Goalkeeper gloves

Which goalkeeper gloves for which surface?

Just like with football shoes, it's important with goalkeeper gloves too to know which surface they're used on! Do you use goalkeeper gloves meant for natural grass on artificial turf? Then the goalkeeper gloves will probably wear out a lot faster. Goalkeeper gloves for natural grass have a softer foam layer than goalkeeper gloves for artificial turf. This soft foam layer offers a lot of grip, but will also wear out faster if you don't use it on the right surface. Do you mainly play on artificial turf or indoors? Then it's best to choose so called hardground goalkeeper gloves! These goalkeeper gloves have a firmer, more wear resistant foam layer, so you'll enjoy them for longer. This doesn't necessarily mean goalkeeper gloves for natural grass can't be used on artificial turf or indoors, and vice versa, but the goalkeeper gloves will last longest when used on the surface they're designed for!

What size goalkeeper gloves?

Sizes vary per brand. So always check the corresponding size chart carefully. Gloves from the brands Uhlsport and Sells generally run large. If there's already pressure on the seams when you simply have the gloves on, they're too small. Ball contact puts a lot of pressure on those seams, so they can tear quickly. It's better to have gloves that are slightly too big than too small.

Goalkeeper gloves with or without finger save

Finger save is a technique used a lot in goalkeeper gloves. It protects the fingers against bending backwards. It also offers protection against collisions or when someone's studs land on your hands. It's a kind of splint built into the back of the fingers, which reduces the risk of finger injuries. What some goalkeepers see as a downside is that freedom of movement is a lot less than with gloves without finger save. This differs per goalkeeper, so it's something you need to decide for yourself.

Expensive versus cheap goalkeeper gloves

If you look at the range, you'll see the gloves vary a lot in price. These prices are based on whether or not finger save is present and the thickness of the foam. The thicker the foam, the better the grip. The foam will quickly show signs of wear. That's not a problem, the grip won't get any worse from that. The grip really only decreases once the canvas of the glove comes through the foam. The gloves don't need to be thrown away yet at that point, but can be used as training gloves. Either way, it's recommended to buy a training pair and a match pair. That way the gloves last a lot longer and you'll always have gloves with optimal grip during the match.

How do I maintain my goalkeeper gloves?

There's no avoiding that goalkeeper gloves will eventually need replacing. What you can influence is the lifespan of the goalkeeper gloves. With the right care, the foam, and therefore the grip, stays good for longer. After training or a match, it's a good idea to clean the goalkeeper gloves. There are special cleaners for this. Besides keeping the gloves nice and clean, this also helps preserve the grip for as long as possible.

The gloves can simply be taken into the shower to wash them there. Never wring the gloves out afterwards, but dry them with a towel and let them air dry, never let them dry out completely. Also always store the gloves slightly damp. This concerns the foam on the outside of the gloves, again for the sake of preserving the grip. When the gloves aren't used for a longer period, it's a good idea to dampen them a little every now and then.

Still have questions about goalkeeper gloves? Feel free to ask our customer service.