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There are various factors that contribute to a goalkeeper’s decision in buying a pair of goalkeeper gloves. The reason for educating a buyer is to make a decision on what gloves to buy for these is the most important equipment for goalkeeping.

Sizing

Goalkeeping gloves come in numeric sizes like shoe sizes. The sizes begin at size 4 for children and go as high as 12 for adults. Most companies offer half sizes but the half size model is usually not well-known in some markets, especially in the United States. Most companies offer a sizing chart on the packet or pouch where the gloves are sold. However, the chart is kind of insignificant because every company differ in their sizes.

In order for you to identify the right size for you, you have to simply try them on. You can find a size 9 in one brand that fits just right but a size 9 in another brand which fits not right. Gloves can also be worn in whatever way you want. You can be worn loosely, tightly, with a size a bit larger or smaller, and many others. What matters is that they are comfortable for the goalkeeper who will be the one to wear them.

In the 80’s and early 90’s, various companies recommended gloves that can be worn a size larger in order to eliminate stress. The gloves at that time also have seams that connect the latex to the glove body itself. It only stands to reason that with tighter gloves, there is more stress on the seams. But at this age, gloves are made with flexible body material that can mold your hand. The best way to find a glove that suits you is to try as many gloves as you can with accordance to your needs. Just make sure that the size you will be getting in stores that do not let you try them out is the correct one. Most companies stay with the same sizing of gloves on their models for a very long time.

Fit

Fit is the one of the most important factors that you can consider in buying gloves. A fit that is sloppy will only result to slipping on the hand while catching a ball. Do not go for a sloppy fit just to make sure that your glove is too large. Some sloppy fit moves a lot on the hand and wrist because the glove is too wide at the palm or in the fingers. Some gloves can also be worn very tightly in order to keep the fingers from extending and spreading which makes catching very hard to do. Gloves that are well-fitted should be at the top of a goalkeeper’s list of importance.

Cut

There are many things that you need to look for in order to see if the glove fits in your hand. The first thing is the cut. Some companies even make their own spin on cuts and offer hybrid models. Here are the basic cuts:

Flat. This cut is usually found in flat palmed gloves that offer more room inside the glove for the hand to mobilize. Some goalkeepers like this kind of cut.
A flat palmed glove will usually provide more room inside of the glove for the hand to move. Some keepers prefer this.

Rolled or Gunn cut. This cut is made especially for a more snug fit where the fingers are sewed with the top of the fingers stitched directly to the palm. The sides of the palm are wrapped around the fingers.

Negative cut. This cut is the tightest fit. A flat palm result to boxed fingers while a negative cut glove contains gussets stitched on the inner side of the finger offering a more protected fit.

Bowl or Precurved. This cut is normally found in flat palm gloves and roll finger gloves that are pre-shaped in order to fit the curve of the hand.

Hybrid. This type of cut normally offers an enclosed cut on the pinky and forefinger. It offers a blending of cuts on one glove. An example is a model of a roll finger gloves on the index and pink and a flat palm glove on the ring and middle finger.

A goalkeeper should know how to try out different glove cuts so he or she can find out the type of glove that works best. With a well-fitted glove, fidgeting through a match can be prevented.


Another factor that should be considered in buying goalkeeping gloves is the support in the wrist, which protects the glove to the hand. Here are the basic types of closures:

Bandage. Bandage closures are tubular pieces of elastic that fits very securely around the wrist. Even though they provide the best secured and most supportive fit, these types are the most difficult to take off. Other goalkeepers think of the fit as restrictive.

Elastic. These closures have a quite loose opening with a ribbon of elastic stitched around the entire closure. This is normally easier to insert and remove. However, it is not as supportive as bandage closures are.

Slit Wrist. These closures provide little ways of support for they are very easy to put on or take off. The costs of this type of glove depend on the type of wrist closure. Higher priced models include a bandage, while the lower end models have elastic or slit wrist. There are also exceptions to this but they are few.

Finger Protection

Finger protection is another discovery in the world of goalkeeper. Adidas started the fad in the year 1996 where they designed the first glove that offers finger hyperextension protection with a system of plastic spines embedded in the backhand of the glove. When the fad started, almost all the major manufacturers of goalkeeping released their own finger protection glove. Other companies make use of a simple unhinged plastic splint that provides less in the way of safety. There are also other companies that devise complicated protection systems. The key to this is do not use finger protection gloves for outdoor play unless you have an injury with your prior finger.

