Image Source: Reddit

In a previous post, we talked about goalie gloves hacks for improving grip that you shouldn’t try at home. At the time of writing that article, there were a few standouts. But since then? Yeah—there’s a bunch of other substances that goalkeepers slap onto their gloves to keep them grippy, and we can say most of them…aren’t worth your time. With that said, we’ll take a look at what soccer players on Reddit and other corners of the web use to keep their gloves grippy. We’re here to help you navigate the wild wild west of grip hacks.  

1. Vaseline

Vaseline is a popular choice among goalkeepers for improving grip, especially in wet conditions. However, it can be harmful to gloves in the long run. It acts as a sealant, keeping moisture out but potentially drying out the latex foam. While it provides immediate stickiness, it can damage the gloves over time. So keep it in your medicine cabinet, not your soccer bag. 

2. Glove Glu

This product is specifically designed for goalkeeper gloves. Its effectiveness may be short-lived, necessitating multiple sprays but it does improve grip. One user reported that "it only lasts a few saves and it's gone, is completely useless in the rain". It’s savings grace, however, is that it’s less harmful than some of the other “options” mentioned in this list.

3. Keeper Balm

This product has shown dramatic results in ideal conditions. One user described it as "an absolute game changer" that makes the palm "tacky and soft". However, its effectiveness depends on proper application timing. It's generally less harmful to gloves than non-specialized products, making it a (excuse the pun) keeper. 

4. Pine tar

Apparently, some goalkeepers use pine tar to make their gloves extra sticky. We don’t have much evidence about its use (just heard some rumblings), although it’s a banned substance in baseball, not to mention damaging to baseball gloves. While it may be temporary effective in soccer (and not yet illegal), we don’t recommend it all since it might wreck your gloves.

5. Honey

Honey is a natural sticky substance that some goalkeepers may use. While it can improve grip, it's messy and impractical for long-term use. It can also attract dirt and insects, potentially damaging the gloves. If you’re gonna use honey, please, save it for your tea or for a sore throat. 

6. Bearing grease

While it can make gloves sticky, bearing grease is not designed for this purpose and can severely damage the latex foam. So using this one gets a hard “no” from us—bearing grease can seriously ruin your gloves.

7. Maple syrup

Similar to honey, maple syrup can provide temporary stickiness. However, it's messy and can attract dirt. It's not a practical long-term solution and may damage your gloves, so it keep it for your pancakes or waffles instead. 

8. Specially-Formulated Goalie Glove Spray

There are formulated sprays designed to enhance grip without damaging the gloves. They’re highly effective at keeping goalie gloves tacky and safer than most alternatives. The one caveat is that some glove sprays can be short-lived, with some players noting that after the initial application dries, the stickiness wears off. Of course, that likely depends on how the spray, how you use it, and other factors. In other words, your mileage may vary.

9. Grip boost products

Products like Grip Boost gel provide an immediate boost in grip and work well in various weather conditions. They're generally safer for gloves than non-specialized alternatives but may require frequent reapplication.

10. Water

Lightly wetting gloves can activate the latex foam and improve grip. This is the safest method, as it doesn't introduce harmful chemicals, but its effectiveness is limited. When it comes to using water, there’s no risk in using it, except for the chance of minor disappointment.

11. Sugar water mixture

A simple solution of sugar and water can provide temporary stickiness. While less harmful than some alternatives, it can attract insects and dirt, potentially damaging the gloves. Again, it’s one of those solutions that might serve your grandma’s recipes well, but not so much your gloves.

12. Cola and water mixture

Some goalkeepers use a mixture of cola and water to enhance grip. While it can provide temporary stickiness, the sugar content may damage the gloves over time and attract dirt. And if you don’t believe it, just remember what Cola can dissolve rust…so imagine what it can do to latex. 

13. Hairspray

Hairspray can create a temporary sticky layer on gloves, but it wears off quickly and can dry out the latex. Anything that dries out latex is kryptonite for goalie gloves, and therefore, it's not recommended for long-term use. Scratch that—we don’t recommend it for use. Period. 

14. Shaving foam

Surprisingly effective for creating a tacky surface, shaving foam's effects are short-lived and require frequent reapplication. It's less harmful than some alternatives but not a practical long-term solution as it can still cause damage. Once again, ditch it. 

Just Cause it’s Sticks, Doesn’t Mean it Should be Picked

Contrary to popular belief, not any old sticky substance is good for goalie gloves. In fact, most substances people use to improve goalie glove grip has the potential to cause damage sooner or later. So our recommendation is to avoid being a copycat—if whatever you’re using doesn’t say anything about goalie gloves on the label, don’t use it. It’s as simple as that. 

We do recommend some fixes, however, such as formulated goalie glove sprays which are designed to restore or maintain tackiness. They’re not perfect or permanent, but they can keep your gloves tacky for some time without causing any damage. Give your gloves the best and nothing less, and they’ll last longer.