Last Updated: Sep 04, 2023 by Bradley
There are different ways to define the best softball gloves. For some, a glove having a soft feel with increased durability is the best; while for others, only the glove material matters with the correct size.
We have collected the list of the best gloves for softball for 2024 that could take your game to the whole new level.
Best Softball Gloves for 2024 (Fastpitch and Slowpitch)
| Glove | Fastpitch | Slowpitch | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nokona Buckaroo X2-V1250 (12.5″) | Yes | Check Price | |
| Wilson A1000 | Yes | Check Price | |
| Louisville Slugger 2019 Xeno | Yes | Check Price | |
| Worth XT Extreme | Yes | Check Price | |
| Miken Player Series | Yes | Check Price | |
| Mizuno MVP Prime | Yes | Check Price |
Best Softball Glove Reviews
Softball is divided into fastpitch and slowpitch. It is recommended for the players to select the glove according to their game type because it is going to create much difference in their game.
The slowpitch players need a large glove to fit in the big ball, specifically pitchers and catchers. On the other hand, the fastpitch softball players need gloves that are sturdy and tough to keep up with the pace of the game.
Here are the best slowpitch and fastpitch softball gloves reviews to make your choice easier.
Best fastpitch softball gloves
There are numerous companies to select from. I have made it easier for you and selected the three best fastpitch softball gloves to really improve your game.
Nokona Buckaroo X2-V1250 (12.5″)
Perfect for all position, ready to initiate the play, made with the finest leather, this Nokona Buckaroo helps you to give the elite performance all the time.
Buckaroo X2 is the position-specific series of Nokona. No matter where you stand in the field, this glove will make you feel that it is specifically designed for you. Shortstop, second position, third position, pitcher, and outfielder, it is ideal for all with its best performance and high-quality material.
With the special fastpitch pattern, minimal break-in time is needed. Made from the top-grain stampede steerhide and kangaroo leathers, it lasts really long and its shape remains maintained even after many games.
The glove is made to perfectly fit the hands of the player. These gloves are the true example of the best craftsmanship, total innovation, outstanding integrity, and the devotion towards the needs of the customers.
Nokona uses around eighty years old techniques with the touch of new technology. The combination presents you with the glove that is long-lasting and gives full performance on the field.
Wilson’s A1000 has the toughest leather with the ideal softness that lasts long – specifically designed for female hands; it could totally be a game-changer for you.
Having the dual post web design, with the color combo of grey and black, this 33” catcher’s mitt is surely a one that you need. In the fastpitch game, the glove needs to be strong enough to take the impact of the ball. This glove is made from high-quality leather that gives it the optimal strength to stay in the game with the required softness inside to lower the ball impact.
It is ideally designed to fit accordingly on the player’s hand. For that, it features a custom-fit back wrist lacing system with which the player can customize it.
The company claims it to be game ready but in actual, it is not. You need to work on it by following the company’s instruction. But once you break-in to the glove, you would totally love it. As it is one of the best available in the market today. The gloves with toughest leather usually take time to break-in.
33-inch catcher’s mitt with memory foam wrist lining, this Xeno fastpitch glove series from Louisville Slugger is surely one of their bests.
The beautiful combination of white and aqua blue with the dual post web, this fastpitch glove is specifically created for the female hands. Made with the high-quality leather, the outer is tough and the inner is soft.
This glove series is ready for your game right from the beginning. It doesn’t require any time to break in. Just unpack it and start using it.
Different sizes are offered because of the need for variant hand sizes. The available sizes have very minute difference between them as the Slugger knows the ultimate requirement of every player. Presented sizes of these gloves are 11.75-inch, 12-inch, 12.5-inch, 12.75-inch, and 13-inch. Also, both left and right-hand orientation are offered.
All in all, this glove has the best quality and it is totally game ready. The optimum construction makes it last for many games.
Best slowpitch softball gloves
In the slowpitch softball, it is the requirement of the glove to be big enough to accommodate the bigger ball. Here are the top softball gloves that are made especially for the slowpitch match to meet the requirements of the players.
Colorful, classic, sturdy, with the super soft feel, make a statement in the game with these custom inspired softball glove series.
Using XT Extreme leather, these gloves are the choice of the professionals. The design is what the pros like – H-Web that gives these gloves the flexibility that is preferred by the infielders as well as the outfielders.
The leather is heavy duty to lower the great impact of the ball, but it is super-soft too. The interior is too soft that there’s no need to breaking it in. Just start using the gloves right away when you unpack them. It has minimal break-in time as compared to its stiffness.
Every player has a different size demand, by keeping that in mind Worth offers this series in four different sizes: 13-inch, 13.5-inch, 14-inch, and 15-inch.
Another great feature of this series is the full leather finger back and palm linings. The palm region has a high-density cushion with the padded index finger region. You can easily remove the glove by using its quick-release pull strap system.
Having a reasonable price range with beautiful style, these gloves surely make the game better when in the right hands.
