Best Football Gloves Reviewed & Rated for Quality

In a Hurry? Editors choice:
 Under Armour F5
Test Winner: Under Armour F5
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Most players love to wear gloves while they are playing football for multiple reasons. Since football is a contact sport, one of the main reasons to wear gloves is to protect the player’s hands from injury. Due to the rough nature of the game, most players are likely to experience cuts and scrapes while they are playing. The other main reason to wear gloves is they will improve your performance on the field by giving you a better grip on whether it is to grip the football or your opponent. Gloves can help you keep control of the ball when it's wet and slippery which is why you see many running backs, receivers, and even the quarterbacks wear a pair of football gloves.

Standout Picks

 Under Armour F5
Under Armour is a well-known brand when it comes to sports apparel. You can use these gloves to keep your hands dry and protected while you are on the football field. You will love how they allow you to grip so that you don't accidentally fumble the ball during a critical play. They are a great choice for a player at any position.
Amazon Link
 Seibertron Pro 3.0 Elite
These are a great pair of gloves for anyone who plays a receiver or a tight end position. They have lots of grip material on the fingers and the palms which make it less likely that you will drop an important pass. This will make it much easier for you to perform when you need to the most so that you make the big play.
Amazon Link
$18.99
 Cutters Gloves
Playing football can sometimes mean that you are playing in the rain, mud, or the snow. When you are playing in these conditions, you will need a pair of gloves that you can trust will help you to improve your grip and your game. These gloves are great for such weather and will offer you a secure fit and a sure grip on the ball.
Amazon Link
 Nike Vapor Jet
Nike is another brand that many people associate with high-quality sports apparel. The Vapor Jet 4 lives up to the reputation. You can flex naturally while you are wearing these gloves and they offer plenty of ventilation so that your hands don't end up feeling too hot and sweaty. These are a great way to protect your hands and play your best.
Amazon Link
 Adidas adiZero 4.0
If you play a position where you are routinely handling the football, then you will want to take a look at these receiver gloves by Adidas. They are a high-quality glove that features a compression fabric that will make sure that they grip your hands tightly. This will keep them from sliding around on your hands and will result in a better grip.
Amazon Link
 Grip Boost Stealth
If you having some trouble with hanging onto the ball, then you will want to put on a pair of the Grip Boost gloves. These are specially designed gloves that are super sticky and will help you hold onto the football so that you can throw, catch, and carry better. Your hands will be protected from the weather and your game will improve.
Amazon Link
 Elitetek RG-14
EliteTek will help you improve your game when you wear their skin-tight gloves. They are made with lots of sticky grips which will help you hold onto the ball in even the most difficult conditions. Your hands will be protected from the intense contact that is often associated with the game and you will feel great no matter what the weather happens to be.
Amazon Link
$23.99
 Adidas TechFit Lineman
The offensive and defensive lines can be the most intense part of a football game which is why any lineman can tell you that their hands will take a beating in these positions. These gloves are specially designed for the intensity of the football line and offer padding that will keep your hands from getting scraped up in the action.
Amazon Link
 Cutters Football
This is a pair of all-purpose gloves that will help you play your best game of football. It has an excellent grip that is flexible and long lasting which will help you hold onto the ball. Your hands will be protected from all kinds of weather so that you can feel comfortable while you are on the field in any weather.
Amazon Link
 Franklin Sports Receiver
Anyone who has to catch and hold onto a ball knows how important it is to be able to grip the ball. These receiver gloves will help you make every catch since they have lots of grip on them so that you can hold onto the ball tightly. The bright colors also make it easy for the quarterback to spot your hands.
Amazon Link
$13.04

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Effectiveness

Consider the Position You Play

When you are picking out a pair of football gloves, you are going to want to think about what position you are playing first. This is because there are two categories of gloves each of which is specifically designed for where you play on the football field. If you play on the line, you are going to want to look for a pair of lineman gloves but if you a receiver, then you are going to want to look for receiver gloves. The differences between the two categories are significant so you will want to make sure that you get the right pair.

Gloves that are intended for linemen are thick and have a firm padding on the palms and backhand so that your hands are protected from impact. There may be reinforcement on the inside of the gloves so that your hands are protected from jamming, scrapes, and bruising. The wrist is also more heavily supported in linemen gloves so that you are less likely to experience a sprain and finger area has a more rigid frame to prevent the fingers from bending backward. The palm will have little to no tackiness. The lineman gloves are made out of materials that consist of heavier and more durable material, specifically designed to withstand more abuse.

