From all the posts, it seems the missing answer to long glove life, is not the outside leather, but the inside leather that you must take care of....
I consider myself a Rawlings glove snob, as I currently own 8 Rawlings gloves that, really belong to my son. He is a utility player and plays 3, 4 or 5 different positions on his 11U travel team.
I wish I would have been more diligent in keeping up with my Rawlings RBG36 as the years went by. The glove dried out. By the time I was having my son play 6 and 7U, I wanted him to use MY old glove. Once found, it was so dry; the laces dry-rotted and the piping gone or seriously cracked.
My two cents.....wear a batting glove when you field. It will keep 80%+ of the sweat and salt out of the inside palm lining.
I recently purchased a PROSTX23 1st base glove from a JUCO college player for my son. The Pro Preferred exterior of the glove is in fair condition, but the inside deer skin is only about 40%. There is nothing I can do to bring back that leather.
My HOH gloves are holding up well, but the Gold Gloves lose about 10% every year, even with me, the dad, using them and treating them kindly.
My personal favorite is the Pittards sheepskin lining. Best with perspiration and lasts very long....but always WEAR A BATTING GLOVE to extend the life of your $80-250+ glove.
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Life of great glove
Posted - 09/05/2012 : 22:52:03
