How to choose your soccer goalkeeper gloves?
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Time to read 5 min
Dive into the world of goalkeeper gloves, a crucial piece of equipment for every soccer goalkeeper. Choosing the right glove requires a thorough understanding of its components and the different options available.
1 Understanding the essential components of goalkeeper gloves
The backhand: The body or backhand of the goalkeeper's glove is the part that offers protection when the goalkeeper boxes the ball. It's also the component that allows your gloves to breathe. Traditionally, glove bodies have often been offered in latex or synthetic materials, but new textile options have arrived on the market that offer comfort and a great fit.
The palm: The palm of your goalkeeping gloves is the one that provides grip and cushioning. Latex thickness and quality vary from model to model, to cater for all levels of play and different weather conditions. Some latex palms will have additional overlays or adhesives added, such as Reusch's Fusion Grip or RG's Contact palms.
Closure: Essential for a perfect fit, the closure is what keeps your glove in place. The options are mainly a combination of velcro and elastic, but some will have a single closure, others a double turn, which will solidify the wrist. Recently, some models with textile bodies have even been designed to be played without elastic, since they already offer a close fit.
Fingers: Since the fingers are the moving part of your hands and goalkeeping gloves, a precise fit is necessary to enable you to move and close your hand properly to catch the ball. Many different glove cuts will have differences in the finger area, offering a tighter or looser fit. What's more, some goalkeeper gloves come with protective bars to prevent hyperextension of the fingers and avoid injury.
2. Explore the different cuts of goalkeeper gloves
Regular cut (Flat Cut): The regular cut is the classic cut that offers a large contact surface with the ball. The seams are sewn towards the outside, leaving more space for the fingers inside the goalkeeper gloves.
Negative cut: The negative cut is sewn from the inside, offering a tighter fit around the fingers. This cut generally offers more control and dexterity than regular cut goalie gloves, but a slightly smaller contact area.
Rollfinger cut: The rollfinger cut rounds the palm around the fingers. By using this cut, the gloves offer a greater contact surface with latex, while maintaining a tighter fit around the fingers.
Hybrid cut: The hybrid cut is, as the name suggests, a cut that combines several of the above cuts. Most often, negative and rollfinger cuts are combined to offer a glove with a large contact surface and a tight fit.
3. Discover latex palm options
Each goalkeeper glove manufacturer offers latex palms in different thicknesses and qualities. A thicker palm results in greater impact protection, while a thinner palm will offer more ball control and feel in hand. Some palms will have additives for better grip, others will be designed to be more durable. All you have to do is determine how you want to use your goalkeeper gloves and compare the different options to find a palm that will satisfy you.
Here are the main palms used in our brands' goalkeeper gloves and how they compare with each other:
RG Goalkeeper Gloves:
| Palm | Dry conditions | Wet conditions | Durability |
| Super Soft | ● ● ● ● ○ | ● ● ● ○ ○ | ● ● ● ○ ○ |
| Dynami H-S | ● ● ● ● ○ | ● ● ● ○ ○ | ● ● ● ● ○ |
| Contact Grip | ● ● ● ● ● | ● ● ● ● ● | ● ● ● ● ● |
Reusch:
| Palm | Dry conditions | Wet conditions | Durability |
| Solid | ● ● ○ ○ ○ | ● ● ○ ○ ○ | ● ● ● ○ ○ |
| Grip | ● ● ○ ○ ○ | ● ● ● ○ ○ | ● ● ● ○ ○ |
| Resist | ● ● ○ ○ ○ | ● ● ○ ○ ○ | ● ● ● ● ● |
| Silver | ● ● ● ○ ○ | ● ● ● ○ ○ | ● ● ● ○ ○ |
| Infinity | ● ● ● ○ ○ | ● ● ● ○ ○ | ● ● ● ● ○ |
| Gold | ● ● ● ● ○ | ● ● ● ● ○ | ● ● ● ● ○ |
| Gold X | ● ● ● ● ● | ● ● ● ● ○ | ● ● ● ● ○ |
| Duo | ● ● ● ● ● | ● ● ● ● ○ | ● ● ● ● ○ |
| Aqua | ● ● ● ● ○ | ● ● ● ● ● | ● ● ● ● ○ |
| Speedbump | ● ● ● ● ● | ● ● ● ● ● | ● ● ● ● ○ |
| Fusion | ● ● ● ● ● | ● ● ● ● ● | ● ● ● ● ● |
Storelli:
| Palm | Dry conditions | Wet conditions | Durability |
| Basic | ● ● ● ○ ○ | ● ● ● ○ ○ | ● ● ● ○ ○ |
| Quartz | ● ● ● ● ○ | ● ● ● ○ ○ | ● ● ● ● ● |
| Contact Grip | ● ● ● ● ● | ● ● ● ● ● | ● ● ● ● ○ |
Uhlsport:
| Palm | Dry conditions | Wet conditions | Durability |
| Starter Soft | ● ○ ○ ○ ○ | ● ○ ○ ○ ○ | ● ● ● ○ ○ |
| Soft | ● ● ○ ○ ○ | ● ● ○ ○ ○ | ● ● ● ○ ○ |
| Supersoft | ● ● ● ○ ○ | ● ● ● ○ ○ | ● ● ● ● ○ |
| Absolutgrip | ● ● ● ● ○ | ● ● ● ● ○ | ● ● ● ● ○ |
| Supergrip+ | ● ● ● ● ● | ● ● ● ● ● | ● ● ● ● ● |
4. Find the perfect size of goalkeeper gloves
Choosing the right size for your goalkeeper gloves is crucial for optimal performance. To do this, use the size chart available on the product page, as sizes may differ from one brand to another.
Junior goalkeeper glove sizes range from 4 to 7, and adult sizes from 7 to 11.
In general, it is possible to approximate children's sizes, but the use of size charts is strongly recommended. strongly recommended.
If it's impossible for you to measure, here's a chart showing size by average age to help you make your decision:
| Size | Age |
| 4 | 6-7 |
| 5 | 8-9 |
| 6 | 10-11 |
| 7 | 12-Adult |
| 8 | Adult |
| 9 | Adult |
| 10 | Adult |
| 11 | Adult |
5. Choose your pair of goalkeeper gloves
Visit our collection to explore a range of goalkeeper gloves that meet your criteria. Choosing the right glove is a key factor in a goalkeeper's performance. The right glove not only protects, but also enhances confidence and performance on the field. Take the time to choose the right equipment and shine in your upcoming matches!
