How To Select Your Goalie Glove

When you are deciding on a new glove, new or used, you must make sure that it fits properly. You must be able to close the glove completely. The cuff of the glove shouldn’t interfere with the arm floaters. After you are sure you have the right size, it’s time to select your glove. If you are unsure of what pieces of the glove are being referred to, please check our glove anatomy article. The three main considerations when selecting your glove are cuff style, catch angle, and pocket style.

Size Guidelines

Youth: 5-6 Years Old

Junior: 7-9 Years Old

Intermediate: 10-13 Years Old

Senior: 13 Years Old - Adults

There are two different cuff styles to consider when deciding on your glove. The traditional two-piece cuff, and the new blocking style, solid cuff. Each option has it’s strengths and drawbacks.

The solid cuff has no break between the wrist protection and the palm of the glove. Most butterfly goalies now prefer the solid cuff, as it can more easily be used as a blocking surface. Also because there is no break in the cuff, it is more protective.

With a two piece cuff, it’s not unheard of for the puck to make contact between the break at the bend of your wrist, and it really hurts. However, the two piece cuff allows the glove to bend backwards more easily when catching pucks. This helps corral the puck in the pocket, and keep it in the pocket.

There are three different catch angles to examine when deciding on a glove. The only catch glove that allows for switching catch angles is the Warrior G2 Catch Glove.

The 90 degree catch angle is best utilized by goaltenders who hold their glove in a vertical position. If you have your hand in the traditional hand shake position, this pulls the T-web to the thumb.

The 75 degree catch angle is in between the steep 90 degree angle, and the 60 degree angle. This puts the T-web more in the middle between the thumb and pointer finger, but closer to the thumb. This is best utilized by goaltenders who hold their hand slightly steeper than the old handshake style.

The 60 degree angle is closest to the middle between the thumb and pointer finger. This is the most common angle among retail gloves. This is the easiest and most comfortable to close for most goalies. It is best utilized by goaltenders who hold their glove in the traditional hand shake position, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be used by goaltenders who have steeper angle glove positioning.

Regardless of the angle you decide to go with, make sure it fits well and is comfortable. You must be able to easily close the glove to catch the puck.

There are two different types of pocket available in modern catch gloves. The traditional Single T-Web, or the Double T-Web.

The single t-web is the traditional pocket style. It only has one leather piece that holds the pocket lacing together.

The double t-web has smaller lacing portions between the edge of the pocket and the t-web, and an extra lacing portion between the leather “T”. This gives the glove a deeper pocket, which helps reduce pop-outs. Having a deeper pocket also reduces puck rotation. It is much easier to catch the puck with a bigger and deeper pocket.

There are also minor considerations when deciding on a glove. One decision to be made is what kind of material you want the pocket laces to be made of. Some goalies prefer the traditional nylon stringing. Others prefer softer skate laces, which deaden the impact of the puck in the pocket. This is because the laces are not pulled tight constantly like the nylon is, so there is less pop-out.

The final issue when deciding on a catch glove is the design and color you want to use. It should match closely to your glove and pads. The brand is not necessarily as important as color, because we all know style is the most important stat in hockey.

The most important aspect of choosing your glove is that it fits properly. Once you have the proper fitting glove, you can decide on your own preferences.