Best Batting Gloves of 2023
Batting gloves are much more versatile than they’re often given credit for. They enable hitters to grip their bat better, of course. They also keep baserunners’ hands from being scraped when sliding. Some players, like Mookie Betts, prefer to put a batting glove beneath their glove in the field for added comfort. And lastly, they offer an aesthetic boost while at the plate, too. I can’t think of another piece of baseball equipment that has so many uses. Plus, batting gloves cost less than almost every other bit of equipment. Considering all of these pros, batting gloves have to come with some cons, right? Well, some of them do. But the best batting gloves on the market only exist to enhance their user’s performance for seasons at a time, without offering any unwanted drawbacks. How’s that for a bargain?
Franklin Sports CFX Pro Batting Gloves
Franklin Sports’ CFV Pro batting gloves offer a superior feel that is complemented by unique, tectonic-fit inserts that accommodate flex without adding bulk to the back of the hand. The world-class quality, one-piece Pittard’s digital sheepskin leather palm maintains softness and superior grip in all conditions while the digital leather provides strategically etched grooves to reduce palm bunching and improve grip. And these gloves are made specially to fit the hand’s curves to ensure a natural, responsive feel. Franklin Sports CFX Pro batting gloves retail for $34.99 and can be found for comparable prices at SidelineSwap.
Our Expert’s Take:
It would be hard to argue that Franklin’s CFX Pro batting gloves aren’t baseball’s best. For one, it’s the most popular on-field batting glove used by MLB players—and they know what their stuff. Not to mention these batting gloves’ many technological feats that are listed above. The most notable of which, to me, is its dual-layered lycra-flex bridge that increases flexibility and adaptability in the glove, while still offering an excellent feel. And while customers do say that these Franklin batting gloves tend to shrink in the washing machine, that shouldn’t be a deal breaker because most batting gloves are the same. If you want to look like the Pros and feel like one on the field, then these Franklin Sports CFX Pro batting gloves are perfect for you.
Easton Gametime Batting Gloves
Easton’s Gametime batting gloves feature a smooth, goatskin palm with synthetic thumb and a sublimated flexible four-way-stretch mesh back-of-hand. A comfortable, neoprene cuff with a branded pull tab offers secure, breathable support and allows these batting gloves to fit on your hands perfectly. These batting gloves are a pair you can count on, that flex their unique design and can take every blow with grace. The Easton Gametime batting gloves retail for $24.94 and can be found for the same price on SidelineSwap.
Our Expert’s Take:
Although their look is somewhat simplistic, these Easton Gametime batting gloves are some of the best-looking models on the current market. They have a sleek and elegant look that is complimented by thin, flexible, and comfortable fabric. The extra protection these batting gloves provide on the palm and fingertips should make it so they don’t rip or cause your hands to blister. I will note that some customers have complained about the color of these Gametime batting gloves fading over time due to sweat, and also that the neoprene cuff tends to lose some of its stick after prolonged use—but perhaps that’s to be expected. Regardless, Easton’s Gametime batting gloves should be a favorite to fit on your hands this season.
Mizuno B-303 Batting Gloves
The Mizuno B-303 batting gloves are made with embossed full-grain leather palm to give players a combination of a great feel with increased durability. They’re also designed with Mizuno’s AirMesh technology for maximum flex and breathability, and Mizuno’s quick-adjust wrist tab provides players with a secure fit. Made with a neoprene wristband with a PNP (Personalized Number Plate) to give players a customization option, these popular batting gloves are power packed with premium features. The Mizuno B-303 batting gloves retail for $40, and can be found for the same price on SidelineSwap.
Our Expert’s Take:
Mizuno is flying high after Team Japan, their sponsored team, beat Team USA to win the 2023 World Baseball Classic. And although I’m upset that the Stars & Stripes fell short, I won’t begrudge Mizuno for it—especially because these batting gloves are world-class. They come in a variety of excellent, eye-catching colorways, and provide maximum comfort, and many users even claim that these batting gloves help reduce a bat’s swing upon being jammed, too. I even had somebody tell me that these batting gloves don’t get stinky, regardless of how sweaty they get. Rather than see if they were messing with me, I decided to take their word for it. Mizuno’s B-303 Batting Gloves have no discernible downsides and should provide you with multiple years of use if you decide to give them a try.
Nike Trout Elite Batting Gloves
The Nike Trout Elite batting gloves feature premium smooth leather in the palm for durability and comfort and have a flexible overlay on the back of the hand to eliminate annoying bunching of material. The cuff is lightweight and flexible, yet conforms to your wrist as well. Mike Trout is undeniably the best player in major league baseball, and these gloves are built for him. They also come in five different colorways and include a chrome swoosh logo on the back of the hand. Nike’s Trout Elite batting gloves retail for $65, but can be found for less expensive prices at SidelineSwap.
Our Expert’s Take:
Nike has done it once again. These Trout Elite batting gloves are widely considered the highest-quality batting glove on the market. They’re also the most expensive. Still, though, the excellence is undeniable here. The synthetic leather that these batting gloves are made of is ultra-durable and is extremely unlikely to ever tear. It’s incredibly comfortable, too, and the five different colorways that are available for these Elite batting gloves are some of the coolest options I’ve seen out there. Plus, these batting gloves are good enough for Mike Trout. What more convincing do you need?
Evoshield SRZ-1 Batting Gloves
Evoshield’s SRZ-1 batting gloves take full advantage of a synthetic palm and breathable four-way mesh backhand in one of Evoshield’s most comfortable batting gloves to date. In addition to these two unique features, these SRZ-1 batting gloves come with flexible lycra gussets, an easily adjustable neoprene cuff, plus a silicon heat transfer logo to make these batting gloves radiate fire on the field. The Evoshield SRZ-1 batting gloves retail for $29.95, and can be found for the same price on SidelineSwap.
Our Expert’s Take:
Evoshield has become baseball’s standard for creating safe equipment that’s also aesthetically pleasing—and these SRZ-1 batting gloves are no different. Customers rave about how good these batting gloves look out of the wrapper. They’re also so lightweight that many players tend to forget that they’re wearing them during a game. I must also mention that there have been some negative reviews about these batting gloves; namely, because they’ve torn after a few uses, and that the sizing guide that Evoshield provides is faulty. Still, many more people love these batting gloves than dislike them, so if you’re an Evoshield fan, you should not steer clear of these SRZ-1 batting gloves just because of a couple of bad reviews.
Conclusion
Regardless of what you’re looking for when shopping for batting gloves, one of these five offerings is guaranteed to leave you satisfied. I’ll leave you with one final note: while white batting gloves tend to look the best when taken out of the wrapper, they also get dirty and lose their white luster after only a few uses. So if you’re looking for batting gloves that will retain their beauty after a season or two, opt for something other than white.