Batting gloves are the key to creating a loving, glue-like bond between your hands and the handle of the bat. They are important equipment. Batting gloves are an extension of your hands and provide the right feel and grip to aid a solid swing. A well-fitted, fresh pair of hitting gloves is a welcome feel when stepping up to the plate for some serious ball slamming business. In this best batting gloves equipment guide, Dugout Debate covers all the bases: we provide an overview of some of the best youth batting gloves, best softball batting gloves, and best baseball batting gloves. We also provide a few tips on what makes a great pair of batting gloves and what to look for.
Comparison Table: 20 Best Batting Gloves for 2021
Here is a selection of the most popular batting gloves for softball and baseball this season. If you’re looking for youth batting gloves or gloves for very small hands skip to our last section ‘The Best Youth Batting Gloves’.
Batting Gloves Guide Part I: Why Hitters Wear Batting Gloves
For most players, it’s pretty obvious why it is beneficial to wear batting gloves. The main purpose of batting gloves is to provide hitters with a secure and consistent grip on the bat handle. Batting gloves will also help reduce the shock of making contact with the ball outside of the barrel’s sweet spot. If you’ve hit some baseballs or softballs you know the feeling of vibrations shooting up your arms reminding you of the line drive that could have been. Batting gloves will also provide protection from scratches and cuts when sliding on base paths.
Batting gloves are especially useful for newer hitters that have not developed upper-palm calluses that are naturally acquired through batting practice repetition. For the new player, going bananas at the batting cage at the start of the season could result in painful blisters. That might even mean temporarily missing out on some practice time. Batting gloves are designed to prevent the worst of these hand injuries that occur from heavy batting practice.
Batting Gloves Guide Part II: Selecting the Right Pair of Batting Gloves
There are a handful of leading companies supplying hitters with the best batting gloves: Easton, DeMarini, Cutters, Mizuno, Louisville, Jordan, Marucci, Worth, Under Armour, and the two most popular Nike and Franklin. Nike and Franklin are the top dogs by far in the batting glove category, followed by Under Armour who is steadily gaining share. The bottom line is, all of these sportswear manufacturers make high-quality products and it’s hard to go wrong with one of them. Keep in mind that even some of the top brands have some “fluke” models and we steer clear of those in the best batting gloves section.
Unfortunately, it’s easy to lose a pair of these or wear one out during the course of an active season. If you are prone to losing things you may want to consider purchasing a cheaper pair, though they are probably going to wear out a lot faster than some of the best-made batting gloves. This is because they incorporate less expensive stitching resulting in rips and tears.
Additionally, less expensive batting gloves tend to be thicker which means a less firm grip. Thick gloves can also cause your hands to get sweaty making your hands slide around inside the gloves. The extra sweat will build up and when the gloves dry out they will be hard and brittle causing them to be uncomfortable your next time up at the plate.
Just for fun, here are the most popular batting gloves seen in the MLB:
Most Common Batting Gloves used by Pro Players
For these reasons, we encourage hitters to look for batting gloves with the following characteristics:
- Tact. Located along the palms and fingers, this sticky material helps the hands grip the bat.
- Padding. Some gloves feature high-impact resistant padding on the hands and fingers. The downside is that it will make the gloves more heavy and thick.
- Comfort. Softness, fit, and feel are the most important factors.
- Lightweight. There’s no need to have bulky batting gloves unless you’re purchasing an additional pair of batting gloves for cold weather conditions.
- Thin leather. Contributes to light weight and steady grip. Leather typically performs better than synthetics, though there are still some great synthetic gloves available.
- Breathable material. Helps the gloves dry out faster. Material with moisture wicking properties provides exceptional performance on extra hot days.
- Tight fit. This ensures a quality grip on the bat.
- Durable. You want gloves that are going to hold together for at least a season, this is mainly affected by the stitching used by the manufacturer.
- Style. Some players like unique styles or their gloves to match the team’s colors.
Batting Gloves Guide Part III: Synthetic Versus Leather 
What Makes for the Best Batting Gloves? These are the two most common types of batting glove material. Oftentimes, manufacturers will use a combination of both. Most hitters are proponents of leather, because of its longevity and how it ages well. Also, most people favor the feel and grip of leather over synthetic. Sheepskin is one of the highest quality leathers used to make batting gloves. The downsides to leather gloves are that they take a period of time to sufficiently break in and form to your hands. They can feel awfully rigid, like a brand new mitt that hasn’t yet seen the field. Just like with mitts, you can use oil or a special glove conditioner to solve this problem.
Synthetics are nice because they don’t require a break-in period. They provide better flexibility, which is particularly helpful around fingers, thumbs, and knuckles. That is why many manufacturers stick with the leather palm and synthetic finger design. Generally they are also more breathable. High-quality synthetics are also built with moisture-wicking fibers keeping your hands dry and primed for action.