Receiver gloves are intended for receivers and running backs. They are specifically designed for ball control. This style of glove is much tackier than the lineman style, they have extended tack from the palms and fingers and up to the thumb for increased grip on the football. This will help to keep you from dropping a pass or fumbling the ball when you have it in your possession. The back of the hands also has some thin padding to help protect your hands from shock and impact while still making them lightweight. Overall this style of glove is designed to be flexible and breathable. Since these gloves are so different, you are going to want to make sure that you get the proper pair for the position that you are playing.

Fit

Fit

When you are picking out a pair of gloves, you have to make sure that they have the proper fit. The proper fit for gloves will be a pair that isn’t too small or too large for your hands. Furthermore, they should feel snug on your hand so that it feels as if you are wearing a second skin. The gloves should not stretch excessively but they also should not bunch up either. This will help to make sure that you get the best performance from them while you are playing your game.

One of the first things that you will want to check is the size. Football gloves are sold in youth and adult sizes and you are going to need to try on a few pairs in order to make sure that your size is correct. Gloves that are too small won’t fit on your hands at all while gloves that are too large will be loose and bunch up. Once you find the proper size, you will want to make sure that the gloves are snug and do not bunch up. You should be able to move your fingers naturally while are wearing the gloves.

The final area that you need to check is the wrist area. The gloves are either going to have an elastic band or a Velcro wrist strap. The wrist strap will normally give you a more secure fit but it can also get caught as well. Proper size is a critical factor when it comes to picking out a pair of gloves so you will want to make sure that you get a pair that fits right.

Comfort

Comfort

It’s unlikely that you are going to want to wear a pair of gloves that are not comfortable. For this reason, comfort will be an important consideration when it comes to purchasing a pair of football gloves. You are going to want to look for a pair that feels good on your skin, breathes well, and wicks away moisture. This will make you want to wear your gloves for every game and will make them more valuable than gloves that you do not want to wear.

Most football gloves are made from synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon, or a similar material rather than cotton or wool. This is because the synthetic fabrics are polymer based and will not hold moisture in the fabric meaning that the gloves won’t trap your body sweat. This will help to improve the comfort of the gloves while you are playing because they will breathe well and allow heat and moisture to escape from your skin. Many people like how such fabrics feel on their skin as well and they will often give you a compression-like feel that helps the gloves feel comfortable. High-quality gloves are designed to function for many seasons and in all weather conditions.

The thickness of the material will vary depending on your position. Most people are going to want to look for a pair of gloves that have thin material since this will help the breath better. However, a lineman may want a pair that is thicker and this will give you more padding. You may also want to look for thicker material when you are playing in the late fall or early winter season and it is cold outside. When it comes to thickness, thicker gloves will make it harder to control the ball so you will want to consider this if you are looking for thicker gloves. You should look for gloves made with synthetic materials that have reinforced seams or are seamless. Most quality gloves will have a mesh material between the fingers for added ventilation and comfort.

Protection

Grip and Padding

Players of all positions are going to want to consider the grip and padding of the gloves. Naturally, this may be a little different depending on if you are a lineman or a receiver but nevertheless, all players need to be able to grip the ball or other players and they need protection from impact and shock. For this reason, you are going to want to look for gloves that serve these two purposes in order to get the best pair of gloves.

In order to provide you with grip, your gloves are going to need some sort of a sticky surface. There are a few ways to accomplish this but it usually involves rubber tacking on the gloves or silicone. Both materials give you a rough surface on your hands so that you are better able to grip when you need to tackle a player or control the ball. It’s also possible that the gloves may have a synthetic or real leather patch on the fingers and palms as well since these materials tend to provide you with a good grip.

Padding will be different depending on if you are a receiver or a lineman. Linemen require thick padding since their hands tend to be exposed to shock and impact. When it comes to padding, the more padding there is, the better the protection from impact. Receivers need as little padding as possible or no padding on the palms and fingers so that they can catch the ball and offer a better feel of the football. However, these gloves will normally have some thin padding on the backside of the hands so that they can have some protection in the event that they get tackled.

Value

Quality & Value

You are going to want to consider quality when you are picking out a pair of gloves. Many people tend to get frustrated when the gloves fall apart after a few games so you are going to want to look for a pair that is strong and long-lasting. When it comes to looking for a long lasting pair of gloves for football, you are going to want to look at the fabric, stitching, and the grips. These three areas tend to give people the most trouble when it comes to buying a pair of gloves.

