I enjoy writing these articles for my readers, you guys. I don't accept payment for writing reviews, my opinion on products is my own, but if you find my recommendations helpful and you end up buying something through one of the links I may be able to receive a commission on that. More information
It takes a special kind of person to want to be a goalkeeper.
Choosing to throw yourself in front of a ball hit at target defies common sense (see: the cowardly defenders who turn around when "blocking" shots).
There's something admirable about that last line of defense. A goalkeeper is by definition a hero or heroine!
If you've decided to put your body on the line, you'll need all the help you can get – and the right pair of goalkeeper gloves can make all the difference.
Being my personal favorite these Sportout Goalkeeper Gloves which are not too expensive at all. The gloves are non-slip and wear-resistant and also offer good shock absorption. But what this pair really excels at is the tight fit, perfect for keeping optimal over the ball and mastering any attack.
Like all sports equipment, be it football boots or ice hockey skates the right choice may not always be the most expensive thing you can afford.
That's why I also have more affordable options on the list if you have a smaller budget.
Different gloves will suit different players and you may prefer a lightweight pair for quick hand movements, sticky palms to help with catching or a thicker pair to give you the confidence to put yourself in front of the best attackers. to throw.
To help you make up your mind, we've tested eight of the most popular pairs and explained what sets them apart.
Below we further show you the ways goalkeeper gloves can differ and also recommend some of our favorites.
| Best goalkeeper gloves | Images |
|---|---|
| Overall best goalkeeper gloves: Sportout 4mm Latex Negative Cut |  (view more images) |
| Goalkeeper gloves with the best traditional cut: Under Armor Desafio Premier |  (view more images) |
| Best goalkeeper gloves for ultimate grip: Renegade GK Vulcan Abyss |  (view more images) |
| Best all-rounder goalkeeper gloves: Gripmode Aqua Hybrid Griptec |  (view more images) |
| Best Mid-range Goalkeeper Gloves: NikeGrip 3 |  (view more images) |
| Best goalkeeper gloves with fingersave: Renegade GK Fury |  (view more images) |
| Best goalkeeper gloves for artificial grass: Reusch Pure Contact Infinity |  (view more images) |
| Best kids goalkeeper gloves: Renegade GK Triton |  (view more images) |
What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
- 1 What should you look for in a pair of goalkeeper gloves?
- 2 What size goalkeeper glove should I have?
- 3 Best 8 Goalkeeper Gloves Reviewed
- 3.1 Overall Best Goalkeeper Gloves: Sportout 4mm Latex Negative Cut
- 3.2 Goalkeeper gloves with the best traditional cut: Under Armor Desafio Premier
- 3.3 Best Goalkeeper Gloves for Ultimate Grip: Renegade GK Vulcan Abyss
- 3.4 Best all-rounder goalkeeper gloves: Gripmode Aqua Hybrid Griptec
- 3.5 Best Mid-range Goalkeeper Gloves: Nike Grip 3
- 3.6 Best Goalkeeper Gloves with Fingersave: Renegade GK Fury
- 3.7 Best Goalkeeper Gloves for Artificial Grass: Reusch Pure Contact Infinity
- 3.8 Best Kids Goalkeeper Gloves: Renegade GK Triton
- 4 What is fingersave in goalkeeper gloves?
- 5 Conclusion
What should you look for in a pair of goalkeeper gloves?
The way a glove is built plays a big part in the shape and fit, the grip and level of protection provided, as well as how long they are likely to last.
Each cut has its pros and cons; the right choice for you comes down to personal preference.
box cut
The box cut, or flat palm, is a traditional cut that is mostly found in the cheaper end of the market today.
A single piece of latex for the palm and fingers is stitched to the back of the glove with inserts.
Using inserts makes the glove tighter, but they don't offer as much latex coverage, meaning they offer less grip than other cuts.
Negative cut
A negative cut is similar to the box cut, but the inserts are stitched on the inside of the glove.
