6 Best Outfield Gloves in 2024 | First-Hand Test Results

Although infielders are always getting the most action, as an outfielder, you know one major screwup from you can cost the entire game. As the outfielder, it’s your responsibility to save the BIG HITS. One slip and the batting team gets a lot of runs on the board. So, if you’re not geared up for this position, you and your entire team are going to regret it.

Even the best baseball outfielder needs to have the right gloves by his/her side. You can try your luck with an infield or a pitcher glove. But it can cost you an entire game. Now, the friendly casuals don’t matter, but when it’s an important game, you need to bring out the perfect outfield glove.

So, I’ve curated a list of the best outfield gloves. The list is an analytical mix-up of three different things- my personal outfield experience, tons of background research, and talking to some fellow coaches and pro-outfielders. I’ve put in the effort, so you don’t have to. You should always remember and perhaps live by this if you’re going to make it PRO in baseball- “a run saved is the pressure created” (Yours Truly).

So, the ideal outfield glove has the potential to make or break the game. I’ve seen countless victories where the difference was just a single run. If you’re determined to stop that one extra run that can define the game and make you the hero, read on.

Top 6 Best Outfield Gloves baseball in 2024

I’ve had first-hand experience with a lot of different outfield gloves. However, only a select few made the list today. All the outfield gloves I’ve listed here have a specific purpose. So, whether you’re a high-end hunter or a budget baddy, you will find something.

1. Rawlings Heart of the Hide Baseball Glove Series (Premium Outfield Glove)

Now, it’s time I call the first contender into the battlefield. It’s lean, it’s mean, it’s tough – it’s the Rawlings Heart of the Hide!

Alright – theatrics aside, the Rawlings Heart of the Hide or HOH (as many people call it) is indeed an MLB outfielders’ glove.

When I say it’s an MLB outfield glove, what I mean is – the HOH has got what it takes to be on top of the mountain. It’s in the same big-boy league as the Wilson A2000.

However, a lot of pros prefer Rawlings over Wilson. So, there’s that. Anyways, the Rawlings HOH is made with the *most* premium leather.

Well, how it works is that – only 5% of steer hides make it through the rigorous testing and trashing to become a Rawlings HOH.

Now, I can’t confirm the veracity of this statement – and I don’t think anybody except Rawlings can. However, I’ve seen a lot of players sport the Rawlings HOH, and they had nothing but praise.

It’s considered as the best glove for outfielders. So, there must be some truth to the “5% steer hide” claim, right?

What sets the HOH apart from the rest of the high-end outfielder’s gloves is – the cowhide palm lining. While most of the glove is made of steer hide, the palm area has a deer-tanned cowhide.

It makes the area around the palm and thumb really comfortable. So, whenever you catch a flyball – no matter how high the ball’s coming from – you wouldn’t feel the sting of impact. Plus, one good thing about the HOH is that you can break it in quickly.

Sure, it’s still going to be a rough break-in ride for you because it’s a high-end tough glove. However, there’s a 60% factory break-in – so that helps to some degree.

Overall, the HOH is an excellent glove. But you can go even higher in terms of quality. If you want the very best baseball outfield glove, I suggest you look into the Rawlings Pro Preferred.

The Pro Preferred costs $100 more than the HOH. But there’s a good reason for it. The HOH is popular among high-school ballplayers, while the Pro Preferred is MLB material.

Earlier, I did tell you that HOH is MLB-tier and I wasn’t lying. You can take the HOH to an MLB game – a ton of pros have done it already. But I think the Pro Preferred has got a leg up.

Anyways, a lot of people go with the Heart of the Hide instead of Pro Preferred because the extra $100 does sting. And I think if you’ve got the skills, you can become an incredible outfielder with the HOH by your side. So, whether you want that for yourself is up to you.

2. Wilson A2000 Baseball Glove SuperSkin (Premium Alternative)

Wilson gloves are always in demand. And if you’ve been in this game for at least a couple of months or more, you’ve probably heard the Wilson name going around. Now, I am torn between Wilson and Rawlings (always was).

However, for this best outfielder’s glove list – I decided to keep Wilson A2000 in the second position. I know – the A2000 could’ve easily been here.

And I think both the Wilson A2000 and A2K can go toe-to-toe with the Heart of the Hide and Pro Preferred. But I just like how Rawlings feels – that’s all.

Moving on – the A2000 12.75 outfielder’s glove has a dual-post H-web. So, you get maximum vision and stability to catch incoming flyballs.