Many people tend to experience problems with the fabric ripping and tearing when they purchase a pair of gloves. Thicker and stronger fabric will be less prone to breaking in this fashion, but keep in mind that thicker means it’s harder to control the ball. You are going to want to strike a balance between durability and your ability to control the ball. Better fabrics are also strong and less prone to tearing as well so you may want to consider spending a little extra on your gloves if you keep having your gloves tear on you. The stitching also tends to be a problem for many people as well. You should try and turn the gloves inside out when they are new to make sure that the fingers are attached securely to the gloves and that all of the seams are reinforced for extra strength. All of the padding and grip surfaces should also be stitched securely to the gloves so that the grip pads do not peel off after you have used the gloves for a few games.

Top 10 Picks

1. Under Armour F5

Where to buy
Amazon Link
 Under Armour F5
Amazon Link

Under Armour is a well-known brand when it comes to sports apparel. You can use these gloves to keep your hands dry and protected while you are on the football field. You will love how they allow you to grip so that you don't accidentally fumble the ball during a critical play. They are a great choice for a player at any position.

GrabTrack

The palms have a material that helps you grip the ball. This will help you keep a firm and tight grip on the ball so that you don't drop a catch or fumble.

Breathable

The material used to make them is breathable and will not interfere with how your hands perspire. This will prevent your hands from feeling hot and sweaty while you have the gloves on.

Cost and Value

You can pick up a pair of these gloves at a price that is lower than the average price. This makes them great for anyone who needs a low-cost pair.

Amazon Link

2. Seibertron Pro 3.0 Elite

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$18.99
 Seibertron Pro 3.0 Elite
Amazon Link

These are a great pair of gloves for anyone who plays a receiver or a tight end position. They have lots of grip material on the fingers and the palms which make it less likely that you will drop an important pass. This will make it much easier for you to perform when you need to the most so that you make the big play.

Adult and Youth Sizes

Anyone will be able to wear a pair of these gloves since they are sold in seven different sizes. The sizes range from XXS all of the way to XXL.

Grip Material

The middle, ring, and pinky fingers have a diamond pattern grip material that extends to the bottom of the palm of your hand so that you can grip the ball with confidence.

Cost and Value

You will be able to purchase a pair of these gloves at a price that is lower than the average price. This makes them an affordable option for any player.

Amazon Link
$18.99

3. Cutters Gloves

Where to buy
Amazon Link
 Cutters Gloves
Amazon Link

Playing football can sometimes mean that you are playing in the rain, mud, or the snow. When you are playing in these conditions, you will need a pair of gloves that you can trust will help you to improve your grip and your game. These gloves are great for such weather and will offer you a secure fit and a sure grip on the ball.

Breathable

The palms of the hands and the fingers are perforated so that your hands can breathe. This will help keep your hands from feeling like they are hot and sweaty.

Power Band

There is a band on the wrist that locks the gloves tightly to your hands. This will keep them from slipping around while you are playing so that you can focus on your game.

Cost and Value

This is a premium product so you are going to need to plan on paying a price that is higher than the average price to get a pair of these gloves.

Amazon Link

4. Nike Vapor Jet

Where to buy
Amazon Link
 Nike Vapor Jet
Amazon Link

Nike is another brand that many people associate with high-quality sports apparel. The Vapor Jet 4 lives up to the reputation. You can flex naturally while you are wearing these gloves and they offer plenty of ventilation so that your hands don't end up feeling too hot and sweaty. These are a great way to protect your hands and play your best.

Mesh Back

They have a mesh backing on them which provides you with ventilation while you are wearing them. This will keep your hands from feeling hot and sweaty while you play.

Flexable

The material used to make the gloves is flexible. This allows your hands to move naturally so that you can hold onto the ball with confidence and will help you play your best.

Cost and Value

You will see the Vapor Jet 4 sold at a price that is much higher than the average price due to the fact that they are a premium product.

Amazon Link

5. Adidas adiZero 4.0

Where to buy
Amazon Link
 Adidas adiZero 4.0
Amazon Link

If you play a position where you are routinely handling the football, then you will want to take a look at these receiver gloves by Adidas. They are a high-quality glove that features a compression fabric that will make sure that they grip your hands tightly. This will keep them from sliding around on your hands and will result in a better grip.

Compression Fit

They are made with a compression fabric that will keep them fitting firmly on your hands. This will help you feel as if you aren't even wearing gloves in the first place.

