The first thing we need to know and bear in mind is that there are various types of gloves and that there are differences between them, such as the different cuts and, above all, the latex on the palm, which is the factor that has the greatest influence on achieving a better grip when making saves.
There are goalkeeper gloves specifically designed for water, high-end goalkeeper gloves with natural latex palms, and also mid-range and low-end gloves, known as training gloves. It is very important to fully understand the differences between them all, as, for example, when it comes to grip, this will be much better when using goalkeeper gloves made from 100 per cent natural latex. We must bear in mind that mid-range or low-end gloves will not come anywhere near offering the same grip as gloves made with natural latex. Now that we’ve covered this, let’s look at what we can do to achieve even better grip with our gloves.
Better maintenance = MORE GRIP
When using high-end goalkeeper gloves with a natural latex palm, it is important to bear in mind that this type of glove requires particularly careful and thorough aftercare. Let’s start by identifying the number one enemy of natural latex: water. The more water these gloves are exposed to, the shorter their lifespan will be. However, avoiding water does not mean we should stop cleaning the gloves when they are dirty. In fact, it is precisely when they are dirty that they start to lose their grip. Therefore, the best option is to clean our gloves with SP Fútbol’s special goalkeeper glove detergent and, using a damp or almost dry cloth, very carefully remove any excess dirt.
With proper care and cleaning, we can ensure that our gloves retain their perfect grip for much longer. Finally, we’d like to talk about the process of activating the latex in our gloves – something that’s particularly important, as it will determine whether we damage them right from the start or, on the contrary, whether they perform at their best from the very first second. Let’s forget everything we see on social media about how to activate latex in the best way using countless different products. Let’s stick solely to the traditional method – the one we’ve always used – and nothing else. As for those methods we’ve also seen online for improving grip using Coke or other additives, we can tell you straight away that they’re not a good idea either. Let’s use only a spray suitable for natural latex, such as SP’s Adhesive Spray, and nothing else.
