Best Oils and Conditioners for Baseball Gloves
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Baseball gloves need maintaining and that requires some special materials in order to keep the glove in its pristine condition. Examples of these are baseball oils and conditioners, which generally keep the moisture of the glove’s leather intact.
Having a glove that is quite hard is hard to catch with. So, this kind of things is needed. Here we will discuss the difference between a baseball glove conditioner and oil, how to break-in a baseball glove and how to revive your old baseball glove.
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At a Glance: Best Oils and Conditioners for Baseball 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 | Hot Glove Treatment Instant Glove Break-In Show more | ||
 2 | Hot Glove Cream Conditioner Show more | ||
 3 | Nokona NLT Classic Leather Glove Conditioner Show more | ||
 4 | Wilson Premium Glove Oil Show more | ||
 5 | Wilson Pro Stock Glove Conditioner Show more |
Top 5 Oils and Conditioners for Baseball Gloves
When it comes to buying the right kind of oil or conditioner for your baseball glove, it is best to know the kind of material your glove is made of. Despite the fact that many brands boast about having the best gloves, they may contain ingredients that might not be compatible with your glove.
Furthermore, it is wise to look at reviews to see what the best kind of oils and conditioners are before you decide to buy a product. Here are some of the suggestions below that many people agree on being great.
- Product works better than expected
- Speeds up softening of the glove
- Works best on partially broken in gloves
- Needs to be used more than once to be effective
- Very few users say that it is not super effective
- Product works better than expected
- Speeds up softening of the glove
- Works best on partially broken in gloves
- Needs to be used more than once to be effective
- Very few users say that it is not super effective
This product helps to instantly break in your new glove and revives old ones. The formula is most effective when under the oven’s heat, which unleashes its softening capabilities to seep into every inch of the glove. Furthermore, heat is applied to the glove, where this will then open the pores of the leather. As a result, it makes it soft and easy to shape. Moreover, it is non-toxic and safe, ensuring that you do not inhale toxic gases when the glove is put under heat. This product is ideal for leather and vinyl gloves.
- Softens gloves that are exposed to wet and dirty conditions
- Does not leave a gross residue unlike other brands
- Adds a tacky surface that helps in catching the ball
- Leaves a film on the glove
- Ingredients may give allergies to some users
- Softens gloves that are exposed to wet and dirty conditions
- Does not leave a gross residue unlike other brands
- Adds a tacky surface that helps in catching the ball
- Leaves a film on the glove
- Ingredients may give allergies to some users
This cream conditioner from lanolin and Vitamin E, which does not stain your glove, unlike oils. Furthermore, the cream conditioner’s formula will help soften and maintain your glove, while repelling moisture and rain. As a result, this protects your glove from further damage.
- Revives old gloves and makes them good as new
- Conditions and cleans up residue just as advertised
- Helps keep the shape of the leather
- Petroleum as a base makes the glove heavy
- Expensive when bought online
- Revives old gloves and makes them good as new
- Conditions and cleans up residue just as advertised
- Helps keep the shape of the leather
- Petroleum as a base makes the glove heavy
- Expensive when bought online
This glove conditioner helps soften and maintain the glove. It is also ideal for speeding up the process of breaking in your glove. Furthermore, it also helps clean your glove and has a proven oiling formula that is ideal for leather gloves.
- Does not mess up the glove’s color
- The applicator makes it easy to apply on the creases of the glove
- Oil formula is not as heavy as other brands
- Spray applicator makes the application less messy to use
- Not recommended for reviving old gloves
- Tends to clog
- Does not mess up the glove’s color
- The applicator makes it easy to apply on the creases of the glove
- Oil formula is not as heavy as other brands
- Spray applicator makes the application less messy to use
- Not recommended for reviving old gloves
- Tends to clog
This product has an easy to use spray applicator which helps you control the amount of product that you apply to your glove. Furthermore, it helps to soften and aid in breaking in of the glove that you have, especially if it is new. The formula of this product comprises of neatsfoot and other beneficial oils which help soften leather.
- Good for moisturizing the glove
- Helps condition the glove to make it more flexible
- Helps in breaking in the glove
- Darkens the leather of your glove
- Leaves a residue on the glove
- Good for moisturizing the glove
- Helps condition the glove to make it more flexible
- Helps in breaking in the glove
- Darkens the leather of your glove
- Leaves a residue on the glove
This product is easy to apply than other brands. It softens and revitalizes your glove, which makes it easier for you to maintain your glove and revive your old gloves. Unlike other brands, it also enhances the color of your gloves. This can be dull when the glove is exposed to too much sunlight or you use an oil that ruins the color. It also restores the natural scent of the leather unlike other brands, which means that it is safe to use.
