The 10 Best Batting Gloves
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When you are playing baseball/softball, as a batter, there is a lot of pressure on you. It is up to you to hit the ball far out and help your team gain a point.
Whether it’s a batting helmet or the bat itself, you cannot expect to go up to the plate without thinking of your equipment. Out of these things, the batting glove is one thing that some people might neglect.
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At a Glance: Best Batting Gloves to Buy
In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
| PICTURE | NAME | RATING | SHOPS |
|---|---|---|---|
 1 | Franklin Sports MLB CFX Pro Batting Gloves Show more | ||
 2 | Franklin Sports MLB Shok-Sorb Neo Batting Gloves (Pair) Show more | ||
 3 | Louisville Slugger Adult Series 5 Batting Gloves Show more | ||
 4 | Clutch Sports American Flag Baseball and Softball Batting Gloves Show more | ||
 5 | Rawlings Workhorse Batting Glove Show more | ||
 6 | Franklin Sports MLB Power strap Batting Gloves Show more | ||
 7 | Nike Men`s MVP Edge Batting Gloves Show more | ||
 8 | Franklin Sports MLB CFX Pro Digi Series Batting Gloves Show more | ||
 9 | Franklin Sports MLB X-Vent Pro Batting Gloves Show more | ||
 10 | NIKE Adult MVP Elite Team Batting Gloves Show more |
Our Top 10 Recommended Batting Gloves
A good pair of batting gloves will give a player the confidence to play the game. To avoid getting frustrated on the pitch, you need to buy quality and durable batting gloves that can withstand the sting of the ball.
To make your shopping less of a hustle, we have compiled a list of the best batting gloves for your choosing.
- The gloves have nice cushioning and you can feel the bat
- They have a good grip on the bat
- Very comfortable to wear
- One glove can be smaller than the other
- Users have complained of gloves being delivered when worn out
- The gloves have nice cushioning and you can feel the bat
- They have a good grip on the bat
- Very comfortable to wear
- One glove can be smaller than the other
- Users have complained of gloves being delivered when worn out
Franklin Sports Pro batting gloves are of a one-piece leather palm material. They have a back that is very flexible giving you a smooth and seamless feel when handling any bat. Also, they provide you with flexibility and comfort when batting.
Furthermore, with the help of the floating thumb technology, these gloves are in a better position to adapt to your hands and also reduce the tension that build-up between your hand and the bat handle.
- They absorb shock well and keep the hands from being bruised
- Provides good grip on the bat
- Has good padding and soft leather
- The seam around the shok-sorb padding comes off
- They have been constructed poorly
- They absorb shock well and keep the hands from being bruised
- Provides good grip on the bat
- Has good padding and soft leather
- The seam around the shok-sorb padding comes off
- They have been constructed poorly
Franklin Sports shock-absorb gloves have padding that can eliminate the sting that comes with hitting a ball. They are made of a see-through mesh that provides adequate breathing space and smooth leather that provides you with a soft and comfortable feel.
Furthermore, with the help of the floating thumb technology, your thumb is able to move more freely without restrictions. This glove also reduces the pressure that comes with the friction of the bat handle. It is a unique glove, as it is specifically designed as a second skin. Moreover, it will adapt to your hand’s curves and shape to fit perfectly.
- Protect the palms effectively from friction of the bat
- They are made of good quality leather
- They provide a good grip on the bat
- They do not have adequate padding
- Users have complained of being delivered gloves that do not match
- Protect the palms effectively from friction of the bat
- They are made of good quality leather
- They provide a good grip on the bat
- They do not have adequate padding
- Users have complained of being delivered gloves that do not match
Louisville Slugger Adult Series gloves are highly resilient gloves that are of a sturdy material that can withstand a vigorous condition. These gloves are both comfortable and durable with a grip that gives you confidence when batting. They also feature a professional design look that gives the player confidence while in the box.
Furthermore, they feature a uniquely embossed goatskin palm, an elastic stretch wrist strap, and a Lycra stretch zone that maximizes on the gloves fitness. The palm also has a smooth feel providing a good grip on the bat.
- Provide an excellent grip and a feel on the bat
- Fit well and are very comfortable
- Have a great design and are made of good quality
- The rubber grip wears off after some time
- They do not offer a lot of protection when batting
- Provide an excellent grip and a feel on the bat
- Fit well and are very comfortable
- Have a great design and are made of good quality
- The rubber grip wears off after some time
- They do not offer a lot of protection when batting
Clutch Sports batting gloves feature an original clutch interlocking design that gives you more flexibility on the back for comfort and mobility. Additionally, they have a pre-curved finger pattern construction for a natural fit.
