Overview
This document 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. We have tried to keep
the examples given for each style current as of the 2005 range product ranges. However, some
older glove models have been used as examples when warranted. Photographs of some the
example glove models have been used where possible and where permission has been obtained
by the manufacturer.
The Basic Cuts
Flat Palm Glove
Also known as
- Traditional cut
- Perimeter seam cut
- Box cut
- Expanse Cut
Description
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.
Examples
Known Variants
- Flat palm with surround cut (see below)
- Flat palm with no external gussets (palm and backhand on outside seams are sewn together)
Roll-Finger Glove
Also known as
• Gunn cut
• Wrap cut
Description
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 Flatpalms.
Examples
Other Examples
- Reusch Serie A III
- Puma King Exec Roll
Known Variants
- Roll palm with surround cut (see below)
Negative Cut Glove
Also known as
- Internal-stitched
- Inverted-stitched
Description
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.
Examples
Other Examples
- Reusch Bundesliga
- Puma King Exec IC
The Variant Cuts
Surround Cut
Description
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.
Examples
Other Examples
Roll-Index Cut
Description
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.
Volume Cut
Also known as
Description
This is a variant of a flat-palm glove. The fingers typically become wider towards the tips of the
finger than they are at base of the hand. The advantage to this cut is that it there is more latex on
the ball when catching. The disadvantage is that is has a looser
fit than a traditional flat palmed glove.
Examples
Reverse-Roll
Also known as
Description
This is a flat-palm glove but does not have any gussets. Instead the backhand rolls around the
fingers and is sewn to the flat palm. The advantage to this cut is that it has a snugger fit than a
traditional flat-palmed glove.
Examples
- Uhlsport Absolutegrip 360
Bowl-Cut
Also known as
Description
Typically a flat-palm glove where the palm is cut shorter than the backhand. This makes the
glove curve in such a way that it is already formed a natural catching position.
The advantage to this cut is that the glove is already in a catching position which some keepers
find more comfortable than a traditional non-curved palm.
Examples
Variants
Some roll-finger gloves are also pre-curved. This is less common than a pre-curved flat-palm
Credits
Photographs used in this document are the property of the glove’s respective manufacturer with
the exception of those taken by TheGloveBag.com. These are the photos in Figures 1 through 4.
Photographs of SELLS goalkeeper gloves are used with permission from Sells Goalkeeper
Products Inc.
Photographs of Sondico goalkeeper gloves are used with permission of Sondico USA Inc.
TheGloveBag.com would like to thanks SELLS and Sondico USA for their support and the use
of their photographs.
Revision History
Last Modified: 28-March-2006