Choosing the right goalkeeper gloves can be difficult, especially when you’re shopping for kids. Similar to shoes, gloves come with different components and some are better in certain situations. In this article, we’ll cover the basic components of goalkeeper gloves and how to choose the right size. So keep reading to find out what to do before your next purchase!
The basic components of goalkeeper gloves
The goalkeeper gloves consist of four different parts, here’s what they do.
The backhand
The backhand shields the hand when it punches the ball. The quality of the backhand often depends on the price of the glove.
Higher-end soccer gloves are cushioned with latex but the less expensive ones usually have one layer of foam padding.
The fingers
The best defence mechanism for a goalie is usually their fingers. Gloves that possess finger protection features allow easy grasping and holding of the football.
If you need extra protection on your fingers, it is best to have bendable plastic supports, and not padded ones.
The palm
The palm helps to catch and secure the ball and there are two main types, smooth and dimpled.
When it comes to serious matches, smooth palms give the best grip. This gives your kid the best chance of making a match-winning save.
But during practice, dimpled palms are a better option. Although their grip isn’t as strong as the smooth palm’s, they are more durable. It’s often a good idea to get a pair for matches and one for training.
Closure
The closure secures the gloves on your hands and there are three types available. The hook and loop, bandage and v-notch.
Hook and loop closures are usually made of elastic while the v-notch closure allows room for ventilation. On the other hand, bandage closures wrap securely around the wrist just like a regular bandage, providing a secure fit.
No matter which style you prefer, we strive to provide the best goalkeeper gloves in Australia.
How to choose goalkeeper gloves
The best way to know the right goalie glove sizing is by taking a measurement of the goalkeeper’s hand.
You should start from the tip of the middle finger to the end of the palm then, round up to the nearest whole number and add one inch. For example, if the measurement is 8.5, round it off to 9 then add one inch to end up with a size 10.
The reason one inch should be added is goalkeeper gloves are best worn as slightly larger than the hand size. It’s always best to measure instead of guessing because ill-fitting gloves can lead to suboptimal performance and sometimes injury
Are you in the market for a new pair of elite goalkeeper gloves? Here at Lastline, we provide you with the best goalkeeper gloves, tailored to your specific needs. If you have any questions, get in contact with us, we’ll be happy to help!
