Goalkeeper gloves are the No. 1 most important element in every goalie’s kit bag. You can’t take to the field without them, and you’d have no hope of staying safe, making strong saves, and keeping your team in the game without your trusty gloves wrapped around your hands.
But good quality gloves aren’t exactly cheap, and you probably won’t want to buy replacement pairs too often. With that in mind, it makes sense to do whatever you can to extend your goalie gloves’ longevity as much as possible. This guide shows you how.
Clean Them Often and Well
First, an obvious point but one that’s worth reinforcing: remember to wash your gloves often and properly.
So many goalies overlook this. They toss their gloves in their bag at the end of the game and forget to wash them prior to the next match or training session. If you want your gloves to last, don’t make that same mistake.
Dirt doesn’t just look bad, it takes a serious toll on the sensitive latex that comprises your gloves. By washing it away, you’ll not only keep your gloves looking their best but also improve your performance on the pitch, catching and holding the ball that much more easily and comfortably.
When we talk about washing gloves “properly,” that basically means following the manufacturer’s care instructions. A lot of gloves aren’t washer-friendly, so you can’t just throw them in the machine. Instead, wash them carefully in warm soapy water between each use.
Let Them Dry Naturally
Washing is one step. Drying is the next. After you’ve cleaned your gloves – usually in warm water – you need to give them a chance to dry off safely and completely. Once again, while it might seem easy to toss them in the drier, most gloves aren’t made to handle that kind of heat.
Other quick and easy methods – like leaving your gloves on a radiator, running the iron over them, or wringing them out with your hands – also aren’t the best. Glove material is surprisingly sensitive, despite the tough conditions they’re exposed to in-game, and such drying techniques may damage them.
So, for best results and maximum goalkeeper gloves lifespan, let your gloves dry naturally, somewhere mild and dry but out of direct sunlight.
Store Them Correctly
When they’re not on your hands or being washed or dried, goalie gloves need to be stored somewhere safe and sound. Ideally, that’ll be in a goalie glove bag or wallet of some sort, which many big glove brands produce.
These kinds of goalkeeper glove containers shield your gloves from dirt, dust, bacteria, and contaminants in the air. They also guard against humidity and even the sun’s UV rays, providing mini safe spaces for your gloves to recuperate from game to game.
Don’t Overuse Them
This one might be tricky, depending on your playing schedule, habits, and budget. However, if you can afford to do so, it’s worth considering buying a secondary pair of goalkeeper gloves and switching between the two, so that neither pair is overused.
You could have one pair for training, for example, and a second for game days. Then, while one pair is in use, the other can be washed, dried, and rested. This is a technique that a lot of seasoned goalies use, and while it does cost more to buy two pairs of gloves, you should get more value from them in the long run.
Get Into Good Goalie Habits
Last, but not least, try to get into some smart goalkeeping habits that can make small but valuable differences to your gloves’ longevity, like:
- Use your fist to help you up after a dive or fall, rather than your palm, to keep the latex from contacting the ground.
- Moisten your gloves often – keep a water bottle handy beside the posts and wet your palms to stop the latex from drying out and rinse away mud.
- When taking your gloves off, don’t rush or tug at the latex sections. Be careful and use the wrist closures provided to remove each glove the right way.
Look After Your Gloves, and Your Gloves Will Look After You
With these simple tips, tricks, and habits, your goalkeeper gloves will last so much longer, serving you well for many games and training sessions, and saving you a lot of hassle and expense, as well.