And if the 12.75 size isn’t your cup of tea, you can get both the 12.5 and 13 inches. So, the options are there for the taking.

If you’ve ever had an A2000 before, you know how good the leather is. And the Pro Stock leather is second to none. It’s premium US steer hide, after all.

Anyways, the newer A2000 that I’ve listed here has SuperSkin. Now, is the term “SuperSkin” a fancy neologism? – yes. But there are a lot of benefits tagged with this neology.

For instance, the new-and-improved material is way lighter than the average Pro Stock and more durable to boot. So, you get both movement and durability – these are the two primary features anyone wants in an outfielder baseball glove.

And there’s the Drilex wrist lining to keep your hands safe from heat and sweat. When you’re playing under the tough and relentless summer heat, your hands will get sweaty, and the gloves will become slippery.

The Drilex wrist lining keeps all of these issues in check. Oh yes – you’ve got the flat finer binding in the A2000 as well. If you look at seasoned MLB outfielders, you’ll see that a lot of players keep their fingers outside. You can do that too thanks to the flat finger construction.

The biggest problem of the Wilson A2000 outfield glove – this is not a glove that you can break in quickly as a newbie. The construction makes it difficult to break in if you don’t know the techniques of softening a professional glove.

So, if you have little knowledge about breaking a glove in, it can turn into a big mess. You could even end up damaging your gloves.

The tough-to-break aspect can give you an image that it’s a heavy glove. But trust me – it isn’t. The Pro Stock leather + the SuperSkin add-on (the glove’s leather material) makes it really lightweight and comfortable enough for the outfield position.

Doesn’t matter if you are right-handed or left- the amazing A2000 series has both hand variations. Besides, if you are finicky about color, this glove comes with a few good options.

And yeah – apart from the break-in issue, the A2000 will cost top dollars (but for a very good reason). The price can seem a bit too steep.

However, the premium comfort and performance you get with this glove are incredible. So, I say it’s worth the big buck. It is a pro-tier (or should I say – MLB-tier) glove.

So, the A2000 outfield glove is meant for serious ballplayers only who are looking to hit their A-game. It’s not for people who just want to have some casual fun.

Besides, the Wilson A2000 series was taken up by Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett during his tenure as a coach for the Minnesota Twins.

Most outfielders (even Kirby Puckett, outfielder) loved it because of its added length and reinforced bar across the trap, which gives you added stability.

It’s one of the best outfield baseball gloves. You just need two things – the moolah to afford the glove + the patience to wait for it to break in – that’s all.

3. Rawlings Player Preferred Outfielders Glove (Budget Outfielder’s Glove)

The two Rawlings gloves I just mentioned in the earlier review were high-end. Both Pro Select and Heart of the Hide are pro-tier gloves meant for serious ballplayers.

However, Player Preferred is the perfect catch for budget hunters. Before you get your expectations up (because Player Preferred is #3 in my list), let me tell you that it’s not a glove you take to the leagues.

However, if you want to get into some casual baseball/softball or use it as a training mitt, you’re good.

Moving on – this Rawlings outfielders glove comes in two different sizes – 12.5 and 13. So, you don’t get the 12.75-inch version.

While most players consider the 12.75-inch to be the most balanced, you can work with 12.5 and 13-inch gloves, especially if you’re playing casually.

The webbing patterns you get from this outfielder’s glove are – H-web and Single Post I-web. Both these webbing patterns are good for outfielders.

Your vision isn’t compromised, and you can see the flyballs coming in. So, it eventually comes down to your personal webbing preference.

Most sub-$80 gloves are usually made of weak vinyl/plastic. And I’m speaking from experience. However, the Rawlings Player Preferred is different.

It’s made with cowhide leather. While it’s not a premium cowhide or steer hide leather, it’s still decent.

And the palm padding of this glove is also good. It can handle the impact of incoming fastballs without any trouble.

So, the cowhide leather coupled with the palm padding makes this glove way sturdier than I thought it would be.

Let me show you a simple equation – Not plastic + decent leather + costs less than $80 = BIG WIN!

Sure, you can see and feel a marked difference between the A2000 and Player Preferred. But that’s pretty normal. The A2000 or HOH are $300-$350 gloves – so way more expensive than the Player Preferred.

And there are the easy Velcro adjustment straps. You don’t have to get confused with laces and stuff. Lace adjustment is never an issue for hardcore players who know their gloves. But Velcro is a boon for casuals.

