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Goalkeeper Glove Buying Guide

When buying a goalkeeper glove there are three key things to take into account:
· Size varies
· Fit varies
· Flexibility varies

1) Sizing: For the most part, the four main manufacturers (we’ll call them the Big 4)—Nike, Adidas, Uhlsport, and Reusch—are pretty close in sizing. Adidas runs a little bigger. I’d say about a half-size bigger. I am a size 7. My hands fit in a size 6 in adidas gloves. However, for fit purposes, I still wear a size 7 in adidas. This might be something to consider if you wear bigger sizes, however.
When fitting a glove to your hands, you want little extra room in them. I generally like to have about an extra fingertip’s length between where my fingers are and where the tip of the glove ends.

When measuring your hand for a glove, there’s a trick. Take a ruler and measure from one side of your palm to the other, just below the knuckles. Multiply it by two, and add one. So, from one side of my palm to the other, it’s 3 inches. Multiply by 2 (which is 6) and add 1 (which is 7) and that’s where I get my size. You can also take a tape measure and measure the circumference of your hand just below the knuckles (mine is 6 inches). Add one to that. 7 is still my size.

2) Fit: When looking into a glove you want to look at two things. First, do they have finger spines? If they do, chances are the glove will fit a little bit tighter. I’ve noticed that Nike goalkeeper gloves, regardless of whether or not there are finger spines, tend to fit just a little more snug.

The second is the way the wrist wraps. I have found that Reusch gloves tend to fit the tightest around the wrist. In my experience, that’s a good thing. However, it is a little bit harder to adjust. It is a comfort-based opinion, though. If you don’t like tight gloves, you’ll want to pay attention to whether the glove has an easily adjustable wrist wrap, or if it’s a wrap-around wrist wrap, which tend to be a little tighter.

3) Flexibility: When trying to size up a glove, remember that finger spines are much more protective, but they can limit your flexibility. Again, it’s a matter of comfort. I find that finger spines are definitely protective, but it takes a little bit longer to close your fist in instances when you punch the ball away.

Written by: Bonnie Kuhn, goalie guru, soccerprose.com

 

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