A softball glove has to match your position, your hand size and the type of softball you play. A fastpitch infielder, a slowpitch outfielder and a pitcher all want a different glove.
Rawlings gives youth fastpitch infield glove sizes of 10.5 to 11 inches and adult fastpitch infield sizes of 11.5 to 12 inches, with larger gloves for the outfield and first base.[1] This guide covers how to choose a softball glove and ten gloves from a children’s training glove to a pitcher’s glove.
Softball gloves at a glance
- Rawlings gives adult fastpitch infield gloves at 11.5 to 12 inches and outfield and first base gloves at 12 to 13 inches.[1]
- For slowpitch, Rawlings gives adult infield gloves at 12 to 13 inches and outfield gloves at 12.5 to 14 inches.[1]
- USA Softball’s official 12-inch ball measures 11 7/8 to 12 1/4 inches around, and its 11-inch ball is for younger fastpitch and some slowpitch play.[2]
- The Rawlings Heart of the Hide is made for pitchers, and the Rawlings Renegade is a utility glove.
- The Wilson A2000, Mizuno Prime, Easton Ghost and Rawlings Liberty Advanced are fastpitch gloves, and the Easton Prime is for slowpitch.
Basic Softball Glove Features
A softball glove is usually made from genuine or synthetic leather with padding and a pocket for your hand. The shape depends on position: catchers and first basemen use mitts, and pitchers, infielders and outfielders each use a different pattern.
Choosing a Softball Glove
- Position – Outfielders use longer gloves with deeper pockets, and infielders use shorter gloves with shallower pockets. Pitchers often choose a closed web so the batter cannot see their grip on the ball.
- Type of Softball – Fastpitch and slowpitch gloves differ in size. Rawlings gives larger sizes for slowpitch.[1]
- Materials – Genuine leather such as cowhide is durable and soft, and synthetic leather is lighter and easier to break in. Young players do well in a synthetic glove.
- Size – Use the maker’s size chart for your age, position and type of softball.[1] The glove should fit snugly, so pick the size that fits your hand now and not one you hope to grow into.
Features of a Good Softball Glove
- Materials – Lightweight synthetic material or full-grain leather. Leather is heavier and lasts longer.
- Wrist Adjustment – A lace-up or Velcro closure lets you adjust the fit.
- Palm – A padded, grippy palm protects your hand from the sting of a hard throw.
- Pocket – A deeper or shallower pocket changes how the glove holds the ball.
- Webbing – An open web suits fielders, and a closed web suits pitchers.
How We Chose These Softball 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:
- Position – Infield, outfield, pitcher or utility.
- Type – Fastpitch or slowpitch.
- Material – Leather or synthetic leather.
- Fit – Closure, sizes and break-in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Softball Gloves
- What size softball glove should I get?
Rawlings gives youth fastpitch gloves at 10.5 to 11 inches for infield and 11 to 11.5 inches for outfield, and adult fastpitch gloves at 11.5 to 12 inches for infield and 12 to 13 inches for outfield and first base.[1] - Are softball and baseball gloves different?
Yes. Softballs are larger, so softball gloves have a deeper, shorter pocket, and sizing differs from baseball gloves. The official 12-inch softball is 11 7/8 to 12 1/4 inches around.[2] - How do I know if the glove fits?
It should fit snugly with your fingers reaching the end of the finger slots and the wrist strap closing without cutting off your circulation. Pick the size that fits now. - Which of these gloves is for pitchers?
The Rawlings Heart of the Hide is made for pitchers. Pitchers often choose a closed web so the batter cannot see their grip. - Which gloves are for slowpitch?
The Easton Prime is a slowpitch glove. Rawlings gives slowpitch gloves in larger sizes than fastpitch.[1] - Which glove suits a young beginner?
The AllStar is a children’s synthetic glove for training, and the Franklin Sports glove is a soft synthetic leather glove with an adjustable fit.
Our Picks: Softball Gloves
Here are 10 softball gloves for fastpitch, slowpitch, pitchers and beginners.
We hope you love the softball 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
Rawlings® Unisex Liberty Advanced Fastpitch Softball Glove
The Rawlings Liberty Advanced is a fastpitch softball glove in several sizes.
- The glove is full-grain leather, and a pull-strap closure sets the fit.
- It is made for players from high school up.
- Full-grain leather is firm at first and takes some time to break in.
