Whether you’re a baseball player or a softball player, stepping up to bat means that the whole game rests on your shoulders.
Your technique, your timing, your concentration and your gear all have an impact on your overall performance, so to start small, we’ll help you to find a great pair of batting gloves.
Below we’ll highlight the ten best batting gloves and explain the dynamics of this small piece of gear and how they affect your performance at bat.
Top 10 Batting Gloves Comparison
What to Look for in Batting Gloves
Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to gear, so consider the following as you look for some great batting gloves for your hands:
- First Pair or Replacement Pair? If you already know your way around a pair of batting gloves and just need to replace an old pair, then think about the pros and cons to the current pair that you have. Are they too big? Do they protect your hand well? Do you like the feel of them?
There are a variety of colors available these days, and as a batter, you have no color limitations. If you pitch, then some leagues have rules as to what colors you can and cannot use.
If this is your first pair of gloves, then you’ll find some great options below that vary in price. Be sure to double check the sizing of the gloves and the hand orientation. You may be purchasing a pair of gloves or a single glove, and you’ll need to double check whether it is a youth size or an adult size (depending on your needs).
- Wear It Under Mitt. If you plan to wear the glove under your mitt, then you need to make sure that everything fits comfortably together and that it doesn’t inhibit your ability to play. Try some pairs under your glove to see how it feels. You may actually find that you don’t like having the glove under your mitt.
- Blisters. You might develop blisters if you buy a new pair of gloves, so be sure to break them in gradually. The last thing you need is something is a painful grip on the bat!
Benefits of Batting Gloves
Some batters choose to wear one glove while others wear them on both. This depends on the player’s individual preferences and needs. Two gloves can help protect your hands from blisters, yet others find that wearing two can be a distraction or just doesn’t make them feel secure as they bat.
The benefits include:
- Better Grip. If you’re sweating or if you have greasy hands, it will be absorbed by the glove without impacting your grip.
- Protection. Balls that don’t quite make it into the umpire’s mitt might just fly straight at your fingers. The result could just be a bruise, or other times you may end up with some fractured bones. Wearing gloves can offer you extra protection in this case.
- Warmth. When it’s cold outside, the last thing you want are numb fingers when it’s your turn to bat. Gloves help to keep your hands warm and the blood circulating through them.
- Shock Absorption. The gloves will absorb some of the impact force if you strike the ball, which cause your hands to feel less of a stinging shock.
3 Best Batting Gloves Reviews
1. Nike GB0332 Diamond Elite Edge II
The Nike Diamond Elite Edge II batting gloves are favorite among batters.
They feature a genuine goatskin leather palm, which offers you durability and excellent grip, and a synthetic leather/mesh mix on the top of the glove for breathability.
The nice, lightweight fit makes it easy to wear both gloves as you play, and you can easily fit them under your mitt.
They’re comfortable enough to make it feel like you’re not wearing them.
2. Under Armour Clean Up
For a sturdy glove that protects your hands and allows you great flexibility, Under Armour has you covered.
The palm is genuine goatskin leather – soft, thin and offers you excellent grip – while the back features a layer of HeatGear to help wick moisture away and keep your hand dry. The embossed synthetic overlay offers added protection without causing you to sacrifice your mobility.
If you’ve got blister problems, then get yourself a pair of these batting gloves. They’ll offer your hands the protection in the most vulnerable areas.
3. Rawlings Sporting Goods The Workhorse
These gloves are made from top-quality leather that has been treated with Oiltac, a special material that offers you excellent grip in both wet and dry playing conditions. The treated leather absorbs less water and these gloves will prove their worth game after game.
It features the Rawlings Dura Plus palm pad, which is a bit thicker than some other glove palms but offers you extra protection.
The Dynamic Fit System will grip your hand firmly yet comfortably.
Definitely a great pair of batting gloves, especially for the price!
As you hunt for a pair of the best batting gloves, be sure to use our guide above as a reference to help you find the right ones.
