As a parent, you’re usually going to want to take every single step to make sure that your kids are protected. Regardless of the type of activity that they decide they want to do. If your kid wants to be a goalkeeper it would totally make sense that you get them junior goalkeeper gloves with finger spines … right? When these types of gloves with extra finger protection burst on the scene they presented themselves as a better alternative. Ten plus years after Fingersave gloves were the hottest thing on the market most glove manufacturers are not heavily promoting junior goalkeeper gloves with finger spines. Why did this happen? Should you still actively be looking to have your kids wear these types of gloves? This is what I’m going to explore in this article!
With any product that you can buy it’s always a good idea to manage expectations accordingly. This is something that doesn’t happen with some of these goalkeeper gloves with finger protection. If you expect to be immune from injuries because you’re wearing them you’re going to be let down. For some kids the spines can end up being too hard. Naturally, kids are going to have less strength on their hands. It can actually be difficult for them to move their fingers with these gloves on. It’s very important if you are going to buy junior goalkeeper gloves with finger spines for them to buy a model that they can manage. Not all of these gloves are exactly the same. Let’s get to some of the main concerns and really the things that you should be on the lookout for before you buy these types of gloves.
What Are The Benefits Of These Types of Gloves For Kids?
Goalkeeper gloves in general have the task of minimizing the impact that you ultimately feel when a ball hits your hand. Obviously, they also should provide a decent level of grip. This, to allow you to catch the ball cleanly more often than not. With finger spines, the most evident extra benefit that you’re meant to obtain is that extra protection. In the best-case scenario, your fingers are not going to bend when you’re faced with a hard shot. The other benefit of potentially having a harder backhand area is that you’ll be able to punch the ball out on crosses and other shots much easier!
As a goalkeeper and as a parent though you have to understand that not all glove options that offer gloves with finger spines are essentially selling you the same thing. Therefore, the benefits that you’ll get in reality depend on the gloves that you buy. There are two main things that you need to keep in mind here. Number one, the glove that you buy has to be the right size for your kid at that particular time. Number two, there are different types of gloves with finger spines. Make sure that you pick the right ones! I’ll give you a few tips on how to do that here shortly.
The Gloves Have To Be The Right Size
As a parent you may find yourself buying things for your kids that you want them to grow into. Ultimately, that’s your decision to make and you can have your reasons for this. When it comes to goalkeeper gloves though you’re going to want to make sure that you don’t buy equipment that your kids need to grow into. Particularly when we are talking about junior goalkeeper gloves with finger spines. The main reason why you don’t want to do this is because you’re essentially limiting the level of protection that your child can get from these gloves. Worst yet, you could be raising the risk of injury with spines that are too hard, and don’t fit right.
To be fully honest the main benefit that you’ll get from goalkeeper gloves with spines in general comes in shots that you end up having to save with your finger tips. It’s these shots where particularly kids’ fingers are going to have trouble holding up. When you add that extra support on the back of their fingers those saves could potentially be easier for them. If the gloves don’t fit right you can have the finger being pushed back by the ball and forward by the spines. Essentially if you don’t “fill out” the glove because your fingers are two small that twist on the finger is going to hurt big time.
Kids gloves can probably last a “season”. If you just play in the fall, you can hold up with one pair. Expecting your kids’ gloves to last for a full year is usually not going to be realistic in any scenario. You’re not just going to have to worry about the wear and tear on the glove. Obviously, kids are still growing and it wouldn’t be odd for them to need to change sizes on their own over a calendar year. Just the same way that you would have to deal with shoes and other types of clothes and footwear in general. I’m not going to sugarcoat it for you. Yes, having to buy goalkeeper gear constantly can get expensive. However, there are great value options to look into. Particularly for kids!
What Type of Junior Goalkeeper Gloves With Spines Are You Buying?
There are essentially two types of spines on the market these days. One of the biggest problems though is that some of these gloves are not advertised correctly. At least in my opinion. Particularly when they are selling gloves that are overly stiff. Naturally, no brand wants to say that their line of gloves feature spines that are way too stiff and don’t allow you to move your fingers all that much. Therefore, it could very well be worth your while to actually go to a store and look for gloves before just buying online. Granted, that’s easier said than done in a lot of countries. Where goalkeeper glove variety isn’t necessarily something that you can easily find in sports stores.
Getting back to the point a little bit here, the two types of spines I would recognize are tough metal spines, and the more flexible plastic/synthetic material options. In the old days “finger spines” were literally just cheap metal rods that were sown behind the finger in gloves. There are still some glove options out there that will potentially mimic these designs. I can’t come out and say that these are the worst options in the world. They cater to a very specific audience. People who are comfortable with stiff fingers because they want the protection.