When you want to have the play just after an hour of receiving the glove, then this Miken’s Player series glove could come handy.
With the 90% factory break-in value, this glove series is really great with its construction and durability. It is made by using full-grain leather but have minimal break-in time – this makes it the top choice of the professionals.
Having the outfield pattern with a really deep and large pocket, it is for the outfielders and could be used at the third base. The pro-H-web design enhances its abilities to give optimal performance on the field.
To reduce the ball impact to nearly zero, it has the Poron XRD Palm Pads inside. The durability has been augmented greatly by using the leather laces wherever needed.
The adjustable strips don’t make you disappointed at all. These gloves have the non-slip pull back strips that keep them in place during the whole game and diminish the chance of slipping.
Like any glove series, it is available in left orientation as well as the right orientation. Different sizes are also available to easily adjust the special hand sizes of the players. Sizes include 13-inch, 13.5-inch, 14-inch, and 15-inch.
Highly durable, soft with game-ready performance, this Mizuno slowpitch softball glove is what you are looking for.
Made from the bio-throwback pebbled leather, this MVP Prime is truly for the professionals. It lasts really long because of its reliable construction and components. The inside is pretty soft – the company claims it to be the ultra-soft palm liner. The overall soft finish makes the glove very comfortable even in long practicing days.
Not only in performance but it surpasses others in its looks as well. It has been given the premium look with embroidered logo with outlined pocket. Also, it features a professional level lace that is a character of their some highly professional gloves.
It lowers impact on the hit because of the great inside cushioning. Available in both left and right orientation, these gloves are mostly for smaller hands as the size offered are 12.5-inch and 13-inch. Overall, Mizuno MVP Prime is class apart and makes you stand out in the field.
What important when choosing Softball Glove
There are many factors to consider when buying softball gloves. There are different types of gloves made by using variant materials. Which option is the best for you? Read further to know what you need to know when selecting the softball gloves.
Parts of the Gloves:
Choosing the correct softball gloves leads to a better game and for that, it is necessary to know the anatomy of the glove. Each part of the gloves has its special function.
Webbing:
This part of the glove is responsible for grabbing the ball. It helps in providing complete ball control.
There are mainly two different types of web styles and which one to select is the matter of your personal choice as well as playing position:
- Open – Fielders go for this one mostly
- Closed – to hide the pitches, pitchers go for it
Pocket:
Pockets of the glove provide the connection between the fingers and thumb. It is for controlling the ball on impact.
- Infielders: Go for shallow pocket
- Outfielders: Prefer deep pocket
Back:
It is the place for your index finger. The back could be opened or closed, depending on the glove design. The closed back comes with a smaller hole that only increases the stability of the glove. On the other hand, the open back provides larger space for the flexibility of wrist and hand.
Palm:
The palm portion of the glove is to protect your palm at the time of impact. It is usually padded leather that lowers the force of catching the ball and secures your hand underneath.
Finger Stalls:
In the glove anatomy, the openings in the glove for the fingers to protrude out are called finger stalls.
Heel:
It is the area that guards the bottom region of your hand.
Wrist Adjustment:
It is the part that helps you to adjust your glove depending on your wrist size. There are different styles of the wrist and can be selected on the personal will. Common types of wrist adjustments are lace adjustments, buckle systems, D-ring fasteners, and hook-and-loop adjustments.
Material:
Gloves are available in different materials which affect the feel of them. The material to use depends on the personal choice of the players. The types of material that commonly used are:
Synthetic:
Most youth players like a synthetic glove. They are very light-weighted as compared with others and could be used right after removing their packing. The
Leather:
Gloves that are made from leather are categorized further:
- Pigskin: From medium to heavy, the weight varies. It comes under the category of the standard leather range. Young players usually go for them because of their price, plus they are easy to break-in.
- Kip Leather: It is the cowhide that doesn’t weigh much. This type of leather gloves is famous in the young players because of their increased movement capabilities with the lightweight.
- Full-grain Leather: Also known as the Pro-series gloves, they are truly the best in the market today with increased durability and amazing performance. They don’t break in instantly and require much time.
- Steerhide Leather: The heaviest softball gloves that are made today have steerhide component in them. Professionals go for them because they can easily rely on them for many games. Not only the heaviest, but they are also the toughest to break in.
The Correct Size:
The glove should fit your hands perfectly but how to know the size when you are ordering online? To check your size, initiate from the tip of your index finger to the wrist starts. The size you get will fit your hand tightly. When in the growing age, make sure to select the size that at least lasts for a season.
The size also varies when it comes to the player’s position. The catcher’s mitt has the largest size while the infielders need the shortest to transfer the ball between both hands. Also, the mitts of the first baseman are the longest.
Conclusion
The softball gloves create a great influence on the player’s performance. Choosing the right size and the correct construction make the glove to last different games. Here, I have provided you with the best choice as the best softball gloves in 2019. You don’t need much researching now. Just go for the material that you are most comfortable with and make the statement on the field.
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