Best Outfield Gloves
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Baseball has been America’s favorite past time for generations. But more than just watching the game unfold on TV, Americans have been known to start their own leagues and join in on the fun.
Therefore, given the 1870’s invention that baseball players were celebrating, baseball gloves became an inseparable part of the infamous game.
So, no matter what your occasion, whether you are looking for a small glove for your favorite little leaguer, or an adult sized glove for your Sunday afternoon games, a baseball glove is a vital part of playing the game.
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At a Glance: Best Outfield 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 | Rawlings Player Preferred Baseball Glove Show more | ||
 2 | Franklin Sports Field Master Series Baseball Gloves Show more | ||
 3 | Franklin Sports Pro Flex Hybrid Series Baseball Gloves Show more | ||
 4 | Rawlings Heart of the Hide Glove Series Show more | ||
 5 | Rawlings Gamer Series Baseball Glove Show more | ||
 6 | Louisville Slugger 125 Series Baseball Gloves Show more | ||
 7 | Mizuno Prospect Paraflex Youth Baseball Glove Series Show more | ||
 8 | Wilson A2000 Fastpitch Glove Series Show more | ||
 9 | Mizuno Prospect Baseball Glove Show more | ||
 10 | Rawlings Prodigy Youth Baseball Glove Series Show more |
Best Rated Outfield Gloves Reviewed
Buying a baseball glove can be an expensive purchase, and with an entire internet out there pushing their product as the best, we figured we’d help you out. Below we list our top ten recommended products for you to check out before embarking on your baseball glove buying journey.
- People found that the glove came broken in and soft
- Long lasting quality leather
- Comfortable fit
- Some found that the glove frays easily
- People found that the glove came broken in and soft
- Long lasting quality leather
- Comfortable fit
- Some found that the glove frays easily
This Rawlings Player Preferred Baseball Glove features Zero Shock palm padding for increased protection and padding while catching. This glove comes with an adjustable Velcro loop for a perfect and comfortable fit. In addition, the basket web allows for the playing of any position while in the field, And finally, this glove comes pre-oiled in order to keep the break-in process to a minimum and have you out on the field as fast as possible.
- Easy to break in and use
- Adjustable thumb size
- Good quality mitt
- Customers found this glove to be smaller than expected
- Easy to break in and use
- Adjustable thumb size
- Good quality mitt
- Customers found this glove to be smaller than expected
This Franklin Sports Field Master Series Baseball Gloves is made of long-lasting and durable synthetic leather, this allows for the comfortability and trust of real leather without the break-in period. Additionally, this mitt allows for adjustable thumb size and hold, ensuring you always have the best grip and hold. This glove features a hand-formed pocket for easy scoop up and transition. Finally, this glove is a right-hand throw mitt.
- Comfortable and playable
- Extremely flexible
- Most customers liked the style and look of the mitt
- Glove may wear quickly
- Comfortable and playable
- Extremely flexible
- Most customers liked the style and look of the mitt
- Glove may wear quickly
This Franklin Sports Pro Flex Hybrid Series Baseball Glove features a cowhide palm and with a PU laminated PVC hybrid shell to ensure durability. Moreover, the adjustable wrist strap ensures the perfect fit every time. Additionally, this glove requires no break in period and you can use this right out of the box. And finally, this glove is completely versatile, in the sense that it can work for any position in any game.
- High quality materials
- Features a padded thumb
- Comfortable fit
- The strings can fray and break after some uses
- High quality materials
- Features a padded thumb
- Comfortable fit
- The strings can fray and break after some uses
This Rawlings Heart of the Hide Glove is an all leather men’s baseball glove. This glove features Tennessee Tanning rawhide create a strong durable glove. Moreover, this glove features a padded thumb, for comfort and safety while playing. In addition, this mitt features a fastback design, making the glove perfect for outfield play. Finally, this glove comes partially broken in, allowing a comfortable use and a customized, personal fit.
- Good quality and construction
- Easy to break in
- Comfortable fit and grip
- Some found the glove not to offer enough protection
- Good quality and construction
- Easy to break in
- Comfortable fit and grip
- Some found the glove not to offer enough protection
This Rawlings Gamer Series Baseball Glove features finger shift design for more flexibility and reduced impact. Additionally, this glove a trapeze web and fastback technology, making the glove ideal for outfielders. Moreover, the Tennessee Tanning rawhide laces make the glove tough, durable and long lasting. Finally, the leather reinforced palm adds extra protection and padding.
