What You Can Wear Under Your Goalie Gloves
As a goalkeeper, you need a good pair of goalie gloves. That much, every keeper knows. But are gloves all you’re allowed to wear on your hands? Not necessarily. It’s possible to wear an additional layer, or even some accessories, under your gloves. There can be benefits to doing this, too – it’s not just for show.
This guide will explore what you can wear under your goalie gloves, with some pros and cons for each item.
Thin, Base-Layer Gloves
Arguably the most popular option if you want to wear something under your goalie gloves is to wear a thin, base-layer pair of gloves. Usually made of nylon or stretchy spandex, these gloves provide a little extra comfort, protection, or warmth.
For example, let’s say you tend to get cold fingers when playing in frosty conditions. Sticking on a pair of thin thermal gloves under your main gloves should help you stay warmer.
Or maybe you have itchy, irritated fingers after wearing your gloves. Something inside the gloves might be causing a reaction to your skin. Adding a layer like a “shield” of cotton between your hands and the gloves themselves may aid you.
You can even benefit from base-layer gloves on warm days. If your hands tend to get sweaty and sticky in your gloves, a thin layer of wicking material may soak up the sweat and help you stay in control.
However, there are downsides. The extra layer might cause your hands to feel overly hot and uncomfortable in certain settings. They may make your goalie gloves harder to get on and off, as well.
Finger Tape or Bandages
Another common option to wear on your hands beneath your goalie gloves is some finger tape or bandages. Lots of goalies, especially those who are injury-prone, like to tape their joints and weaker parts of their fingers to reduce the risk of injury.
There are two schools of thought on this. On the one hand, it’s not necessarily a bad idea to give your fingers some extra protection. So long as your gloves still fit fine and feel comfy, it should be OK to wear your tape or bandage in important areas.
On the other hand, you have to be careful with tape. Using too much could actually hinder your ability to make saves, putting you at increased risk of injury, or making it hard to get your gloves on. Some also argue that it’s better to buy gloves with safety features, like built-in finger spines, rather than using tape.
Items of Jewellery
You might also wear some sort of jewellery under your goalkeeping gloves. Maybe you keep your wedding or engagement ring on while you play for sentimental reasons. Or you have a medical bracelet to alert paramedics to allergies or special needs.
Again, there are both pros and cons here. For medical-related issues, it can be important to keep the bracelet on in case you have a bad injury (like a concussion) during a game and need immediate assistance but have medication restrictions. A medical bracelet could help you get the right level of care you need and minimise unwanted risks.
However, when it comes to sentimental pieces, like rings, it’s strongly recommended to just take them off and leave them in the locker room (or at home). Metal jewellery could pull and tear at the inside of your gloves or damage your fingers when trying to save a fast, powerful shot.
Is It Fine to Wear Nothing Under Your Gloves?
Absolutely! In fact, a large percentage of keepers, both at the amateur and professional level, don’t feel the need to wear anything under their gloves. And there’s a good reason for that – the best goalie gloves are made to offer all the comfort, control, and protection you need.
So long as you have a good quality pair of gloves, you shouldn’t necessarily require any extra layers or protective accessories underneath.
Make the Right Choice for Your Comfort and Style of Play
Base-layer gloves, finger tape, nothing at all. You’ve got options in terms of what (or what not) to wear beneath your goalie gloves. There’s no single best option for every goalie, so think of your comfort and needs to make the best call.
