Sizing · Goalkeeper Gloves
Goalkeeper Glove Sizing Guide
Getting the size right is the single biggest factor in glove performance. This is the exact procedure our factory uses when sizing samples for OEM buyers, plus adjustments for each cut.
Step 1 — Measure your hand correctly
Grab a ruler, a piece of paper and a pen. Lay your dominant hand flat, fingers together, thumb slightly extended.
- 1. Mark the wrist crease — the line where your palm meets your forearm.
- 2. Mark the tip of your middle finger.
- 3. Measure the distance between the two marks in centimetres. This is your hand length.
- 4. Add 1 cm. That number is your true goalkeeper glove size.
Example: 18 cm hand length + 1 cm = size 19 → round to nearest half-size available → size 9 (see chart below).
Step 2 — Read the size chart
| Size | Hand length (cm) | Typical age | EU / US shoe hint* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 13–14 | 6–7 | EU 30 / US 12K |
| 5 | 14–15 | 7–9 | EU 32 / US 1 |
| 6 | 15–16 | 9–11 | EU 34 / US 3 |
| 7 | 16–18 | 11–13 | EU 36 / US 5 |
| 8 | 18–19 | 13–15 / small adult | EU 38 / US 6 |
| 9 | 19–21 | Adult M | EU 41 / US 8 |
| 10 | 21–22 | Adult L | EU 43 / US 10 |
| 11 | 22–24 | Adult XL | EU 45+ / US 12 |
*Shoe size is a rough correlation only. Always measure hand length — hand and foot sizes are not always proportional.
Step 3 — Adjust for your cut
Cut affects fit at the same labelled size. If you know your negative-cut size and want to try roll finger, adjust like this:
| Cut | Fit vs measured | Adjust from your true size |
|---|---|---|
| Negative | Runs small | +0.5 size |
| Roll finger | True to size | No change |
| Flat | Runs large | −0.5 size |
| Hybrid (roll-negative) | Runs slightly small | +0.5 size |
Step 4 — The try-on test
When the gloves arrive, do this quick check before using them in a match:
- Fingertip test: press each tip against a wall. You should feel 3–5 mm of latex-to-fabric contact. If your nails hit the end, size up.
- Wrist strap: closes cleanly with 1–2 cm of overlap. Full overlap means the glove is too big.
- Palm width: hugs without pinching. Thumb should sit relaxed, not compressed.
- Flex test: make a fist. The gloves should flex without pulling material away from the fingertip.
- Ball catch: catch a ball five times. If you feel wrist rotation inside the glove, it is too big.
Junior sizing — the golden rule
Never buy junior gloves 'to grow into'. An oversized glove twists on the hand during catches, hides fingertip position, and leads to hyperextension injuries. Buy the right size now, replace when outgrown.
Junior keepers typically outgrow a glove size every 12–18 months between ages 8 and 14. Budget for two pairs per season and rotate them — rotation halves wear rate and doubles glove life.
Stuck between two sizes?
- Snug-fit cut (negative, hybrid): size up. A too-tight negative kills grip.
- Padded-fit cut (roll finger, flat): size down. Extra volume becomes wobble.
- Junior: always the smaller size. Fit matters more than headroom.
- Cold-climate keeper: size up 0.5 — you may layer with an inner cotton liner.
Not sure which size to order?
Send us a hand measurement in cm — we will confirm size and recommend the right cut for your play style. No cost.