| Obviously there are many features that you must | | | | The third type of material used by a number of brands |
| consider when buying Goalkeeper Gloves other than | | | | is embossed PU. This is a much thinner material than |
| just price. In this article I will try to tell you what you | | | | soft latex and does not give as much protection. |
| should look out for in a match glove for a professional | | | | Latex Type: |
| or elite player and in a training glove or a junior’s | | | | You will often find that more expensive goalkeeper |
| glove. | | | | gloves will wear more quickly as they use more |
| Glove Cut: | | | | expensive and softer professional latexes. |
| There are 3 main types of glove cuts called roll finger, | | | | These more expensive goalkeeper gloves will offer |
| flat palm and negative cut. | | | | better adhesion and gripping properties on the ball |
| The most popular type of glove cut in the UK is the roll | | | | when catching, but will last less which is why you |
| finger cut. Flat palm is still the most popular glove cut in | | | | should only use them in a match situation where you |
| the European market. | | | | are using them less regularly. |
| Negative cut is becoming more and more popular | | | | Expensive professional latexes include Mega Grip, |
| especially with Premier League goalkeepers – with | | | | Giga Grip, Contact Lite, Aqua Foam and SuperSoft |
| keepers such as Edwin Van Der Saar of Manchester | | | | foams. |
| United wearing negative cut goalkeeper gloves. | | | | Strap Type: |
| There are other features that are available such as an | | | | You can get a half strap or a full strap. Full straps |
| extended palm – which means that the latex is | | | | wrap around 360 degrees of the glove, where as half |
| extended over the top of the wrist strap. It would | | | | straps only wrap around 180 degrees. |
| usually stop above the wrist on a traditional glove. | | | | The reason behind a half strap may be because the |
| Back Hand: | | | | goalkeeper gloves have an extended palm. |
| There are popular types of back hand (i.e. not the palm | | | | There are many other types of straps designed for |
| side) that are available on the market in today’s | | | | specific brands. |
| market. | | | | The thicker the strap generally the more support it |
| Firstly a number of professional goalkeeper gloves | | | | gives to the wrist. |
| have a ‘soft’ latex on the back hand of their | | | | Wrist Type: |
| gloves, similar to that used on the palm of the gloves. | | | | The most popular wrist type is the bandage wrist that |
| This gives the goalkeeper a lot more protection than | | | | literally wraps around the whole of your wrist like a |
| the other main types of material when punching a ball. | | | | bandage. |
| Other types of material include mesh which is suitable | | | | Other types include PU and mesh. Some wrist straps |
| for use in hot conditions as it allows the goalkeeper | | | | have openings in order to allow the goalkeeper to get |
| gloves to breathe. The disadvantage of this material is | | | | into their goalkeeper gloves more easily. |
| that it does not give as much protection to the Keeper. | | | | |