Given the diverse applications and performance requirements of sporting gloves, the types of materials used in them are numerous.
The basic categories of performance that determine the materials used, are:
INSULATION
ABRASION- RESISTANCE
WATER- RESISTANCE
BREATHABILITY
FLAME- RETARDANCE
IMPACT- PROTECTION
Individual glove constructions determine whether combinations or single materials are used, and often the materials vary between the front and back of the glove.
LEATHER. For all round ability many sports gloves will use a performance leather which varies in thickness and combines a number of different properties according to the way it is manufactured.
For golf, baseball, equestrian, ski, motor cycle and other uses where something is gripped, leather is the usual material of professional choice – at least on the palm side of the glove. Leather at .45mm on an African Hairsheep material is used for golf gloves. Goatskin leathers closer to 1mm in thickness are used for Motor cycle gloves.
GORETEX (waterproof/breathable membranes) are used as liners in ski and other Outdoor glove constructions to provide a waterproof barrier within a lined or insulated glove construction.
POLARTEC/THINSULATE etc. are synthetic materials usually used for insulating layers inside gloves for Outdoors.
CLARINO/LORICA are suede- like synthetic materials used generally in less expensive sports gloves (e.g. cycling).
There are a raft of other performance fabrics available from leading International names like Invista (Du Pont), Schoeller, Event and many more.
