Football gloves help you hold the ball, protect your hands and stay comfortable in bad weather. This guide covers who needs them, how to choose, and six pairs for receivers, backs and linemen.
Football gloves used in games sanctioned by NFHS and NCAA must meet performance standards, and the SFIA specification is one way to meet them.[1] Check for the SFIA mark or the NOCSAE seal before you buy.
Football gloves at a glance
- NFHS says football gloves must meet either the SFIA specification or the NOCSAE standard at the time of manufacture.[2]
- NFHS says the SFIA specification meets the requirements of both NFHS and NCAA, and gloves that pass carry the SFIA mark on the glove and on the packaging.[1]
- Ball handlers need a thin, grippy, flexible palm. Linemen and defensive players may want more padding.
- The six picks are three receiver gloves, a men’s glove, a youth and adult glove and a boys’ glove.
Football Glove Uses
- Ball Handlers – Receivers, running backs and defensive backs need a thin glove with a flexible, grippy palm for catching and carrying the ball.
- Non-Ball Handlers – If you seldom touch the ball, such as a lineman, you can choose a more padded, thicker glove for protection.
Why Wear Football Gloves
- Catching and Grip – The thin material lets you feel the ball, and a tacky palm helps you hold on to it. Receivers and defensive backs wear them, and so do some linemen.
- Protection – Padding protects against bumps and snagging on an opponent’s equipment, and the glove protects your hands from abrasion and from cold, wet or warm weather.
- Style – Many gloves come in colors and prints to match your uniform.
Rules for Football Gloves
Gloves have to meet a standard for play. NFHS says that governing bodies, including NFHS and NCAA, and a number of youth leagues require that gloves used in games meet performance standards, so that a glove does not give an unfair advantage in controlling the ball.[1] NFHS made the SFIA specification an accepted way to comply in 2016, alongside the NOCSAE standard.[2] Look for the SFIA mark or the NOCSAE seal on the glove, and ask your league if you are not sure.
Features of a Good Football Glove
- Materials and Ventilation – Look for perforations or mesh on the back and fingers, to keep your hands cool and dry. Most football gloves are synthetic and stretchy, with seamless or reinforced stitching to cut friction.
- Grip – A tacky or silicone palm helps you hold the ball. Check that the glove meets the standard for your league.[1]
- Size and Fit – Measure the length and the circumference of your hand and compare with the brand’s size chart. A glove that is too small pinches and restricts movement, and a glove that is too big slips. Our guide on how to measure your hand size for gloves shows how.
- Durability – A quality brand lasts longer.
How We Chose These Football Gloves
These picks come from research. This is desk research. We compared the manufacturer specifications and product descriptions for each pick. We did not test the gloves ourselves, and we did not check stock this time.
We looked at these factors:
- Grip – Palm material and tackiness.
- Compliance – SFIA mark or NOCSAE seal.
- Fit – Sizes and closure.
- Position – Receiver or lineman.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Football Gloves
- Do football gloves have to meet a standard?
Yes for games. NFHS says gloves must meet the SFIA specification or the NOCSAE standard at the time of manufacture.[2] - What is the SFIA mark?
NFHS says gloves certified to the SFIA specification are verified by an independent lab and carry the SFIA mark on the glove and on the packaging.[1] - Which glove suits a receiver?
A thin glove with a tacky or silicone palm and a flexible fit. The Adidas, Seibertron and Repster picks here are receiver gloves. - Which glove suits a lineman?
A more padded and thicker glove for protection. The picks here are mainly thin ball-handling gloves, so look for a padded model. - Are there youth sizes?
Yes. The Cutters, Grip Boost and Seibertron gloves come in youth sizes.
Our Picks: Football Gloves
Here are 6 football gloves for receivers, backs and linemen.
We hope you love the football gloves we recommend!
So that you know, we may earn a share of sales or other compensation from links on this page. This does not change your price.
1
Under Armour® Men's F7 Football Textured Gloves
The Under Armour F7 is a men’s football glove with a textured TurfGear back, 3D print overlays for support, a UA GlueGrip palm and an adjustable closure.
- The glove is durable and breathable.
- The product page names SFIA, NFHS and NCAA compliance.
2
Cutters® Unisex Game Day Football Gloves
The Cutters Game Day is a skin-tight, breathable, flexible glove with sticky silicone grip palms, in youth and adult sizes and many colors.
- The silicone palms are made for the catch.
- The product page names SFIA compliance and NFHS and NCAA play.
3
Adidas® Unisex Adizero 9.0 Receiver Football Gloves
The Adidas Adizero 9.0 is a receiver glove with Aeroready technology on the back of the hand and in the fourchettes for breathability and moisture control, and a Primeknit breathable mesh.
- The fit is shaped for maximum dexterity.
- It comes in several styles and colors.
4
Grip Boost® Boy's Peace Boys Football Gloves
The Grip Boost Peace is a youth football glove with grip technology on the palm, a compression material on the back of the hand that contours to it, and gusseted fingers.
- The glove is breathable and moisture-wicking.
- It is cut for boys.
5
Seibertron® Unisex Pro 3.0 Elite Receiver Football Gloves
The Seibertron Pro 3.0 Elite is a receiver glove with an Ultra-Stick Grip palm, in youth and adult sizes.
- The glove is breathable and moisture-wicking.
- It comes in several size options.
6
Repster® Unisex Tacky Grip Football Gloves
The Repster is an adult receiver glove with a skin-tight, flexible fit and tacky grip palms, with a Joker’s face print.
- Other prints are also available.
- The tacky palm is made for the catch.
Index Table: Top Rated Football Gloves
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Under Armour Men's F7 - Football Textured Gloves |  |
| Under Armour | - |
| 2 | Cutters Unisex Game Day - Football Gloves |  |
| Cutters | - |
| 3 | Adidas Unisex Adizero 9.0 - Receiver Football Gloves |  |
| Adidas | - |
| 4 | Grip Boost Boy's Peace - Boys Football Gloves |  |
| Grip Boost | - |
| 5 | Seibertron Unisex Pro 3.0 Elite - Receiver Football Gloves |  |
| Seibertron | - |
| 6 | Repster Unisex Tacky Grip - Football Gloves |  |
| Repster | - |
Sources
- National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). SFIA Football Glove Specification Program. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Football Rules Changes – 2016. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around the NFHS rules and the SFIA glove specification, removed the unsupported injury, confidence and self-expression claims, the first-person line and the old score tables, fixed the product notes, rewrote all product notes and added Sources
- May 2021: Published
