Best Infield Gloves (Reviews)
Choosing the right infield glove is crucial. After all, your performance on the diamond totally depends on it! But with so many options on the market, it can be quite a tedious task to pick the right one.
To save you the hassle, we put 15 of the most popular infield gloves for a head to head test, checking each of them in terms of build quality, performance, and value for money.
So, whether you're a pro-quality glove, a budget unit, or a youth glove, you're sure to find the perfect glove.
Here are our top picks:
Best High End
Wilson A2K Baseball Glove
Best Mid Range
Rawlings Heart of The Hide Glove
Best Inexpensive
Easton Flagship Baseball Glove
Last Updated: 5th Mar, 2022
You're staring down the batter from the third base line. He swings and the ball is heading straight for you, they don't call it the hot corner for nothing. You reach out and snare the ball, or at least you thought you did. You squeezed just like you were supposed to, but the ball fell out anyways.
Maybe you fielded a ground ball perfectly, only to struggle to get the ball out of your glove because the webbing was too big or the wrong style. Maybe the glove was just too large. You might be a little older now hoping you can prevent your kids or grandkids from going through that same struggle.
Good news, we can help. You're going to want an H-web for third base, and an I-web for second base and shortstop. As far as sizing goes, most people stick to 11 to 12" inches for infielder gloves.
- The second baseman usually uses the smallest gloves with the most preferred size at 11.25''. The goal of the position is to release the ball as quickly as possible, and hence the glove must have a shallow pocket so that you don't need to dig around for the ball.
- For the shortstop position 11.5'' to 12'' gloves are recommended.
- For third baseman 11.5'' to 12'' glove with H or cross-web is recommended.
For a complete breakdown on what you'll need, just check out the buyer's guide below!
We understand because we've been there. That's why we don't want you to have to feel that struggle. So, we had our team of experts review the best infield gloves around. We want you to keep making those highlight plays, and we know you need the right equipment to do it.
Best Infield Baseball Gloves of 2023
- Wilson A2K Baseball Glove Series- Pro Pick
- Rawlings Heart of The Hide Baseball Glove Series - Best Overall
- Easton Flagship Baseball Glove Series - Best Value
- Rawlings R9 Youth Baseball Glove Series - Best for youth players
- Franklin Sports Baseball & Softball Glove - Bargain Pick
1. Wilson A2K Baseball Infield Glove: The Pro Pick
Size/Position
- Size: 11.5''/11.75''
- Type: Left/Right,
- Webbing: H web
- Ideal for: Shortstop, third base positions
When you need a high-quality mitt to use against elite competition, nothing beats the brand new 2020 Wilson A2K Baseball Glove Series. Wilson went all out in crafting this masterpiece to ensure that it could hold up to a full season of high speed catches.
In the lineup, there are two infield gloves of sizes 11.5'' and 11.75''. Both the gloves come with H-webbing. Clearly, these gloves are more geared towards shortstop and third baseman. For middle or second base positions, these gloves may not be ideal unless you've very large hands.
Build quality:
They only use their highest quality leather, Pro Stock Select, to deliver a perfect product. Pro Stock Select leather is specially selected for baseball gloves, with a flawless consistency. From there, the leather is sent to a master craftsman, who hand-build the gloves. These master craftsmen ensure that every detail is perfect from start to finish.
Additionally, Wilson utilized its Double Palm Construction to ensure maximum pocket stability, so you know that you'll catch every ball that hits the webbing. Finally, the Wilson A2K Baseball Glove Series uses that same Double Palm Construction to ensure that you can break in the glove quicker, and it will last even longer.
The price tag for one of these handcrafted masterpieces is a little steep, starting at just under 300 dollars. However, unless you are playing long seasons against high-quality competition, like at the college or pro level, you probably don't need the Wilson A2K handcrafted glove. But the feeling of the supple leather masterpiece in your hand almost makes it worth it anyways.
Final Note: If you're looking for the very best infield glove in the market, this is it. Used by many pro players, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better performing infielder's glove than the Wilson A2K.
