Improve Your Swing and Grip With These 5 Batting Gloves
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If you’re a baseball player, you know taking your game to the next level is all about the gear. You likely have a good set of baseball cleats to keep you stable and a quality baseball glove to boost your fielding. And investing in a good set of baseball batting gloves can help enhance your grip and reduce shock, making all the difference in your swing, says Mike Reagan, a Black Hills, South Dakota, American Legion baseball coach and former player.
In this guide, we’ll break down the many different types of batting gloves, ranging from specialized grip to breathability and comfort. Read on to secure the perfect gloves for the upcoming season and get swinging with confidence.
Our Picks for the Best Batting Gloves of 2024:
- Best Overall Batting Gloves: Bruce Bolt Chrome Long Cuff
- Best Batting Gloves for Durability: Franklin Sports Powerstrap Infinite Series
- Best Batting Gloves for Breathability: Marucci Blacksmith
- Best Budget Batting Gloves: Franklin CFX Chrome
- Best Batting Gloves for Comfort: Jordan Fly Elite
Best Overall Batting Gloves: Bruce Bolt Chrome Long Cuff
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Bruce Bolt Chrome Long Cuff at a glance:
- Material: Cabretta leather
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Price: $105
- Best for: Premium materials and construction
Bruce Bolt makes some of the best batting gloves in the game, which is why the brand’s Chrome Series Long Cuff batting gloves top our list. The palms are made with Cabretta leather, a soft, high-quality leather you’ll often find in golf gloves.
The lightweight, breathable material makes these gloves great for playing on hot and humid days. Lycra connects the fingers and knuckles, so you can stretch your fingers comfortably without compromising the integrity of the glove. The long cuff offers added wrist support.
You’ll notice a higher price tag than other gloves on our list, due to the durable leather and construction including inverse stitching that helps ensure longevity. And, the gloves are reinforced at common wear and tear points, including the heel of the palm—a spot that tends to wear quickly due to friction.
“Very happy with these batting gloves. They are snug and feel great. They are true to size and I highly recommend you break them in. I used them during several batting practice sessions to help break them in…I also noticed any feedback from my one-piece bat on miss hits didn't sting wearing these gloves. The durability [is really] good too. Between batting practice and games....they've held up very well with little wear showing. I would recommend if you are on the fence about getting a pair of these batting gloves,” writes one reviewer on the Dick’s Sporting Goods website who has owned the gloves for over a year.
Pros:
- Premium Cabretta leather material for strength and breathability
- Well-placed padding
- Reviewers say the gloves offer quality and comfort
Cons:
- More expensive than most batting gloves
Best Batting Gloves for Durability: Franklin Sports Powerstrap Infinite Series
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Franklin Sports Powerstrap Infinite Series at a glance:
- Material: Cabretta leather
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Price: $59.99
- Best for: Wrist support
The Franklin Powerstrap Infinite Series by Franklin Sports is our favorite batting glove for durability. For starters, the gloves are made with Pittards Pro Trainer Cabretta leather, which provides comfort without sacrificing your bat-to-hand relationship. Franklin Sports is the official batting glove of Major League Baseball (MLB) and these gloves were designed with input from MLB players on the brand’s roster to ensure they are suited for heavy-duty play.
Though the leather is relatively thick for long-lasting construction, the gloves are made with pinpricks on the palms to increase breathability to help you stay comfortable, even on the hottest days. The palms are seamless, which allows you to get a great feel of the bat and also helps improve the lifespan of the gloves. To round out your batting experience, the extra-tall 60 millimeter wrist straps provide excellent support for heavy hitters.
Pros:
- Ultra-thick leather for high durability and performance
- Pin-prick palm design for breathability
- 360-degree cage cuff offers support and comfort
Cons:
- Some users feel the extra-long cuff lacks flexibility
Best Batting Gloves for Breathability: Marucci Blacksmith
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Marucci Blacksmith at a glance:
- Material: Goat skin and knit fabric
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Price: $54.99–$59.99 (depending on colorway)
- Best for: Style and comfort
Not only are the Marucci Blacksmith batting gloves some of the most stylistically unique on the market today, but are also incredibly functional and comfortable—great for players who spend tons of time on the field or in the batting cages.