Batting Gloves Guide Part IV: Choosing the Right Batting Glove Size
Many times players will discover what size they are from a little trial and error. Their hands end up swimming in too loose of gloves or they nearly cut off their circulation with a super tight pair until their next round of purchasing a new pair. Fortunately, there is a better way to do it.
Use a ruling or measuring tape and measure the distance from the base of your palm to the tip of your middle finger. Then, use our chart below to determine the best size for you. If you find that you’re hand length is right between two sizes, we recommend opting for the smaller size for a snug fit. This is because loose gloves can result in a loose grip on the bat. Not only is that dangerous but it is going to be less than ideal for optimal hitting. Also, remember the material will loosen up after time. So a new pair that feels just a little too tight is ideal.
| Size | Men’s | Women’s | Youth |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | Under 6 – 3/4″ | 6-1/4″-6-1/2″ | N/A |
| Small | 6-3/4″-7″ | 6-1/2″-6-3/4″ | 6″-6-1/4″ |
| M | 7″-7-1/4″ | 6-3/4″-7″ | 6-1/4″-6-1/2″ |
| L | 7-1/2″-7-3/4″ | 7-1/4″-7-1/2″ | 6-1/2″-6-3/4″ |
| XL | 7-3/4″-8″ | 7-1/2″-7-3/4″ | 6-3/4″-7″ |
| XXL | 8″-8-1/4″ | 7-3/4″-8″ | N/A |
Closer Look Section I: The Best Softball Batting Gloves
Here are our top picks for softball players.
#1 Easton Synergy II Women’s Fastpitch Batting Gloves: One of the most popular batting gloves for fastpitch players, these are colorful and bright. It has plenty of vented material strategically located throughout the glove. The Synergy II incorporates both genuine leather and synthetic for good durability and performance.
#2 Spiderz Hybrid Batting Glove: New to our list are these flashy silicone web palm designed gloves that come in so many colors. The flexible knuckle design allows for a stronger grip. Plus, these gloves look pretty cool- but that’s not the only reason we like them. They also have great customer reviews, many confirming that they are durable and barely look worn after a season of use.
#3 Easton Hyperskin HF3 Women’s Batting Gloves: If you’re a loyal Easton follower, these may be the batting gloves for you. They come in array of colors, more than 10 to be specific. The design is solid, with flex zones, elastic wristband, ventilated mesh, leather palm, and neat “HYPERSKINATM” Easton tech gives you that second skin feel. Premium silky soft sheepskin provides best in class grip and comfort.
#4 Under Armour Radar III Women’s Batting Glove: Under Armor offers the Radar III in eight cool color options. They also implemented their HeatGear tech on the back that reduces moisture buildup. The contoured wrist enclosure is very comfortable, and allows the player to further customize the fit. These use the staple of most Under Armor gloves: goatskin leather.
#5 Mizuno Finch Softball Women’s Batting Gloves: Endorsed by Jennie Finch herself, the Finch batting gloves are 50 percent leather, 40 percent lycra, and 10 percent synthetic. The leather palm and flex mesh make this pair of gloves a solid grip with just the right amount of flexibility.
#6 DeMarini Digi 2 Camo Batting Glove: These camo styled gloves are great for all players softball and baseball. They have a classic design with a smooth leather palm. Relief lines run along the knuckles and fingers for superior flex. As DeMarini jokes, “Even though these gloves are camo, people will notice.”
#7 Easton HF VRS Fastpitch Softball Batting Glove: The Easton HF VRS gloves are a great budget option that offers plenty of padding to reduce shock and vibration. Hit 20 foul balls off the end cap? No problem. With these gloves you have five color choices: black, white, red, blue, and navy. They may not be as pretty as some of the other gloves, but they get the job done.
#8 Worth Legit Slow Pitch Batting Glove: These batting gloves offer one of the best grips for slow pitch players. The Duratac leather palm is printed with silicone texture for the ultimate performance. They are light weight gloves, with a skin tight snug feel that’s preferred by most hitters. There are five color options available: orange, grey/lime, pink, all grey, and a more standard grey white.
Closer Look Section II: The Best Baseball Batting Gloves
Here are some of the best batting gloves for baseball players.
#1 Franklin Sports MLB Digitek Men’s Batting Gloves: These slick looking batting gloves fortunately aren’t so slick in the grip department. The digitally etched microfiber palm and genuine leather heel patch provide the batter with a superhuman grip. The Tri-Curve Tech on this batting glove provide a form fitting feel, adapting to the contours of your hands. Frankly speaking, they just look plain badass too. You’ve got 5 style options to choose from with these.
