Types of Palm Latex For Goalkeeper Gloves
Palm Materials of Goalkeeper Gloves
Choosing the right palm latex for your goalkeeper gloves can be overwhelming. What’s the durability like? How’s the grip? Does it perform well in wet conditions? And which option is best for your budget? Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Our simple guide below breaks down the benefits and features of each type, so you can make an informed decision.
Important: Our glove ratings are based on optimal care and maintenance. As palm latex is a natural material, it’s prone to abrasion from the first use. To maximize durability, please follow our Glove Care guide and consider the playing surface’s impact.
Discover the Range of Palm Materials Available
1. Lightweight Foam (3mm)
2. PK Latex (3/4mm)
3. High Foam (3mm)
4. Damboo (3/4mm)
5. China Latex (3mm)
6. Neoprene (2-6mm)
7. New Basic (2/3/4mm)
8. Super Low (3mm)
9. Mega Grip (4mm)
10. Super Soft (4mm)
11. Getit (4mm)
12. Aqua (4mm)
13. Giga Grip (4mm)
14. Quartz (4mm)
15. Super Grip (4mm)
16. Contact Pro (4mm)
17. Contact Replica (2/3/4mm)
18. Contact PK (3/4mm)
01.
LIGHTWEIGHT FOAM
A popular choice for the backhand area, Lightweight Foam offers a sleek appearance. While it may not provide the same grip and durability as other materials, its affordability makes it an excellent option for budget-friendly gloves.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 2-2.5mm
– Ideal for: Backhand area
– Benefits: Affordable, visually appealing
– Considerations: Less grippy and durable than other materials
02.
PK LATEX
Damboo (PK Latex): A durable, affordable 3mm and 4mm latex foam ideal for training gloves and backhand printing, though grip may vary.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 3-4mm
– Ideal for: Backhand area
– Benefits: Affordable, Durable, Attractive printing results (Backhand)
– Considerations: Grip may vary compared to other latex materials
03.
HIGH FOAM
High Foam: The most popular goalkeeper glove material, offering durability and thickness for backhand and palm areas.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 3mm
– Ideal for: Backhand area
– Benefits: Durable, Protective, Comfortable, Versatile
– Considerations: Grip may vary depending on conditions May be less grippy than other materials
04.
DAMBO
Damboo 3mm, also known as PK Latex, is sometimes used as EVA foam by certain brands. It’s a highly popular material in the goalkeeper glove market due to its durability and strength. While it’s harder and less stretchable than German latex, it remains a reliable and widely used option.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 3-4mm
– Durability: High
– Grip: Moderate
– Ideal for: Training, Backhand printing
– Benefits: Affordable, durable, attractive printing
05.
CHINA LATEX
China latex is a unique foam in the market, used by only a few brands. It is specially imported from China upon request. This material stands out with its shiny appearance and softness, giving it a durable look. However, it’s not as clean or smooth as Damboo, and it often has spots and a rough exterior.
China latex is considered a mid-level material for gloves, making it reasonably priced—not too expensive, but also not the cheapest option.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 3mm
– Durability: Medium-High
– Grip: Good-Excellent
– Ideal for: Goalkeeper gloves, Palm
– Benefits: Comfortable, breathable, affordable
06.
NEOPRENE
On the other hand, Neoprene is quickly gaining popularity in the goalkeeper gloves industry. It’s a type of rubber covered with laminated fabric, and it’s especially favored by professionals. Neoprene is soft, stretchable, and very comfortable, offering goalkeepers greater comfort compared to other glove materials.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 2-6mm
– Durability: High
– Flexibility: Excellent
– Ideal for: Goalkeeper gloves, Wrist, Thumb
– Benefits: Protective, water-resistant, breathable
07.
NEW BASIC
New Basic is a specially imported latex, widely used in the palms and backhands of professional goalkeeper gloves. While its grip and durability are good, they don’t match the performance of higher-end materials. It’s also known as German Latex 4mm, but in reality, it’s 3mm thick latex with 3mm foam laminated to it, making it a total of 6mm.
This latex is often referred to as multi-colored latex since it comes in various colors. No additional printing is needed if the desired color is already available.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 1.5-2.5mm
– Durability: Medium
– Grip: Moderate
– Ideal for: Entry-level goalkeeper gloves
– Benefits: Affordable, lightweight, comfortable
08.
SUPER LOW
Super Low latex is quite similar to New Basic latex, with the main difference being their base color. The colors make it easy to tell them apart, as Super Low has a slightly duller appearance than New Basic. Like New Basic, Super Low is also used for the backhand of professional goalkeeper gloves.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 0.5-1.5mm
– Durability: Low-Medium
– Grip: Light-Moderate
– Ideal for: Youth, Training
– Benefits: Ultra-lightweight, flexible, comfortable
09.
