With the World Cup just a over a week away, here at the SoccerBible we bring you our top picks for the best goalkeeper gloves that will be on show in South Africa.
With all the major keeper brands releasing a new glove in time for the tournament, check out the gloves that have "caught" our eye and who you should expect to see wearing them over the next few weeks...
Sells Wrap Axis England Pro Goalkeeper Gloves
World Cup Keepers: Robert Green - England
Despite rumours circulating around Sells' demise, the brand continues
to go from strength to strength with the release of these special World Cup edition for
the Three Lions keeper Rob Green. The Wrap Axis England gloves
feature a St George's cross across both the liquid feature
and the latex foam backhand giving a very patriotic feel.
As part
of the Wrap Axis range, a roll finger palm made from ultra advanced
adhesion
latex continues onto the backhand. Pick up a pair for around £60 /
$90 USD
Umbro England World Cup Pro Goalkeeper Gloves
World Cup Keepers: David James & Joe Hart - England
A hgh quality latex palm adorns the Umbro England World Cup gloves,
based on the relaunched Speciali series. The backhand consists of a
Neoprene material making it
a alround lighter and more flexible glove allowing increased
articulation. Mesh gussets have also been added for breathability.
The gloves feature a Semi roll finger construction and negative
stitching for a tighter fit
and improved hand to ball contact. Get your hands on a pair for around £50
/ $75 USD
Reusch Xosa Pro G1 Goalkeeper Gloves
World Cup Keeper: Julio Cesar (Brasil)
These World Cup Edition Reusch Xosa goalkeeper gloves truly embrace the
atmosphere and flamboyance of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The Xosa Pro is a flat palm glove, and features Reusch's G1 ultra soft
latex which consists of a natural latex which offers pure grip and
maximum ball control. Pick up a pair for around £50 / $75 USD
Uhlsport Fangmaschine Sudafrika Goalkeeper Gloves
World Cup Keepers: Hugo Lloris - France / Pepe Reina - Spain / Jorg Butt - Germany / Itumeleng Khune - South Africa
For the first time all Uhlsport players will appear at the World Cup playing in an
identical model of glove. The cut of the Uhlsport Fangmaschine Sudafrika goalkeeper gloves is
normal width and half-negative and feature Uhlsport's patented Absolutgrip
foam, which ensures maximum flexibility and minimum loss of grip.
Get your hands on a pair for around £50 / $75 USD
adidas Response Pro Goalkeeper Gloves
World Cup Keepers: Manuel Neuer - Germany / Maarten Stekelenburg (Netherlands)
The Response line feature a good balance of softness, durability,
and shock absorption. Ergonomically cut to follow the natural shape of
the hand, and featuring a latex palm that offers good performance across
the board. The Response gloves offer great ball control and that makes them a
popular choice among a variety of keepers, including one noteable absentee from this list - Petr Cech. You can get your pair for around £40 / $60 USD.
Nike Premier SGT Goalkeeper Gloves
World Cup Keepers: Tim Howard - USA / Sergio Romero - Argentina / Guillermo Ochoa - Mexico
The glove choice of the Americas it seems, with the Nike Premier SGT featuring Laser-etched grip technology on palm designed for the ultimate grip in all conditions. Nike's contact foam and new Touch Tactile Nodes aim for a slip-free fit with ventilated panels for airflow on back of hand and between fingers.
Nike also claim the gloves feature bio-align technology to give the best fit around. Check them out for about £65 GBP / $100 USD
Reebok Valde II 100 Goalkeeper Gloves
World Cup Keeper: Iker Casillas - Spain
The glove choice of one of the best keepers in the world today, Iker
Casillas, is Inspired by the Spanish keeper and follows on from the success of the Valde. Lightweight and flexible with a 4mm German Copa latex is offers superb grip in all conditions. A new
Gryptonite palm which offers better grip and control of the ball in all
weather conditions. Get your pair for around £50 / $75 USD
Puma PowerCat 2.10 Grip Roll Cut Goalkeeper Gloves
World Cup Keeper: Gianluigi Buffon - Italy
The Puma PowerCat 2.10 line is a solid mid-level keepers glove which now also comes in the Tricks inspired colourway. The gloves take on the look of lava flames, featuring a host of tech for such a mid-priced glove. Built
in flexible spines across the backhand and fingers give ample protection whilst the thumb of the glove is
separated from the main palm by a partially meshed section, allowing for
excellent flexibility and grip when handling the ball.
Buffon - in his Puma goalkeeper gloves - was the last goalkeeper to get his hands on the immortal World Cup trophy. What bets against him doing it again this summer? The PowerCat 2.10 can be picked up for around £30 GBP / $45 USD.
These are our top picks for the World Cup gloves - but which will have ultimate influence on the destination of the World Cup?