There are a lot of different types and names of latex, and it can seem difficult to navigate through them. Here are a few rules of thumb to get started with:
The softer the latex, the better the grip
The harder the latex, the better the endurance
The thicker the latex, the better the protection
The thinner the latex, the more ball control
Super Soft:
This category of latex for goalkeeper gloves often goes by the name Super Soft Grip and it is an upgrade to the Soft Grip latex. If offers an improved grip compared to the Soft Grip. Gloves with this type of latex are especially suited for young players and amateurs as the price is low, the durability is excellent and the grip is very satisfying. Just like the Soft Grip latex, this type of latex encourages the goalkeeper to train and focus on technique.
Match:
This category of latex for goalkeeper gloves is an excellent upgrade from the Super Soft Grip. This category of latex often goes by the name Mega Grip or Giga Grip and has some of the very best latex. The grip is notably better, however the durability is not as good as Soft and Super Soft Grip. Latex in this category have very different names depending on the brands. It is also usually found on some top models as well as all of the best take downs.
Elite:
The latex in this category are absolutely the best available, and the category often goes by the name Contact or Supreme Grip. This latex has the best grip in all conditions, which naturally makes it the most expensive, but also the least durable compared to other types of latex. Some latex in this category can often be recognised by the small granulates or high grip-elements that are added to the surface for enhanced grip. This latex is perfect for pros and ambitious elite players.
This is the most obvious point, the most essential point - and also the most time consuming. It may seem like a jungle to figure out the best way to do it, because there are so many guides on how to wash your gloves properly. My advice is simple and has served me well for many years. Bring the gloves with you in the shower, lightly wash them, spray some glove wash on the foam, put the glove on the shower floor, wash your hair, pick up the gloves and rub them clean. If you make this a habit after each training, this is prolong the life of your gloves by so, so much. You can skip the glove wash if you like, but it does give the foam a deeper clean, so it maintains more grip.
Pro tip: If you don’t have time to clean your gloves, then you can always try to bribe a teammate with the promise of cola. Do that and you will quickly have people fighting for the honour of washing your gloves.
When you are done washing the gloves, it is very important you dry them. If you put your gloves anywhere near a radiator, then the foam will take pretty critical damage, and you will lose a lot of grip. If you just leave the gloves to dry on a bench, then they won’t have enough air or time to dry, which means they won’t be ready for training the next day. Instead just do what Kasper Schmeichel does and bring a hanger to dry them on.
To give your gloves the best performance, it is important they don’t dry out. The gloves work best, when they aren’t too wet and aren’t too dry, so keep them slightly moist most of the time. You can do that by always having a bit of water and a towel with you on the pitch.
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