Furthermore, they have a mesh that helps your hand have more breathing space. The silicone design on the palm gives you a better grip on the bat. Moreover, these gloves are designed as interchangeable batters. It also comes with a restriction-free sublimated back that helps the player be free to move the hand better.
- They are comfortable and durable
- Are of high thick quality leather
- They provide excellent grip on the bat
- Be careful as you can be sold fake gloves
- They sometimes tear at the seams after rigorous use
- They are comfortable and durable
- Are of high thick quality leather
- They provide excellent grip on the bat
- Be careful as you can be sold fake gloves
- They sometimes tear at the seams after rigorous use
Rawlings Workhorse batting gloves are made of durable leather palm that has a comfortable and smooth fitting. They also come with Rawlings Dura plus palm padding that is specifically made to protect your palms from bruising. Additionally, these gloves are of a durable leather palm giving you superior quality.
Apart from having a smooth feel, they also have a stylish look that has an exclusive dynamic fitting system.
- They have great padding for adequate protection
- Are durable and of great quality
- Have a superb design which has a power strap as a nice feature
- The dye in the gloves stains the hands
- Users have complained of the seams can sometimes come loose
- They have great padding for adequate protection
- Are durable and of great quality
- Have a superb design which has a power strap as a nice feature
- The dye in the gloves stains the hands
- Users have complained of the seams can sometimes come loose
Franklin Sports Power strap batting gloves have a smooth sheepskin leather palm that gives you good grip and a soft and comfortable feel. Moreover, the gloves have a seamless palm that fits perfectly in your hands. As a result, it increases your performance which gives you have a firmer hold on the bat.
Furthermore, the power strap wrist-fastening closure requires no adjustments at the plate. These gloves are well designed for your fingers to fit perfectly. Any beginner or a pro can use these gloves.
- They are the perfect lightweight gloves for batting
- They provide good grip for batting
- Have super soft leather for a comfortable feel
- They are made of poor quality leather
- Have inadequate padding to prevent bruising
- They are the perfect lightweight gloves for batting
- They provide good grip for batting
- Have super soft leather for a comfortable feel
- They are made of poor quality leather
- Have inadequate padding to prevent bruising
Nike Men’s MVP Edge gloves are perfect for recreational play or high-performance competitions. Moreover, they provide you with excellent durability with unrivaled comfort when in the box. These gloves have a one-piece design that provides you with a comfortable and flexible fit.
Furthermore, they are made of 53% polyester, 45% goatskin, and 2% polyurethane. There is a mesh at the back of the hand that helps your hand to breathe. You are also able to grip the bat well with no tension.
- Fit well on the hand and are durable
- Are made of good quality material
- They provide a good grip on the bat
- They do not have adequate padding causing bruising
- Complaints of the seams coming apart after some time
- Fit well on the hand and are durable
- Are made of good quality material
- They provide a good grip on the bat
- They do not have adequate padding causing bruising
- Complaints of the seams coming apart after some time
Franklin Sports MLB CFX Pro gloves have a unique digital camo pattern that gives them a one of a kind look. They are of a one-piece leather palm that helps improve performance and increase the grip on any bat. You also get a smooth and seamless feel when on the plate.
Furthermore, they provide a smooth and comfortable feel when holding a bat. They are made of sheepskin that is soft and long-lasting. You also get more flexibility around your knuckles for a firmer grip on the bat.
- They have a unique design
- They take the sting off when in contact with the ball
- Are made of a good quality material
- Complaints of the logo peel off after some time
- Users commented on the stitching separating after some time
- They have a unique design
- They take the sting off when in contact with the ball
- Are made of a good quality material
- Complaints of the logo peel off after some time
- Users commented on the stitching separating after some time
Franklin Sports MLB X-Vent Pro batting gloves are made of top-grade genuine leather making them comfortable, flexible and lightweight. They have a mesh at the back of the hand that provides you with adequate air circulation. It also prevents your hands from overheating.
Moreover, the mesh will provide you with space for your hand to breathe and avoid excess sweating. The asymmetrical neoprene band helps the gloves to fit well on your wrist. It also gives you a better grip on the bat. These batting gloves are comfortable and fit well on your hands.
- Very comfortable gloves to wear
- They are sturdy and fit perfectly
- Provide excellent grip on the bat
- Users have complained of poor quality as the seams separate
- They wear out after a short time
- Very comfortable gloves to wear
- They are sturdy and fit perfectly
- Provide excellent grip on the bat
- Users have complained of poor quality as the seams separate
- They wear out after a short time
Nike Adult MVP Elite batting gloves are of sheepskin that is soft giving you a durable grip. A mesh at the back of the hand will provide you with space for your hand to breathe and reduce the pressure from the bat.
