Prevent a Loss with the Best Goalie Gloves
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Reusch Ortho Tec Goalie Glove -
Brine King Premier Goalie Glove -
Uhlsport Ergonomic Absolutgrip Bionik X-Change Goalie Glove -
Warrior Ritual Pro Custom Goalie Glove -
Buyer's Guide
When all else fails, there's the goalie who is the last remaining member of the team who can prevent the opposition from putting the ball in the net. Grace under pressure, the leader of the defense who must also inspire confidence when things look bleak. You have one prime directive: stop the ball.
Luckily, you can use your hands while everyone else on the field cannot so a pair of goalie gloves is probably the most important piece of gear the position requires. That means you want them to fit right, function well, and protect your hands at all costs.
The leading soccer gear manufacturers have built their gloves with these necessities in mind and with so many brands out there, one of them is bound to be the right pair for you. Keep in mind you will want to try on a number of different pairs before deciding. The gloves should be the right size, first and foremost. Your fingers need to be able to move and spread so that you can catch the ball effectively. Some gloves are cut differently than others, offering a snug or loose fit at the palms and fingers. A poor fitting glove will not perform well during the game and the result could be a check in the loss column for your team. So when you're ready to slip on your goalie gloves, check out these five brands first. You just may find what you're looking for among these picks, each one chosen along specific criteria.
To start with, the gloves must be comfortable and each of these picks provides absolute comfort for the hands in both warm and cool weather with materials that are breathable and allow good air flow to battle wetness from sweat. Ergonomic construction helps the gloves fit better on each hand for a snug fit so that they feel more like a second skin than a bulky glove. The quality and durability of the materials that are used in the construction of the glove, both inside and along the exterior, are crucial for shock absorption from the ball hitting the hand as well as making sure the glove is tear-resistant in the heat of action.
Grip and palm feel are also important and went into the consideration of each pick we selected so goalies are able to feel the ball more accurately which means they can stop it more effectively. Most importantly, these picks provide strong finger and backhand protection to keep fingers from getting hyper-extended and hands properly guarded when punching the ball away from the goal. All of these elements combined make up the ideal pick for a spot on our list. Check out the best goalie gloves in 2022 we've selected below and see if any of them are right for you.
Detailing the Best Goalie Glove of 2022
Reusch Ortho Tec Goalie Glove - Best Goalie Gloves Overall
Goalie gloves need to work with you, not against you, in order to be totally effective. Fortunately the Reusch Magno Deluxe M1 Ortho-Tecs have been built to do just that. The palm of the glove features their M1 Mega-Grip foam; a fully flexible and resilient foam padding that’s ultra soft and keeps a firm grip on the ball in any weather condition. So flexible that it moves with you to stretch your fingers out further and faster to maintain a wider catching area with your hands.
The rolled cut of these gloves and their ergonomic styling allows for full spreading of every finger for maximum width so you can make a play on the ball with confidence. Duraguard foam patches help keep the palms from tearing if (and when) they come in contact with any type of playing surface. Latex wrist bandages wrap around to give the glove tighter fit and more control, so your hand isn't moving around inside of it. But best of all, the Ortho-Tec stays in nestled into every finger, including the thumb, offer complete protection along the knuckles while Reusch's Advanced Shockshield along the backhand keep them safe from when punching the ball (or from trampling, kicking feet).
Brine King Premier Goalie Glove - Runner Up
The King Premier 6X's marries the best of both worlds when it comes to protection. You want something that's going to keep you from injury but you also need it to be flexible and work with you so your saves are unhindered by gear that's too stiff and restrictive. These gloves provide BACKBONE system finger spines that prevent hyperextension while still remaining entirely flexible on your hands. So while your hands are well taken care of, you also want the glove to protect the goal and with Brine's sticky latex4mm German SUPERSOFT Latex foam palm you get plenty of grip to stop the ball from its trajectory.
They've also added memory foam padding along the backhand too for additional comfort, especially when punching away shots. The 6X's are durable and offer plenty of cushioning including around the thumb area, a region of the hand that sometimes gets overlooked by even the best manufacturers. Here they've made the thumb a priority with the addition of their King Cage protection. Of course, you want your glove to stay comfortable and the company's NASA developed OUTLAST material absorbs, stores, and distributes heat as needed, so even cold days on the field won't affect your game.
Uhlsport Ergonomic Absolutgrip Bionik X-Change Goalie Glove - Honorable Mention
They're not cheap, but Uhlsport's Absolutgrip Bionik+ goalie gloves are yet another impressive example of the type of highly advanced gear the company offers the expert player. The ergonomic shape reflects the curve of the ball and has a wider stopping area that utilizes the company's ABSOLUTGRIP plus foam to provide the player with top notch gripping properties in all weather conditions. That's important because the way these gloves perform when damp is simply excellent.