- Comfortable
- Ideal size for most
- Glove comes mostly broke in
- Some found the glove wore out quicky
- Comfortable
- Ideal size for most
- Glove comes mostly broke in
- Some found the glove wore out quicky
This Louisville Slugger 125 Series Baseball Glove is of soft leather to make the break-in period as short and painless as possible. This glove features a single post web to keep the ball safe and secure and to make catching easier. Additionally, this glove is an ideal size to fit medium sized people. And finally, this glove is made specifically for the outfield.
- Easy to control
- This glove has been found to fit as expected
- Strong and durable
- The glove was a bit tight and small
- Easy to control
- This glove has been found to fit as expected
- Strong and durable
- The glove was a bit tight and small
This Mizuno Prospect Leather Ball Glove features a full grain leather shell and soft palm lining, keeping the glove durable while remaining comfortable. Moreover, this glove includes Power Close technology, to make ball catching easier even from distances and heights. In addition, the Parashock palm pad keeps ball catching painless, no matter the power of the hit, making this mitt ideal for the outfield. And finally, the flex technology keeps the glove flexible and the player’s movement swift and easy.
- Affordable
- Easy to break in
- Strong and sturdy
- Many found this glove to be stiffer than expected
- Affordable
- Easy to break in
- Strong and sturdy
- Many found this glove to be stiffer than expected
This Wilson A2000 Fastpitch Glove Series Glove features a Velcro wrist to keep the fit tight, comfortable and secure. Additionally, the mitt is from a mix of Pro stock leather and super skin, creating a durable and long-lasting baseball glove. Moreover, the glove features dual welting, to make the baseball catches more secure. And finally, the DFusion pocket pad, in the glove creates a painless catching experience.
- Power close technology is great and reliable
- East to break in quickly
- Comfortable to wear and play with
- Some found the glove to be tighter than expected
- Power close technology is great and reliable
- East to break in quickly
- Comfortable to wear and play with
- Some found the glove to be tighter than expected
This Mizuno Prospect Baseball Glove features a full grain leather shell for increased durability. In addition, this glove features power close technology, to help secure the ball after catching. Moreover, this glove has a power lock wrist strap, to keep a tight, secure and comfortable fit throughout the entire game. And finally, this glove features a ButterSoft Palm liner to keep the glove comfortable and keep the catches painless.
- Bang for the buck
- The deep pockets make outfield catches easy
- Webbing design keeps the mitt flexible and playable
- This glove, being only partial leather, doesn’t have a great lifespan
- Bang for the buck
- The deep pockets make outfield catches easy
- Webbing design keeps the mitt flexible and playable
- This glove, being only partial leather, doesn’t have a great lifespan
This Rawlings Select Pro Lite Youth Series Baseball Glove is an all leather glove, featuring palm and index finger padding, to keep catches swift and painless. Moreover, the glove arrives 90 percent broken in – from the factory – to ensure usability right out of the box. In addition, the soft leather shell that is built into the glove, allows the mitt to keep its natural playing shape. Finally, all leather lacing keeps the pocket of the glove secure and creates an ideal shape for catching.
Key Considerations When Buying a Baseball Glove
Buying a baseball glove should feel like a seamless process, but with so many different options out there it’s easy to get lost in the sea of options and lose the real objective. That is why we put together a list of key things to consider before purchasing anything.
- Fit – Baseball gloves come in different sizes because people’s hands come in different sizes. Knowing what size you need will help you know what glove will fit you best. Moreover, knowing whether or not you prefer the added security of wrist adjustments can also help you with your decision.
- Position – Every position requires a different glove, based on the position they play in the game. Knowing which features to look for based on this factor will help you narrow down the search.
- Versatility – Depending on the position you play, the level of versatility you need in your glove will vary. Those positions that require caching will generally have stiffer, less flexible gloves, then those that require more throwing or passing.
- Durability – With today’s methods of mass production, quality can and will naturally take a hit. In order to ensure that you are getting the best value for your glove, it’s important to know that different material that is used in making gloves and how they affect the durability and quality of the mitts.
- Budget – because gloves come in all different materials, they also come at drastically different price points. Therefore, in order to avoid spending more than you can afford, it’s important to come in with a budget. Sometimes, it makes sense to take a hit in quality in order to spend less.
- Webbing – Often the webbing on a glove will have a strong effect on the flexibility of the glove. Knowing the type of webbing you need for the position you need, as well as how the flexibility of the glove will affect you practically is as important a part in any in the glove buying process.
How to Choose a Baseball Glove
Baseball gloves come in all shapes and sizes, and depending on the position you play, you will probably require certain features over others.
- Pocket Size – The pocket size of your glove refers to the depth and shape of your glove. The smaller the pocket, the easier to get the ball and the harder to catch. This is because the depth of a pocket allows for the ball to nestle inside the glove after being caught and secure it tightly within. In regards to outfielders, they often prefer larger pocket sizes as the depth allows them to swiftly and securely catch fly balls.