The point is – the Player Preferred is a good outfield glove. While it can’t stand against the other big-boy gloves, it sure as hell is better than most budget outfield gloves out there.

So, if you want a casual training mitt or just an extra glove that you use to keep your premium glove shiny, I’d recommend getting the Rawlings Player Preferred.

The way I think – if you’re on a budget leash, this is the best outfield glove you can get your hands on.

4. Mizuno MVP Prime Baseball Outfielder’s Glove (Female Outfielder’s Glove)

Till now, I’ve only shown love to baseball players. So, it’s time to drop some suggestions for all the baseball femme fatales. I’ve looked at a lot of different gloves that my baseball trainees use, and I think Mizuno MVP is hands-down the most popular.

Although the Mizuno MVP Prime Baseball Glove is unisex, I think it’s better for female baseball players because Mizuno has a long history of catering to the female audience.

I bet you’re wondering – why Mizuno MVP? Why not the Mizuno Pro Select? The answer – this glove has a ton of nifty features, and the price is completely reasonable. The value you get from this outfielder’s glove for $100 is incredible.

For starters, the bio soft leather of this outfield glove is what makes this stand out from the crowd. The reason I love this material is its softness. This professional, smooth leather glove has a soft surface that provides excellent comfort.

And because of this smoothy softness, this glove is easy to break in compared to the A2000 or HOH or other high-end outfield gloves.

Also, the Mizuno MVP Prime is also available for both left and right-handed fielders. The color, however, is pretty bad. Still, it comes with two color variations – black cherry and black.

While it’s not half bad, it’s not something to write home about. It comes with an outlined, embroidered logo on the outside that gives you a professional look while it’s on your hand.

For this reason, a lot of young people who are short on budget love this outfielder’s glove.

Besides, the Mizuno MVP Prime is an extremely flexible glove. The range and flexibility allow you to catch the ball more comfortably.

The plus grip thumb technology (Ultra comfortable padded thumb slot) can help you stop or catch a fastball. While this glove provides a lot of neat features, it’s not overpriced.

However, it still falls short when compared to other pro-tier outfield gloves. For instance, the Mizuno Pro Select would be a much better option if you can pay up.

Still, if you want a glove for high school baseball or a casual weekend match, this should do the trick. I’ve seen the ballplayers under my wing pull off incredible catches and blocks with this glove.

So, the price-to-performance ratio compels me to crown the Mizuno MVP as the best outfield gloves for high school baseball. Remember though – don’t expect professional-level performance from a glove that’s clearly designed for either casuals or mid-tier players.

5. Rawlings Select PRO-LITE Glove Series (Youth Outfielder’s Glove)

If you have a rising tee-ball star in your family, you might be wondering what to get for your little champ. Honestly, I don’t think you need to spend a ton of moolah if your kid isn’t in high school baseball or above.

And I think the Rawlings Select PRO-LITE is low price + great value = perfect combo! The Select PRO-LITE from Rawlings is designed specifically for youth.

So, don’t let the 12-inch or 12.5 sizes misguide you into thinking that it would fit an adult. The hand opening is only suitable for players of ages 4-12.

Plus, as I just said, the Select PRO-LITE isn’t super expensive. The price point is under $80 – so, it’s one of the cheapest outfield gloves on this list.

However, you can make an argument that there are $15-$50 youth gloves out there. So, in comparison, this can seem expensive.

However, the Select PRO-LITE is different from the super cheap youth outfielder’s gloves. Take another Rawlings youth glove – the Sure Catch, for example.

Compared to the Sure Catch – the Select PRO-LITE is a snag. Sure, the Sure Catch is a sub-$40 glove. But the PRO-LITE is leaps and bounds ahead for the extra $40.

Besides, your kids will love it if you get this glove as a present. I’m not just saying that to make you feel good. You see – all the different design variations in the Select PRO LITE are modeled after MLB players’ glove designs.

You get the – Bryce Harper version/ Aaron Judge/ Corey Seager/ Kris Bryant/ Manny Machado/ Mike Trout/ and Pro Pattern.

Now, if you know your baseball, you probably figured that only the Bryce Harper model and the Mike Trout model are outfielder’s gloves. The rest are for infield and utility.

So, if you want your kids to not just learn and love the game but become familiar with the history, these gloves will surely help. And who knows? Maybe they’ll grow up to become the next Bryce Harper or even better!

Coming back to the technical details – the Bryce Harper model is an H-web 12-inch glove with soft leather, comfortable padding, and it’s easy to open and close.

