Rawlings Gloves Review: The Ultimate Guide from a Lifelong Baseball Fan
Hey there fellow ballplayers, it‘s your resident glove aficionado back with another in-depth equipment review. Today we‘re diving deep into one of the most iconic brands in baseball – Rawlings. If you‘ve spent any time around the diamond, you know that Rawlings is the king of the glove game. But what makes their mitts so special? And which models are the best for each position? Fear not, I‘ve compiled the ultimate Rawlings glove review to answer all your burning questions.
First, a little background on the brand. Rawlings has been making top-notch baseball gloves since way back in 1887. That‘s over 130 years of perfecting their craft! It‘s no wonder they‘re the #1 choice of pros. In fact, did you know that a whopping 59% of Major League starters choose Rawlings gloves? And they‘ve had a mind-blowing 342 Gold Glove winners since 2007 alone. The stats don‘t lie – Rawlings dominates the mitt market.
Over the years, some of the game‘s greatest players have sworn by Rawlings leather. The legendary Roberto Clemente won 12 straight Gold Gloves with his trusty Rawlings. More recently, superstars like Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, and Kris Bryant have all signed on as Rawlings ambassadors. So you know you‘re in good company when you slip on a Rawlings glove.
But enough history, let‘s get into the nitty gritty of what makes Rawlings gloves so dang good. Here‘s my breakdown of their top technologies and materials:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Heart of the Hide Leather | Ultra-premium steer hide that provides unmatched durability, shape retention, and softness. The 5% cream of the crop. |
| Pro Preferred Leather | The best of the best – triple sorted steer hide that‘s the softest, most durable Rawlings has to offer. Supplies are extremely limited. |
| Trap-Eze Web | Patented web design that absorbs high velocity hits for a secure catch. Seen on Rawlings‘ Gold Glove and Gameday Series. |
| Pittards Sheepskin Lining | Buttery soft finish that keeps your hand dry and blister free. Only on Pro Preferred and Heart of the Hide models. |
| Thermoformed Hand Openings | Custom like fit straight from the factory thanks to heat forming around the fingers and wrist. |
| Moldable Padding | On catcher‘s mitts, the padding is designed to be moldable and form to your hand for a personalized pocket. |
| Opti-Fit Adjustable Wrist | Lets you customize the wrist opening for a dialed in feel. Seen on Pro Preferred and Pro Mesh series. |
As you can see, Rawlings doesn‘t mess around when it comes to quality materials and cutting-edge design. But all that awesomeness doesn‘t come cheap. Rawlings gloves are some of the most expensive on the market, with prices ranging from around $100 for a basic youth model to over $500 for a pro-level mitt.
To help you decide if the cost is worth it, here‘s how Rawlings stacks up to some other popular glove brands:
| Brand | Price Range | Leather Quality | Break-In | Sizing | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rawlings | $100-$550+ | Best (Heart of the Hide, Pro Preferred) | Long | Many Options | #1 |
| Wilson | $40-$360 | Great (A2000, A2K) | Average | Good variety | #2 |
| Mizuno | $85-$400 | Great (Pro Limited) | Short | Fewer Options | Top 5 |
| Nokona | $200-$450 | Great (Walnut Crunch) | Short | Limited | Top 10 |
In my experience, Rawlings gloves are worth the extra dough if you‘re serious about your game. They just have a more substantial, reliable feel than the competition. I‘ve owned a dozen Rawlings gloves in my playing career, and I never once had to return one for poor craftsmanship or premature breakdown.
But don‘t just take my word for it. Here are a couple rave reviews from serious ballplayers:
"I‘m on my third Rawlings Heart of the Hide glove and I‘ll never switch. They‘re tanks. I beat the crap out of mine and it just gets better with age. Wouldn‘t trust my hands in the field with anything else." – Alex, college shortstop
"My Rawlings Pro Preferred outfield glove is an absolute vacuum. The 12.75" size gives me insane range and the sheepskin lining keeps my hand bone dry during those summer tournament games. Can‘t recommend it enough." – Jamal, elite travel team center fielder
Of course, every player is different, and Rawlings might not be for everyone. Their gloves do take quite a bit of breaking in, and the price point can be hard to swallow. If you‘re on a tighter budget or prefer gloves that are game-ready off the shelf, you might want to check out Mizuno or Nokona instead.
But by and large, Rawlings is an absolute juggernaut in the glove world for a reason. No other brand can match their combination of premium materials, precise construction, perfect patterning, and sheer style.
Whether you‘re snagging worm burners at short, chasing down gappers in center, or framing pitches behind the dish, there‘s a Rawlings glove that will help you make plays you didn‘t think were possible. And thanks to their custom options like embroidery, colorways, and web styles, you can get a glove that looks and feels like it was made just for you.
If you‘re thinking of investing in a Rawlings, here are my top four models for each main position:
Infield
- Pro Preferred PROS200-6 11.5"
- Heart of the Hide PRO204-2BCF 11.5"
- Gameday 57 Series 11.25"
- Gamer XLE GXLE4-2B 11.5"
Outfield
- Pro Preferred PROS3039-6TN 12.75"
- Heart of the Hide PRO303-6KN 12.75"
- Pro Mesh PROMR33FBM 12.5"
- Gamer XLE GXLE303-6 12.75"
Pitcher
- Heart of the Hide PROR882-2B 11.5"
- Gold Glove RGG205-9T 11.75"
- Gamer XLE GXLE205-4MR 11.5"
- Player Preferred PPR1150 11.5"
Catcher
- Pro Preferred PROSCM43BP 34"
- Heart of the Hide PROSP13BCM 32.5"
- Gamer GXCM33B 33"
- Renegade RCMB 32.5"
Remember, these are just my personal favorites. The best Rawlings glove for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. The most important thing is that it feels good on your hand and gives you the confidence to make every play.
Whichever model you choose, you can be sure that your Rawlings glove will serve you well for many seasons to come. I‘ve had some of mine for over a decade and they‘re still going strong. That‘s the beauty of quality leather and craftsmanship.
As a lifelong ballplayer and a diehard glove junkie, I give Rawlings my ultimate stamp of approval. I‘ve worn ‘em all, from the most basic youth model to the ultra-premium Pro Preferred, and I can confidently say that no other brand comes close to matching Rawlings out on the field.
So if you‘re a serious ballplayer looking to upgrade your gamer, do yourself a favor and slip a Rawlings on your hand. Once you experience that perfect pocket, buttery leather, and timeless styling, you‘ll wonder how you ever played without one.
Thanks for reading my ultimate Rawlings glove review. If you have any questions or want to share your own Rawlings experiences, drop me a line in the comments below. Now if you‘ll excuse me, I‘ve got a glove to go break in before my next travel tournament. See you on the diamond!
