Let’s talk palm preservation and glove care… We get asked every single day how you can make your gloves last longer, and we’re here to help.
Expectations
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First and foremost, we want to set the expectation that gloves are not cleats. I know that sounds obvious, but they will naturally wear faster than shoes because gloves are made of latex and latex is a soft, porous material. Latex absorbs what it touches and surrounds- water, dirt, sand, turf, dust, sweat- EVEN SMELLS. No matter what brand of gloves you buy, this holds true.
Average number of gloves a GK goes through per year:
Pro: 25-35 pairs
Read more : How Long Do Leather Boxing Gloves Last
College: 5-8 Pairs
Elite Keeper: 3-6 pairs
Rec keeper 1-2 pairs
ITEMS TO NOTE
- Pros train many hours almost every single day. They also have the luxury of affording more pairs.
- GLOVES CAN LAST LONGER IF CARED FOR PROPERLY
With this knowledge, “How can I or my child be at the lower end of those numbers so I’m not buying gloves all the time?”
Buying Considerations
Read more : How To Make Pig Skin Gloves
Make sure you buy a glove that matches your needs and output!
- Don’t peel your gloves til you are ready to use them! Once latex is exposed to oxygen, a slow drying process naturally occurs. This is for all latex, all brands!
- All latex begins as white- white latex is most durable
- Color additives slightly soften the latex (although it does make it more sticky)
- The darker the palms, the more additives, and more prone to wear- it isn’t a massive difference but it can add up over time!
- Training is harder on gloves than games- 1 training is about 3 games from a use standpoint!
PRO TIP: As you buy new gloves, have them become your game gloves. Wear them in and then drop them down to your training pair.
Glove Care
We just rolled out a Glove Care Bundlefor $24. This bundle has all the things you need to make your gloves last longer (and smell better)!
When I was growing up, I was extremely guilty of finishing a game or training, throwing my gloves in my bag and leaving my bag in my hot or cold garage (depending on time of year) until the next time I left for a training or game. Anyone else do this or see their child do this? Besides the fact that this is not hygienic (and plays a large part in giving gloves that foul odor they’ve become accustomed with), this is terrible for palm preservation!
- Wash your gloves: Every 4 uses or so, use a glove specific wash to clean your gloves. Let the gloves air dry- no heat! PRO TIP: Pick one day a week to be “glove wash day”- ex. Thursday after training ahead of weekend games
- Store your gloves: Between trainings/games, store your gloves in a specialized compartment or glove bag- where it isn’t exposed to extreme weather/temperatures OR smells. If your gloves are soaking wet, let them air dry and then store them! Wet, sweaty gloves thrown in a bag promote bacteria growth and stench.
- Dampen (not soak) your gloves before and while playing. A little bit of water activates the latex. Keep a bottle by your goal (use spit as a last ditch scenario).
- DO NOT, under any circumstances, pour hand sanitizer or other drying agents on your palms. This is pretty much a death sentence for gloves!
Technique
We know this is a tough one to hear- but simple changes to technique and style of play can have an immense impact on the life of your latex. We recently posted a video of US National Beach Team keeper, Christi Yount, using a fist to push back up from a dive instead of pushing her palms into the sand. Same holds true for a field- dirt, turf, grass can be just as abrasive. It gets both absorbed into the latex and can tear it. Simple changes to technique will go A LONG WAY!
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: HOW
