How to Choose Football Gloves: A Receiver’s Buying Guide (v2 structure preview)

Do football gloves make a difference?

A receiver glove holds the ball through contact because the palm is tacky, and that is most of the reason to wear one. The rest is protection. Your fingers take less on a press release and your palms stay off the turf.

Conditions change how much of that you get. A wet ball reduces palm tack, and cold hands are slower hands.

Gloves will not fix hands that arrive late. If you are dropping catches you would normally make, the palm is rarely the problem.

Which type of glove fits your position?

Three types, and your position decides which one.

Plenty of players on European rosters cover more than one position. If that is you, buy for the position where your hands touch the ball.

How do you size football gloves?

Worth slowing down on, because loose fabric in the palm bunches when you close your hand.

1. Wrap a tape measure around your dominant hand at the widest point across the knuckles, thumb excluded.
2. Compare that number to the size chart on the product page. Charts differ between brands, so do not carry a size across from another maker.
3. Check the fit. Your fingertips should reach the end of the glove fingers with no spare material, and there should be no loose fabric in the palm.

Between two sizes at a skill position, take the smaller one. Receiver gloves are meant to feel tight when new and give a little with use. If you are unsure, message us before you order and we will help you work out the fit.

Reyrr ZERO runs in youth 7 to 9 years and 9 to 12 years plus adult S to XXL, so a full squad can be kitted out from one model.

What works in cold and wet conditions?

Two things change once the weather turns. A wet ball reduces palm tack, and a soaked backhand stays cold for the rest of the session.

Neither is solved by a special glove. What solves it is a dry pair. If you train twice a week and play at the weekend, keep one pair for training and one for matches. You get a clean palm on match day, and both pairs last longer.

Which gloves do we recommend?

Three that cover most of a European roster.

Reyrr ZERO

The all-round pick. GripTech palm with an enhanced silicone pattern and a breathable nylon back. Youth and adult sizes, nine colourways.

See sizes and availability

Reyrr ONE

The stickiest palm we make. GripTack Pro 2.0 palm, reinforced stitching and a breathable back.

See sizes and availability

Under Armour F9

The brand-name option. UA GlueGrip palms, TurfGear backhand and 3D overlays for hand support. A light, tight glove for skill positions.

See sizes and availability

How do you make the grip last?

Dirt and heat are what wear out a palm. Five things to do:

• Wipe the palms with a damp cloth and mild soap when they are visibly dirty. Cold or lukewarm water only.
• Air dry at room temperature. No tumble dryer, no radiator, no hair dryer.
• Open the wrist straps and take the gloves out of your bag after every session. Damp gloves sealed in a bag will start to smell.
• Keep hand sanitiser, oil and adhesive off the palm. Alcohol dries out the grip surface.
• Keep a gameday towel on the sideline to clear the palms between series.

Once they are clean and fully dry the palm should feel close to new. If the grip is still weak after that, it has worn through and the pair needs replacing.

Frequently asked questions

What size football gloves should I get?

Measure around the knuckles of your dominant hand with the thumb excluded, then match that to the size chart on the product page. Skill players should take the snugger of two sizes. The glove should feel like a second skin with no loose fabric in the palm.

What is the difference between receiver gloves and lineman gloves?

Receiver gloves are thin with a tacky palm and almost no padding, built for ball feel. Lineman gloves add heavy padding across the fingers and the back of the hand for blocking and pass rushing. Both have grippy palms, but a lineman glove is too bulky for catching.

Can I wash football gloves in the washing machine?

Hand cleaning is the safer default for protecting the palm and the fit. Use cold or lukewarm water with a small amount of mild soap, wipe rather than scrub, and rinse the soap off completely. Follow the care label on the product if it says otherwise.

Why do my gloves feel less sticky after cleaning?

Usually they are still slightly damp, or soap residue is left on the palm. Wipe them again with clean water and let them dry fully at room temperature. If the palm is clean and dry and the grip is still weak, it is worn from use.

Do I need different gloves for wet weather?

Not a different model. A dry second pair on the sideline does more than any change of glove, because palm tack drops as soon as the surface is wet. Rotating two pairs also makes both of them last longer.

Can football gloves be used for floorball?

Yes. Reyrr ZERO is built for both, and the tacky palm that holds a football also helps with stick control and quick hand movement on the court. Floorball goalkeepers who want more coverage should look at a dedicated goalie glove instead.

The bottom line

Get the type right for your position and the size right for your hand. Those are the two decisions that change how the glove performs. Everything after that is preference: colour, brand, and how much you want to spend.