2
Mizuno® Unisex Prime Fastpitch Fastpitch Softball Glove
The Mizuno Prime is a fastpitch glove made of pre-oiled Java leather.
- The leather is oiled and tumbled for a soft feel, and it is built to last.
- A high-low lacing system with alternating lace patterns keeps the fully laced web flexible.
- It comes in right- and left-hand versions and in several colors.
3
Franklin Sports® Unisex Baseball and Softball Glove Synthetic Leather Baseball and Softball Glove
The Franklin Sports glove is a light, soft synthetic leather glove for baseball and softball.
- It comes for the right or left hand, in basket, trapeze or traditional web styles, in several sizes and colors.
- An adjustable thumb and an adjustable wrist strap set a snug fit.
- It suits players who want an easy break-in.
4
Easton® Unisex Prime Slowpitch Slowpitch Softball Glove
The Easton Prime is a slowpitch softball glove for beginners and recreational players.
- The leather is full-grain cowhide, and the palm lining is super soft with a grip design.
- The softball-specific patterns give the pocket more depth and better impact durability.
- It comes in left- and right-hand throw versions, in different sizes and colors.
5
Rawlings® Unisex Pro Lite Lightweight Softball Glove
The Rawlings Pro Lite is a lightweight softball glove in several colors and patterns.
- The palm is all leather, and the Zero Shock palm design protects against impact.
- The web is a decorative X pattern, and a Neo-Flex back has Velcro straps for the fit.
- The glove comes factory broken in, so you can use it right away.
6
Wilson® Unisex A2000 Fastpitch Softball Glove
The Wilson A2000 is a fastpitch-specific softball glove in left- and right-hand versions and several sizes.
- The shell is White Super Skin leather, which is lighter than standard leather.
- Honeycomb Cell padding creates a no-sting catching zone, and dual welting adds durability.
- A comfortable wrist strap and Velcro closure give a secure fit.
7
Easton® Women's Ghost Women's Fastpitch Softball Glove
The Easton Ghost is a fastpitch softball glove for women.
- A quantum closure system gives a secure fit.
- It comes in right- and left-hand versions.
- It is a tournament-level glove.
8
AllStar® Unisex Training Children's Softball Training Glove
The AllStar is a children’s softball training glove made of synthetic leather.
- It is made for beginners and young players, and it comes for the right or left hand.
- It gives a comfortable fit and good protection for early practice.
9
Rawlings® Unisex Renegade Utility Softball Glove
The Rawlings Renegade is a utility softball glove for any position.
- The glove is leather and comes in several sizes and hand orientations.
- It is a comfortable, durable glove for players who play more than one position.
10
Rawlings® Unisex Heart of the Hide Fastpitch Softball Glove for Pitchers
The Rawlings Heart of the Hide is a fastpitch glove built for pitchers.
- It is made of fastpitch leather in Rawlings’ well-known pattern.
- It is made for right-hand throwers.
- It is the premium glove in this group.
Index Table: Top Rated Softball Gloves
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rawlings Unisex Liberty Advanced - Fastpitch Softball Glove |  |
| Rawlings | - |
| 2 | Mizuno Unisex Prime Fastpitch - Fastpitch Softball Glove |  |
| Mizuno | - |
| 3 | Franklin Sports Unisex Baseball and Softball Glove - Synthetic Leather Baseball and Softball Glove |  |
| Franklin Sports | - |
| 4 | Easton Unisex Prime Slowpitch - Slowpitch Softball Glove |  |
| Easton | - |
| 5 | Rawlings Unisex Pro Lite - Lightweight Softball Glove |  |
| Rawlings | - |
| 6 | Wilson Unisex A2000 - Fastpitch Softball Glove |  |
| Wilson | - |
| 7 | Easton Women's Ghost - Women's Fastpitch Softball Glove |  |
| Easton | - |
| 8 | AllStar Unisex Training - Children's Softball Training Glove |  |
| AllStar | - |
| 9 | Rawlings Unisex Renegade - Utility Softball Glove |  |
| Rawlings | - |
| 10 | Rawlings Unisex Heart of the Hide - Fastpitch Softball Glove for Pitchers |  |
| Rawlings | - |
Sources
- Rawlings. Sizing Chart Gloves. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- USA Softball. Official Rules of Softball (2026). Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around the Rawlings sizing chart and the USA Softball rule book, removed the unsupported testing and scoring section, the empty pros and cons fields and the old score tables, corrected the ball size comparison, rewrote all product notes and added Sources
- Feb 2022: Published