Furthermore, they come with an adjustable wristband. They are made of 55% sheepskin leather, 17% polyester, 20% polyurethane and 8% nylon. Additionally, these are unique gloves that are of strong and durable material.
Key Considerations When Buying Batting Gloves
A lot of people think that a batting glove is simply just a glove to put on without much thought. However, wearing the wrong glove can negatively affect your performance and the game.
Not only does a good batting glove offer protection, it can also help enhance how you feel while playing the game. For this reason, there are a lot of things to consider and you should refer to the following list below before purchasing.
- Sizing – One of the first things that you need to do when buying a batting glove is to figure out the size. Usually measured in inches, batting gloves usually come in the category of men’s and youth. We describe how to find out your size in detail down below.
- Fit – Even if you know the size, there is no guarantee that the glove will properly fit you. So, you know should figure out how well the batting glove fits your hand. There are a variety of factors that may make the fit of the glove uncomfortable. For example, if you have thicker fingers or palm, it might affect how tight the glove goes in, regardless of the measurements. The glove needs to be tight enough not to slip off, but loose enough where you have some breathing room for your hands. –
- Material – Batting gloves are usually divided into two major categories: real leather or synthetic. There are benefits to both but knowing the difference will definitely help you make a better choice on what type of glove you should get. Knowing what material your glove is made of can really help with enhancing you as a player. We elaborate on the materials in detail down below.
- Wrist Strap – Also known as wrist style, this refers to how you lock your glove in place. Some gloves depend on Velcro, as this can be easily adjustable, but there are other options available. The last thing you want is a glove that flies off your hand if you make fast, sudden movements. There are some gloves with high-profile wrist styles that help to give a more compressive feel. There are also some wrist straps that act as tape, helping batters’ hands feel more stable. What you choose is up to you.
- Extra features – The higher the price you go, the more added features there may be on your batting glove. You might be wondering, what kind of extra features are there to a glove? For one, some gloves offer an articulated thumb, meaning greater mobility. There are also gloves with pre-curved fingers, forming a natural curve and lessening the fabric beneath your knuckles.
- Padding – You need to be wary that if a pitch goes wrong, you might get hit in the hand. For that reason, you need to make sure that there is padding in your glove. Of course, gloves that are a bit more expensive will have better padding, as well as more custom fitting. Whatever you choose to get, however, make sure the padding is on point, since this equates to protection. We explain in more detail about the different padding a glove can have.
- Mobility – No matter what kind of glove you get, one of the most important aspect of a great batting glove is mobility. The glove needs to allow you to move your wrist and bat with precision. There are some gloves that offer a lot of padding, but in turn, limit your hand’s ability to move freely. Thus, keep mobility in mind.
- Comfort – This might seem obvious, but a lot of players can often neglect this aspect, thinking itchiness or rough textures are part of a batting glove. This is actually not the case. You will be using this glove on the field for hours, so you need to make sure the glove is comfortable to wear. If you are constantly scratching the inside of your hand because you feel as if the glove is too itchy inside, it probably isn’t a glove you want to have.
- Design – This is probably the least important thing to consider, but it’s still up there for some players. Design is something that all people can think about when it comes to purchasing a new piece of equipment. You might want to match the colors up with your team’s jersey, or simply make sure that it isn’t an eye-sore.
Types of Batting Glove Material
As we mentioned above, there are two major types of batting glove material. These are real leather or synthetic leather. However, if you choose to go deeper into it, you can actually break this down into categories such as embossed or smooth leather. To get a better idea of this, we explain the different types of batting glove material down below.
- Real leather – Real leather gloves are, as expected, considerably more expensive. However, this also makes it a lot more durable and helps to deal with different weather conditions. You never know when it might rain during a game, so this could help tremendously. Moreover, a lot of people say that real leather gloves are much more comfortable. When it comes to the type of leather, the most common are sheep and goat. With sheep leather, it has a reputation of being softer and more durable. However, in the same way, it is much more expensive.
- Synthetic leather – These are generally cheaper than real leather gloves and are not as durable. The reason they exist is they serve as a cheaper alternative and are ideal for non-serious players. Since they wear down over time, it is best for any ball player that plays less than 40 games.
- Embossed leather – These types of leather palm gloves usually come with an engraving within the glove. What this does is help the batter gain a better grip. For batters that use wooden bats, this option is more common and preferred. The reason for that is because it has an added grip texture.
- Smooth leather – As the name implies, this type of leather palm material is smoother. It feels better against the skin, but also is close to wearing something that seems like skin.
