The Complete Guide to Buying American Football Gloves

Receiver Gloves

In terms of position, receiver gloves are for the playmakers at wide receiver. Receiver gloves tend to be lightweight, flexible and built around one thing: gripping the football. The palms are coated in a tacky material—such as Cutters' C-TACK or Nike's Magnigrip or Magnigrip+—that enhances your ability to catch and secure the ball. Key features include:

• Sticky palm material that works in wet and dry conditions.
• Thin, flexible back-of-hand construction for natural finger movement.
• Snug, form-fitting closure (wrist strap or strapless).
• Machine-washable materials so you can restore grip after heavy use (we recommend that you do it only occassionally, and wash them inside out).
• Suitable for the following positions: Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs, Defensive Backs, Kickers and Punters.
• Popular receiver glove models include: Popular receiver gloves at EP Sports include the Nike Vapor Jet 8.0 Gloves and the adidas Adizero 15.0 Electric Gloves.

Padded Receiver Gloves

As far as positions go, padded gloves are ideal tight ends, fullbacks and hybrid players who catch the ball but are also likely to use their hands for blocking, tackling and absorbing hits. Key Features of padded receiver gloves include:

• Extra cushioning across the knuckles and back of the hand without sacrificing too much grip.
• Suitable for the following positions: Running Backs, Tight Ends, Defensive Backs, Linebackers and Defensive Linemen.
• Popular padded receiver glove models include: The adidas Impact 2.0 Padded gloves and Nike Superbad 7.0 Padded gloves.

Lineman Gloves

Suitable for interior linemen both offensively (such as tackles, guards and centers) and defensively (such as defensive ends and defensive tackles). In short, effective lineman gloves prioritise hand protection and grip for blocking and pass-rushing. Key features include:

• Reinforced padding across the fingers and back of the hand.
• Palm surface that emphasises durability.
• Suitable for the following positions: Offensive Linemen, Defensive Lineman.
• Popular lineman glove models include: The Nike D-Tack 7.0 Lineman Gloves and the Under Armour Football Combat Lineman Gloves.

How to Size Your Gloves

NOTE: American Football Glove sizes can vary from one brand to the next. The following advice, therefore, is for general considerations on how to find the right size: Individual Brands May Vary. You can also find American football glove sizing information on any American football glove product on our website.

Adult/Varsity Size Guidance

To find the correct size, it's always best to click the SIZING INFORMATION tab for each product you're interested in. Here's an example of where you can find it for the adidas Adizero Impact 2 Padded Receiver Gloves.

For general guidance, measure from the base of your palm to the tip of your middle finger. Most brands list their sizing as follows:

• Adult Small (AS): 7–7.25"
• Adult Medium (AM): 7.25–7.5"
• Adult Large (AL): 7.5–7.75"
• Adult XL (AXL): 7.75–8"
• Adult 2XL (A2XL): 8–8.25"
• Adult 3XL (A3XL): 8.25–8.5"

Gloves should fit snugly with no excess material at the fingertips. A loose glove reduces grip effectiveness and can cause the ball to slip.

Youth Players

For youth players, use the same method: measure from the base of the palm to the tip of the middle finger, then use the chart below to find a starting size.

• Youth Small (YS): 5–5.5" hand length.
• Youth Medium (YM): 5.5–6.25" hand length.
• Youth Large (YL): 6.25–6.75" hand length.

Gloves for both youth flag and tackle football should fit snugly, with minimal extra material at the fingertips so kids can grip, catch and pull flags confidently. For flag-only players you can get away with a slightly looser fit for comfort, but for contact/tackle it is better to size closer to a tight, second‑skin feel to maximise control and avoid the glove twisting on impact.

Sizing Specifically for Cutters Gloves

If you're interested in Cutters Receivers Gloves, they have a brand specific sizing guide in the chart below. Click the image for a printout size version.

 

Maintaining of Your Gloves

The grip on quality gloves is self-restoring—simply wipe the palms with a damp cloth to remove dirt and restore tackiness. Most receiver gloves are machine washable and dryable, which helps maintain performance over a full season. Avoid storing gloves in direct sunlight, as UV exposure can degrade the grip material.

Shop our complete American Football Gloves collection today.

Care For Your Gloves

Looking after your American football gloves keeps the palms grippy and the stitching intact for longer. After every training session or match, wipe the tacky palm surface with a damp cloth to remove any dirt. If you have played in wet or muddy conditions, allow your gloves to air-dry naturally at room temperature. Regardless of playing conditions, it's always a good idea to take your gloves out of your bag when you get home for air-drying.

Most receiver gloves are machine washable, but we don't recommend you do so frequently. When you do machine wash them, turn them inside out, and air-dry when done. Avoid radiators, tumble dryers and direct sunlight, as heat degrades the sticky grip coating that receiver gloves have.

Unlock Peak Glove Performance with Grip Boost Football Gel

Don't let worn or slippery gloves cost you that crucial catch. Grip Boost Football Gel (2 oz bottle) is the science-backed solution trusted by receivers, tight ends and skill players across the UK and EU to restore and enhance glove tackiness—play after play. Developed at the University of Maryland using a unique polymer derived from crab shells, this non-toxic gel forms a thin, adhesive-like film on your glove palms without leaving residue on the ball.

Why Players Choose Grip Boost

• Restores 'like-new' stickiness – Reactivates the grip on worn gloves, extending their lifespan and saving you money.
• Works in all weather – Delivers reliable traction in rain, humidity or dry conditions when you need it most.
• Quick-drying formula – Air-dries in 15–20 seconds, perfect for sideline reapplication between plays.
• 60 applications per bottle – One 2 oz bottle lasts an entire season with regular use.
• Compatible with all brands – Any set of American Football Gloves work brilliantly with Grip Boost gloves and enhances any football or batting glove.

Simply apply a 5p-sized drop, spread evenly, and let dry. Step onto the pitch with unshakeable confidence and make those one-handed catches look easy—rain or shine.