This means that the glove fits tighter on the hand and offers a little more grip, although it is more likely to show wear than a box cut glove.
Roll finger cut
The rolling finger or "shotgun" cut wraps the latex around the finger and connects it directly to the back of the glove.
Not using inserts gives a larger latex area, which improves grip, although it means it's not as tight around the fingers, so it may not feel as snug.
This cut can also come with negative stitching on the inside of the glove to further increase the latex surface area, but again this means wear is more likely to occur.
Combination cuts
Rather than sticking to a single style, some gloves use different cuts on the fingers to combine the benefits of different styles.
For example, a glove may have a roll cut on the index and little finger to increase latex contact for catching, but a negative cut on the rest of the fingers to increase overall comfort and flexibility.
Palm type
The material of the palm plays a big role in the performance of the gloves.
Professional players prefer latex for more grip, but this is not the most hardy material and will degrade over time.
Rubber or a combination of rubber and latex will extend the life of the gloves, and these are often better for training or a friendly game.
Palm thickness also plays a role, with thinner palms providing better touch on the ball, but less protection and cushioning.
Most gloves have a palm about 4mm thick, which is a good center point to start with if you're not sure what fits you best.
Here are some tips to give your gloves even more grip:
Finger protection (finger save)
Nearly every brand now offers gloves with some form of finger guard, often with a plastic backing at the bottom of each finger to prevent hyperextension injuries.
These are a good option if you've had an injury in the past, but they don't protect against more common injuries, such as stump fingers or people stepping on your hand.
There's also an argument that if your fingers eventually rely on the protection, they become more susceptible to injury because they may not develop appropriate force.
For this reason, we recommend avoiding this type of glove unless you have an existing injury. You can read more about fingersave later in the article.
Also read: How do I become a soccer referee? Everything about courses, tests & practice
What size goalkeeper glove should I have?
Like shoes, gloves come in a variety of sizes, usually between 4 and 12.
While this size should be consistent, it can vary by brand, so it's worth trying on a pair before you buy (or check the returns policy when buying online) to make sure you get the right fit.
Glove sizes must correspond to the table below. Measure at the knuckles and find the largest width.
| Glove size | Hand width (cm) |
|---|---|
| 4 | 4,5 to 5,1 cm |
| 5 | 5,1 to 5,7 cm |
| 6 | 5,7 to 6,3 cm |
| 7 | 6,3 to 6,9 cm |
| 8 | 6,9 to 7,5 cm |
| 9 | 7,5 to 8,1 cm |
| 10 | 8,1 to 8,7 cm |
| 11 | 8,7 to 9,3 cm |
| 12 | 9,3 to 10 cm |
Best 8 Goalkeeper Gloves Reviewed
Now let's take a closer look at each of these and discuss what exactly makes these options so good.
Overall Best Goalkeeper Gloves: Sportout 4mm Latex Negative Cut
- Material: Knitted material and latex
- Finger save: No
- Age group: Adults / Youth
A pair of goalkeeper gloves that can handle anything? Then go for the Sportout goalkeeper gloves!
The gloves are made of professional latex and an air layer knitted fabric.
The perfect light and breathable gloves that are not only comfortable, but also offer the best grip.
Special professional 4mm adhesive foam has been used, which guarantees 100% ball control.
The gloves are non-slip and wear-resistant and also offer good shock absorption.
The problem of 'normal' goalkeeper gloves, or poor air permeability, is solved with these gloves.
The gloves fit like a second skin and are made with a negative cut. They adapt perfectly to your fingers and meet the highest demands of durability.
The gloves have a simple, but at the same time lively look. They have a beautiful black color and fluorescent green details.
Streamlined and dynamic, for long-lasting fun and keeping the 0!
According to the various reviews, these are very comfortable gloves, made of thick material.
They are tight, stay well on the wrists, but at the same time adapt to the hands. They provide the perfect grip and last a long time.
Furthermore, the gloves are weather resistant, even in the rain. Also not unimportant: they don't smell as bad as other gloves!