Measuring Your Hand’s Size
You might be able to get away with getting a glove and trying it on to figure out what size you are getting. However, if you are purchasing the glove from online, you need to know the size beforehand. The best way to know a batting glove size is to measure your hand is to do the following:
- Open your hand out flat with the palm facing the sky. Make sure to keep your fingers straight and pressed together, not spread out.
- Get a measuring tape or ruler and place the tip at the heel of your palm. Measure it up to the tip of your middle finger and this will be the size of your hand. Generally speaking, many adults measure anywhere from 6 ¾ to 8 inches. This will help you determine the size of your hand and what size glove you should get. Refer to the table below.
- Once you get the size of your glove, try it on. Bend and flex your hands, fingers, and wrist in every single direction you can. Make sure that the glove feels comfortable and your hand snugly fits inside without any restrictions. Afterward, try holding and swinging a bat with the glove on.
| Size | Men’s | Women’s | Youth |
| XS | Under 6.75” | Under 6.50” | N/A |
| S | 6.75” – 7” | 6.50” – 6.75” | 6” – 6.25” |
| M | 7” – 7.25” | 6.75” – 7” | 6.25” – 6.5” |
| L | 7.5” – 7.75” | 7.25” – 7.50” | 6.5” – 6.75” |
| XL | 7.75” – 8” | 7.50” – 7.75” | 6.75” – 7” |
| XXL | 8” – 8.25” | 7.75” – 8.25” | N/A |
Glove Padding
When it comes to glove padding, there are multiple areas where you could find the right amount. You should keep these areas in mind when you are purchasing a glove since it will help to pick what you desire.
- Palm Padding – For a lot of gloves that have added padding, you will most often find it in the palm. This could be to prevent your palm from hurting when gripping the bat tightly or for when you slide onto a base. Many players enjoy palm padding because it helps to reduce the sting when hitting the ball. Also, it offers more warmth during the cold weathers.
- Back-Hand Padding – This is protection for those bad moments when pitches go wrong and the ball may hit your hand. Without this backhand padding, your hand can get severely injured, leaving you out of the game for a while. This is definitely something to consider if you are paranoid about the ball coming in contact with your hand.
- Finger Padding – Some gloves even offer the added feature of finger padding. A lot of batters may get callouses when swinging a bat frequently. At the same time, finger padding prevents this. It also helps to reduce the sting. Some even say that finger padding helps grip the bat better.
Pros and Cons of Wearing a Batting Glove
While most believe that it is imperative to wear a batting glove, there are a few players out there that argue differently. Of course, we recommend wearing a glove for your hand’s protection, but just to play devil’s advocate, its best to see the disadvantages that might be out there as well.
- Advantages – The major pros to wearing a batting glove is that it helps to gain a better grip on the bat. A lot of the major brands out there have sticky gloves, meaning that it will definitely help batters control their bat more. Also, during bad weather conditions, a batting glove can prevent your sweat from losing grasp over your bat. Moreover, many batting gloves also reduce the vibration or sting that comes from hitting the ball. As a result, there is less of a chance to get blisters and if a glove has added padding, it will definitely help to protect your hand.
- Disadvantages – The major cons to wearing a batting glove is that these days many bats offer a good grip on their handles, so a glove is a sort of unnecessary. Also, for players that love using wooden bats, a glove does not give them the satisfaction of holding a bat in hand and hitting the ball all natural. Also, when it starts raining, wearing a glove in hand may not be a comfortable feeling, as your hand will end up getting soaked. A batting glove would only be good on a warm, sunny day. Additionally, many batting gloves these days are quite expensive and functionality (minus the protection) that it offers can be replaced with pine tar instead.
Prominent Batting Glove Brands
For those with interest in brand name gloves, we compile a list down below. Keep in mind that just because your glove is of a brand name doesn’t necessarily mean it is suitable for you. There are plenty of gloves out in the market that is just as good, but may not be on this list. A glove’s purpose is to protect you and help with performance in terms of grip and mobility. Thus, make sure to keep those things in mind rather than focusing on brand alone.
- Louisville Slugger (TPX)
- Easton
- Reebok
- Mizuno
- Wilson
- Nike
- Rawlings
- Adidas
- ASICS
- EvoShield
Final Thoughts
Batting gloves protect your palm from the impact of the ball. It also helps to gain a better grip on the bat, if the bat does not have a good handle. Having the best batting glove that is durable and can absorb shocks will prevent you from hurting your hand. However, for this to occur, a batting glove should be of great quality material, durable, shock resistant and comfortable to wear. Therefore, make sure to look at the considerations we mentioned above, and think about the suggested products.