2. Rawlings Heart of The Hide Baseball Infield Glove: Best Overall Pick
Size/Position
- Size: 11.25'' (I web), 11.5'' (I web), 11.75'' (Mod trap), 12'' (H web)
- Type: Left/Right
- Webbing: I, H, Mod trap
- Ideal for: Shortstop, middle, and third baseman
There is a reason many pro players like Mike Trout and Nolan Arenado use Rawling's Heart of the Hide Baseball Gloves. They're durable, high quality, and comfortable making them an ideal fit for any level of play.
There are a whopping four infielder's gloves in the series of different sizes and webbing. For shortstop and second baseman positions, 11.25'' and 11.55'' mitts with I-webbing are available. For third baseman, 11.75'' glove with mod trap webbing and 12'' glove with H webbing are available. With so many size options, you're sure to find the right fit.
Build Quality:
Rawlings is known for their baseball gloves, and for a good reason. They know how to make gloves that last. Rawlings didn't skimp on any part on their Heart of the Hide series from the laces to the leather.
Rawlings only uses 5 percent of steerhides for its Heart of the Hide series, and the rest just doesn't meet their high standards. Additionally, the Rawlings Heart of the Hide Baseball Glove series utilizes Pro Grade leather laces that last.
Furthermore, Rawlings made sure to add some extra padding into the thumb sleeve. That way, when you don't catch the ball just right, you can still make the play instead of breaking your thumb. As far as comfort Rawlings made sure to utilize a thermoformed hand opening that is extremely breathable.
An advantage to the Rawlings Heart of the Hide series compared to the Wilson A2K glove is the price. Heart of the Hide Gloves start at just over 200 dollars. While it's not cheap, the high-quality glove is well worth the price. And with tons of reviews behind the Rawlings glove you know you're getting a glove that has performed well for years.
Final note:
The Rawlings Heart of The Hide infield glove is my personal favorite and also the best overall pick. The build quality is exceptional, it's very comfortable to use, and most importantly, it's priced reasonably. This is a no-brainer choice for anyone looking for a top-quality infielder's glove.
3. Easton Flagship Baseball Infield Glove: The Budget Pick
Size/Position
- Size: 11.5'' (I web), 11.75'' (H web), 12'' (Split solid web)
- Type: Left/Right
- Webbing: I, H, Split solid
- Ideal for: Shortstop, middle, and third baseman
We understand, you want a high-quality mitt but don't want to spend the money that high-end mitts cost. That's why the Easton Flagship Baseball Glove Series is for you. This is the perfect glove for your weekend league or office games.
There are three infielder's gloves in the series: 11.5'' (I web), 11.75'' (H web), 12'' (Split solid web). The 11.5'' mitt with I-web is ideal for shortstop and middle infielder's while the 11.75'' variant with H-web is suitable for third baseman position. Lastly, the 12'' variant is a utility glove that can be used in all positions including pitching.
It's built with a premier leather shell and has an oiled cowhide palm and finger lining. The split leather welting around the edges of the glove gives it a little more rigidity to handle those fast line drives. This guarantees that when it's your turn to make the play, your glove isn't going to be what lets you down.
The laces are made of rawhide while the binding is made of steer hide, ensuring that your glove will last year after year of weekend league play. For added comfort, the Easton Flagship Baseball glove comes with a sheep wool wrist liner.
The mitt does take a little longer to break in then some of our other options. Just be sure to allot a little extra time to get your glove game ready before you have to use it.
The best part of the Flagship Baseball glove is the price. While the mitt is durable enough to handle a fairly high level of competition, it's typically half the price of the higher-level models, normally selling for just under 100 dollars.
Final Note: Durable construction excellent design and bang for the buck pricing makes Easton Flagship Baseball Gloves definitely worth considering. It's an ideal glove for adult, high school and casual players alike. Dollar for dollar, these are the best value infield baseball gloves in the market.