Molded Tab

The closing tab is made of a molded rubber that makes it strong and durable. You won't have to worry about it getting caught on anything either thanks to the design.

Cost and Value

You will need to plan on spending an amount that is well above the average price. This is a high-end glove that is made of premium materials and will cost more to make.

Amazon Link

6. Grip Boost Stealth

Where to buy
Amazon Link
 Grip Boost Stealth
Amazon Link

If you having some trouble with hanging onto the ball, then you will want to put on a pair of the Grip Boost gloves. These are specially designed gloves that are super sticky and will help you hold onto the football so that you can throw, catch, and carry better. Your hands will be protected from the weather and your game will improve.

All Weather

They have a gel grip that is designed to react to the weather. This will help the grip stay sticky regardless of the conditions that you find yourself playing in.

Comfortable

The material used to make the gloves is thin and you will barely notice it. It breathes well so that your hands do not feel hot and sweaty which will make you love them.

Cost and Value

You will be able to get a pair of these gloves at a price that is considered to be average. This makes them into a great value since you get high-end gloves without a high-end price.

Amazon Link

7. Elitetek RG-14

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$23.99
 Elitetek RG-14
Amazon Link

EliteTek will help you improve your game when you wear their skin-tight gloves. They are made with lots of sticky grips which will help you hold onto the ball in even the most difficult conditions. Your hands will be protected from the intense contact that is often associated with the game and you will feel great no matter what the weather happens to be.

GripTech

They feature a GripTech technology on the palms of the hands. It's proprietary technology that will help maintain a firm and tight grip on the ball so that your game is at it's best.

Specialized Stitching

You can trust the durability of this product because all of the stress points have EliteTek's specialized stitching that will help to prevent rips and tears at the seams.

Cost and Value

You can purchase a pair of EliteTek gloves at a price that is slightly lower than the average price. This makes them a great value since you get high-quality gloves and get the save a little bit.

Amazon Link
$23.99

8. Adidas TechFit Lineman

Where to buy
Amazon Link
 Adidas TechFit Lineman
Amazon Link

The offensive and defensive lines can be the most intense part of a football game which is why any lineman can tell you that their hands will take a beating in these positions. These gloves are specially designed for the intensity of the football line and offer padding that will keep your hands from getting scraped up in the action.

Jam Pad

There is a jam pad located at the base of the palm. This will help to protect your hands from hard impacts that you will feel when you are on the line.

Rear Padding

The back of the hands has thick padding that is broken up into sections. This will protect your hands but also let them flex at the same time so that they don't get in the way.

Cost and Value

You will need to plan on paying a price that is higher than the average price for these gloves. The higher price is due to the thick padding that they have.

Amazon Link

9. Cutters Football

Where to buy
Amazon Link
 Cutters Football
Amazon Link

This is a pair of all-purpose gloves that will help you play your best game of football. It has an excellent grip that is flexible and long lasting which will help you hold onto the ball. Your hands will be protected from all kinds of weather so that you can feel comfortable while you are on the field in any weather.

Silicone Back

The back of the hand has a silicone overlay. This overlay will help to protect your hands from intense impacts and reduce the chances of experiencing an injury while you are playing.

Restore Grip

You can recharge the grip on these gloves by washing them in the machine or wiping them off with a cloth. This will help them perform for years at a time.

Cost and Value

You will be able to purchase a pair of these gloves at an average price. The price makes them into an excellent option since you get a pair of high-quality gloves without paying a premium price.

Amazon Link

10. Franklin Sports Receiver

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$13.04
 Franklin Sports Receiver
Amazon Link

Anyone who has to catch and hold onto a ball knows how important it is to be able to grip the ball. These receiver gloves will help you make every catch since they have lots of grip on them so that you can hold onto the ball tightly. The bright colors also make it easy for the quarterback to spot your hands.

Rubber Palms

The palms have a layer of rubber on them. The tacking on them is also high so that you can grip the ball firmly and securely making it easier to catch the ball.

Jersey Cloth

They are made with the same cloth that is used to make football jerseys. This will help the gloves breath well and you will love how they feel in your hands.

Cost and Value

You can pick up a pair of these for a price that is well below the average price. The low price is due to them only being sold in junior sizes which costs less to make.

Amazon Link
$13.04

Sources

  1. DIck's Pro Tips, How to Buy the Right Football Gloves,
  2. Sports Unlimited, Football Gloves Buyers Guide,
  3. Wikipedia, Leather,
  4. Foot Ball Glove Regulations, Sports & Fitness Industry Association,