To get the maximum grip and life from your goalkeeper gloves you should take the following key steps:
Before using your new gloves for the first time pre-wash them and dry naturally in accordance with the washing instructions below. This will ensure you get the maximum grip when in use.
During use damp the palms of the gloves with water in order to get the best possible grip and durability from the latex palm.After use, before doing anything ensure you wash them and leave to dry naturally – leaving latex to dry out will make it brittle, affecting durability and grip.
Before every use it is best practice to pre-wash your gloves. Fill a basin of cool water without any soap or detergent. Gently wash your goalkeeper gloves for 5-10 minutes. I normally wear my gloves while doing this as I personally feel the best results are achieved by rubbing my hands together, allowing the latex to absorb the water several times.
Rinse the gloves using cold water then squeeze any excess.
Leave the gloves to air / dry naturally – do not tumble dry or place on radiators
The palms of your gloves should be damp at the start of each match & training session.
Do not dry the gloves.
All of the above can cause the gloves to lose natural moisture turning them dry and brittle.
When picking yourself up from the ground in training or non-competitive environments, try not to use your palms. Instead use your fists to push yourself back up, this ensures minimal palm/latex contact with the ground and helps avoid any unnecessary abrasion – particularly on dry or 3G turf. Using your palm will help you spring back up quicker, but you can minimise wear during non-game situations using the fist method above.
Wash your gloves after every game as soon as you can.
When drying try rolling up a newspaper and placing this inside the glove. This will help keep the glove “open” and absorb any excess water. You could also help dry them by applying pressure with a towel before leaving to air naturally.
Pick the right latex for your requirements: if you are playing on artificial or very dry surface then you may want to opt for a glove that uses a latex with more durability such as “Giga Grip” latex. If you are playing in wet conditions then you may prefer a latex that is specifically made for such weather such as our “Aqua” latex.
Do not leave the palms touching each other when stored away.
Store your gloves properly; store them in a cool and reasonably moist environment. You do not want the area or your gloves to be wet however as this can cause bacteria and mold to grow which can damage the gloves.
Allowing a glove to completely dry out and be left for long periods will cause latex to become dry and brittle. We recommend allowing them to dry overnight naturally before being placed in a glove wallet.
Do not store your gloves for any length of time without having washed them first.
Typically your average goalkeeper can see themselves go through 5-12 pairs of gloves a season, depending on the many variables at play. How many times do they train a week? How many games do they play? How old is the keeper? What is the quality of the surface and/or the keeper’s technique? Have they been properly cared for?
Higher levels of goalkeepers such as those within the professional bracket can see themselves using anywhere between 15-30 pairs a season due to the increased level and regularity of training, games and overall requirements.
