If your child is training to become a goalie, then the right pair of gloves can make a huge difference to their development and trajectory. Great gloves improve technique, and performance, and protect against injury, building a young goalkeeper's confidence. The wrong gloves can mean the ball slipping beyond your reach and regularly injured fingers that can stunt development.

Choosing the perfect pair of goalkeeper gloves for your young player depends on their age, skill level, and the size of their hands. Let’s go through everything you need to know to find the best youth soccer goalkeeper gloves for the soccer field!

Superlatives Summary

• Best Overall: Storelli Challenger Glove
• Best for Finger Protection: Elite Sport Warrior
• Best for Smaller Hands: AGK El Diablo Youth
• Best Budget Option: Nike Jr. Match Glove
• Best for Advanced Play: Reusch Pure Contact Fusion Junior

Best Youth Goalie Gloves

Best Overall: Storelli Challenger Glove

Storelli's Challenger Glove should be the go-to glove for young and entry-level keepers, combining flexibility with protection. It features a hybrid cut palm with a 3.5mm high-quality latex palm and 5mm cushioning to absorb impact while providing a strong grip for excellent ball control. There are four fixed finger spines to protect the digits from hyperextension injuries. The full wrist wrap maximizes comfort and fit, and the gloves come with a breathable bag for storage.

These are high-performance and versatile gloves ideal for serious young players for both practice and matches.

Best for Finger Protection: Elite Sport Warrior

The Elite Sport Warrior Gloves are a youth-specific design for smaller players still learning the art of goalkeeping. They feature a flat-cut palm with a wrapped thumb made from soft latex that reinforces the fingers and provides excellent grip and effective ball control. The backhand is covered in durable PU material with a mesh body for breathability. These are gloves with finger protection featuring five non-removable finger spines with high rebound resistance.

These junior goalkeeper gloves are ideal for young players still learning how to hold their fingers to avoid injury and players recovering from hand injuries.

Best Fit for Small Hands: AGK El Diablo Youth

The AGK El Diablo Youth Gloves are manufactured to the exact specifications of the AGK Pro professional gloves but for smaller hands. They are the top choice for serious younger players aged six to 10. The main difference between these gloves and the AGK Pro is that they are made from super soft new basic latex, which is more affordable than the match-quality German contact latex. The 3mm of latex covers the negative cut palm and wrap-over thumb, and there is ventilated mesh between the fingers for improved airflow.

These are the perfect youth gloves for all weather conditions, and both training and matches. Plus, the bright design appeals to kids.

Best Budget Option: Nike Jr. Goalkeeper Match Glove

The Nike Jr. Goalkeeper Match Glove is the most affordable option on this list but still boasts excellent quality. They feature foam-padded palms to help absorb impact from fast-paced shots, and the smooth latex surface helps with goalie glove grip. This breathable design also features mesh panels that enable airflow. The adjustable wrist strap provides a good fit for growing hands.

Great for players just starting out in recreational leagues and whose growing hands mean regular upgrades.

Best High-Performance: Reusch Pure Contact Fusion Junior

Reusch's Pure Contact Fusion Junior Gloves are a pricier pair of gloves, but they are high-quality, high-performance kids goalkeeper gloves. Their innovative design feels like a second skin on the hand, while the lightweight materials have a negative cut for superior ball control. One tight-fitting layer of neoprene extends down the wrist, providing a snug fit secured by a full elastic strap. The glove is covered in Reusch fusion latex for excellent grip and enhanced durability.

These are great junior goalkeeper gloves for advanced youth keepers in club or travel leagues.

What to Look for in Youth Goalkeeper Gloves

When it comes to gloves for junior players, it is essential to balance performance and cost, since gloves need to be upgraded regularly.

Grip

Young players need an excellent grip to hold onto the ball as they learn to pluck it out of the air. The best goalie gloves use latex for flexibility and ball control. Youth gloves should also feature latex, though usually not of the same high-quality materials as professional gloves. Gloves with 3-4mm latex palms tend to offer the best balance of affordability and performance in all weather conditions.

Protection

Young players are usually still learning how to deflect the ball without damaging their fingers, so they benefit from gloves with finger protection. All youth gloves will feature padding, but features like finger saves offer extra protection against accidents like the fingers bending back too far. Gloves with finger protection are not just a priority for new players; experienced players also need maximum protection to ensure they don't miss any games due to injury.

