Back in the 1960s and 1970s there were few if any professional goalkeepers to be seen wearing gloves but over the past few decades there have been revolutionary steps in glove design and construction and medical advice for their use.
We'll have a look at why we should wear goalkeepers gloves and what to look out for when buying them.
Why Wear Goalkeeper Gloves At All?
Just because Alex Stepney and Pat Jennings didn't wear them in the 1960s doesn't mean that goalkeeper gloves aren't an essential item of soccer kit in the modern game, in fact they are vital at all levels
Goalkeeper gloves are specially designed and manufactured to not only give you a better grip on the ball but also to offer maximum protection and cushioning for the goalkeeper's fingers, palms and wrists.
Goalkeeper gloves are specially designed and manufactured to not only give you a better grip on the ball but also to offer maximum protection and cushioning for the goalkeeper's fingers, palms and wrists.
Glove Design and Construction
When goalkeeper gloves were first introduced they were made of materials like cotton which soaked up water, making them slippery, and had little padding or shock absorption to protect the hands.
These days manufacturers like Reusch and Adidas have really raised the bar on glove design offering strong, lightweight synthetic materials in glove construction with the most up to date protection available through the use of latex palms.
These days manufacturers like Reusch and Adidas have really raised the bar on glove design offering strong, lightweight synthetic materials in glove construction with the most up to date protection available through the use of latex palms.
What Type Of Latex Palm Is Best?
The palms are arguably the most important area of any goalkeeping glove. They will need to provide the most protection while saving shots and give the maximum grip possible for catching and holding onto the ball, even in wet or muddy conditions.
Smooth latex palms provide the best surface although they are liable to wear and tear and will crumble away through use. Protect your best gloves by rotating use of several pairs and cleaning the latex after use to ensure maximum grip and protection.
Smooth latex palms provide the best surface although they are liable to wear and tear and will crumble away through use. Protect your best gloves by rotating use of several pairs and cleaning the latex after use to ensure maximum grip and protection.
Measuring Your Glove Size
Ill fitting gloves can cause as much damage as wearing no gloves when it comes to your physical protection of your hands, wrists and fingers and to maintaining your utmost performance levels while in goal.
Measure the length around your palm at it's widest point and add an extra inch to be sure. This size should then translate to your goalkeeping glove size. Try the gloves on for a good fit and judge each pair on it's size, fit and feel. They could well save you from serious injury in a game.
Measure the length around your palm at it's widest point and add an extra inch to be sure. This size should then translate to your goalkeeping glove size. Try the gloves on for a good fit and judge each pair on it's size, fit and feel. They could well save you from serious injury in a game.
