I wear gloves to protect my hands, to change flats and to wipe my nose.
If you have ever changed a flat, the last bit of tire to push back onto the rim, needs a good stiff push with the palm of the hand. I ride 20cm tires and the bead is very tight on the tire. I could not get my tire back on the rim without the use of the palms of my hands. And the terry at the thumb is for wiping the nose - which I need in cold weather.