin is the best all around glove. While it's not waterproof, it is very abrasion and puncture resistant, breathes well, dries quickly, is very supple and and remains supple after being wet, then dried. Drivers type work gloves are fairly cheap and can be found in the $1-$10 range.

I like good leather gloves that are smooth enough to have some basic waterproof properties and that can be kept waterproof and supple with an oil. I really like them to be robust enough to take some abuse in the field and really don't care about breath ability.

I just scored a free pair of impact mechanics gloves at work, not the brand mechanic's but the kind mechanics use. They have padding and special tips on the fingers. They went straight to my Get home bag.

There are different gloves for different problems.

Most "mechanic's" gloves are intended to protect again light abrasion and remain highly flexible, with durability a plus.

More advanced gloves will address puncture, cutting, impact, oily conditions/grip, cold/arctic, water/chemical intrusion and firefighting.

I keep a pair of mechanic's gloves in the toolbox and car, but I also keep a paid of heavier cut-resistant gloves too in case I need to handle shattered glass etc.

I have a pair of Carharrt high tactile leather gloves that I carry in my rain-coat (that I always have in my truck or with me) that provide decent cold protection without sacrificing dexterity. I also have a set of Carharrt -20 artic gloves that are really warm for outdoor snow fun.