Not all of the plastic or synthetic material spines get the job done either. There are also poor attempts from brands to put out a decently designed glove in this category. Some of the cheap plastic options even break. So it’ll seem like you’re potentially playing with a broken finger. In theory though, these are a better option. Just because you are going to be able to have more finger movement. In many ways that’s really what you don’t want to lose for the sake of extra protection. When you do choose to buy junior goalkeeper gloves with finger spines you’re essentially walking that line all of the time. Can I give up movement for more protection? Maybe I should give up protection for more movement.
Using Removable Spines Yes or No?
A couple of years back now brands started offering what they thought was the best of both worlds. In that, you can buy a pair of goalkeeper gloves and add or remove the spines as you see fit. This isn’t a trend that is overly common to this day. Yet, you can still see some goalkeeper gloves out there that offer this option. Should you look for this type of glove or nah? For kids I usually recommend against these types of gloves. Here’s my reason behind it. A lot of times it’s way too tempting to play with the spines and take them out just because. I feel that you can really be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t put the spines back in the right way. The last thing that you want is for the spines to stab you in the knuckles.
If I’m saying that as an adult it can get tempting to remove them, imagine what the scene is like with kids. If you lose one of those spines you really can’t wear the gloves with a couple of spines missing. It wouldn’t be a comfortable option. Ultimately, I believe it’s going to come down to what type of child you have at home. As I mentioned these are not options that I buy myself as an adult and didn’t do so as a kid either. Because, there are plenty of things that can go wrong. Really the benefit of feeling like you have two gloves in one isn’t all that great.
A Couple of Options To Look Into
Do you feel that your goalkeeper playing kid can benefit from these types of gloves? Then you may also be interested in looking into some of the options that you can buy. I have to say outright that maybe some of the options that I’ll be looking into won’t get my full endorsement. That doesn’t mean that I think they are bad options. It’s just that they feature a couple of details here and there that ultimately rub some people the wrong way. On the other end of the spectrum though, those same features may be exactly what you’re looking for in junior goalkeeper gloves with finger spines. Let’s get to it then!
Adidas Predator Jr. Match Fingersave Goalkeeper Gloves
The main reason why I like these gloves is that they can really be an introduction for kids into the Adidas brand. Particularly into the Fingersave model. If your kid becomes comfortable with these types of gloves you’re going to be able to upgrade more comfortably to other Adidas models. Even as they start growing older, more options start opening up. I’m on the fence about the grip and the palm that this model offers. It’s kind of basic and old school. It looks like a kids glove, and a lot of times you can get the feeling that kids gear isn’t made with equal quality. When you compare it directly to the options that we have for adults.
PUMA Ultra Protect 3 RC Jr Goalkeeper Gloves
When you’re looking for junior goalkeeper gloves with finger spines that provide that maximum level of protection don’t overlook this option. These gloves are made in the more traditional way that goalkeeper gloves with finger spines were developed. That is being a thicker glove in general with hard spines. Yes, these are the types of gloves that could potentially limit finger movement. They may even feel hard to put on at times. However, when it comes to the level of protection that they offer they are right up near the top.
Reusch Attrakt G3 Fusion Ortho-Tec Junior Goalkeeper Gloves
This pair of gloves is going to be more expensive, and you may not find it in some of the smaller sizes. I think they make it in a size 6 and onward. However, this is a model that will provide a pro glove experience for juniors. As a parent you are totally entitled to decide if it’s worth the money to provide that experience for your kids. This glove does feature removable spines. It’s one of the few that I do feel can work both ways, with or without spines. The palm and everything though is the same as the regular size option. It’s a good way to get a feel for what real grip should be like.
Junior Goalkeeper Gloves With Finger Spines Conclusion
I would definitely say that it’s natural as a parent to want to make sure that your kids are protected. Particularly when they’re doing this type of activity where the risk of injury is real. I don’t want to downplay that in any way. However, a lot of times the lack of experience on a parent’s part in goalkeeping can take a toll on your child’s safety. Gloves with finger protection usually have to fit just right. To make sure that you’re going to be able to obtain the real benefits in the protection department. Just because a glove feels super stiff doesn’t necessarily mean that your kid is better protected.
As they get older and more acclimated to the position you should really allow them to decide what type of fit they like. It’s still a good idea to maybe start them on goalkeeper gloves with finger spines rather early. That way they won’t reject these types of gloves later on. There can be a bit of an adjustment period to gloves that feel a little heavier or don’t allow you to move your fingers much. If you’re used to that feeling from an early age you’re more likely to stick to those gloves and get that extra level of protection moving forward.
If your kids just don’t find these types of gloves comfortable it’s not the end of the world either. There’s an argument to be made that you’re at a lesser risk of injury when you’re comfortable rather than overprotected. When you’re comfortable you’re more likely to use the proper catching and saving technique. If you’re uncomfortable, and you’re not able to put your hands in the right position on a consistent basis you’re going to be more at risk of injury. Those are certainly things to keep in mind before making a purchase.
