MaverickAH
Well-Known Member
This is something that I've had in the back of my mind for some time. How long does the average high quality glove last an individual & what are the factors that affect its longevity?
As for me, I live in the NE. The weather here is mostly moderate with temperature only reaching their extremes of about mid 90's w/85%+ humidity about 2-3 weeks during Jul/Aug. You can, if you want to, play here from March to early December. I play roughly 60 to 100 games per year on a mix of natural & turf fields. In my prime, I probably played closer to 125 - 150 games per year. During that time my primary gloves (2) were reserved for my main modified & FP leagues that played on natural or turf. I had another older glove (former primary) that was reserved for those leagues that played on asphalt don't do asphalt anymore......). I expected to get anywhere from 5 to 7 years of use out of a glove as my primary & I always used gloves that either were A2000's or on that level. I played IF predominately so I'm speaking on the life of my IF glove. OF gloves obviously last me much longer.
When it comes to care & maintenance, I can admittedly be a bit anal & regimental. My break-in method is pretty precise & usually done in the off season. This will usually get the glove 80 - 85% game ready with the remainder done on the field. I always keep a ball in the pocket when the glove is not in use. I always allow my glove to dry & air out after games. They NEVER stay in a car trunk! Conditioning is done twice a year. Once before being put away for the winter & once before use in the spring. Any in season conditioning would be because of inclement conditions such as rain and/or mud. I will usually pull out my gloves once or twice during the winter to play around with. I find that the cold, dry winters we have here will stiffen them back up a bit. Not necessarily a bad thing!
- How much you play can be a factor.
- Where you live & the weather involved can be a factor.
- Leather quality can be a factor.
- What position you play can be a factor.
- Glove break-in can be a factor.
- Glove maintenance can be a factor.
- Play surface can be a factor.
As for me, I live in the NE. The weather here is mostly moderate with temperature only reaching their extremes of about mid 90's w/85%+ humidity about 2-3 weeks during Jul/Aug. You can, if you want to, play here from March to early December. I play roughly 60 to 100 games per year on a mix of natural & turf fields. In my prime, I probably played closer to 125 - 150 games per year. During that time my primary gloves (2) were reserved for my main modified & FP leagues that played on natural or turf. I had another older glove (former primary) that was reserved for those leagues that played on asphalt don't do asphalt anymore......). I expected to get anywhere from 5 to 7 years of use out of a glove as my primary & I always used gloves that either were A2000's or on that level. I played IF predominately so I'm speaking on the life of my IF glove. OF gloves obviously last me much longer.
When it comes to care & maintenance, I can admittedly be a bit anal & regimental. My break-in method is pretty precise & usually done in the off season. This will usually get the glove 80 - 85% game ready with the remainder done on the field. I always keep a ball in the pocket when the glove is not in use. I always allow my glove to dry & air out after games. They NEVER stay in a car trunk! Conditioning is done twice a year. Once before being put away for the winter & once before use in the spring. Any in season conditioning would be because of inclement conditions such as rain and/or mud. I will usually pull out my gloves once or twice during the winter to play around with. I find that the cold, dry winters we have here will stiffen them back up a bit. Not necessarily a bad thing!
this is the rational of a 'glove guy', and not a bad rational depending on tastes.