7 best goalkeeper gloves to help you keep a clean sheet

Nike has developed a bit of a penchant for impressively constructed goalie gloves, with the mercurial touch elite gloves the best of the bunch. Nike’s all-conditions control technology does what you’d expect, providing solid grip in all weathers, while you’d feel comfortable pitting your mitts against a winter Sunday-morning stinger with the padded foam palms.

The tops of the gloves (or backhand) are designed with a perforated mesh, meaning your hands are less likely to overheat, even with the secure fit of a modern glove. The stretchy wristband (with no straps) reaches part way up your arm (as many higher-end gloves now do), keeping the gloves pleasingly secure.

These are particularly lightweight, even compared to other elite gloves, which won’t be for everyone, but if you’re a keeper who likes a lighter feel, you won’t get better.

The clue is in the name. The edge fingersave pro gloves are focused on making sure you not only have a blinder of a game but that you end it with your hands intact. The backhand design includes a particularly intricate silicone set-up, which, according to Adidas, offers heightened control when clearing the ball – it certainly feels grippier, so no risk of skimming the ball into your own net, then.

Reinforcement on the ends of the fingers and fingersave spines on the back provide a solid frame for your delicate paws. The extended foam grip around the fingers and thumbs won’t be to everyone’s taste but might give you the small advantage you need in a one-on-one.

Like the touch elites, the fingersave pros have a strapless entry, giving the wearer an easier and snugger fit, but there’s slightly more weight to them side-by-side. The edge fingersave pros could very easily be the best buy – the decision comes down to personal preference, and for those who want a more protected feel to their glove, these are a no-brainer.

If a pro is wearing a pair of gloves, chances are they’ll do the job for you. O’Keefe swears by the Kaliaaer brand, and it’s easy to see why. The newest gloves on the block for Kaliaaer, the hyperactively titled XLR8AER 22 gloves, feature PWRLITE 3D printing on the backhand. This uses the latest inking tech to create the lightest possible frame that still protects you when challenging for balls in the air.

Kaliaaer says that these gloves also offer “pre-charged latex”, meaning they’re ready to go straight out of the box if needs be. Not that you’ll be doing that, of course, having read Conor’s invaluable pre-match advice first.

The gloves are proving popular, hence being sold out at Kaliaaer right now. But don’t worry, as you can buy them from Amazon.co.uk for £40.

These are perhaps the nicest-looking gloves on our list, and they’re also the most flexible. The grip 1 NCs are catered specifically for freedom of movement, and they do the trick, giving your hands plenty of scope to perform to the best of their (limited, in our case) abilities. However, there are a series of clever elastic frames in the backhand that mean there’s little risk of injury, despite the added flexibility.

The fit is tight, which aids with control, as does the quality foam padding. Wearing them is like having a second skin, if that skin had disconcertingly thick and foamy palms.

For those of us who see ourselves as handy backup keepers, you could do much worse than a budget pair of Nike Match gloves. We’re not going to pretend that these gloves will take you to the Premier League, but they’re comfortable, have a good grip – even in wet conditions – and feel secure at the wrist, thanks to a double Velcro design.

The padding isn’t the thickest but is more than enough for most mortals’ shots, and they feel pretty durable. They’re the best budget pair around, and will certainly do a job for your five-a-side team.

The New Balance nforca gloves incorporate one of the more interesting designs we’ve seen, with an extended backhand that reaches all the way to the wrist. Combined with a traditional wrist strap, the extra backhand provides an additional level of rigidity that, along with finger spines inside the gloves, should ensure your precious money-makers against even the hardest of shots.

The design on the thumb – with the foam wrapping around to the backhand – may not be for everyone but it does provide extra grip and control.

Yes, modern technology is important in a pair of goalie gloves: grip is paramount, as is wrist and finger support (but not too much), and it’s nice to have all the bells and whistles on your gloves as you get ready for a game. However, sometimes it’s so gratifying to pull on a ‘proper’ pair, which is where the Puma King RC gloves come in.

They’re comfortable, breathable, grippy and have a gratifyingly hefty bit of armour over the top which, while lightweight, makes you feel like you could punch away any dangerous cross.