4. Rawlings R9 Youth Baseball Glove: Best for Youth Players
Size/Position
- Size: 11.25'', 11.5'’ (Single post web)
- Type: Left/Right
- Webbing: Single post, I-web
- Ideal for: All infield positions
If you want your kid or grandkid to have the best, then look no further then the Rawlings R9 Youth Baseball Glove Series. It utilizes an all-leather shell and is built using the same patterns like the pros. There are two infield gloves in the lineup - the 11.25'' glove with single post, which can also be used for pitching and 11.5'' I-web glove.
We know that just because your kid is still in Little League doesn't mean they don't need high-quality equipment. Rawlings recognizes that fact and makes gloves to the same exacting standards that they follow for their adult lines. You get a glove that will last through multiple seasons, and your child or grandchild gets a glove that looks and feels just like one the pros wear.
Additionally, Rawlings understands that kids need a little extra protection, which is why they added some extra reinforcement to both the palm pad and thumb sleeve. The added padding gives kids just what they need to in case they don't catch the ball right in the webbing.
For such a high-quality glove, you might expect the price to be similar to the Rawlings Heart of the Hide Baseball Series gloves, but in fact, the R9 Youth Series is far cheaper, typically at just under 80 dollars. A top of the line glove for a bargain price? Now that's just a deal you can't pass up.
Final Note:
Youth baseball players often need to settle with adult infield gloves due to lack of options but not anymore. The Rawlings R9 Youth gloves are specifically made for younger players. The fit and sizing are perfect and the mitt isn't too hard for them to control or squeeze properly.
5. Franklin Sports Baseball & Softball Glove: Bargain Pick
Size/Position
- Size: 11'' (I web), 12'' (Trapeze web)
- Type: Left/Right
- Ideal for: All infield positions
If you want a glove to go out back and play catch with your kids or grandkids, the Franklin Sports Baseball Glove is the mitt for you. We wouldn't recommend this glove for high school or college players, but not everyone fields 90 miles an hour line drives play after play. And if you don't need that ultrahigh quality, why pay for it?
All gloves in the lineup are more or less designed to be used in all positions. Specifically, there are two infield gloves: 11'' (I-web) and 12'' (Trapeze-web). The 11'' variant with I-web has a shallow pocket making it ideal for shortstop and middle infielders. The 12'' with trapeze-web variant is suitable for the third baseman.
An even bigger win for the adult that just wants to go out back for a quick catch, this glove doesn't need much to be broken in. That's because it's made from synthetic leather instead of real cowhide.
And if you plan on passing this glove around from family member to family member, or coach to coach, it comes with an adjustable wrist strap so everyone can have a perfect fit. Furthermore, it comes with a hand-formed pocket so you can be sure that when the ball hits the mitt, it'll stay there.
The synthetic leather is designed to be ultra-durable, so you can go out for a catch year after year without worrying if your glove is going to hold up.
Final Note:
Coming in at just under 20 dollars, the price for the Franklin Sports Baseball Glove can't be beat. A perfect choice for anyone who is just looking for an infield glove for casual/non-serious practice.
Infield Gloves Buyer's Guide
When deciding what infield glove you need, there are a ton of questions that you need to answer. What size do I need? What material should my glove be made of? What kind of webbing should I get? How do I break in my glove after I get it? There's good news. We're here to walk you through the process to get you the best glove possible.
Key Considerations
<Sizing>
The first question you need to answer is what size glove you need. If you're playing an infield position, you generally want to stick with a glove between 11" and 12". They are typically a little smaller than the gloves outfielders use. Infielders need to be able to retrieve the ball quickly, and a smaller webbing helps with that.
There are definitely exceptions to the sizing. Example Kris Bryant uses a 12.25'' glove at third base, and some pro players even use a 10'' glove at shortstop. This comes down to preference and how the player grips the glove. On a general scale, 11'' to 12'' glove is the ideal size for most players.
<Webbing>
The next thing you need to determine is the type of webbing that you need. Second basemen and shortstops generally use I style webbing. The simple web design makes it easy to quickly find the ball and get it out to make the play.
Third basemen generally use H webs or a modified full basket web. This is because third basemen field harder hit balls than the rest of infield players. The additional support of H webs and modified full basket webs make it easier to field these balls. But because you still need to get the ball out quickly, full webbing is generally avoided. First basemen have a special mitt which we'll be covering in a separate article.