- Webbing – The webbing helps to catch and secure the baseball, however, more than that the webbing of a baseball glove is what determines how flexible the glove will be. The looser the webbing the more control the player has over the movement of the glove. However, in regards to outfielders, because the main goal is to secure flying balls, the webbing might be thicker to allow for the glove to snap shut upon contact with a ball.
- Padding – The amount of padding you need in your glove also largely has to do with the position that you play. Closer contact players tend to need more padding because of the force of the throws they have to catch. However, no one can suffer from a little protection. Outfielders in specific, may not require the same amount of padding as a catcher or shortstop man, but would still need enough protection to keep flyballs and hard hit from bruising them.
- Adjustability – Not all gloves are adjustable, and not all are adjustable in the same way either. However, those that are offer buckles, Velcro or maybe even laces at the wrist. This allows for the player to adjust the fit of the glove and keep the mitt secure even when jumping to catch those pesky fly balls.
- Material – For the most part, baseball gloves are from leather. However, for those looking for cheaper or vegan options, there are gloves that come in synthetic or mesh options as well. But, it is important to remember that leather is the more preferable because of its comfort, durability, and quality. Moreover, leather allows you to break in the glove in your own custom way, leaving its mold to your grip and remaining comfortable.
- Outfield Gloves – Just remember that when looking for an outfield glove, the features you should be looking for are: bigger and longer, secure fit, deeper pocket, secure webbing. This is because these gloves are for catching fly balls and making diving catches, and the length, depth, and secureness of these gloves make those actions easier.
The Three F’s
When trying to find a baseball glove that’s best for you, it’s important to refer to the three F’s; Fit, Feel and Fashion.
- Fit – The baseball glove you buy should fit you snugly. Having a good grip on the ball is vital to playing the game correctly, and therefore a glove that is too big or too loose can ruin your game and plays.
- Feel – A baseball glove should be stiff yet flexible. It needs to be stiff enough to offer you the strength you need in keeping the ball secure, yet flexible enough to allow you to control the gloves movement and respond quickly.
- Fashion – This may seem like a joke, but part of buying a glove you love is buying a glove you love to look at. With so many different options out there there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have a functional yet fashionable baseball glove.
How to Find the Perfect Baseball Glove for You
Finding the perfect baseball glove is not a science. While logic and friends may claim one thing, there’s only one glove that’s perfect for you. This is how to find that glove.
- Size – In order to check your size, flex your glove hand and then measure from the tip of your index finger to the beginning of your wrist. Once you’ve found the length of your glove hand, find a glove that’s slightly larger in length. Make sure it’s wide enough to be comfortable but tight enough to always feel secure.
- Fit – The most important part of this process is to make sure the glove actually fits. More than just the measurements making sense, the glove needs to be able to get on and feel comfortable. Similar to Cinderella and her magic slipper, a baseball glove needs to fit just right. Not too tight, not too loose and definitely not too wide.
- Practice Makes Perfect – It’s not only the actual game that requires practice to get right. This is because, honestly, buying the perfect glove can feel like a sport in it of itself. The best way to know whether our glove is fitting is to try on other gloves and compare the feel.
- Throw – There are two types of gloves, right-hand throws, and left-hand throws. These, as the name suggests, refer to the hand you throw with. Those who throw with their left hand will buy left-hand throws and wear their gloves on their right hand. In baseball, you actually catch with your weaker hand to keep your strong hand free for throwing.
Warning: A glove that is too tight will keep you from controlling, and a glove that is too loose can fly off and leave your hand and face defenseless.
Construction of a Baseball Glove
Before you can go out and buy a baseball glove you need to know what to be looking for. Depending on your position and personal needs, you may be looking for different features.
- Webbing or Pocket – This refers to the part of the glove that connects the fingers and thumb. It is also the part that keeps the ball secure after catching it and allows the glove flexibility and movement.
- Palm – The palm is the body of the glove, the part that covers the palm. Most gloves will feature some sort of padding or protection beneath the palm in order to protect the player’s hand while catching powerful balls and throws.
- Heel – The heel is under the palm over the heel of your hand. This part of the glove also features padding and protection to keep your hand from hurting during catches. And, in addition, the heel is what determines the break and shape of the glove during use.
- Hinge – The hinge of the glove, similar to the hinge on a door or window, is the part of the mitt that allows easy and flexible opening and closing.
- Wrist Adjustment – The wrist adjustment is the part on certain gloves that allows you to adjust it and feel. While not all gloves include this feature, those that do allow for a secure fit.
