Looking At The Best Baseball Gloves Reviews: Buyer’s Guide

Best Baseball Gloves Reviews

All players want to have the best baseball gloves possible. Unfortunately, though, many players don’t know how to get the best baseball gloves. They just take a chance when they make a purchase.

However, if you know how to shop for gloves and what to look for, you don’t ever have to “take a chance.” You can clearly know the features to look for in a baseball glove and then choose accordingly.

To help you get started off on the right foot (or, rather, the right hand), follow these simple tips for finding the best baseball gloves.

Consider Synthetic Leather for Your Glove

As you shop for baseball gloves, you will notice that these gloves are made from a very wide range of materials.

While most materials have their pros and cons, one of the better options you’ll find is synthetic leather.

Baseball gloves made from synthetic leather tend to be very affordable. Plus, they are lightweight enough for even the youngest players, and they also don’t have a “breaking in” requirement.

These gloves are pretty much ready to play with right from the start, which is great if you want to jump right into the game.

Know What Type of Thrower You Are

Whether you go with a synthetic leather glove or not, remember that the type of thrower you are matters greatly when choosing gloves.

If you are a right hand thrower, you’ll need a glove that fits your left hand, i.e. your non-throwing hand. Left hand throwers will need gloves that fit their right hands.

Obviously, each glove type is made differently, so it is very important to know what type of thrower you are ahead of time to ensure you end up with the right glove.

Aim for Just the Right Fit

Another thing that is important when choosing a baseball glove is choosing one that is properly fitted.

The worst thing is a baseball glove that is too tight. A too-tight glove will not provide you with the flexibility you need and can lead to hand cramps and other issues. As such, aim for a glove that fits securely over your batting glove but still gives you plenty of room to move your hand and fingers around freely.

It’s also smart to get an adjustable glove so you can play with the fit as needed. People often notice changes to the glove and its fit as it ages, so being able to adjust the sizing is a nice bonus.

What About Real Leather Gloves?

Earlier we mentioned some of the many benefits of going for a glove crafted out of synthetic leather.

And, while the synthetic stuff is definitely a nice option, you may be wondering about real leather gloves.

Real leather gloves are not a bad choice. Understand, however, that they can be a bit pricey and that you have several different options you can choose from.

For example, you could go with softened leather that has been treated with oil. This type of glove is easy to break in and can be played with immediately. Aside from this type of leather, there is mid-quality leather, which does have to be broken in but which works well after this period, and high quality leather, which will be very costly but which will provide a glove that lasts for the long haul.

As you can see, gloves of just about any material can and will work. It’s really just about what you can afford and how quickly you want to start using your glove.

Choose the Perfect Padding Amount

As you shop for a baseball glove, you will likely notice that the amount of padding varies greatly from one glove to the next.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that how much padding you need is just a matter of preference. Instead, you should base your padding amount on the position that you play.

Catchers, for example, will need a lot of padding in order to protect their hands as they catch balls. Wrist padding is necessary for corner infielders, and each other position has its own unique padding needs as well.

As such, before you go shopping for a glove, have an idea of what position or positions you are likely to play and then buy your glove accordingly.

What is Your Webbing Preference?

Finally, one glove feature that you can choose on comfort and preference alone is the amount and type of webbing your glove has. Try on gloves with both open and closed webbing to see which one feels better.

As long as the webbing is strong and firmly attached to the glove, either choice should be just fine.

Do You Need a Glove Made for Your Position?

Although it’s not necessary, having a baseball glove that is made for your playing position can be incredibly beneficial. However, if you go between infield and outfield, you’ll want to choose one that offers you benefits for both positions. But if you’re, say, a catcher, you should choose a glove made specifically for catchers.

Choosing the Best Baseball Gloves

As you can see, there is a lot to think about when choosing a baseball glove. By keeping these tips in mind, however, you should end up with the perfect glove for your game.