The 10 Best Batting Gloves
This wiki has been updated 14 times since it was first published in July of 2020. Whether you're playing with wood and pine tar or using a modern composite bat, wearing a pair of batting gloves is essential for baseball and softball. They not only improve your grip and control, but also reduce sting when a ball is hit off the handle. Our ranking includes a variety of options that offer differing degrees of protection, grip, comfort, and flexibility. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Franklin Sports CFX Pro
2. Under Armour Harper Hustle
3. Rawlings Workhorse 950
Editor's Notes
August 13, 2020:
Choosing the correct size of batting gloves is the first step when shopping for a pair. Something too large will allow the material to bunch up in your palm, decreasing your overall grip on the bat. While sizing is most important in minimizing this, certain options employ techniques that further aid in solving this problem. For example, the Franklin Sports CFX Pro and the Franklin Sports Cold Weather Pro place stitching along the natural creases of your palm, allowing it to bend in the same places as your hand.
In addition, grip is often maximized by using a single piece of leather for the entire palm and thumb. This increases the amount of surface area of which the glove is making contact with the bat. The Franklin Sports CFX Pro, Franklin Sports Cold Weather Pro, Under Armour Harper Hustle, and DeMarini CF all do this. Further, these models, along with the Louisville Slugger Genuine, Mizuno MVP, and EvoShield EvoCharge, use embossed leather that adds a non-slip texture to the palm.
Other choices on the list put a higher premium on protection. The Easton VRS Power Boost, Easton ZF7 VRS Hyperskin, and Rawlings Workhorse 950 place padding on the palm to absorb vibrations and minimize blisters. This added protection, however, makes these gloves less tactile than options that opt for a thin layer over the palm. The Easton VRS Power Boost and Easton ZF7 VRS Hyperskin may tip the farthest in this direction, while the Rawlings Workhorse 950 strikes a good balance between feel and security.
The EvoShield EvoCharge take a different approach to safety by focusing on wild pitches rather than misplaced swings. It comes with an external pad that molds to the batter's bottom hand and seeks to prevent injuries that arise from getting hit by a pitch.
Special Honors
Nike Alpha Huarache Elite Despite its high price point, this option is worth mentioning due to its high performance and durable construction. It features a single piece of leather on the palm and thumb that prevents bunching, and a reinforced cuff that adds support. nike.com
4. Easton VRS Power Boost
5. EvoShield EvoCharge
6. Franklin Sports Cold Weather Pro
7. Easton ZF7 VRS Hyperskin
8. DeMarini CF
9. Mizuno MVP
10. Louisville Slugger Genuine
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