Goalkeeper gloves with the best traditional cut: Under Armor Desafio Premier
- Material: Latex foam, polyester
- Finger save: No
- Age group: Adults
At first glance, there is a distinct lack of fancy features on these gloves (but read on, there are always some fancy features).
The design is a standard box cut without even any negative stitching, so you would expect them to be quite loose around the fingers and not very responsive.
However, as soon as you put them on you realize that there is something going on that makes these gloves fit much better than you would expect.
Under Armor has added two features that contribute to this improved fit and flexibility:
- Finger lock construction
- ClutchFit (this refers to the American sports expression meaning crunch time, not the clutch in a car)
The finger lock reduces space for each finger, while the clutch wrist rest wraps around the wrist from a point midway between the thumb and wrist.
This means that when you fasten it, it not only pulls around the wrist, but also along the hand.
The result is a snug glove that feels responsive and should also be more robust than its negatively stitched rivals.
The palm is a 4mm latex foam that offers great grip and the fingers are stiff enough to provide support without hindering movement.
Best Goalkeeper Gloves for Ultimate Grip: Renegade GK Vulcan Abyss
- Material: Hyper Grip Latex, Composite Latex, Neoprene Cuff, Duratek Strap
- Finger save: Yes
- Age group: Adults
Grip is of course everything if you are looking for the best goalkeeper gloves.
The Renegade GK Vulcan Abyss Goalkeeper Gloves are trusted by amateurs and pros alike.
They are made to last.
Renegade GK is the official goalkeeper glove of the NPSL and the WPSL: the largest pro football leagues in America.
All Vulcan gloves are fitted with high quality German Hyper Grip latex.
This in combination with the 180° thumb turn and the pre-curved palm increase grip and ball control. In addition, a Roll cut has been used.
The glove is made of 3,5+3 mm composite latex on the palm and backhand, so that extra protection is offered against blows.
And for perfect wrist support, an 8cm neoprene cuff and 3mm 360° Duratek strap have been used.
The gloves feature Endo-Tek Pro fingersaves, which will not bend backwards.
They also have excellent breathability thanks to the 3D Super Mesh body.
Reviews have shown that the ball has a good grip, the gloves offer enough support to the wrists, and the users also like the fingersave.
They are comfortable and fit perfectly.
However, they may wear a little faster on the palms. If necessary, take this into account.
Best all-rounder goalkeeper gloves: Gripmode Aqua Hybrid Griptec
- Material: Breathable neoprene and latex
- Finger save: None
- Age group: Adults
If you want to take your goalkeeping skills to the next level, go for the Gripmode Aqua Hybrid Goalkeeper Gloves.
A hybrid cut has been used for these gloves.
They are made of breathable and comfortable neoprene. You feel safe and very comfortable with it.
The gloves offer a tight fit and optimal moisture management for reliable ventilation.
You also enjoy a perfect fit and flexibility around the wrist thanks to the innovative sealing system.
The wrist is also provided with tear-resistant latex, which protects the Griptec lining against wear.
In addition, the puller makes it easier to put on and take off the gloves.
The gloves are also provided with the best Gripmode coating, namely the 4 mm Griptec Latex.
This guarantees the best grip. The ball will always stick to your hands, regardless of the weather.
And if you want to fight the ball away, you do that with the silicone punching zone. You will never lose control of the ball and always have a high responsiveness.
Thanks to the Protection zone, the aim is to provide extra cushioning for the hands, as well as more stability and grip.
Finally, the gloves have an exclusive design that we simply cannot ignore. They are the gloves of the future!
If this isn't quite the model you're looking for, but still want a pair without fingersave, then take another look at the Sportout Goalkeeper Gloves.
They're roughly in the same price range, but the Sportout gloves are a tad cheaper, if that's a determining factor for you.
There is something to be said about both gloves. It is rather a matter of taste (and perhaps budget) which suits you best!
