Like it or not, our goalie gloves will start to lose their grip. It’s inevitable. However, you can extend the grip (and lifespan) of your gloves if you treat them right. This post will take a look at some tips you can try to keep your gloves grippy for a longer period.
Buy the Right Goalie Gloves in the First Place!
What’s the key to goalie gloves with long-lasting grip? Buying soccer goalie gloves that offer plenty of grip in the first place. Remember, wear-and-tear will happen, and although you can extend the shelf-life of your gloves (including the grip), they won’t last forever. So the key is to buy gloves that can withstand the elements.
Most goalie gloves contain latex, and the type and quality of latex used to determine how grippy a pair of gloves are. The typical rule of thumb is this: softer latex=better grip. German latex provides superior grip due to its softness and is a favorite among amateur, semi-pro, and pro soccer players alike.
Our very own line of goalie gloves is embossed with German latex, which provides players with the best grip available on the market.
On a side note: pay attention to the cut of goalie gloves as well since that too influences grip. Different cuts offer varying levels of grip. For example, a negative cut glove with roll-thumbs sport extra latex for added grip. These little additions might seem small, but they give that extra tackiness you want.
Clean Your Goalie Gloves Appropriately
Apart from buying the right goalie gloves, how well you treat them will affect how long they stay grippy. And the way you wash and clean them, especially, can either maintain or reduce the grip. Too many players overlook this.
There’s a 3-step approach to washing and cleaning goalie gloves that can help maintain the grip longer.
Before Games: Pre-wash your new gloves before using them and allow them to dry naturally (no dryers). This will remove preservatives from the latex, increasing its activity so that you get the most grip from the gloves.
During Games: From time to time, dampen the palms of your gloves with water. Latex was designed to be moist, so adding a little water will help keep it buoyant and durable.
After Games: Make sure to wash your goalkeeper gloves asap. After washing them, let them dry on their own - no dryers or machines. With that said, don’t let them get too dry, or else they’ll get brittle and less grippy. Balance is key.
For gloves you’ve owned for a while, we advise you to wash them once a week. Use lukewarm water since very hot and very cold water can damage the latex. Also, use just a little soap when washing, and massage the gloves to remove dirt and debris.
Use Spray for Your Goalkeeper Gloves
We won’t spend too much time on this one since it’s fairly straightforward. Using a spray on your goalie gloves can help keep them grippy. As we mentioned above, latex works best when it’s wet/moist, and sprays keep latex moist and sticky.
If you’re going to buy a spray, make sure to read the reviews and instructions. You want to make sure you buy the best quality product and use it correctly so that you get the best results possible.
Store Goalkeeper Gloves Safely
Another mistake soccer players often make is that they store their goalie gloves in a bad spot. Storing goalie gloves in a bad location is a quick and easy way to ruin them - and lose grip.
We recommend that you keep your gloves in a cool location, one that’s out of direct sunlight. However, that location should NOT be humid since humidity promotes bacterial and mold growth, organisms that damage gloves.
For the sake of grip, keep the palms of the gloves separate. If they’re wet, they will stick together and potentially peel the latex when you pull them apart. Of course, that tearing will weaken the grip, so keep them apart.
Improve Your Technique to Maintain Goalie Glove Grip
Again, we’re going to talk about latex - keeping it in good condition will keep your gloves grippy longer. Now all that swatting and deflecting the ball will wear the latex in your gloves eventually, but your shot-blocking technique can slow things down.
Rethink how you stop the ball and how you move (especially, how you dive). If you’re constantly landing on your hands, the repetitive contact with the ground will damage the gloves faster. So it would make sense to learn how to dive without having to land on your palms all the time.
Also, when getting up off the ground, don’t rest all of your weight on your palms. This will wear out the latex or expose it to turf (or grass) that may scratch the fabric.
Long Live the Grip
Goalie glove grip doesn’t last forever, no matter what gloves you buy or how well you treat them. However, buying the right pair of gloves and caring for them properly will extend their shelf life. You’ll save money and get more out of them in terms of performance. And you’d likely agree that getting more out of your gloves is better than seeing them breakdown faster than they need to.
Need a pair of goalie gloves? Browse through our selection of goalkeeper gloves to find the right fit and style for you!
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