Cut

Cut refers to how the glove is constructed and stitched together, which influences both fit and performance. While the market offers various goalie glove cuts, most youth goalkeeper gloves primarily use two types.

The negative cut stitches the seams on the outside of the fingers, creating gloves with a snug fit that feels like a second skin. The design also offers the maximum catching surface, enhancing goalie glove's grip and giving young goalkeepers better finger control as they hone their catching abilities.

Flat-cut gloves are more traditional with seams along the backs of the fingers, creating a looser fit. This style prioritizes comfort and allows younger players to move their hands more easily within the glove, helping them develop better hand-eye coordination and catching technique.

Other Features

In addition to these key features, there are a variety of other optional features to consider. Many gloves with have adjustable features, like adjustable wrist straps, to get a more snug and firm fit, and will integrate breathable materials, such as mesh, to save the hands from excessive sweating.

How to Choose the Right Size

As well as combining the right key features, which are often down to individual player preference, getting the right size matters. Loose gloves will see their hands move around inside the glove, limiting precision and increasing the likelihood of injury. Too small, and they won't have natural hand movements to control the soccer ball. The right-sized gloves will offer maximum comfort for optimal performance.

Youth Glove Sizing by Age

Size charts for youth gloves generally list glove sizes by age, so you know what size to get based on your child's age.

• Ages 6–8: Sizes 4–5
• Ages 9–11: Sizes 5–6
• Ages 12–14: Sizes 6–7

Of course, all parents know that age is not always a good indicator of size, so to make sure you are getting the best possible fit, measure your child's hand from the tip of their middle finger to the base of their palm. When choosing the right size, most sizing charts recommend adding one inch to this measurement to account for the padding. In most cases, if you have your child's hand measurements, the brand will provide a youth goalkeeper glove sizing chart to help you find the perfect fit.

Growth Room vs Proper Fit

Should you be buying larger gloves to give your child room to grow? Yes, this is a good idea, but don't go too big. Ideally, the right-sized gloves should allow around a fingertip's space above the fingers so that there is room but not too much. You might be able to double that space for growing hands if the glove has other features to keep them secure, such as adjustable wrist straps.

Glove Maintenance Tips

Cleaning and Storage

Wash your gloves before using them for the first time to remove any preservatives from the manufacturing process and activate the latex. Latex is not meant to be dry, so wetting the latex periodically when playing in dry conditions can improve glove performance.

Clean gloves after every training session or match. A light clean can involve just a quick wipe down with a damp cloth to remove dirt and sweat. For a more extensive clean, hand wash the gloves in lukewarm water with specialist glove soap or mild soap. Pat dry to remove excess water and then leave to air dry completely, but not in direct sunlight. Store the palms of the gloves together in a cool, dark spot.

Never machine wash goalie gloves.

Extending Glove Life

There are things that you can do to extend the life of your gloves. This starts with proper glove care, which includes cleaning after every use. If you have multiple pairs of gloves, use older gloves for regular training sessions and newer gloves for matches to limit wear and tear. Special glove washes and balms can be worth the investment if you are paying for high-performance gloves.

Where to Buy Trusted Youth Gloves

While there are plenty of sporting marketplaces where you can find a good range of gloves, it is often best to buy directly from the brand, as you will get more support on issues like sizing and features, plus a better range of sizes to choose from.

Storelli is the best place to buy their high-performance goalkeeper gloves. In their store, you will also find soccer goalie equipment and other essentials for enthusiastic players, such as goalkeeper pants, goalkeeper leggings, and goalkeeper jerseys.

FAQs

How to choose goalkeeper gloves for kids?

Finding the right youth soccer goalkeeper gloves depends on a variety of factors. The right fit will make a big difference, as will good-quality latex for a firm grip on the ball. Other features depend on the size and experience of the player. They may want to try several different cuts, and their coach may also be able to provide guidance. Finger protection is always a consideration for newer players who are still learning how to save dynamically without risk of injury.

What is the best goalkeeper glove brand?

Storelli and Reusch are among the best brands for goalkeeper gloves, but as soccer is such a popular sport, there are lots of sports brands producing top-quality gloves for players of all sizes and levels. Doing your research before you buy can help narrow your options. And while it is not the most scientific way to choose, many kids will love to wear gloves from the same brand as their favorite professional player.