Gloves are an essential part of goalkeeping equipment. They provide a better grip and help improve performance. Regardless of the amount of money you spend, goalkeeper gloves won’t last forever.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything you can do to extend their lifespan. Here, we’ll offer tips on taking care of goalkeeper gloves to make them last longer.
Choose the Size Carefully
Purchasing gloves of the right size is imperative for comfort, protection, and grip. If you buy gloves that are too big or too small, they may succumb to wear and tear quickly.
Ideally, your fingers should be between a 1/4 inch and a 1/2 inch from the top of the glove.
Choose the Right Glove Type
Different gloves are suitable for different weather conditions. If you often play in wet conditions, you should buy goalkeeper gloves designed for challenging weather. Purchasing the wrong gloves could result in a loose grip, which every goalkeeper wants to avoid.
Keep Them Moist During Match
Most gloves provide a better grip when moist. Hence, you should never keep them completely dry, especially not during a match. Goalies usually squirt water onto their gloves 10-15 minutes before a match and even spit on them to keep them moist.
It may take some time to figure out the amount of moisture to provide the best grip. That’s why we don’t recommend purchasing brand-new gloves before an important match.
Use Training Gloves
Keeping your game gloves in top shape is vital for achieving excellent results. For this reason, you should consider purchasing another pair for training sessions. These don’t have to be high-quality, expensive gloves, but they should perform adequately and let you keep your game gloves for match days.
Clean Your Gloves
Dirt and moisture dry the latex on your goalkeeper gloves. Over time, you’ll notice your gloves have become porous and hard on the outside. Likewise, sweat damages the interior, which increases the risk of tears. All of which emphasises the importance of taking proper care of your gloves after every training session or match to extend their lifespan.
You should rinse them out with lukewarm water. This will help you wash away dirt, sweat, and anything else that may damage your goalkeeper gloves. Don’t forget to rinse out the interior as well. Then, squeeze out the excess water without wringing.
While using a detergent isn’t strictly necessary, a mild product will help eliminate any unpleasant odours and stubborn dirt. There’s no need to use the detergent every time you wash your gloves. Note that detergents containing harsh chemicals can damage your gloves, so it’s essential to choose the right product carefully.
After washing the goalkeeper gloves, leave them to dry naturally. You should never accelerate the process by placing the gloves into a dryer or in direct sunlight. These could draw out the natural moisture from the gloves and make them dry and more prone to damage.
Store Your Gloves Properly
Tossing your goalkeeper gloves into your bag and forgetting about them could damage them and lead to bacteria and fungus build-up. Since you should avoid this at all costs, it’s important to learn how to store your gloves properly.
It’s best to keep them in a cool environment with adequate moisture. We recommend keeping the plastic packaging the gloves come in and using it for storage. If you threw it away, remember to keep the palms apart during storage. The latex could stick together and tear the gloves when you try to separate them.
Having Two Matches Close Together
Washing your goalkeeper gloves after each match can be a challenge if you play regularly. In such situations, use a moist towel to wipe away sweat, excessive moisture, and dirt. Then, wrap the towel around the gloves to lock in the moisture for the next match.
Proper Care Means Longer Use
Every goalkeeper needs high-quality equipment that highlights their performance and increases comfort. Perfect Goalkeeper gloves are only one part of a keeper’s gear, but no goalie would be the same without them.
In conjunction with the tips we’ve provided, ensure you purchase your gloves from reputable stores with a wide selection to choose from, and you’ll enjoy them for a long time.
