In this piece, we’ve taken the time to review 7 of the best goalkeeper gloves available in 2022, including youth and adult options.
No matter what position they play, it’s said that the best football players have “great hands.” But it’s also true that the best football gloves help players catch the ball, throw it, tackle opponents, and hold onto it when it counts.
We’ve also discussed some key things to consider when buying, to help you find the right gloves for your specific needs.
If you’re in a rush, here are our top three picks:
Considerations when buying
Know everything there is to know about keeping? Touch here to skip to our reviews.
1. How to pick the right goalkeeper glove size
Goalkeeper gloves come in sizes from 4 to 12. Finding the right size for you is relatively easy. Generally, you’d prefer to have gloves that are slightly too big rather than slightly too small, so err on the side of a bigger size if you’re unsure. However, having gloves that are too big is a bad idea as the ball will slip very easily.
To find the correct size, refer to the chart below.
2. Different types of goalkeeper gloves
Essentially, glove manufacturers make cheaper “training gloves” as well as higher-quality match gloves. You’re safe to buy training gloves for training (duh!) and casual use. However for optimum performance on the pitch you’ll want match gloves.
Also, some gloves (typically match gloves) have hard plastic known as fingersaves inserted into each finger to prevent them bending back when impacted. Buying these gloves is generally a good idea as they provide more confidence when saving.
3. Different types of goalkeeper glove cuts
Flat/regular cut
- Stitches on the outside of the latex.
- Flat palm.
Goalkeepers with broad palms who want a spacious fit.
Roll finger/gun cut
- Latex from the palm wraps around the fingers.
Goalkeepers with slender fingers looking for a tight fit.
Negative cut
- Seams are located on the inside of the glove.
Female keepers or those looking for an extra-tight fit.
Hybrid cut
- Uses a mix of features from the above cuts.
Those looking for a balanced glove. Going for a roll finger/negative cut will offer a large palm but slender fit for example.
4. Goalkeeper glove palm
More expensive gloves (match gloves) will have a better grip on the ball. However, they may achieve this by sacrificing durability. This is because better grip is achieved by reducing the amount of rubber in the palm and adding more latex, which is more expensive.
You’ll want a more durable glove if you’re playing indoors or on artificial turf. If you play in the wet or struggle to catch the ball you might want to go for a grippier glove. We’ve considered both of these factors in our review.
Best Goalkeeper Gloves
Here we’ll review 6 of the best goalkeeper gloves for adults. Touch here to see the best goalkeeper gloves for kids.
1. Varzist Brine King Match 3X
With a 3mm thick palm surface, the Brine King Match 3x offer a nice feel for the ball when catching, while the mesh finger material gives excellent breathability.
Varzist has opted for a roll finger/gun cut with these gloves, making them fit very snugly over the fingers in particular, enhancing the excellent feel for the ball that these gloves offer.
Another benefit of this product is its price – it’s one of the better low budget options. However, the gloves do wear down quite quickly with regular use.
Pros
- Excellent feel for the ball.
- Range of colorways available.
- Great price.
Cons
- Not incredibly durable.
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2. Adidas Ace Trans Fingersave Pro
Adidas are world-renown for their goalkeeper gloves. Manuel Neuer and David de Gea use them for their incredible grip and finger protection.
The Ace Trans Fingersave Pro is an excellent all-round glove, featuring a nice feel for the ball as well as great finger support when stopping hard shots.
Although the gloves are somewhat expensive, in return you get amazing durability and Adidas’ custom-engineered EVO Zone latex for enhanced grip.
Pros
- Excellent feel for the ball and grip.
- Great finger support.
- Good durability.
Cons
- Slightly expensive, but you get what you pay for.
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3. Renegade Fury
Looking for a balance between cost and performance? Renegade has you covered.
Unlike other gloves the Fury has removable fingersave inserts which are highly flexible when bent forward but not when they’re forced backward, making them almost unnoticeable in-game.
The “Airmesh” body makes for increased breathability, ensuring that the glove is incredibly comfortable to wear.
On the performance side, 3mm latex palms make for a great feel when holding the ball, while the pre-arched palm helps to improve grip.
Renegade also promise to swap the gloves out if there are any issues within 30 days of purchase, providing peace of mind when buying.
Renegade offers this glove in flat, hybrid and roll finger cuts to ensure you get the glove that best fits your individual needs.
Pros
- Excellent after-sales support.
- Good feel when catching the ball.
- Available in a range of cuts.
- None to mention considering the price!
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4. Blok-IT Goalkeeper Glove
For some keepers, it’s just not worth buying a super-expensive glove.