The Difference Between a Baseball Glove Conditioner and Oil
Baseball glove oils are mainly for breaking in a baseball glove. As such, they are usually applied whenever a glove is too stiff to use, especially when new. Baseball glove oils tend to stay in one spot whenever you apply it, so whenever you use it, be sure to put it in the right spots. Baseball glove conditioners, on the other hand, are mainly for maintenance purposes. They may be to break in a baseball glove, but they are not as effective as oils because of the fact that conditioners are petroleum-jelly based. The main advantage of baseball glove conditioners is that they are easier to spread than baseball glove oils. As a result, this helps to prevent the glove from becoming heavy in some parts and stained in others.
How to Break-In a Baseball Glove
Baseball gloves have the best performance when they are broken in. Anyone can try to break in a glove, but if it is broken in the wrong way, it can be disastrous. It will only lead you having to buy another baseball glove. This is because it can misshapen the glove, making it unfit to catch the ball. Glove oils are the best to use when it comes to breaking in a baseball glove.
- Buy the Right Kind of Baseball Glove Oil – There are many kinds of baseball glove oils that are available in the market today. No two glove oils are alike, even if they say that they are the best, and if you buy the wrong kind of formula it could spell disaster. As such, you should first read the instructions of your glove to see what kind of oil people recommend to use. Also, try to read if there are any more special instructions that will help break in the glove. If you don’t see any kind of instruction on the glove, then use oils that are made for leather gloves. Doing otherwise could damage your glove as it will make your glove a lot heavier than usual.
- Use Your Baseball Glove Oil Sparingly – Some people may think that using a lot of baseball glove oil will hasten the process of breaking in the glove. This is not the correct way of breaking in a baseball glove, nor using the oil. You should only use a few drops in select areas of the glove, as a little goes a long way. If the glove absorbs too much oil it will only become too heavy and soft, which will make a fragile and useless glove.
- Apply the Oil to the Right Spots – The baseball glove does not have to be coated in oil in every spot. This is because not every part of the baseball glove is used to catch the ball. Softening the wrong parts might cause the glove to fall apart. Be sure to put the oil in the pocket to help soften the impact of the ball when it hits the glove. Also, apply it between the spaces of your fingers to avoid injuries.
- Let Your Glove Rest to Dry – After you have applied baseball glove oil to your new glove, you will have to let it absorb the oil so that it can break in easily. While others would recommend that you let your newly oiled glove dry off in the sun, it may cause wrinkles. Thus, it is better if you let your glove dry off overnight in a cool dry place and wipe off the excess oil in the morning.
- Make the Pocket – Be sure to make a pocket in your glove by putting a baseball into the pocket and wrapping up the glove up when not in use. This is especially true after you have let it dry from breaking in. This will help the glove conform to the shape of the ball, making it easier for you to catch.
How to Revive Your Old Baseball Glove
If you think that breaking in your baseball glove is hard, then reviving an old baseball glove is even harder. However, reviving an old baseball glove does not have to be so daunting. Using oils and conditioners will help you revive your old baseball glove. Here are some of the things that you should know on how to use them.
- Use Saddle Soap – Rubbing saddle soap will not only help moisturize your glove but will also remove unwanted residue. This usually happens from the buildup of all the oils and dirt that have been sitting on your glove. Use a clean dry rag to remove and repeat the step if necessary.
- Allow to Sit – Let your glove dry for a day or two before you start applying conditioner to your glove. This will help your glove breathe and remove the unwanted water that will drive out the oils of your conditioner. Furthermore, loosen up the glove by folding and bending your glove.
- Use a Conditioner – Neatsfoot, mink oil and other conditioning products will help you in moisturizing the glove. Use this after you let your glove sit for a day or two. Apply a small amount and rub it on the necessary areas. Let it sit for a day or two afterward. Reapply conditioner if it is still too stiff.
Final Thoughts
In summary, before buying a baseball glove conditioner or oil, be sure to know what you need. Glove oils are for breaking in the glove, while conditioners are for maintenance purposes. If you intend to use a glove oil in breaking in the glove, be sure to read the instructions beforehand. If you break in your glove the wrong way, chances are that you will have to buy a new one. This is because there is no way that it is durable enough to use in the field anymore. Therefore, be sure to follow the steps above on properly breaking in your glove.
