Before plastics, vinyls and gore-tec sailors foul weather gear was
oilcloth. I don't know what kind of oil was used for it but you can use mink
oil to waterproof the pads of your gloves.
Oil and water don't mix. Since the leather is soaked to capacity with
oil ....... should stay supple too.
I haven't tried this (with gloves) so it may not work but I have mink
oiled leather work boots and hunting boots. The only drawback was that the
boots don't breathe and if you wear the same boots over and over without
giving them a chance to dry out they will get green and funky.
Robert 'knotbob' Smith