A Breakdown of Goalie Glove Features and How they Help During the Game

Jan 13, 2023

It’s easy for keepers to slap on a pair of goalie gloves without checking their features. The reality is that modern goalkeeper gloves have some incredible features which, if properly chosen, can elevate a goalkeeper’s performance. With that said, it’s worth examining some of those features and how we build them into goalkeeper gloves.

Finger spines (aka finger saves) to protect the goalkeeper’s fingers

Hate em or love em,’ fingerspines are one of modern goalie gloves' most recognizable protective features. They can be restrictive for goalkeepers who need to develop better ball control, but they offer unparalleled protection against finger injuries. For example, a goalkeeper with a hyperextended finger can depend on the finger spines to protect their digits while deflecting or catching the ball.

Our various goalie glove lines here at Storelli come with fingerspines for those who need to protect against or rehabilitate hand injuries. Best of all, they’re removable so players can use them on an as-needed basis.

German latex

A Google search for German latex won’t yield many results, so we’ll save you the trouble of looking. For keepers, German latex offers the ultimate grip and ball control. The tackiness of this material makes it easy to catch and hold the ball, hence why it’s ideal for grip.

It also serves as a cushion to protect the glove from tearing and breaking, especially during saves that involve slapping or catching the ball. The world’s best keepers wear goalie gloves with German latex, and we recommend them for amateur and youth keepers looking to unlock elite performance themselves.

Here at Storelli, our goalie gloves come with German latex in the palms to increase grip and ball control. The typical configuration is 3.5mm of German latex added to the glove and 3mm of impact foam in the palm for maximum protection against wear and tear.

Wrist straps

Comfort and fit are a big deal for goalkeepers. The feel is everything because if the glove feels too loose (or tight), a keeper will be distracted and struggle to make proper contact with the ball. Choosing the right glove size is a first and a must, but a wrist strap is the next best way to ensure glove fits.

With a wrist strap, players can secure and adjust the glove to the most precise fit. That eliminates the need to constantly reshift the glove during games, allowing the keeper to focus on the action.

Some of our Storelli gloves come with wrist straps so keepers can completely control their comfort. That includes the likes of our Gladiator Challenger 2 Glove and our Silencer Sly Gloves.

Textured punch zones

The backhand of the goalie gloves often gets attention for their designs, but not so much their engineering. The glove’s backhand must be loose and limber for mobility but also rigid and strong to withstand punching the ball, diving, and getting off the ground. The best goalie gloves feature reinforced backhands and “punch zones.” These features allow the glove to handle the force of the ball or landing on the ground without breaking or tearing.

Our Storelli gloves, such as our Silencer Threat Glove, feature a punch zone that provides additional bounce and power. It’s cushy yet powerful, allowing keepers to punch and deflect without worrying about premature wear and tear.

Make your goalie gloves your secret weapon

We’ve said before that skills make the keeper, not their gloves, and it’s a principle we stand by. But that doesn’t mean goalie gloves are just props. The right pair can help push keepers through plateaus that would otherwise hinder performance.

With the features like the ones mentioned above, keepers can ensure their game is distraction-free. Gloves may not make the keeper, but the right pair will elevate their performance.

Looking for soccer goalie gloves for a youth or adult player? Browse through our line of gloves for goalkeepers to find their perfect fit.