Is one allowed to wear gloves on Shabbat while walking outdoors in an area that is not encircled by a proper Erub? Would this constitute "carrying" in a public domain, and thus be forbidden on Shabbat, or do we consider gloves like an ordinary garment, which one is of course permitted to wear in a public domain on Shabbat?
The Shulhan Aruch explicitly addresses this question (Orah Haim 301:37; listen to audio recorded for precise citation), and writes that "Bateh Yadayim" (gloves) may be worn in a public domain on Shabbat. The Mishna Berura (commentary by Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan, 1839-1933) explains that gloves are considered a garment, and wearing them thus does not constitute "carrying."
However, the Shulhan Aruch concludes, "There is somebody who is stringent, and it is worthwhile to concern oneself with his words." The Shulhan Aruch refers here to the position taken by the Sefer Ha’agur, who forbade wearing gloves in a public domain on Shabbat, out of concern that one may forgetfully remove them. It occasionally happens, for example, that something is caught inside a person’s glove, and he therefore removes the glove momentarily. In such a case, one might likely continue walking while carrying the glove, and thus be in violation of Shabbat. The Sefer Ha’agur therefore ruled that one should not wear gloves in a public domain on Shabbat, given the possibility that he might remove them and carry them as he walks.
The Mishna Berura writes that although the Shulhan Aruch advised following this view ("it is worthwhile to concern oneself with his words"), one may be lenient in this regard, since most public domains nowadays do not meet the specific criteria of a "public domain" as defined by Halacha. Therefore, carrying in public areas would be forbidden by force of Rabbinic enactment, as opposed to Torah law, and we thus have greater room for leniency.
Accordingly, Hacham Ovadia Yosef rules that strictly speaking, there is certainly room to allow wearing gloves in a public domain on Shabbat. Of course, one must exercise extreme care not to remove them outdoors. Sometimes people remove their gloves to shake hands, which would obviously be forbidden in a public domain on Shabbat. Those who wear gloves on Shabbat must be especially careful to keep them on their hands the entire time they are outdoors.
Additionally, Hacham Ovadia writes that it is preferable to act stringently in this regard, and not wear gloves on Shabbat in places without a proper Erub, noting that those who are stringent "are worthy of blessing." Some Rabbis allow wearing gloves on exceptionally cold Shabbatot, when there is little chance that they will be removed, but not in more moderate weather. In any event, wearing gloves outdoors on Shabbat is allowed according to the strict Halacha, though it is preferable to refrain from wearing gloves.
Summary: Strictly speaking, it is permissible to wear gloves in a public domain on Shabbat, even in a place that is not surrounded by a proper Erub, as long as one ensures not to remove them until he is indoors. Nevertheless, it is preferable to be stringent in this regard and not wear gloves outdoors on Shabbat in places without a proper Erub.
