Keepers Ask: "I haven't used my gloves much and they are already starting to wear down"
It is important to understand the nature of goalkeeper gloves and latex palms before use. Gloves should be viewed as a consumable that need replacing multiple times a year.
What you need to know
- Latex is meant to degrade and wear down—this happens even from the very first use, no matter the price or spec.
- Performance lasts until there’s no latex left—a bit of wear doesn’t mean your gloves aren’t working!
- Latex wear isn’t a defect—it’s not a sign of a “bad” product, just proof that they’re doing their job.
- Playing surface matters—hard ground, artificial turf, dry conditions, and end-of-season pitches will wear gloves down faster.
- Durability ≠ Quality—a softer, high-quality latex will wear faster but provide elite grip.
Our gloves are worn by Premier League keepers, meaning they’re top quality and built for elite performance. But latex is a soft, natural material that will wear over time—there’s no getting around that.
Goalkeeper gloves aren’t built to last forever—they’re built to perform. Think of them like high-performance racing tyres: soft, grippy, and designed for maximum control, but they will naturally wear down with use. That’s just the nature of the game!
How long should a pair of gloves actually last?
This is a bit of a "how long is a piece of string?" question, but here’s a rough guide:
- Pro keepers? 30+ pairs per season.
- The average keeper? 3-5 pairs per season.
- Young developing keepers? They’ll churn through gloves faster while learning technique.
How long they last depends on many factors, every keeper's experience will be different depending on:
- Age & experience level
- Playing surface
- Glove care & preparation
- Training & match frequency
- How busy your defence is making you!
- Luck!
It’s even possible to own two identical pairs and have one last a month while the other lasts four—every game, pitch, and save leaves its mark differently!
Real World Examples
This is not a faulty glove
We often have images sent in like these from parents or younger keepers, saying that they are ruined or would like a replacement pair. We appreciate it can be hard to hear for the first time (especially for Mum & Dad paying for them!) but this pair looks completely normal, is in great condition and has a tonne of life in it - it would not be eligible for for a refund.
"My son's gloves ripped after one warm up"
Younger keepers wear through gloves quicker as they’re still developing technique. If they’re landing on their palms and grinding against hard ground, latex will naturally wear away—especially if proper glove prep and care has not been followed.
Unfortunately we cannot be responsible for naturally caused abrasion. This is due to personal use and these gloves would not be eligible for a refund and still have plenty of life in them.
A thread from one of the worlds biggest goalkeeping retailers
Below is an example of a large retailer sharing the same information and policy, which is standard throughout goalkeeping.
How can I make the gloves last longer?
Visit our dedicated article here for tips on how to get the most bang for your buck.