Check prices and availability here
Best Mid-range Goalkeeper Gloves: Nike Grip 3
- Material: Latex and Polyester
- Field type: Grass/Indoor/Artificial Grass
- Finger save: No
- Age group: Adults
If you're looking for a pair of training gloves or just don't want to spend too much on your competition gloves, this pair from Nike is a good choice.
The box cut for the middle two fingers and a roll cut for the index and little finger are a more traditional combination than the others on this list.
It doesn't sit as close to the hand as a negative-cut glove, but notches around the thumb and both sides of the knuckles mean the palm side flexes easily towards the hand without sacrificing any thickness.
The colors may not suit everyone, the pink around the wrist is particularly daring, but have you seen the bright colors of the attackers' shoes these days?
Fashion aside, this is a no-nonsense pair at a reasonable price.
Best Goalkeeper Gloves with Fingersave: Renegade GK Fury
- Material: Leather and latex
- Finger save: Ja
- Age group: Adults / kids
If you think it is especially important that the gloves have fingersave, take a look at these Renegade GK Fury Goalkeeper Gloves. z
They are made of genuine leather and have a Roll cut.
These gloves are designed to perform and incredibly durable.
The Fury series of these gloves has received more than 1400 reviews, with an average of 4,5 stars!
All Fury gloves are provided with the high-quality German Giga Grip pro-level latex.
This latex plus the 180° thumb wrap and contoured palm have a positive influence on grip, control and of course your confidence!
What makes this fingersave different from other brands is that the removable Pro-Tek Pros won't bend backwards.
And to provide extra protection for the palm and backhand, 4+3 mm composite latex has been used.
The wrists have also been thought of: the 8 cm neoprene cuff and 3 mm 360° Duratek strap provide excellent wrist support.
They offer the best finger protection and impact performance in their class!
Comfort and breathability, you can enjoy that too with these gloves thanks to the 6D Super Mesh body.
The unique nylon puller also makes it easy to put on and take off the gloves quickly.
Worried that you will have less grip in the rain? With these gloves you don't have to worry about anything. They are suitable for all weather conditions.
If you've had a finger injury before, it's even more important to have the right gloves.
These may be the right ones as, according to the reviews, they provide the necessary protection against hard shots, and they also give you enough confidence to use your hands.
Experienced keepers also indicate that this is one of the best on the market.
The gloves give you the feeling that your hands are twice the size and also offer the perfect grip.
Compared to other gloves, these are really very good. Despite the fingersave, your fingers have enough freedom of movement.
From the same brand – Renegade – you can also take a look back at the Renegade GK Vulcan Abyss Goalkeeper Gloves.
They are also equipped with finger save. The difference between the gloves is in the material.
Where the Vulcan Abyss gloves are made of leather, the Fury gloves are made of (composite) latex and neoprene.
In terms of price, they are on the same level, and you can also choose from a large number of sizes with both.
Best Goalkeeper Gloves for Artificial Grass: Reusch Pure Contact Infinity
- Material: Latex and neoprene
- Field type: Artificial grass
- Finger save: No.
- Target audience: Adults
If you mainly play on artificial grass, you naturally want goalkeeper gloves that are extremely suitable for that.
A good example of such gloves are the Pure Contact Infinity goalkeeper gloves.
They are made of quality latex (Reusch Grip Infinity), which offers both durability and grip for professional performance.
The gloves have a negative cut, creating a close fit around the fingertips and as much contact area as possible for the best ball control.
And thanks to the inner seam in the lower finger zone, it ensures a tight yet flexible anatomical fit.
A natural gripping position of the hands is stimulated with this fit.
The construction on the top of the gloves is made of a breathable neoprene, which feels like a second skin.
This material has been pulled all the way to the end of the gloves, and there is elastic textile on the inside of the wrist.
The wrist is thus stabilized, plus the gloves offer comfort as well as a modern design.
The Nike Grip 3 (see above) also seems to do well on artificial grass, if the Pure Contact Infinity model does not completely meet your personal wishes.