- Backs – The back of a glove generally comes down to a personal preference. However, generally, outfielders will prefer an open back as it keeps the glove slightly stiffer and more supportive.
The Material of a Baseball Glove
Baseball gloves come in multiple different materials, each one serving its own unique purpose. Knowing the different options can help you find the one that works best for your needs and wants.
- Synthetic Leather – Synthetic leather is cheaper than real leather, making it an ideal glove for children who are still growing. Moreover, the synthetic leather is softer and more lightweight than real leather and thus doesn’t require any break in period.
- Softened Leather – This refers to leather baseball gloves that are already broken in. Although these oiled gloves don’t allow for the customized break that other baseball gloves allow for, they do have the added advantage of being playable right out of the box.
- Premium Leather – Premium leather baseball gloves require a long break in periods, however, once broken in these gloves fit and feel better than the factory broken in ones. Moreover, these gloves are more durable and longer lasting than the others.
- Pro Series Leather – These gloves require a break in period and some serious cash because they are made with the highest quality leather. This feature offers you the most durable, reliable and comfortable gloves out there. Additionally, these gloves are the best made and the best quality construction.
How to Break in Your Baseball Glove
When buying a leather baseball glove it often will not come broken in, requiring you, as the player, to break it in yourself.
- Wear It – The easiest way to break your glove in is simply to use it. Not only will this force the glove to become more versatile and flexible, but it will allow the break to conform to your hand and grip.
- Use a Mallet – Although this method won’t allow the glove to conform to your own hand and grip, it also won’t take long or leave you with painful blisters. A mallet is a perfect option for a quick break in.
- Wrap and Ball – When you’re not able to wear the glove yourself, wrap it around the ball, allowing it to take the natural shape of the baseball. Although this still isn’t the shape of your hand and grip, it is quite simply the next best thing when it comes to breaking shapes.
How to Care for Your Glove
Caring for your glove is a vital part in ensuring that it lives a long life and plays through many seasons. Especially those that are leather, over time the leather can grow stiff and dirty and keep you from ever using the expensive glove again.
Cleaning Your Glove
Although it may seem dumb to clean a glove that is used for outside sports, keeping it clean can actually prolong the lifespan of your mitt.
- Brush It – Using a bristle brush, you can brush out all the grime and grub that builds up in the glove during the season. This will keep your glove looking, smelling, feeling and playing fresh.
- Wipe It – Cleaning your glove can be as simple as using some soap and water. As long as your glove is synthetic leather (and not the real thing) a simple wipe down can keep it clean. Or, alternatively, if your glove is the real deal, buying some manufacture approved leather cleaner can clean that baby right up.
- Condition It – If you have a real leather glove, then the nooks and crannies of that mitt need some care. Conditioning the glove will keep it flexible and moisturize it even when it’s not playing the season.
Storing It
Storing your glove properly during the off-season is how you will ensure that your glove makes it to the next season. You need to store your baseball glove in a cool, dry area in order to stay fresh. Keep in mind your gym bag, is not a cool dry place, and keeping it there all season will likely ruin your glove.
Pro Tip: Storing your glove with a baseball inside of it will help it keeps its shape and break even while you aren’t using it.
Recognizing Softball Gloves
Softball and baseball may seem like the same sport, but at the end of the day, they’re not. Even if the differences are subtle, it is these differences that make them require specific gear and equipment.
- Length – Baseball gloves tend to be slightly shorter than softball gloves. This is naturally because of the size difference in the balls that you are playing with. A tee ball is significantly smaller than a softball, the length needed to secure the ball after catching it is significantly smaller.
- Fit – A softball glove is generally a tighter fit than a baseball glove. This again has everything to do with the size of the ball in question. Because the baseball is smaller than the softball it is easier to secure and allows for the players to have slightly more wiggle room. However, given the tight grip, the softball player is required to have when catching the ball, the mitt must fit, quite literally, like a glove.
- Webbing – Webbing on a softball glove runs deeper than the webbing on the baseball glove. This again, as your probably predicted, is because of the ball. The flexibility, movement, and versatility you require to catch a softball increase tenfold, requiring the player to have a larger and deeper webbing. Moreover, softball gloves have less variety than baseball gloves when it comes to players and positions.
Final Thoughts
In the end, if baseball is the game that makes the world go ‘round than it should come as no surprise that everyone wants to join in on the fun. However, you cannot do that before buying the perfect glove. As the glove is virtually the only protection that fielders have while playing the game, it is important that the fielder – especially the outfielder – has the perfect glove. Buying a glove doesn’t have to be a painful process, as long as the player knows what to look for before making any final purchases.
