How To Choose the Right Soccer Goalie Gloves

A great pair of soccer goalie gloves is one of the most important pieces of gear that every goalkeeper should own.

Catching a ball that is travelling at lightning speed with bare hands is not something you will want to do on a regular basis. The right pair of soccer goalie gloves will give you a better grip on the ball, while protecting and cushioning your fingers and palms from the ball’s impact. They will also help protect your hands while blocking and punching the ball.

With so many different types of gloves on the market and at different price ranges, it can be difficult to determine which gloves to choose. Most gloves are made of various blends of synthetic and natural foam rubber. There are gloves specifically made for:

• Artificial grass
• Futsal
• Dry or wet conditions
• Professional level
• Youth play

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To further add to your confusion, there are also different types of glove palms in various qualities of latex: the more advanced the latex, the more expensive the pair of gloves will be. Your choices for palm cut will usually include:

• Surround cut – One of the newer and sleeker glove designs, there are fewer seams, which make the glove more comfortable and suitable for goalies with wider hands. Because of its looser fit, you may want to go down half a size for a snug fit.
• Flat palm – The flat palm style of glove is the traditional goalie glove. Its fit is looser than most other types and is often used for finger protection. If you prefer a snugger fit, you will want to choose a pair that is half a size or a full size smaller than your usual size.
• Rolled finger (Gunn) or rolled index – The palm is attached directly to the backhand causing the latex to wrap around the fingers and be in contact with the ball. While some prefer this increased contact when catching the ball, others may not care for the glove's bulkiness.
• Popular in Europe, this type of glove has interior seams around fingers that provide a snug fit and is a good option for female goalies or those with slimmer hands. This style may not be comfortable for goalies with wider hands.

How to Size Soccer Goalie Gloves

When choosing a pair of gloves, one of the most important things to consider is comfort. The size charts between manufacturers can vary greatly between brands, therefore, the best way to determine the best size is to try on several styles. A pair of soccer goalie gloves that are too snug will put stress on the stitching and the latex, which will cause your gloves to wear out sooner. Choosing a pair of gloves that are too loose will make it difficult to maintain a sure grip on the ball and therefore compromise your performance.

A rule of thumb is to choose a size where the gap between your fingers and the top of the glove is between 1/4" and 1/2". A well-fitting glove should allow you to fully spread your hand out and shouldn’t slide around on your hand and wrist.

What is Fingersave and Do You Need It?

There is some debate regarding Fingersave gloves. These gloves are designed to prevent injuries to your fingers, however, some players believe that with this protection comes a level of discomfort that may inhibit their performance. There are two types of Fingersave gloves available:

• Stiff spine - features stiff segmented spines in the fingers of the gloves. The spines will flex forward when you’re closing your hand, but not backwards, thus helping to prevent injuries from hyper-extended fingers.
• Flexible spine -features a single flexible spine that runs the length of the finger. It’s flexible but it doesn’t flex easily, thus helping to prevent injuries by dispersing the shock when the ball meets glove.

Care of Your Soccer Goalie Gloves

Goalkeeper gloves do not last forever, but if you take care of them, you can help extend their lifetime. Instead of using your match gloves in practice, use an old set of gloves. Your match gloves will get less abuse and because the training gloves have less stick, you’ll have more impetus to work on your technique.

• Avoid warming up in places that are mostly dirt or mud, or use your training gloves for warm up.
• Softer latex gloves may require additional moisture as the palm dries out. Too much moisture may result in slippery gloves. You will want to experiment with them before using them in a match to know how they will react.
• Do not wash your soccer goalie gloves in the laundry. Instead, put on one glove at a time and run it under lukewarm water. Use a mild detergent to clean off dirt, grime, and sweat and rinse until the water runs clear. Press the excess water out. Do not wring your gloves out because the twisting will tear the threads at the seams and decrease the lifetime of your gloves. Place rolled up newspaper in the fingers of the glove to maintain their shape. Allow the gloves to dry in an area without direct sunlight or heat, which could degrade the latex.
• Always make sure to properly store your gloves. Never put them away wet, but make sure they aren’t in an overly dry area either. Avoid storing your gloves with the palms facing because they can stick together and rip when you pull them apart. 

For expert advice on soccer gear and equipment that is right for your game, level of play, and budget, come see us at your local Source for Sports soccer store near you. We Fit Your Game.