Tips on Buying Goalkeeper Gloves

There are so many different goalkeeper gloves on the market today that it can be difficult sometimes trying to narrow down the options and to fit a pair of goalkeeper gloves that best suit your specific needs and preferences.

There are many different variables to consider when making your goalkeeper gloves selection. Naturally, price also comes into the equation and you want to ensure that you will be getting a pair that will perform well when needed.

This article will look at the various considerations you will need to make when it comes time to select a pair of goalkeeper gloves for you to buy.

The Anatomy of Goalkeeper Gloves

There are many different aspects of goalkeeper gloves that you have to consider when deciding on the right fit for your needs. Unless you have a lot of experience buying goalkeeper gloves, most people will not know about these various aspects. Having this knowledge can help you make a more informed decision when it comes time to make a purchase.

The closure is what keeps the glove secure on the hand. This is normally an elastic cuff or a wrist strap. The cut determines the type of fit you will be getting. There are numerous types of cuts, from negative to flat, roll finger and hybrid. The palm is the aspect that will help you to grip the ball. This is normally made out of latex and its thickness will differ depending on your needs.

The backhand of a goalkeeper glove will be a factor when it comes to punching the ball away. A lot of the time this will have a cushion in order to lessen the impact on your fingers when you are punching. Some gloves will have finger protection in order to prevent minor finger injuries in each of the fingers. Some gloves will have these as a removable option.

Finger Protection

One of the main differentiating features on goalkeeper gloves is the finger protection. Some goalkeepers like having the flexibility that no finger spines provide, whereas others like to have that extra protection to their fingers and having finger saves or finger spines.

Generally, newer goalkeepers will lean towards the additional support as they are learning the trade. Until you cement the proper goal-saving technique, you will be better off served protecting your hands as best as possible.

Experienced goalkeepers may want the additional finger protection to help protect their fingers during training and in the warmups for games, while others want that additional protection when they are playing opponents that can shoot the ball at fast speeds, leading to a higher chance of potential finger injuries if they are not adequately protected.

Size

The most important aspect of purchasing goalkeeper gloves is making sure that you get a pair that fits your hands perfectly. This allows you to have comfort when you are stopping shots and it will also maximize your performance levels. What’s more, better fitting gloves will be more durable and last longer than ill-fitting options.

A lot of people struggle trying to figure out what size of goalkeeper gloves are best-suited for their needs. The size considerations of gloves are the width and length. In order to measure the length, you will measure from the top of the middle finger down to the palm’s end.  

One form of measurement that is used involves you using a tape measure in order to fund the circumference on your hand’s widest part in inches. You exclude your fingers. With your result, you round up to the nearest inch and then add an extra inch to this rounded number. This then will give you your goalkeeper glove size.

You do need to be careful about the sizing guidelines on the goalkeeper gloves as these will often vary depending on the given manufacturer. For example, a size 7 with one goalkeeper glove manufacturer may be a smaller fit than the same size with a different manufacturer.

The cut of a glove is usually determined by body type and width of your hand. For those goalkeepers that have longer fingers and a palm that is narrow, a negative cut could be the ideal fit. A negative cut has internal stitching that allows the materials to be very tight around your fingers.

For a palm that is wider than a classic roll finger cut could be the ideal option. Your wrist thickness, forearms and hand girth all play a factor in sizing up your goalkeeper gloves.

While you can boost your chances of getting a good fitting glove, there is no perfect science to it. If you get a pair of goalkeeper gloves that are not fitting well, you should not settle with them. Check the returns or exchange policy after purchasing the gloves, with most cases allowing you to change for a pair that will be a better fit.

Price

Naturally, price is always going to play a factor whenever you are ever making a significant purchase, such as new goalkeeper gloves. If you are on a budget, this is a major way in which you can narrow down the various options on the market today. It is worthwhile investing in a good pair of goalkeeper gloves by spending a bit more if you are going to get extra quality and durability.

In the long run, you can actually save money by investing in a good pair, as the grip will last for a longer time. If you go for a very cheap pair of goalkeeper gloves, you may have to regularly change them and get new pairs as the grips will quickly start to deteriorate. On the other hand, price should not be the only factor you consider as it does not necessarily indicate quality.

Usually, the pricier goalkeeper gloves will have a great amount of different features and are more comfortable. No matter what your price point may be, you will be able to find an option that suits your needs.

How you are using the gloves

Another consideration when you are looking to buy goalkeeper gloves is how you will be using them. You may be buying these gloves only for games or practice. You also need to consider the type of surface you are normally going to be playing on. If you need the best grip possible, you will be best served using contact latex or all-weather gripped gloves.

You will have somewhat less durability when you go for the best grip on the gloves, being the trade-off you need to make. Generally, the gloves that are the most durable are thicker and there is enhanced friction in the palm.

If you are looking for the most durable pair of gloves, there will be a compromise in terms of their quality of grip. A lot of goalkeepers like having a more durable pair of gloves solely for practice, while the higher-quality gripped gloves will be kept exclusively for games when it is needed the most. Dimpled palms are usually preferred for match play as they enhance the grip, but can wear off over time. For training, a smooth grip will be ideal as they help with durability.

If weather conditions are particularly bad, then a goalkeeper may have a pair of specialized gloves that stop the gloves from accumulating excess water. They often will have specialized palms that will become stickier after they have gotten wet, being ideal for saving shots in wet conditions.

Conclusion

As you have seen, there are many different variables that feed into making a good decision about what type of goalkeeper gloves you should buy. It will be worth your while doing the proper research and finding a pair that you are happy and confident with. This will help your performance on the pitch. Once you find a glove you like, you can purchase the same pair again and again as needed.