No, gloves are not pointless at all. It depends on what they're needed for.

I don't box or do karate. I do pushups, lift weights, and do cardio excersises. I wear them to protect my skin precisely so they don't feel and look like hardened leather!

And I know I can better control the weights I'm lifting when wearing gloves because my hands won't slip as easily.

__________________

Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.