The Best Batting Gloves
Picking the right batting glove can make all the difference between solid contact and an embarrassing strikeout. Batting gloves were traditionally made of leather, but with the advent of modern manufacturing, countless formulations made of less expensive synthetics allow any athlete get a proper handle on the game without breaking the bank. When it's time to seriously improve your batting average, check out our top batting gloves for vibrant styles, unmatched durability, and a surefire grip that will step up to the plate in your time of need.
Franklin Sports Digitek Batting Gloves
Home-plate hero
The Digitek glove by Franklin Sports redefines grip and turns amateurs into heavy hitters right off the bat. It’s made of a combination of genuine leather and microfiber, resulting in a pair that provides excellent grip without making your hands sweat. The heel patch of this glove is reinforced to deal with the twisting and tension of continuous use, while the spaces between the fingers and the top of the glove breathe comfortably. Using a combination of organic and synthetic leather, this beauty is perfect for all ages and hand sizes.
Pros:
- Available in five camo colorways
- Interior surface for team numbers and names
- True to the sizing chart
Cons:
- The white color options will discolor quickly
Seibertron B-A-R Pro 2.0 Signature Batting Gloves
Batter up
If you want to start a successful baseball career, sure, you need to familiarize yourself with the game’s fundamentals, but you’ll also need to have good gear. Seibertron’s signature batting gloves are made to last for multiple seasons thanks to added padding where you need it most. Crucially, the heel and surface between the index finger and thumb contain a thicker filling than the rest of the glove because of its exposure to increased friction. The gloves utilize synthetic rubber that’s frequently used in commercial anti-vibration gloves, which is a great touch that pairs nicely with the anti-slip finger lining. All in all, the B-A-R Pro 2.0 impresses with its porous microfiber base that’s easy to break in for younger hands stepping up to the plate.
Pros:
- Hook-and-loop Velcro and nylon wrist lock
- Five youth size options with four styles
Cons:
- The palm of the glove is not padded
Mizuno MVP Baseball Batting Gloves
Keep cool under pressure
If your batting glove is weighing you down, Mizuno has the solution for you. The MVP batting glove is a fully synthetic blend of flexible material that forms to your hand snugly over time. While genuine leather competitors may have an edge as far as durability goes, less expensive variations tend to include premium materials only in select locations, leaving the remainder of the glove with inferior materials. This glove, though, is built with nonslip polymer throughout that’s coated with silicone webbing. What results is a dependable grip from the tip of your fingers to the heel of your hand, with a mesh upper that can accommodate larger, growing fingers.
Pros:
- Choose from black, navy, pink, and more
- Great even in wet conditions
- Superior quality for the price
Cons:
- The sizing runs a bit small
Franklin Sports Powerstrap Batting Gloves
Give the catcher a break
For an impervious hold that’s relentless under pressure, don’t settle for anything less than the Powerstrap. Smooth, top-quality leather is the name of the game with this one, and you’ll feel the difference immediately. The most noticeable difference is the flexibility afforded to this all-leather design that won’t bunch up or tear at pinch points. Although you might feel the heat a bit more given the solid composition, the glove is designed with tiny ventilation holes that provide airflow. If your bat handle needs some assistance and you’re sick of cycling through inferior designs with unreliable stitching, the Powerstrap might just be the last pair you ever buy.
Pros:
- Stop blisters in their tracks
- Authentic Cabretta sheepskin leather
- The product is in collaboration with Major League Baseball
Cons:
- Must be kept in a dry, cool storage area to avoid warping
Easton Walk-Off Batting Glove
Grand-slam style
While style shouldn’t be the end-all-be-all in terms of equipment choices, it definitely helps in the decision-making process. Easton’s Walk-Off batting glove has the sizing and color options you need to become a permanent fixture on any team. While the composition is primarily faux rubber, the choice of goatskin for the palm makes all the difference. We’re also a huge fan of the Walk-Off glove because of Easton’s attention to detail. The top of the glove features silicone and plastic detailing for extra grip, while the wrist sports a pull tab for on-the-fly adjustments. Overall, professional and aspiring athletes agree that these Easton gloves are a cut above the competition.
Pros:
- Over ten design and color combos to choose from
- Comfortable for all levels of play
Cons:
- May not work well with bat grips that are already reinforced
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any types of gloves that are not allowed in baseball?
Baseball has precise rules governing what equipment is allowed. When it comes to the batter, almost all gripping substances, from gloves to pine tar, are acceptable. Further, the rules don’t explicitly state that batting gloves cannot be used by field players, with the exception being the pitcher. Pitchers are forbidden from using any glove or pine tar on their throwing hand, although they can use resin, a sap extract.
Were batting gloves always used in baseball? If not, when did they become popular?
No, actually. While using batting gloves during games was much more contentious, batting gloves did get their start in the cages. According to legend, the manager of Red Sox player Ted Williams gave his client a pair of golfer’s gloves to deal with blisters during practice, kicking off the trend en masse. Ken Harrelson is credited with popularizing their use in live play over half a century ago.