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Batting gloves are just as much a statement piece as they are a necessary piece of equipment for baseball players these days. Customization, team colors, and overall flashiness allows players to add a personal flare to their uniform and we’re all for it. It supports the “make baseball fun again” movement and is a harmless way for players to show off their personalities.
Aside from fashion, batting gloves are still very much a requirement for most players. Like most equipment in baseball, you get what you pay for with batting gloves. Cheap and low-quality batting gloves will rip quickly and won’t provide the desired grip, and players will end up spending more money frequently replacing them as opposed to buying one high-quality pair.
Our list of the top 6 batting glove brands is the following:
Batting gloves are extremely objective and we recommend players try on as many different models as possible. Every brand and size will fit slightly differently and while size guides are helpful, they can’t predict the right fit for everyone. The brands we are mentioning in this list are brands that we have used in games, practice, and put to the test. These opinions are strictly based on our experience and are meant to serve as a starting point for narrowing down a player’s search, as what feels right for one player might not be for another.
1. Franklin
Franklin has been the go-to batting gloves of professional baseball players for decades and continues to be the most popular choice. Franklin, in our opinion, is the standard for high-quality baseball gloves in terms of comfort and performance. Franklin is the official batting glove of Major League Baseball and is consistently worn by some of the biggest names in baseball like Fransico Lindor, Aaron Judge, and Ronald Acuna Jr.
Compared to other brands, Frankin gloves are on the pricier side, but the durability and performance make up for the added cost. Franklin also offers robust customization options for batting gloves where players or teams can create batting gloves that match their team colors or whatever look they are going for. Franklin gloves are widely popular and will likely be a good choice for players at any level.
2. Nike
For players that prefer super lightweight and flexible batting gloves, Nike is a great option. In our experience, other than Franklin, these are the most comfortable batting gloves and work really well in hot weather climates. These are not as popular in the MLB as Franklin, though several big leaguers do wear Nike’s such as Mike Trout, Bo Bichett Jr., and Pete Alonso. Nike batting gloves are very popular in college though, as many schools sponsored by Nike will have their players wearing Nike batting gloves.
Nike batting gloves can be a little easier to find in sporting goods stores than some other brands, so for players looking to try on batting gloves before buying, Nike is worth checking out.
3. Easton
Easton batting gloves are much more popular among youth baseball players than MLB players, but we believe Easton makes quality batting gloves at a good price point. More affordable than the former two brands, Easton offers a lot of value.
Though not as popular in the MLB, some players do wear Easton, most notably Alex Bregman. Easton shines in their youth sports categories and has several models and options in youth sizes. So for younger players, Easton is a solid choice.
4. Bruce Bolt
Bruce Bolt batting gloves are new on the scene, and quickly gaining traction while challenging the status quo of batting glove manufacturing. A new company that only began producing batting gloves a few years ago, Bruce Bolt batting gloves are of ultra high-quality. They took an interesting approach to their manufacturing and target the players looking for a batting glove that will perform well for much longer than the competitors.
Take a look at the video below, the brand has a really cool story and we really believe we will continue to see more and more Bruce Bolt batting gloves popping up at all levels, including the MLB.
Aside from the quality of the leather, Bruce Bolt batting gloves offer additional wrist support that mimics the function of wrist tape. The design and construction were well thought-out and we are excited to see this company continue to grow and innovate.
The downside of Bruce Bolt’s batting gloves is the price point. These gloves are the most expensive on the list, but we would argue it is justifiable since the glove will last longer and outperform batting gloves of less quality.
5. EvoShield
EvoShield batting gloves are our pick for the most well-rounded in terms of quality, aesthetics, and price point. The brand definitely leads the way in style for the next generation of players by offering a lot of cool and unique colorways. EvoShield’s product line tends to be more geared toward a lightweight and breathable feel, similar to Nike.
The price point of EvoShield batting gloves falls somewhere in the middle compared to competitors and we believe this is appropriate given the quality and will fit the needs of the majority of baseball players. We are big fans of the brand EvoShield and its protective gear and are happy to see the brand continuing to expand its product lines into all facets of the game.
6. Under Armour
Under Armour continues to improve its batting gloves each year. Admittedly, we did not like the models in the early years, but Under Armour has proven they can produce quality batting gloves that several MLB players are confident wearing. Bryce Harper, Julio Rodriguez, and Wander Franco all wear Under Armour batting gloves, with Harper having his own signature model.
Under Armour batting gloves are easy to find in stores and have options at several different price points, making their batting gloves a viable option for players at all levels. Their high-end models are equally comparable to the other brands on this list in terms of quality.