As the only player on the soccer field allowed to use their hands, and the last player responsible for stopping the opposing team from putting the ball in the back of the net, a soccer goalkeepers hands are his or her biggest asset. As such, a good pair of soccer goalie gloves are a crucial piece of equipment. Good gloves not only help protect the keeper’s hands from the sting of a rocketed shot or from getting too torn up if they happen to get stomped on in the midst of a goal box melee, but they also give the keeper a better grip on the ball in all sorts of weather while also giving just a bit of additional size to their hands to be able to get SOME piece of the ball as it is headed for the back of the goal.
A goalkeeper will often have different goalie gloves for different kinds of weather or for different situations. For example, a certain pair of gloves may be better for wet conditions such as rain, snow or even simply fields that have been over watered. They may have a different set of gloves for more normal, dry conditions or for indoor soccer games.
Another reason goalkeepers may have more than one pair of gloves is because they reserve a better pair for game day while using a more rugged pair for day to day training sessions. When you realize how much use and abuse a pair of goalie gloves go through, and how much they can cost, you’ll understand why many keepers choose to have a cheaper pair that the can beat up while saving the better, ‘softer touch’ pair for game day.
Regardless of the level of soccer you play, taking care of your goalie gloves is of utmost importance. After every use you should rinse them off (and out) with warm water and allow them to dry naturally. DO NOT use soap on your goalie gloves. Remember… soap is slippery!
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