Goalkeepers gloves are a relatively recent innovation but now days it's very unusual to see a goalkeeper without them. Ever since they were first invented goalkeeping gloves have been rapidly improving and now offer great protection to goalkeepers as well as improving their ability to prevent goals. This article discusses the reasons for wearing goalkeepers gloves as well as factors to consider if your purchasing a pair.

Why do goalkeepers wear gloves?

In recent years, footballs have got much lighter and can therefore be kicked much harder and faster by strikers. Goalkeepers need to protect themselves from these shots and gloves remain the best way of doing so.

The other advantage of gloves is that they are made of a sticky material and are therefore less likely to drop the ball and spill it into the path of strikers. They also make catching crosses far easier.

Glove Design and Construction

Historically, gloves were made of materials such as cotton, but this was soon stopped once it became apparent that this material soaked up water and made the gloves very slippery and difficult to catch the ball with.

Manufactures have massively improved the materials used in goalkeeping gloves in recent years. They are now made using light synthetic materials which means they are very comfortable to wear and offer far more protection than original gloves.

Most important part of a goalkeeper glove?

The palm area of a glove is the most important as it comes in to contact most with the ball. Shots are normally saved with this area so they need to have good shock absorption and also good grip for grabbing the ball, even in wet and windy conditions.

Measuring for goalkeepers gloves

It's vital that your goalkeepers gloves fit well. Badly fitting gloves restrict movement making it difficult to catch a ball cleanly. Gloves that are too small will be painful and distract you in a game, which could prove costly.

To measure your hand, measure the distance across your palm from one side to another. Always try lots of different gloves of different sizes to make sure you get a comfortable pair. Remember that different manufacturers have different size guidelines, so if you're a large with one brand you may not be with another brand.

Tom Shurville is a football journalist who also writes about Goalkeeper Gloves and Puma Goalkeeper Gloves