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.