On the other hand, the Mike Trout model has Trapeze web, and it’s 12.25-inches. The overall quality of both models is the same. Overall, the Rawlings Select PRO LITE is the best youth outfielder’s glove in my eyes.

Sure, you’ve got the Rawlings Sure Catch, Wilson A360, Franklin Field Master, and more. But the PRO LITE is stronger, smoother, sexier, and better.

6. Rawlings R9 Outfield Glove (Mid-tier Outfielder’s Glove)

I’ve started with Rawlings – and apparently, I’m going to end with Rawlings as well. I was this close to not including the Rawlings R9 because I believe this best outfielder gloves list is already pretty comprehensive.

So, why did I include it? Well, the answer’s pretty simple. The R9 is the best mid-range outfielder glove you can find. The Heart of the Hide, A2000, Mizuno Pro, Rawlings Pro Preferred, and all the other high-end gloves can be really expensive.

And we all know that cheap gloves will do more harm than good. So, what’s the middle ground here? It’s the Rawlings R9. For starters, there’s a soft, durable all-leather shell to this glove.

While it’s not in the same league as the other high-end leather gloves, it does a great job. The flexible nature of the glove helps a player to catch the ball more comfortably.

Besides, the padded thumb loop, finger back liners, and reinforced palm can absorb fastballs with ease. So, you won’t hurt your palms.

This Rawlings R9 comes with an 80% factory break-in right out of the box. So, you don’t need to apply any professional break-in techniques to get this ready for a game.

Another fascinating feature of this glove is the customizable name imprint. You can ask to engrave your name on the outside of this baseball glove.

Imagine- you walk into the pitch with a glove with your name on it. I know it’s a bit over-the-top, but it makes you feel like an MLB pro, right?

This outfield glove is perfect for players between 8-15+ years old. It’s somewhere between an adult glove and a youth glove.

If you’re still confused, it means – the glove is suitable for adults with smaller hands. Also, it also comes with the right and left-hand variation.

So, it doesn’t matter which hand you use. This glove will be an excellent choice for people who want decent quality within a reasonable price point.

Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Outfielders Glove

Not all the outfielder’s gloves are cut from the same cloth. Some gloves clearly have an advantage over others. So, what features actually define the best outfield baseball gloves? The outfielder gloves I’ve listed here were screened based on a couple of key features. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it.

· Easy To Open & Close (Comfort = Better Performance)

Sturdy and durable leather or hard and solid construction gives your glove long-lasting endurance. But all that durability is worth nothing if you don’t feel comfortable with the glove in your hand. Before buying a baseball glove, you always need to check its flexibility.

If you choose a glove that is easy to open and close, then it’s going to improve your game performance overall.

All of the gloves which I reviewed are flexible and easy to break in except the A2000 and HOH. But the A2000 and HOH are professional-tier gloves. So, once you break them in, the flexibility and comfort will be incredible.

· Get the Right Glove Length

An outfielder doesn’t wear the same glove as the infielders. These gloves are a little bigger than the infielders. 12/12.25/12.5/12.75/13 inches is the size of a regular outfielder’s glove.

As you know, an outfielder needs to have a quick reaction (throwing the ball back to the plates) while catching a ball on the baseball field. So, having a larger glove helps you to catch the ball faster.

• If you are from 11-13 or older than 14, the 12-12.75-inches size will be perfect for you.
• For 8-10, outfielder gloves with the size of 10-12 inches will be enough.
• Or if you are under 7, then you should choose something from 9-10.5 inches.

However, if you’re an adult, and you ask me – what’s the ideal glove length for outfielders? I’d say – it’s 12.75-inch. It has more reach – so you can reach balls with ease + it isn’t too big to compromise flexibility. But if you want a glove that’ll help you with quick groundball scoops, go with a 12.5-inch glove.

You should check out baseball glove sizing if you want to find out all the details.

· Materials (How Long Will the Glove Last?)

Usually, 3 types of material are used to make a baseball glove.

1. Leather
2. Synthetic
3. Mesh

Leather material gets the most points for its durability factor. Almost every professional baseball player prefers using a leather glove. Leather can provide you with more comfort + impact resistance + flexibility.

But gloves made of premium leather can take a swipe at your budget. On the other hand, synthetic gives you the same look and lightweight feel at a lower price.

But the quality of synthetic is never the same as leather. Other materials like mesh-backed gloves are well known for their flexibility and lightweight nature.

