Types of Goalkeeper Gloves

Goalkeeper gloves are a goalie’s single most important armour in saving goals. These make their hands bigger and increase the grip to catch the ball. Just like football boots are vital for other football players, a right pair of goalkeeper gloves is essential for good goalkeeping. Adidas, Nike, Puma, Uhlsport and Under Armour are the best brands currently in the market for goalkeeper gloves. The gloves usually come in sizes just like shoes. These numbers can start from 4 and go up to 12. The same size can fit you differently according to different brands. One of the best ways to be sure of your size is trying them on. Sometimes buying a size larger can help as long as it fits snugly. A too tight fitting can create difficulties in spreading and extending fingers to catch the ball. Goalkeeper gloves have their own designated cuts to make catching, gripping and fitting easier.

Flat palm cut

Flat palmed gloves leave more room inside the glove for free movement of the hands. This was the traditional cut for goalkeeper gloves. These have seams stitched on the outside than on the inside. Since these make fingers look like a box, it is also called the Box Cut. The extra space requires finger spine technology to be used on flat palm gloves.

Roll finger cut

This is one of the more popular glove types due to its snug fit. The top of the fingers are directly stitched to the palm and the sides of the palm are rolled around the fingers. Roll finger gloves do not use gussets like flat palm or negative cut gloves. These have better contact with the ball and have an easier grip.

Negative cut

Due to their single piece latex design, these are similar to flat palm gloves but the gussets are sewn on the inside of the finger. They are known to provide the tightest fit and are ideal for thinner fingers.

Hybrid

These gloves incorporate a combination of the cuts to make use of the best of different finger and palm designs.

The closure or the strap at the wrist too is an important consideration for goalkeeper gloves. These can be bandage, elastic or slit wrist. The bandage provides a secure fit but is known to be difficult to remove quickly. The elastic and slit wrists are not as secure as the bandage but can be easily put on and taken off. If you have an injured finger or fingers, finger protection gloves can be used to protect your fingers and avoid further injuries.