French Days : goalkeeper gloves

Absolutgrip, Supergrip, Supersoft: choosing the palm foam

The latex foam in the palm makes the difference between a caught ball and a released ball. At Uhlsport, the Absolutgrip is presented by the brand as its high-quality all-round foam, which balances grip and abrasion resistance. The Supergrip combines natural latex with adhesive particles developed by Uhlsport to hold well in dry weather as well as in the rain.

The Soft and Supersoft foams, which have a softer feel, are often chosen for intensive training. The Super Resist+, as its name suggests, focuses on wear resistance, a great asset for the keeper who plays every week on turf.

Complete your pair with the other offers French Days

Once you've chosen your pair, complete your kit with goalkeeper gear: jerseys with padded elbows, padded pants and shorts. The boots are in Football Shoes, bags and shin guards in Equipment, club jerseys in Teams, and all youth sizes in Children. Return to French Days for the overall view.

Negative cut, flat or rollfinger: the shape of the glove

The cut determines how the latex wraps around the fingers. The negative cut places the seams on the inside: the glove hugs the hand, ideal for slim hands seeking direct contact. The flat cut, more classic, offers more room and suits wider hands. The rollfinger wraps the latex around the fingers to increase the contact surface.

The HN logo, prominent in Uhlsport, signifies a half-negative cut: the brand's compromise between the fit of a negative and the comfort of a classic cut. Hybrid cuts, meanwhile, combine two constructions on the same hand, for example, a negative palm and rolled fingers.

What size goalkeeper glove for an adult or a child

The size is measured, it can't be guessed. Take the circumference of the dominant hand at the knuckles, excluding the thumb, or the length from the tip of the middle finger to the wrist, then refer to the brand's guide: the size chart goes from small children's sizes to large adult sizes. A well-chosen glove leaves about a centimetre between the fingertips and the end of the latex.

For a young keeper, don't choose a size up for them to grow into: an overly long glove will force the latex to bend and the ball will slip out. Junior models like the Absolutgrip HN Pro from Uhlsport or the Copa Pro from adidas are cut for children's hands.

Planning your glove pairs throughout the year

A keeper who trains several times a week wears out a pair in a few months: it's better to keep one for training and one for matches, and to buy replacements at the right time. Black Friday and the end-of-year holidays fall midway through the season, when the first pair is wearing out. The winter sales help plan for the spare pair, while the French Days in spring and the summer sales prepare for the next season. Before training resumes, take a look at the Stock Clearance, where past season colours arrive.

Frequently asked questions

Can goalkeeper gloves be machine washed?

It's better to avoid this: the drum and detergent can damage the latex and may peel the foam. Washing by hand in lukewarm water, with a product designed for gloves or a mild soap, followed by air drying away from the sun and heaters, is enough.

Should you wet your goalkeeper gloves before a match?

Most latex foams grip better when slightly damp: moisten the palm with a little water before warming up and at half-time. Avoid soaking them, as waterlogged latex slips instead of gripping.

What are Finger Save stays for?

These are reinforcements inserted into the fingers of the glove, which limit backward bending and protect against hyperextensions. Useful for young keepers or after an injury, they reduce flexibility a bit: many seasoned keepers do without them.

How long does a pair of goalkeeper gloves last?

It depends on the foam, the pitch, and the frequency of play: a very grippy match palm wears out quickly, especially on turf. That's why keepers reserve their best pairs for matches and train with more durable gloves.

Negative or flat gloves: which is better for beginners?

For beginners, a flat or half-negative cut is more forgiving: it allows a bit of room and adapts to different hand shapes. The negative cut, which is very fitted, is better chosen once you know your size well and are looking for more feel.