Also, the open webbing of I/H style gloves allows the dirt to fall through. This is particularly helpful when you're receiving close to ground balls.
Finally, if you are a pitcher, full webbing is recommended. The reason is simple. Full webbing hides the ball while it's in the mitt, making it harder for the batter to pick it up and get a hit.
<Pocket Depth>
The depth of the pocket is equally important as this decides how quickly you can release the ball or how safely you can catch the ball. For shortstop and middle infield positions, a shallow pocket is suitable as it allows to quickly get rid of the ball. On the other hand, third baseman gloves are slightly deeper to field the hard-hit ball one-handed.
<Material>
After you determine the size of the glove you need and the type of webbing required, you need to determine what kind of material you want your glove to be made from. Leather or steerhide are the most common types of gloves, but they aren't the same.
Leather gloves tend to break in quicker and respond better while in use, but they also breakdown quicker. This means that they are the highest quality glove when it comes to performance, but you will have to replace them more often. Gloves made of steerhide are a lot harder to break in, but also last much longer.
<Breaking In>
Speaking of breaking in your glove, you need to make sure you do it properly, or even the best glove won't perform like it's supposed to or will breakdown quicker than it should.
Whatever you do, don't bake your glove in the oven or put it in the microwave. It's a common misconception that this is how you break in baseball gloves quickly. If you do this, you'll dry out your laces, and they'll end up breaking on you far sooner than they should.
The best way to break in your glove is to play catch with it. Leave enough time between you getting the glove and when you'll need to use it in a game to break it in. If you're out using it every day, a week should be long enough to break it in. We recommend an application of Rawlings Gold Glove Butter after one of your catch sessions, and then once a year after that for glove maintenance.
The Glove Butter will keep the leather in your glove pristine year after year. We do not recommend the Glove Butter for Franklin Sports synthetic leather glove (our bargain pick). We have not tested this product on a glove that is not made of real leather and don't know how it will affect the long-term life of the product.
Finally, between your sessions of catch, you can put a baseball in the glove and tie it shut or put it between a mattress and the box spring. If you are tying it shut a few rubber bands should do the trick, there's no reason to spend a bunch of money on a contraption that holds the glove shut for you.
Just go out and use your glove, that's what you bought it for anyways, right? Just make sure you have time between your game and when you buy the glove. By far, the best way to break in your glove is just to use it. That way, the glove will conform exactly to your hand and be a perfect fit. It'll also keep the glove in pristine condition so you won't have to replace or repair your glove years before you would have to otherwise.
<Level of Play>
The last question you need to answer is what level of play you will be using your glove for. There's a big difference between going out back to play catch with your grandkids and trotting onto the diamond to play against your college rival.
If you're just going out back to play catch, we recommend the Franklin glove outlined in our bargain pick. There's no reason to pay top dollar for a glove that is never going to be put to the test.
Most high school players will be fine utilizing the Easton Flagship series glove. It's a high-quality glove that can handle four years of high school ball. It's durable, long-lasting, and won't have any adverse effects on your play.
Meanwhile, if you need a glove that can handle the more rigorous grind of a college, amateur, or pro season, you really can't go wrong with either the Wilson A2K or the Rawlings Heart of the Hide series. They're high-quality gloves that are meant to stand up to year after year of daily use.
Additionally, the ultra-high-quality mitts can handle any ball that comes their way, no matter how hard they're hit. The only thing that's going to need replacing after a few years is the laces, and that's far cheaper than buying a brand-new glove.
Let's Wrap Things Up
We get it, no one wants to be the guy that can't make the play for the final out. Even worse is watching your kid or grandkid fail to make the play because you got them a low-quality glove. And it's not like you were trying to get them a mitt that couldn't handle the play, you just didn't know which one you needed.
We want to make sure that you and your loved ones are only using the best of the best and for you to be confident in your selection. That's why we took the time to review glove after glove, so you could be confident that you are getting the best infield glove available.
We want you to have the confidence to make every play without having to worry about if your glove is going to hold up.
