Measure your hands for perfectly fitting gloves, but the following is a general sizing guide for junior and senior players. For junior players: Size 4 or 5 is for a small junior goalie who is between 7 and 9 years old and wears size Youth Small goalkeeper gear. Size 6 or 7 is for a medium to larger junior goalie who is between 10 and 12 years old and wears Youth Medium or Large goalkeeper gear. [1] X Research source For senior players: Size 7 is for a small adult or large youth keeper; Size 8 for a small to medium-sized adult keeper; Size 9 is for a medium-sized adult keeper; Size 10 is for a medium to larger adult-sized keep; Size 11 is for a large-sized keeper; Size 12 is for a large keeper who has very large hands. [2] X Research source Visit a local sports store to try on gloves to give you an idea what size you need.
For the best fit, measure the circumference of the widest part of the palm excluding the thumb and round this number up to the next highest inch. Add 1" to this measurement for your glove size. [3] X Research source Every person has one hand that is larger. Measure both hands and order according to the measurements of your bigger hand. Sizing gloves is not an exact science because every goalkeeper’s hand is different. There are also usually slight variations in size between different manufacturers and the quality of the gloves. [4] X Research source Goalkeeping gloves should be worn slightly larger than hand size. The gap between your fingers and the top of the glove should be no less than a ¼ inch, with ideal ½ inch being the ideal space. A gap of an inch or more is too much and can affect the way you play. [5] X Research source For example, improperly sized fingers can stress the latex material of gloves and also cause premature breakdown or tears of the gloves’ seams. [6] X Research source
Your glove should be made of the cut and materials best suited for the surface(s) on which you play, as well as on local weather conditions and your budget. For example, all palms are made of latex, but only the best types of goalie gloves will have latex backhands, a feature you should consider if you frequently play goalie. Less expensive gloves will have one layer of foam on the backhand and generally do a good job of protecting your hand. [7] X Research source
Flat, or traditional, cut gloves have a single piece of flat foam and are a looser fit with a boxier appearance and exterior stitching. [9] X Research source Roll or Gunn cut gloves have a so-called “rolled” finger construction, where the seams roll because they are on the back of the finger. This cut has a snug fit and allows for a larger contact area with the ball. [10] X Research source On a negative cut, the seam is on the inside of the glove. It has the most snug fit, and is an excellent option for female goalies as well as those goalkeepers with smaller hands. [11] X Research source Hybrid gloves incorporate several cuts, usually a combination of rolled or cut Gunn with either the flat or negative cut. [12] X Research source
Less expensive gloves are a good option for young or beginning players. These models show players the necessity of technique, not tackiness, to defend shots on goal. [14] X Research source Softer palms have better grip, while rougher palms are more durable. Gloves with rougher palms contain more rubber than tacky latex and are a good option for indoor play. [15] X Research source Glove palms come in different thicknesses, with 3mm and 4mm the most common measurement. Thinner palms allow you to feel the ball more, but if you want greater protection, then consider thicker palms. [16] X Research source Consider your playing surface when choosing a palm grip. Surfaces like artificial grass can wear down latex quickly. a thicker palm grip would counteract this. Most companies make goalie gloves specifically designed to withstand wet, dry and indoor conditions. [17] X Research source It’s important to know the conditions for which your gloves are suited: dry conditions, wet conditions, hard ground, or natural surfaces. This is important information for their care. For example, soft and tacky professional-grade latex palms considered “all weather” or “dry weather” are moistened for play. [18] X Research source Wet weather gloves require soaking before a match and possibly again at half time. [19] X Research source
Gloves will last on average 12 –14 games depending on how well you care for and put stress on them. After this, consider using them as practice gloves. [20] X Research source Consider buying one pair for games and another for practice, but decide based on your budget. [21] X Research source
There are many options for buying gloves if you are not a professional player or looking for the highest quality models. You can purchase them at large retailers and specialty sports stores both in-store and online. If you are a serious and experienced goalie, you can buy high-quality models at sports stores or online at specialty soccer retailers.
Soft and tacky latex palm grips, like that in professional grade gloves, gives exceptional grip at the expense of durability. Very tacky game gloves can show signs of wear, including flaking, during the first use.
Buy a relatively inexpensive training glove that has less palm grip but more durability. Not only will this save your game gloves, but it will refine your technical skills. [23] X Research source You can convert old match gloves to training gloves once you have a new pair. It’s important to maintain one quality pair for matches and another for training. [24] X Research source
Many areas of a soccer field can be dirty or muddy depending on the weather. If you warm up in these areas, it can reduce the efficacy of your gloves, so consider warming up someplace where there is less dirt. You can also use your training gloves for the warm up period. Softer latex gloves need moistened with water as the palm dries, but very soft latex palms can become slippery if they’re too moist. Figure out the correct balance before a match so you don’t hamper your efforts to defend shots on goal.
Clean each of your gloves separately and delicately. Put on one glove and run it under lukewarm water. Use a mild detergent or glove specific cleaner to clean off dirt, grime, and sweat. Rinse until the water runs clear and then press out excess water. Don’t wring out your gloves, which can tear the seams. Hang your gloves to dry naturally without the aid of anything that will accelerate the drying process like a hair dryer or the sun, which will cause them to dry out and deteriorate more quickly. You can roll newspaper and place it in the fingers to help them keep their shape and dry more quickly.
Store your gloves in a cool and reasonably moist environment. You don’t want the gloves or the storage area to be wet because this can promote the growth of bacteria or mold, which will break down your gloves. Don’t just throw your gloves in a bag and forget about them until the next game. Wipe them off if necessary and then place them in their storage bag. If they’re especially sweaty, allow them to dry a bit before you place them in the storage bag. Don’t place them with palms together when you store your gloves since they can stick together and then rip when you try to separate them.
Making sure to clean your gloves with a disinfectant will help remove sweat and bacteria so they don’t smell. Airing out your gloves properly will ensure that they do get moldy or promote the growth of odor-causing bacteria. This means that you should allow your gloves to dry thoroughly after each game and cleaning.