They also employ the "Bionikframe" finger protection system which is meant to prevent hyper-extension by working with the natural movement of the musculature in the human hand. That ABSOLUTGRIP material has also been added to the backhand (particularly around the knuckle area), providing extra shock absorption which will come in handy for saves requiring punching of the ball away from the net. These gloves also breathe well and they're very durable, but that also means they will require a longer break-in period than many other brands on the market today.
Warrior Ritual Pro Custom Goalie Glove - Consider
It is of the utmost importance that a goalie glove lasts long and continues to provide top quality protection, and Warrior made sure to keep that in mind when producing the Ritual Pro glove. It features full palm protection that will protect against even the hardest of shots. It is also designed to close completely around the puck, which will keep it completely secured. There is also an easily accessible wrist strap and a cuff wedge that will stay squared up perfectly to the shooter.
Buyer's Guide
The goalie is the one person in the team who can stop the opposition from scoring a goal. He is the only one allowed to use his hands, and his performance can change the course of the entire game. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for the goalie to have the perfect gloves, so that he can give his best performance. We have prepared a guide to help you choose the best goalie gloves in 2021, that will help you win the game.
Why Do You Need Goalie Gloves?
Goalie gloves, though not a requirement in the soccer game, are an absolute necessity for the goalie. They are important for protecting yourself from injuries like sprains and fractures in your fingers or palms. They provide an extra cushion to your hand and also prevent your fingers from getting too extended, but also provide the flexibility needed to catch the ball. These gloves also provide a better grip when catching the ball or punching it away from the goal net. Goalie gloves are usually big in size so they provide the flexibility and comfort needed to precisely catch the ball. Overall, they protect the goalie from injuries and allow enhanced performance.
What Are Some Things To Consider Before Buying A Goalie Glove?
Size
It is important for the goalie gloves to be the perfect size for you. They should be comfortable and give you ample space to move and spread your fingers so you can easily catch the ball. Gloves that do not fill well will restrict your movement and may cause you to lose points. Everyone has different sized hands and what works for one may not work for everyone. That is why you should try on gloves before you purchase them.
Material
You need to look for gloves that are made from strong and absorbent material. It is natural for hands to get sweaty in the gloves and they should efficiently absorb it and not cause any sort of disturbance. The material should be breathable and also, it should be resistant to wear and tear. You do not want to replace goalie gloves regularly, so you should invest in one that is made from durable materials.
Design
Comfort is vital for the goalie and you should ensure that the design of the goalie gloves is ergonomic. They should not feel like extra weight on your hands. Instead, they should feel like a second skin that assists you in catching the ball instead of causing discomfort and disturbance.
Injury Protection
The goalie gloves should provide you proper grip but save you from injuries at the same time. In attempting to catch the ball, the fingers can sometimes extend a bit too much which can cause a fracture. The glove should be able to prevent this but also provide the flexibility needed to efficiently catch the ball or punch it away from the goal net.
How Do We Choose Our Top Picks?
Our team makes sure that you get the best products in the market and for this purpose, carries out extensive research. Here is how we choose the best products in the market.
Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are honest and come from people who have used the product. We try to go through every single review and only choose products that overall have positive reviews. If a product has a lot of negative reviews, we try to stay away from it.
Brand
We also look at the brand because well known brands are more likely to give a guarantee or provide assistance in case of any complaints and queries. The overall rating of the company is also something we consider.
Value
We want to make sure that you are getting value for your money, and for this purpose we compare the features and specifications of different products along with their prices. If a company is charging a lot more but the specifications are similar to other brands, we try to not include it in our list.
What Are The Different Types Of Goalie Gloves?
There are a few types of goalie gloves and you should choose the one that suits your needs.
Match Gloves
These are the gloves most frequently used by competitive soccer players in leagues. They are designed to have a lot of grip and protect from hand related injuries. They are usually made from high quality latex so they can provide protection when catching or punching the ball, and provide maximum grip and comfort at the same time.
Training Gloves
Training gloves are designed specifically for those who are beginners and are still learning. They are made from durable materials and they have less grip than match gloves. They are on the cheaper side, so you can easily start off with these and upgrade to match gloves once you become an expert.
Weather Gloves
Weather gloves are used in extreme cold weather conditions. They are worn occasionally if it is raining, for example. The latex palms get stickier when wet and this provides better grip to the goalie.
FAQs
How to find the right size of goalie gloves online without trying them on?
You can measure the circumference of your palm just below the knuckles without the thumb in inches, and add 1 to it. This will mostly get you an accurate sized glove. However, it is still better to first try them out if you can as only that can ensure an optimal fit.
When should goalie gloves be replaced?
Usually goalie gloves are designed to give you about 12-14 games. When the latex on the gloves starts to break even when you have cleaned them, it is time to replace them. It is better to have two gloves so you are not using the same one during practice and the actual game both. If you use training gloves for practice and match gloves for the game, they will most probably last you the entire season.
Can goalie gloves be washed in the washing machine?
It is better to wash goalie gloves by hand using warm water because the latex can get damaged in the machine and they can also shrink. After washing, it is important to dry your gloves properly too, so that they can last a long time without you having to replace them often.
