Goalkeeper Glove Care

While outfield players will splurge on the best pair of cleats, a goalkeeper’s most essential item is a good pair of gloves. And just as with a top pair of boots, it’s important to take good care of gloves so that they stay in prime condition for as long as possible.

BUY THE RIGHT PAIR

It all starts when you’re buying a pair. Choosing the right size is vital because it not only affects your performance, but can impact the wear and tear of the gloves. Wearing gloves too small can stretch the latex; gloves too big can bend more at the fingers, causing strain on the latex. You can also check out our full Goalkeeper Glove Guide to help you decide which type of goalkeeper gloves suits you best.

Once you have your gloves and are using them in games, it can be easy to get carried away in the match and forget to take care of your gloves. There are a few simple rules to follow during a game that will help to extend your glove-life by a long way.

RULES TO EXTEND GLOVE LIFE

JUST ADD WATER:

The soft-latex gloves that are so common today perform best when the palms are moist. While spit does work, it only goes so far and adds bacteria to the gloves. Water is much better, so keep a bottle by the goal and splash some water on the palms every 10 – 15 minutes. You don’t want the gloves to be soaking wet, so find the right amount to keep the moisture level right. Moist gloves not only become more ‘sticky’, improving your handling, but are also more resistant to wear and tear.

GLOVEGLU:

An alternative to using water (or spit) is GloveGlu. The sticky spray works on all brands of gloves and is quick and easy to apply during a game. It enhances the grip of gloves and works in wet and dry conditions.

PALMS UP:

You can also make sure to protect the palms during a game. One of the fastest ways to destroy the latex on the palms of gloves is to come into contact with the ground. When diving, goalkeepers should use their abs, legs and momentum of the dive to get up from the ground – watch highlights of any top keeper and you’ll see how they do it. If you ever do have to use your hands, make a fist and push up with your knuckles.

KEEP THEM CLEAN:

After a game, it’s important to wash your gloves as soon as possible. Dirt and sweat breakdown the latex, and also dry the gloves out. Wash your gloves in warm water, and gently wring them out – don’t be too forceful, as this can damage the seam. A specialized washing agent is recommended as they are designed to work with the soft latex.

One option is the Reusch Re:Invigorate Glove Wash. Made with natural ingredients and non-toxic, the wash will remove all dirt and sweat, and leave the latex with a superior grip. Another option is the GloveGlu Wash Foamer, also designed to give gloves a deep clean without harming the latex.

If you’re going to be using your gloves on any kind of a regular basis, it’s probably worth investing in a set of products. The GloveGlu Glove Care System comes with a washer, GloveGlu and an antibacterial spray to remove foul odors.

HANG THEM UP:

After washing gloves, hang dry them out of direct sunlight. Don’t use any methods of speeding up the drying process, such as tumble dryers or irons – this will dry out the gloves and make them brittle.

Once your gloves are dry, store them in a cool, damp environment. You can start preparing for a game a day in advance by making the palms moist.

HAVE A BACK-UP:

Lots of players have multiple pairs of gloves – one pair for matches, and the rest for training. This is a great idea and will ensure your match pair stay in top condition for longer, but remember to take care of all your gloves equally, otherwise you’ll quickly notice them degrading.

As with anything in life, the better you care of your gloves, the longer they will last.

Blog Source: Soccer | How to Take Care of Goalkeeper Gloves by Jordan Yiu