Best Kids Goalkeeper Gloves: Renegade GK Triton
- Material: Latex, Composite Latex, 3D Airmesh Body
- Field type: Also for hard surfaces
- Finger save: Yes
- Target audience: Children
Is your child a fanatic goalkeeper and does he or she need new gloves? Then I recommend the Renegade GK Triton Goalkeeper Gloves as my next purchase.
Renegade's Triton series uses high-quality German Super Grip latex for use on hard ground.
Furthermore, the glove is equipped with a 180° thumb cover and pre-curved palm.
All this together improves both grip and ball control. As a goalkeeper you are so much more confident in your goal.
The gloves have removable Pro-Tek fingersaves that, unlike other fingersaves, will not bend backwards.
To provide extra protection, 3,5+3mm composite latex has been used on the palm and backhand.
The wrists have also been thought of: the 8 cm Airprene cuff and 3 mm 360° Duratek band will provide extra support for your wrists.
Comfort is also guaranteed thanks to the 3D Airmesh body, which allows your hands to breathe. The puller made of nylon ensures that you can easily put the gloves on and off.
We have seen the Renegade brand come up a few times in this review, because it simply offers really good gloves.
The Triton series of this brand has also received fantastic reviews from satisfied customers, which of course says something about the quality of these gloves.
Customers indicate, among other things, that they find the removable fingersave a big plus, that they fit snugly around the hands and just feel great.
Even on artificial grass, these gloves would do just fine. You have a fantastic grip and control.
Thanks to the soft inside, hard shots don't hurt; you don't feel any shocks on your hands or wrists.
They also look good for a long time, with no tears or wear and even in the rain they do great.
Other gloves that may be suitable for children/young people (approximately sizes 5-8) are the Gripmode Aqua Hybrid (available from size 7), the Nike Grip 3 (also available from size 7) and the Renegade GK Fury (from size 6 ).
Of these, only the Renegade GK Fury Goalkeeper Glove has fingersave, the others do not.
Playing football at home? Then you need soccer goals to make it a real game
What is fingersave in goalkeeper gloves?
Fingersave is a modern technique used in many of today's goalkeeper gloves.
The technique is intended to prevent the fingers from snapping. Because the moment a keeper injures his fingers or hands, the fun is of course over.
The fingersave technique is used to protect goalkeepers as well as possible against hard balls and studs, among other things.
Are you going for a fingersave or not?
You would think that you should go for extra safety and therefore take goalkeeper gloves with fingersave.
But there are goalkeepers who prefer not to have fingersave, because it limits the freedom of movement of the fingers.
Fingersave ensures that your hand is held in a certain position.
This makes your hand 'lazy', and the stiffness of the gloves means that keepers cannot put their hands around the ball properly.
Catching becomes more difficult, especially if you are still learning the basics of goalkeeping.
With young keepers we see that the balls often jump away when they try to catch the ball. Rather, the ball is knocked or pushed away.
But think about it: if you're trying to catch a ball, it's nearly impossible for your fingers to snap back.
This can only possibly happen if you try to hit a high or far ball with a limp hand.
In addition, there is the scenario when you enter a duel as a keeper: with fingersave it becomes almost impossible to spread your fingers.
The result is that you will release the ball sooner. And that can just mean a goal against.
And what if a ball lands right on the fingers? Is finger save useful?
No, not even then, because because the fingers can't bend backwards, they will want to move straight in.
Keepers who have experienced this indicate that this is a rather unpleasant experience.
So, whether or not fingersave? Well, as a keeper you have to decide that for yourself.
In the higher divisions you see few keepers who use fingersave. But if you feel more confident with fingersave, go for it.
What matters is that you feel good and confident, because that naturally affects your performance.
Conclusion
As a goalkeeper you know that every save counts. You need the right equipment to help make those saves and give yourself the best chance of winning.
With this list of the 8 best goalkeeper gloves, I hope you can find the perfect pair for you.
Whether it's an affordable option or something more luxurious, these gloves will keep the ball out of your net.
Read also my complete list of all essentials for a good football training session