One of our favorite elements is the goatskin palm with reinforced padding. This design allows for better friction resistance, which helps you keep a better grip on the bat. The full elastic wrist cuff provides ample strength and support for the wrist without getting in the way of your flexibility.
Unlike leather gloves, the knit fabric on the back of these gloves provides added comfort and breathability. One slight drawback is the knit will likely wear faster than a pair of completely leather gloves, but if comfort is what you’re after, you can’t go wrong.
Pros:
- Ultra-comfortable, work glove-inspired design
- Wrapped elastic wristband for extra support
- Goatskin palm provides enhanced grip
Cons:
- Knit fabric may show wear faster than leather
Best Budget Batting Gloves: Franklin CFX Chrome
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Franklin CFX Chrome at a glance:
- Material: Sheepskin leather and synthetic material
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Price: $39.99
- Best for: Players on a budget
Just because you’re rounding out your baseball equipment on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality and comfort when it comes to batting gloves.
The fingers and palms of the Franklin CFX Pro Chrome gloves are made with soft sheepskin leather that won’t feel too tacky when gripping the bat. The back of the gloves feature a flexible synthetic material designed to move with your hands.
The premium build on these relatively inexpensive gloves performs pretty well in all climates—users find the fit is both natural and responsive.
“I always use Franklin gloves because no other company matches the grip these have. Also Franklin's customer service is unmatched if they don't last as long as I wanted and they are such a help. Got my warranty pair from them within four days,” writes one user on the Dick’s Sporting Goods website.
The main qualm users report is the leather is relatively thin compared to some of the other more expensive choices out there, so don’t expect an incredible level of durability. Some users report having to replace them at least once a season, but you may be able to get replacements if a warranty is offered at purchase.
Pros:
- Solid performance in a range of weather conditions
- Comfortable material at an affordable price
- Less embossing on the back for greater flexibility
Cons:
- Not the most durable pair of gloves on the market
Best Batting Gloves for Comfort: Jordan Fly Elite
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Jordan Fly Elite at a glance:
- Material: Sheepskin leather and neoprene
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Price: $65.00
- Best for: Players looking for a soft, comfortable glove
While Michael Jordan may not have been the best baseball player in MLB, it’s hard to go wrong with a Jordan product, no matter the sport.
With a range of colors to choose from paired with the iconic Jordan logo, the Jordan Fly Elites are some of the best mid-range batting gloves on the market—offering both style and comfort. The diamond stretch pattern on the back offers a soft, flexible feel, while the leather palm construction offers ample durability and comfort.
“My son wanted these just because of the color scheme. But he was surprised how comfortable they were and the fit. He said they fit as or more comfortable than other batting gloves he has. The price was probably what to expect for it being ‘Jordan,’” writes one reviewer on the Dick’s Sporting Goods website.
We’re big fans of the wing closure tabs for that “locked down” feeling, which helps you secure a confident grip through your swing.
Pros:
- Flexible diamond stretch pattern
- Neoprene cuff offers a secure fit without sacrificing mobility
- Classic look
Cons:
- Some people say these gloves run a bit snug
Benefits of Batting Gloves
Overall, batting gloves are an accessory you can use to help customize the grip on your baseball bat and help improve your hitting experience.
Optimal grip
A solid grip around the bat is key for swing timing, and in a game where a split second can make all the difference, you can’t risk being out of sync.
Wearing batting gloves can help players feel more confident in their grips when swinging, and can even help deliver greater power with each swing. If you’ve ever played on a hot day, you know just how hard it is to get a solid grip on the bat with sweaty palms. Wearing gloves can help eliminate this issue.
Protection
Batting gloves can protect your hands both at the plate and on the field. Wearing them can help protect you from developing blisters during long batting practice sessions. They can also help protect your hands from shock or sting of a hit outside the sweet spot. And if your slide into home plate isn’t dialed in, they’ll keep your hands from getting scraped up in the dirt.
Even if you’re not at the plate, batting gloves can be incredibly beneficial. Many players like wearing them under their fielding gloves to increase comfort and protect the internal material from sweaty hands. While Reagan hasn’t worn batting gloves during field play, he has seen other players use them to help reduce shock when catching or even to help keep hands warmer during cold play (again lessening hand pain from ball impact).
How To Choose the Best Batting Gloves for You
Whether you’re buying youth batting gloves or professional batting gloves, there are certain things you’ll want to keep an eye out for.