Some people do compare mesh-backed gloves with leather shell gloves. But the truth is- leather lasts longer than mesh or synthetic. And leather gloves are eco-friendly to boot.

· Adjustable Strap (Easy Adjustments)

An adjustable strap helps you adjust the gloves, depending on your hand size. You can tighten or loosen your gloves as you wish.

Most baseball glove manufacturers don’t have this feature in their gloves.

In all honesty, it’s not a deal-breaker. Think about it. If you choose a glove that perfectly fits your hands, why do you need straps in the first place?

And sometimes, straps can give you an uncomfortable feeling in an overheated environment. So, if you choose the right-sized glove, you won’t have to think too much about this feature.

But straps can come in handy if the glove doesn’t fit or your hands just outgrow the gloves over time. So, the strap adjustments give you more flexibility.

· Pocket Depth & Comfort

You better pay attention. The pocket depth and comfort are not something you should look past. An ideal baseball glove should protect you from the impact that comes directly from baseball bats. It’s necessary to have an outfielder’s glove that comes with a comfortable and big pocket.

The other benefit of having a bigger pocket in your glove is that it provides more room for catching balls that are tough to reach. All of the gloves on this list come with a soft large and comfortable pocket to absorb the impact of a baseball or softball.

· Easy To Break-In

Breaking into a baseball glove is a challenging and time-consuming process. If you want to feel all smooth and comfy with your glove, you have to break it in. But some gloves come with 80% or more factory break-ins directly from the manufacturer.

Also, some gloves like the Wilson A2000 or Rawlings Heart of the Hide need time and some manual effort to make them game-ready. And you have to do it on your own.

So, if you don’t know how to break the gloves in, you should choose a glove with soft leather. This way, the break-in period will be short.

· Left hand or Right Hand

All baseball players have their own, natural hand preferences. An ideal outfielder glove should have both hand variations to support left and right-handed fielders.

I mean we have no control over which hand becomes dominant.

If you are a right-hand thrower, then you need a glove for your left hand. And if you are a left-hand thrower, you will need to choose a right-hand glove. So before purchasing, make sure you are selecting the right glove for your hand.

· Budget

It’s safe to assume that you don’t want to dish out big bucks just to buy a baseball glove. So, choose a glove that fits most of your needs but comes at a reasonable price point.

But I would recommend not going to the bottom of the ladder to buy a cheap baseball glove just to save your money. It’ll cost you in the long run.

There are gloves ranging between $20 to $500 in the market. However, $14,000 gloves also exist in the market (Yeah, you heard that right).

But the $14 grand glove is more of a luxury item created by Hermes – not something even MLB players would use. So, the standard range is from $20 to $500.

Getting back to the point. What I am trying to say is that $20 gloves won’t hold a candle to the $500 ones. So, I would recommend finding a sweet spot. A balanced price-to-performance ratio should get you what you want.

· Brands (Narrowing Down Your Search)

There are over a hundred baseball glove manufacturing companies available. Choosing a high-end outfielder’s glove gives you more options, comfort, and flexibility in the field because big brands do care about their reputation.

So, you’ll be hard put to get a low-quality glove from a trusted brand. Some of the brands that provide high-quality gloves are listed below:

• Wilson (Top of the game)
• Rawlings (Top of the Game)
• Easton
• Mizuno (Top of the Game)
• Marucci
• All-star
• Akadema
• Louisville Slugger

· Support and Warranty

Getting support AKA a warranty from the manufacturer is a sign of good faith. After all, a warranty means that a manufacturer is confident about the glove’s performance and durability.

All of the gloves that I reviewed come with a 100 days love-your-glove guarantee. If you don’t like the glove, you can ask for a change or a refund.

Related Questions

I’ve answered some of the most common questions often asked by budding outfielders. Have a look.

With All Said and Done

Let’s get straight to business. If you want a baseball glove that can live up to your high expectations for years to come, the Rawlings Heart of the Hide or Wilson A2000 will be the horse to put your bets on.

If you have a budget leash but still trying to find a glove-like the HOH or A2000, you should go with the Rawlings R9. Do you remember what I said earlier about winning a game?

Save a run- create pressure- win. That’s how it goes. You can do this only if you stop the extra runs as an outfielder. So, the best outfield gloves for baseball can be a win-or-lose deal if you let that homerun slip. But with the right outfield gloves + your incredible fielding skills = victory. Now go out there and show everyone what you’ve got. Cheers!