No matter whether you wash them after every game or not, you know they’re going to get ruined. Many goalies who play on dry pitches know this problem all too well.
If this sounds like you, the Blok-IT goalkeeper glove is definitely worth checking out, because it’s very reasonably priced.
Despite being so cheap, you still get stiff fingersave inserts, and the side vents are quite breathable.
The palm is also surprisingly thick, offering good protection while sacrificing a little control. This latex material does a pretty good job retaining its grip, but it could be more durable.
Ultimately, this is a fantastic budget/training glove, but we’d recommend getting something with a slightly grippier palm if you can afford it.
Pros
- Great price.
- Comes with fingersave inserts.
- Very breathable.
Cons
- Not incredibly grippy.
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5. Sells Wrap Axis 360 Supersoft 4
Sells’ contribution to this list is perfect for keepers with wider hands.
The Supersoft 4 has a flat/regular cut and fits quite large, ensuring your fingers remain comfortable in these gloves even if your palms are on the larger side.
As a “Supersoft” glove, they feature a 4mm thick palm for maximum protection against tough shots.
The body material is made of Sells’ signature “Stormtex” latex to maximize rebound power on punches while protecting your knuckles.
The downside is these gloves don’t have fingersave inserts, although they are incredibly durable and continue to offer good protection and grip.
Pros
- Excellent all-round protection.
- Thick palm/backhand material – great for punching.
- Good durability.
Cons
- No finger plastic.
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6. Storelli ExoShield Gladiator Pro
If there was a goalkeeper hanging around that bar in Star Wars IV, they would probably be wearing these gloves.
The Gladiator Pros are the real deal.
Polybutylene punch zones on the backhand maximize distance on your punches, while military-grade finger and thumb spines ensure you can stop even the most powerful of shots.
The gloves are also extra-breathable to maximize comfort while the roll/gun cut means the gloves fit snugly, minimizing movement.
German latex makes the gloves highly durable, the 3.5mm thickness offering a nice balance between longevity and feel for the ball.
Pros
- Good durability.
- Excellent power when punching and great feel for the ball.
- Super intimidating – a good thing in our experience!
Cons
- Slightly expensive.
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Best Youth Goalkeeper Gloves
Most of the gloves we’ve reviewed can be used by children as they come in sizes 4-7. However, some companies make specialized youth goalkeeper gloves that only come in smaller sizes.
1. Adidas Ace Fingersave Junior
As a kid I loved Adidas gloves. They were very comfortable and had a great grip, as well as decent durability.
The Ace Fingersave Junior continues Adidas’ line of fantastic junior goalkeeper gloves.
Fingersave technology helps with ball deflection, while the flat/regular cut ensures that the gloves can fit bulkier hands.
However, Adidas has designed them to fit snugly, which allows players with thinner palms to use these gloves comfortably.
In addition, the Fingersave Junior has excellent grip in all weather conditions, but the latex palm can wear down quickly with regular use.
Pros
- Good grip.
- Solid finger protection.
- Fits a range of hand profiles.
Cons
- Can wear down quickly with regular use.
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2. Reusch Soccer Receptor SG
Reusch have specifically designed these gloves with hand protection in mind, the “Soft Grip” mixture of natural and synthetic latex protecting the palm from fast shots.
The fingers, as well as the thumb, feature a plastic protector to prevent hyperextension and to provide the gloves with a greater capacity to deflect shots.
Although the regular cut of this glove makes it suitable for larger hands, it does fit a bit smaller than the average glove so it’s a good idea to go a size higher if in doubt.
Reusch even has their own size chart to make sure you choose the right gloves.
Pros
- Excellent protection for the palm and fingers.
- Nice soft feel when gripping the ball.
- Good durability.
Cons
- Not many size options available.
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3. Diadora Stile II
The Stile II is a great mid-budget option for kids.
Featuring a grippy but durable palm material and breathable finger mesh, this glove offers excellent value for money in terms of longevity and comfort when playing.
The only downside is the gloves aren’t quite as sturdy as others we’ve reviewed in terms of the finger protection offered.
However, we love that black/white colorway, complemented by the colors of the Italian flag!
Pros
- Very comfortable.
- Durable.
- Good grip.
Cons
- Finger protection isn’t great – feels a bit less sturdy than other gloves.
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Conclusion
Hopefully this guide helped you! Leave a comment if you’re still not sure what gloves to buy we’ll get back to you ASAP.
PS – if you’re on the lookout for a soccer ball to practice keeping, check out our review of some of the best soccer balls on the market right now.