Material
Grip, durability and feel all come down to the materials your gloves are made of. Most pro players opt for genuine leather gloves, as these tend to last longer and provide superior grip. Over time, leather gloves will adapt to the shape of your hands.
You can also get batting gloves made from synthetic materials, which are typically more breathable and flexible, perfect if you want to keep cool while playing in hot weather.
Overall, we’d recommend looking for gloves made with a combination of these materials for a combination of durability, comfort and performance.
Grip
If control and power are what you’re after, you’ll want to make sure your batting gloves are made with a material in the palms, like Cabretta leather, that provides a good grip. As we said before, a better grip often equates to more confident, powerful swings.
There are endless grip designs out there, including ones made of rubber, silicone and leather, and while the “best one” is more of a matter of preference, we recommend finding a balance between grip and bulk. You want to have just enough stability around the bat without sacrificing the overall feel.
Fit and comfort
When trying on gloves, you’ll be able to tell pretty quickly if they are the right size— if they feel too tight when you hold your palms flat or inhibit your fingers from fully extending, you’ll need to go up a size. If you feel slipping or bunching, you’ll want to size down for a snug fit. Take a few practice swings and ensure there’s no excess material above the fingertip and the gloves don’t slide around.
Many glove manufacturers are starting to segment palm construction and use articulated finger designs for a more comfortable, anatomically correct feel. Gloves made with stretchy material in the finger joints and back of the hand can also help the gloves have a more natural fit.
When choosing cuff length, this is also up to personal preference. Longer wrist cuffs may make one player feel more encumbered, but another player may appreciate more wrist support, says Reagan, so he suggests trying out multiple options.
Breathability
There’s nothing fun about being 20 minutes into a game and pulling your pruney, shriveled fingers out of your mitt. With a breathable pair of gloves, you can keep your hands cool, dry and comfortable throughout the game and protect the inserts on your mitts from sweat.
For the best breathability, we recommend looking for gloves with either perforated leather or mesh inserts for airflow.
Durability
Even the highest quality Cabretta leather gloves can lack durability if the overall construction isn’t solid. You want your gloves to last you throughout the season (and then some), but if they don’t use high-quality stitching and reinforced construction in areas where friction is greatest, you might end up going through a pair midway through the season or sooner.
If you don’t have the ability to test these gloves out for yourself before buying them, make sure to read reviews to see how they’ve held up for other players.
Weather resistance
If you’re playing somewhere with cold or unpredictable weather, you’ll want to get the right set of gloves to stay comfortable over the course of the season.
Many manufacturers like EvoShield, Mizuno, Under Armour and Easton make gloves specifically for cold weather ball. The Rawlings Workhorse gloves have long been a cold-climate favorite due to thick construction, great for keeping hands warm without compromising flexibility or grip.
Wrist closure
Just like a higher ankle can provide better support on a pair of basketball shoes, long cuff batting gloves can offer additional support for the wrist. Of course, you might not get the same level of flexibility and breathability as you do with short-cuff batting gloves, but as with anything in life, there’s a trade-off.
No matter the cuff design, look for gloves with secure wrist closures to make sure they stay in place during hard swings.
Velcro wristbands are the standard for most gloves, as they’re versatile and allow for adjustability, no matter the shape or size of your hand.
Batting Glove FAQs
When do you use batting gloves?
Batting gloves can be used in both baseball and softball to protect the hands when swinging. They are primarily made to protect players’ hands from sting and blisters when hitting the ball, though they also provide the ancillary benefits of control and stability.
Related Post: The Best Softball Bats for Performance and Precision
How long do batting gloves last?
The lifespan of batting gloves will vary based on the type of materials, how often they’re used, and how you maintain them. Cheaper gloves may not even last through a season, while a pair of high-end gloves can last for many years. The key is taking care of them after you play. Keeping your gloves clean and stored in a cool, dry place in between games can help lengthen their lifespan.
Takeaway: Are Batting Gloves Worth It?
It’s pretty rare to find a pro player who doesn’t use batting gloves at this point. With enhanced grip, protection and control, there’s no reason not to add a pair to your arsenal of baseball equipment.
Whether you’re in a youth league or aspire to play with the pros, check out the batting gloves from the brands above and keep our buying guide in mind when doing your own research to help optimize your experience at the plate.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