#2 Easton Walk-Off Batting Glove Series: Replacing an older Easton model on our list, is the Walk-Off batting glove. Made with a goatskin leather palm, this upscale glove will deliver amazing grip and power to your swing. The back of the hand is lycra and silicone, making it extremely flexible. It’s made in Youth and Adult sizes and is suitable for either Baseball or Softball.
#3 Nike MVP Elite Pro Adult Batting Gloves: The MVP batting gloves are a sexy pair of gloves, sure to be an eye catcher. The question is whether or not you can stomach the price tag. They are arguably the most comfortable batting glove on the market. These gloves are made from premium sheepskin leather, providing the highest level of comfort and one of the best grips money can buy. The mesh panels help keep hands cool even while snugly embraced by the soft leather.
#4 Under Armour Men’s UA Clean-Up Batting Gloves: These gloves are elegantly styled and are known for superior performance. They are a sleek looking pair of gloves, stamped with the distinguishing UA logo. There are a few interesting features that make these stand out from the rest of the pack. Most prominently, these gloves use goatskin leather known for its durability. The HeatGear tech by Under Armour helps wick sweat and dries quickly. This tech matched with the perforations that add extra ventilation help keep your hands cool even during the hottest summer days.
#5 Franklin Sports MLB Pro Classic Adult: The floating thumb technology helps with the glove staying flexible in one of the most troublesome batting glove areas. These gloves are licensed by the Major League of Baseball. They come in 5 different color options.
#6 Under Armour Yard Adult Batting Gloves: Striker camo print and Pittard’s Cabretta leather—what’s not to love about these gloves? The grip on these gloves is insane, you’ll have to have your first base coach peel your hands off the handle once you make it to first.
#7 Marucci Adult Pittards Signature Batting Gloves: The Marucci Pittards Signature batting gloves are made with sheepskin and other fibers that bring comfort and support to every swing. These are some of the most classy looking gloves here. The only complaint is how they hold up with washing- we suggest air drying only.
#8 Louisville Slugger Prime Adult Batting Glove: If you’re interested in some protective padding, these slugger gloves may fit the bill. They are still slim enough not to appear like a bulky set of hockey gloves either.
#9 Franklin Adult Cold Weather Batting Glove: This pair of batting gloves is particularly designed for cold weather conditions. Made from sheepskin leather, they are thick enough to keep the coldest of hands from going numb on those freezing days or cold morning games.
#10 Notable Mention: Franklin Custom Batting Gloves: If you’re team has unique colors and you want to match (or you have your own crazy style) you can customize your own batting gloves at Franklin.
Closer Look Section III: The Best Youth Batting Gloves
Here are the top batting gloves for youth players.
#1 Easton Youth HS3 Batting Gloves: The HS3’s are among the top selling youth batting gloves out there. Zonal Flex, goatskin palm, and neoprene wrist comes together to make a breathable and flexible glove. They aren’t so expensive that you’ll be overly annoyed if your son loses them, too!
#2 Nike Youth Huarache Edge Baseball Batting Glove: If you’ve gotta have Nike, you may want to check out the Huarache Edge Gloves. The two piece contoured palm design gives the young batter a snug fit. The high tack goat leather ensures no bats go flying into the stands.
#3 Louisville Slugger Series 7 Youth Batting Gloves: These are a bit more expensive than most youth batting gloves. They are a quality glove from long time sporting goods company Louisville Slugger. The perforated Cabretta leather back and premium sheepskin embossed leather palm make for a durable, high performance glove. Another highlight is the four way stretch mesh diamond material. This gives players plenty of flex and give without losing any grip while they set their targets on blasting the ball out of the park.
#4 Marucci Youth Signature Batting Gloves: Another pricey glove but this time from trusted brand Marucci. The digitally embossed cabretta palm provides best in class grip. Liteprene cuffs and lycra spandex inserts offer plenty of flexibility.
#5 Rawlings Workhorse 950 Youth Batting Gloves: Rawlings isn’t the most popular in the batting glove department, but their Workhorse line is rock solid. These are constructed with a tough Pittards leather. Furthermore, Rawlings little added touch is Olitac, which gives the young athlete excellent grip and feel.
#6 Franklin Sports MLB Cold Weather Youth Batting Glove: If your son plays in cold weather climates and/or complains about their hands getting cold, these batting gloves are worth a shot. The pearl and black leather glove is insulated with neoprene which helps retain heat. They can also be used on defense for keep hands warm and ready on the field.
#7 Franklin Sports MLB Digitek Youth Batting Gloves: Just like the Adult Digitek gloves, the digitally etched microfiber palm provides a Spiderman like grip. Young players dig the look of these batting gloves, but more importantly, they help their hands become one with the bat. Choose from a youth small, medium, or large and 5 color styles.
Ive been using the WorkHorse adult version for more than 7 years and they are by far the best gloves I have ever used. They last a very long time for the price and they continue to have great bat grip even after a full season of cage work and games.