Goalkeeping gloves are made to defend any person from injury and hyperextension. Unfortunately, they do not really defend the stubbed or kicked fingers, which are the ones that goalkeepers normally experience. A lot of goalkeepers use finger protection gloves during indoor play, where the shots are nearer, quicker and plentiful. When this is the case, the use of finger protection gloves suitable. In young goalkeepers, fingersave gloves are helpful in promoting a lack of strategy and strength in the fingers. That is why they only must be used when there is injury in a prior finger. Simple trainers tape is more useful than finger protection models. These companies have only been forced to make these kinds of gloves to be competitive in the market. Gimmicks are often made to heighten their prices and attract uneducated purchasers to buy their model even though they do not need them. There is always a place for finger protection gloves but it cannot be used daily as a goalkeeper glove.

Glove Body

Due to the change in weather, there are also various kinds of goalkeeping gloves out there. Almost all gloves are made out of polyurethane or PU, which is another kind of imitation leather. But today, goalkeeping gloves are made out of fleece, latext, mesh, synthetic, waterproof materials and the most commonly used PU.

The fleece material is usually used in cold climates because they provide protection to heat and water. Latex glove bodies offer very little effect in climate control but they can form your hand into a customized fit. Gloves that are made out of mesh are usually preferred by most goalkeepers because of its lightness. They also offer breathability to hand which makes them ideal for warmer climates. Most companies create their own brand of waterproof material in glove bodies. They usually hinder water absorption into the glove body and keep the glove light in rainy or stormy weather which makes them ideal for cool temperatures. However, these gloves will not offer breathability as much as the other kids of gloves and they have to be dictated by the weather where the goalkeeper is playing his or her match. Fleece gloves are really not a good idea to buy for the weather that is predominant playing condition is usually hot and humid. Always choose to purchase a glove that not only fits a particular weather condition but it also offer all around temperature inside and outside the glove.

Palm Latex

Similarly with fit, palm latext is another vital part of a goalkeeper’s glove. There are dozens of choices for palm latex out there in the market today. The palm’s purpose is to be used for any kind of field, intensity of play, and the condition of the weather. The goalkeeper has two major objectives: to offer shock absorption, and to offer extra grip most especially for poor conditions. In choosing palm latex, there are many factors that should be considered in influencing your decision.

Level of play: It is a must to choose a glove based on the play level you are in. if you are in the higher skilled levels, it requires you the costly gloves with high quality. For a young child, who is still not facing hard shots, the child may not need a $100 glove.

Weather conditions: Several companies provide specific palm types in dealing with rainy weather. However, the most high end soft latex usually performs great in rainy seasons.

Field type: Most goalkeepers’ of today play on artificial grounds and astro turf. These kinds of grounds come at the cost of a glove’s toughness. That is why there is a need for factor field type in your choice of a glove. You may need a thicker and denser palm material or a glove with a higher rubber to latex ratio for these kinds of surfaces if you are considering durability.

There are several things you have to remember when you are choosing a palm. The first one is that the softer the palm, the better the grip is. However, they will deteriorate faster. There are companies who created palms that contain additives which make the gloves soft yet and at the same time sturdy. These are sold as “titanium,” “dura,” and many others. These kinds of palms provide a great negotiation between durability and grip.

Second thing you have to know is that the rougher the palm, the more durable it is. Rough profile palms have a very high rubber to latex portion, if ever they contain latex at all. These work well indoors but they will not provide the grip of a costly palm. These palms are excellent for beginners, where the grip and shock absorption is not a priority yet. It will only teach the beginners and the inexperience keepers to focus more on technique rather than the tackiness.

The third thing is that gloves are sold in various thickness levels. So you must choose the thickness of the glove based on what is suits you. Most keepers like a thinner palm for it offers a feel on the ball compared to a thicker palm. The thickness is usually at 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4mm and so on.

Fourth, you have to wet the palm before you begin playing, around an hour before. All super soft latex performs better when they are damp for they last longer. However, it does not apply to entry-level gloves.

Fifth, you have to take good care of your gloves. Washing the latex every time you use it will keep it clean. You can also wash it with detergent when it is soiled. This you’re your gloves cannot only perform better but they can last for a long time.

Whereas a goalkeeper’s gloves are very vital, they are not an alternative for appropriate technique. Though you may have the most expensive gloves in the world, if they do not aid you in exhibiting the proper technique, then the gloves are useless.