In Taiwan, the soccer equipment market, especially the goalkeeper gloves segment, has an already limited audience and an almost negligible market. So, for goalkeepers in Taiwan, how do you pick the right goalkeeper gloves? As a goalkeeper, I initially borrowed old gloves used by my seniors, and then I picked them up at random until I did some in-depth research and realized that there are many factors to consider when selecting gloves. There is a scarcity of glove introduction articles on the Chinese web, so I am writing this article in the hope that it will provide some help to future goalkeepers who are looking to buy gloves.
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1. Purchasing Methods/lt;/u> gt;
Despite this, Adidas, Puma, and other branded brick-and-mortar stores in Taiwan still sell basic goalie gloves. However, due to low sales, the stock of each size is naturally limited and is unlikely to be restocked when sold out.
Therefore, I recommend that Taiwanese goalies choose the internet as the most convenient option when purchasing gloves. For big brands such as Adidas, Nike, Uhlsport, Sells, Reusch, etc., you can visit large European websites such as Pro Direct Soccer; while for smaller brands such as The One, Westcoast, KA (Kaliaaer), etc., it is more appropriate to visit the brand's official website directly to purchase.
2. Size Selection
When purchasing goalkeeper gloves, size selection is usually the the first dilemma. By searching for “Goalkeeper Gloves Size Guide”, most websites will provide the correct measurements. A little above the thumb, near the muzzle of the tiger, circle your hand with a measuring tape and check your purchase against the size chart. As shown below:
*The size chart in this image is for Uhlsport's previous gloves, and is for illustrative purposes only, so please do not purchase against this size chart.
It is important to note that gloves, like shoes, are off-size. For example, Puma gloves run large in most online reviews, while Tuto gloves are felt to run small by most players, and there may be slight variations in size between brands. Please check the sizes purchased by other users before purchasing.
3. Cutting
Compared with other products, the glove production process is the most unique place is a variety of cutting methods. Unique place lies in the various ways of cutting. This refers to the way the glove is cut and sewn, which affects how it feels when worn and saved. Here's a brief overview of some of the main cuts:
(1) Flat Palm: the most traditional cut, and one that is still very popular today. You'll notice that the fabric is sewn together in a single stitch, giving it a loose feel on the bias. This cut uses one piece of fabric on the back of the glove and is sewn between the palm and fingers.
(2) Roll Finger: is also a traditional cut. As the name suggests, the back of the hand is attached directly to a zone of the palm without the need for stitching, and the latex bends directly over the fingers to provide greater protection. This cut is relatively loose and more comfortable than the Negative Cut, but some goalies may not find it tight enough. the Roll Finger cut is often recommended for novice goalies as well due to its greater finger protection.