META GRIP
Mega Grip is an entry-level material known primarily for its grip. It performs well in dry conditions, though its performance slightly decreases in wet weather. Its durability is good, though not on par with professional-grade materials. Mega Grip is more expensive than earlier versions of similar materials.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 2-4mm
– Durability: High
– Grip: Excellent
– Ideal for: Professional goalkeeper gloves
– Benefits: Exceptional grip, durable, comfortable
10.
SUPERSOFT
Supersoft latex is very popular among goalkeepers. While it’s similar to Mega Grip and New Basic, its quality is slightly higher, making it a preferred choice. It is also more expensive than the previous options.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 2-3mm
– Durability: Medium-High
– Grip: Excellent
– Ideal for: Goalkeeper gloves, Palm
– Benefits: Soft, flexible, excellent grip
11.
GIGA GRIP
Giga Grip is a material commonly used for professional goalkeeper gloves. It’s more durable and offers high-quality performance, especially for the glove’s palm. Giga Grip performs well in both wet and dry conditions and is available at a reasonable price, similar to Mega Grip
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 2.5-4mm
– Durability: High
– Grip: Exceptional
– Ideal for: Professional goalkeeper gloves
– Benefits: Unmatched grip, durable, comfortable
12.
AQUA
Cyclone, also known as Aqua Latex, is designed specifically for wet weather but performs well in dry conditions too. It offers good durability. However, there can be some confusion when selecting this material, as New Basic latex also has a color option called Aqua. This can sometimes cause confusion for both manufacturers and customers during selection.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 2-3mm
– Durability: High
– Grip: Excellent (wet)
– Ideal for: Water-based games
– Benefits: Water-resistant, grippy, comfortable
13.
GETIT GRIP
GETIT GRIP Wet & Dry latex is an all-weather material that performs exceptionally well in both wet and dry conditions. It’s a durable, high-quality latex for the palm, though it comes at a slightly higher price than earlier versions.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 2.2-3.5mm
– Durability: High
– Grip: Exceptional
– Ideal for: Professional goalkeeper gloves
– Benefits: Unmatched grip, durable, comfortable
14.
SUPER GRIP+
Super Grip is one of the most popular materials among goalkeepers these days. It resembles quartz foam due to its similar spots, although the spots in Super Grip are larger. Unfortunately, it’s not readily available on the market and is specially made and imported upon request from overseas. Currently, it is used by Uhlsport.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 2.5-3.8mm
– Durability: Very High
– Grip: Exceptional+
– Ideal for: Professional goalkeeper gloves
– Benefits: Unrivaled grip, durable, comfortable
15.
QUARTZ GRIP
Quartz latex is an excellent all-rounder, positioned between Giga and Contact latex. It offers great grip in dry conditions and performs well in wet weather too, with solid durability. Its cost and quality are also in between Giga and Contact.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 2.8-4mm
– Durability: Extremely High
– Grip: Exceptional+
– Ideal for: Professional goalkeeper gloves
– Benefits: Unmatched grip, durable, comfortable
16.
CONTACT PRO
Contact latex offers professional-grade grip in dry conditions and performs well in wet weather, as long as you towel off excess water, which is recommended for any glove. It’s the highest quality latex available and is very popular among professional goalkeepers. Like New Basic latex, Contact latex comes in a variety of colors, but it is more expensive than other latex materials on the market.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 2.5-3.5mm
– Durability: Very High
– Grip: Exceptional
– Ideal for: Professional goalkeeper gloves
– Benefits: Unmatched grip, durable, comfortable
17.
CONTACT REPLICA
Contact Replica is quite popular these days. It’s a standard German latex, available in 2/3/4mm thickness, made sticky with special grip-enhancing chemicals. However, its grip doesn’t last as long as the original Contact latex. While it’s stickier than the original, it comes in various colors and is more affordable.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 2.2-3.2mm
– Durability: High
– Grip: Excellent
– Ideal for: Goalkeeper gloves, Training
– Benefits: Excellent grip, durable, comfortable
18.
CONTACT LITE
Contact Lite has similar technical qualities to Contact Replica, but it’s not as soft as other latex types. This makes it more durable than other German latex materials.
Key characteristics:
– Thickness: 1.8-2.8mm
– Durability: Medium-High
– Grip: Excellent (dry), Good (wet)
– Ideal for: Youth goalkeeper gloves, Training
– Benefits: Lightweight, flexible, grippy