Glove Maintenance | Apex Goalkeeping

Glove Care & Maintenance

Let's make sure we take care of our gloves.

Goalkeeper gloves tend to wear out faster with frequent use, highlighting the importance of maintaining them in optimal condition. On average, a goalkeeper might go through three or more pairs of gloves each season due to consistent material wear.

However, the rate of wear varies among goalkeepers, depending on factors like usage frequency, care, playing surface, and technique. To ensure that you maximize the lifespan of your goalkeeping gloves, it's crucial to follow certain care tips before, during, and after each use.

Maintenance Tips

New Gloves

Wash new gloves before their first use to remove any manufacturing preservatives and activate the latex for maximum grip. For best results, consider a second pre-wash.

During Play

Keep the palms of your gloves slightly damp to enhance the grip and durability of the latex. This is why you might see professionals wetting their gloves during games.

After Play

Wash your gloves right after use and let them dry naturally. Be careful not to over-dry the latex, as it can become brittle, reducing both durability and grip.

Drying your gloves

After washing your goalkeeper gloves, gently press them with a towel to absorb excess water, then let them air dry naturally. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing with the towel, as this could damage the latex.

You can hang them on a washing line or in the bathroom for drying. However, ensure they are not exposed to direct sunlight or placed in a humid area to prevent deterioration.

DO NOT dry using the following methods:

direct sunlight
by a fire
in a dryer
using an iron

These methods will dry out the latex which in turn will make it brittle and have a much easier chance of cracking and tearing.

Washing your gloves

If you want to make the most out of your goalkeeper gloves, wash immediately after use in lukewarm water.

Rinse and soak the gloves in the sink and make sure that you rinse off all of the glove cleaner if you have decided to wash with a solution, as leaving a glove cleaner on gloves can potentially cause damage.

The gloves should be washed by hand or with a soft bristle toothbrush, using light pressure to scrub dirt off lightly - applying too much pressure can tear pieces of the latex.

It is not necessary, but applying a glove cleaner to the gloves will help ensure that all of the dirt is removed and make the process quicker. Ensure you follow the instructions of the solution you have purchased.

Storing your gloves

If possible, store your gloves in a reasonably cool environment out of direct sunlight. Keeping your gloves somewhere humid can cause mold and bacteria to grow and ultimately damage your gloves.

We recommend that you leave your gloves to dry overnight before placing them in the packaging the gloves came in or in a glove case/bag. Leaving your gloves out to dry for too long can cause your gloves to become brittle and dry.

Make sure that the palms of your gloves are NOT touching when left to dry. If you do this, you may find your palms stuck together when you return and peeling them apart can tear the latex.