I like a padded glove . However I have to say that getting rid of the dreaded numb hands that I suffered with years ago was more about getting a comfortable fit on the bike than in padding. As many know I have sort of reintroduced leather bar wrap after years of it being scarce. I like the feel of it. Firm but nice. However in my own case it was using wider bars and raising them somewhat to the level of the seat and going with a longer top tube that stopped the numbness. One cannot very lengthen the top tube on a vintage bike, but you can go with a longer stem ( I have found the talk of deteriorating handling with longer stems to be just that: Talk) or even a set back seat post (gasp!). for vintage bikes I'd stay away from the bent ones like Thompson but there are a couple of set back ones (like Salsa) that do not look too glaringly off topic to all but the most hard corps observer. I am unaware of vintage set back ones. One can also get a Brooks saddle a bit further back than one might think using a rubber mallet on its' nose. Now there's some heresy for you!
Tom Sanders
Lansing, MI USA