A Guide to Baseball Glove Leather: Find the Best Kind for You

Players often choose leather baseball gloves over gloves made with synthetic materials because they are more durable. With proper maintenance, they’ll withstand the wear and tear of multiple seasons. Leather gloves are also more flexible than synthetic gloves, making them comfortable for hours of gameplay.

Over time, the leather will mold to your hand and create a custom fit, which can improve performance. Additionally, leather gives you a better grip than synthetic materials, making these gloves great for catching and fielding.

You might not have thought about it before, but the type of leather your baseball glove is made of is an important factor. It doesn’t only change the appearance of your glove, but it impacts performance and lifespan. Different types of leather vary in durability, flexibility, and feel.

Although there isn’t always a wrong choice when choosing glove leather, you’ll find that some fit your playing style and needs better than others. It’s also important to keep in mind that some types of leather are better at withstanding moisture and maintaining shape, meaning they have the potential to last longer when cared for properly.

Although cowhide and steerhide leather are the most popular leathers for baseball gloves, other types of leather exist. Each type has its own set of characteristics and advantages. We added the most common leather types to this chart, comparing durability, break-in time, flexibility, cost, and player type.

Pigskin leather baseball gloves offer a unique combination of affordability, durability, and flexibility. While not as commonly used as cowhide or steerhide, pigskin leather is soft and flexible, making it comfortable to wear right out of the box.

These baseball gloves are lightweight, allowing for quick movements in the field. Because pigskin leather is much softer and thinner than cattle leather, it is not as long-lasting.

Cowhide leather baseball gloves are among the most popular choices for players of all levels due to their durability, comfort, and affordability. This type of leather comes from cowhide (cow skin), making it readily available and relatively inexpensive.

Cowhide leather baseball gloves are known for their sturdy construction which provides great resistance to wear and tear. They balance flexibility and durability for a quicker break-in than steerhide while maintaining shape and structure. This type is recommended for youth players.

Steerhide leather baseball gloves are known for durability and ruggedness, making them great for serious players. They are made from the hides of adult male cattle, making them thicker and denser than cowhide or kip leather. This type of leather is very resistant to abrasion and stretching, allowing it to maintain its structure even after long periods of use.

Steerhide leather baseball gloves have a firm feel, giving players more control when fielding and catching. They have a longer break-in period than cowhide, but they mold better to the shape of the player’s hand, which can improve overall performance.

Full-grain cattle leather baseball gloves are made from the top layer of the hide, preserving the natural grain pattern. This gives every glove a unique appearance and is the toughest part of the animal’s hide.

This type of leather is known for its strength and resistance to wear and tear, making it ideal for high-performing and pro baseball players. Full-grain leather gloves require the longest break-in time but can last many years with proper maintenance.

Kip leather baseball gloves are premium quality gloves. They are a top choice for professional and elite players. Kip leather comes from the hides of young cattle, making it soft and lightweight. Baseball gloves made from kip leather offer comfort and flexibility straight out of the box.

Despite their softness, kip leather baseball gloves are strong and durable enough to withstand rigorous use. This combination of qualities allows for a quick and effortless break-in process, in which the glove immediately molds to the player's hand for a personalized fit.

Japanese kip leather baseball gloves are made from the same material as kip leather gloves, but they are handmade and usually have customized stitching with a looser weave. They are known for being very lightweight and can be custom-fitted with almost no break-in period.

Because these gloves use such high-quality materials and craftsmanship, they are usually more expensive than other leather baseball gloves.

With so many options available, how do you know which type of leather is right for you? The type you choose comes down to personal preference, but it’s important to consider the following steps before making a purchase:

• Consider your playing position and preferences: Infielders may prefer a glove with softer leather for quick transfers and a faster break-in period (like cowhide or kip), while outfielders might opt for stiffer leather for more durability and control (like steerhide).
• Consider your budget: While premium leathers like Japanese kip or full-grain offer top-notch quality and performance, they often have a higher price tag. More affordable options like cowhide or pigskin can still provide excellent durability and comfort without breaking the bank.
• Try them on: It’s important to try on gloves and test their fit and feel before making a purchase. The glove should feel snug but not too tight, with enough room for your fingers to move comfortably. If you have the opportunity, try playing with broken-in baseball gloves made of different leathers to see which you prefer during gameplay.

Who better to get advice from than the pros themselves? Many professional baseball players tend to customize their glove in terms of webbing, fit, color, and stitching while others keep it simple. You may not plan to spend as much on your glove, but take note of the styles that make theirs one of a kind.

• Salvador Pérez, the Kansas City Royals catcher, wears a custom steerhide baseball glove when playing first base. This glove is customized with a camel-colored palm and his nickname, El Niño, embroidered on the thumb.
• Jose Altuve, second baseman for the Houston Astros, wears a custom steerhide baseball glove. This glove used to belong to teammate Marwin Gonzalez and has his name embroidered on the thumb. To make it his own, Altuve added his children’s names to the ring finger.
• Ian Desmond, a former Texas Rangers outfielder, wears a red and blue glove made of bio-soft leather. This leather is designed for professional players and offers a balance of softness and control.
• Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves outfielder, wears a customized premium kip leather glove. It is red with yellow lacing, has a Venezuelan flag on the pointer finger, and has his name and number embroidered on the thumb.

When it comes to customizing your baseball glove, the options are (almost) endless. Buying a standard glove is always a good option, but customizing your glove allows you to make it truly your own. You can customize your glove’s colors, lacing, web pattern, padding, pocket size, fit, and more.

You can even take a note from the pros and have something meaningful embroidered on it, like your name or jersey number. The more customizations, the more expensive your glove is likely to be.

Once you’ve chosen the perfect glove, take good care of it. This will help your glove last longer and perform well. Glove cleaning and maintenance gear is available at Academy. We recommend the following steps to clean your glove.

• Brush off large clumps of dirt or debris.
• Use a soft cloth and cleaner to remove any remaining dirt.
• Using a new cloth, apply a small amount of glove oil. Start at the palm, then the breakpoint, then the web and laces.
• Place the glove in a warm area, but not in direct heat, for at least 24 hours to help the oil soak in.

Whether you're a seasoned player seeking peak performance or a beginner eager to step up your game, the right baseball glove leather can make all the difference. If you’re ready to gear up for your next game, be sure to check out the wide selection of baseball gloves available at Academy Sports + Outdoors!