Introduction

This page is intended to give a guide to the various goalkeeper glove cuts available on the market. As it is only a guide it covers the most known cuts. Variants have been noted where possible but some brands may have modified a particular cut for themselves. It is also possible that other cuts have either been or currently used by one or more brands.

Roll Finger

This style has gained popularity in recent years. It is very popular with goalkeepers in Great Britain. This style does not use gussets. Instead the palm is attached directly to the backhand, which results in the latex rolled or wrapped around the fingers. This style fits snugger than traditional flat palm. It also has the best ball contact as the cut ensures that latex is always in contact with the ball when catching or throwing. As a result many consider this to provide better ‘feel’ when catching. Some however find that it feels bulkier than the other styles. This style is also popular with female keepers as it fits snugger than Flat palms.

Flat Palm

Probably the most popular glove cut, especially in North America. This palm of this style is usually made of a single piece of latex. This style of cut has gussets between the palm and the backhand. If you look at how each finger is constructed it looks like a box (hence name of box-cut used by some) as it consists of the backhand on top, two side gussets and the palm on bottom. The stitching that attaches the latex palm to the gussets is done so that the seam is on the exterior of the glove.

This style of glove typically fits looser than many other styles and glove fingers can twist during catching. Those that prefer a snug fit but still want a traditional gloves often wear a glove that one half to one full size smaller than their normal size.

This is also the most popular cut used for finger protection gloves.

Negative Cut

A popular glove cut choice in Europe, especially in Germany. It is similar to the Flat-palm cut in that the palm is made of a single piece of latex.. This style of cut also has gussets between the palm and the backhand. The difference is that the stitching that attaches the latex palm to the gussets is done so that the seam is on the interior of the glove. As a result of this glove style fits snugger than a traditional flat palm, many consider it offer better ‘feel’ when catching and throwing. It fingers are not prone to twisting which results in better latex to ball contact when catching.

Those with slimmer hands may prefer this cut. In fact, this style has been known to be marketed as a women’s cut because it fits slimmer hands better than a traditional cut glove.

Surround Cut

There are a few variants of this cut and the style is dependent on the glove company that has produced it. In general the palm of the glove wraps around the outside of the hand (pinky side) and forms part or the entire backhand. The result is that the palm and backhand are formed using a single piece of latex with much less stitching used. This style has been used with Flat, roll and negative cut styles. The advantage of this cut is that there are fewer seams on the glove making it more comfortable. It also is more suitable for wider hands as it is not as snug as a roll-finger or flat palm. Keepers will often move down a half-size to obtain the snugness and comfort level that they desire when using this glove style.

Rolled Index

This is a useful cut that combines the best features of a flat-palm and a rollfinger glove. Like a roll-finger it is made of two pieces of latex. The Index finger is rolled like a normal roll-fingered glove but the remaining three fingers are constructed like a traditional flat-palm. This cut ensures that the latex on index finger is always in contact with the ball when catching or throwing the ball. It also fits snugger than a traditional flat palm.