Why Catching Gloves Are Different from Batting Gloves
Catching gloves serve exactly one purpose: giving you the best possible grip on a cricket ball traveling at speed. Unlike batting gloves (which prioritize impact protection) or keeping gloves (which have webbing), catching gloves are minimalist — thin padding on the palm, tacky grip surface, and full finger mobility. They're the difference between holding a sharp chance at slip and watching it burst through your hands.
TopCricketStore stocks catching and fielding gloves from Gray-Nicolls, Gravity, and SS — from $9.99 to $16.49. Every pair is in our Edison, NJ warehouse and ships to you in 3-5 business days.
Types of Fielding Gloves
Catching Gloves (Slip & Close Fielders)
The Gray-Nicolls Catching Gloves ($16.49) are purpose-built for slip cordons, gully, and short leg — positions where the ball reaches you in under 0.5 seconds. They feature a tacky palm surface (similar to keeping inner gloves) that adds grip without bulk. The fingers are fully articulated so you can close your hands naturally around the ball. GN makes both adult and junior versions — the junior size ($16.49) fits youth hands aged 10-15.
General Fielding Gloves (Outfield & Boundary)
The SS Player Fielding Gloves ($14.99) add slightly more padding on the back of the hand for outfielders who take catches at pace on the boundary. They're a hybrid between catching gloves and lightweight batting inners — enough protection for hard-hit balls, enough feel to hold onto the catch.
Budget Practice Gloves (Training & Drills)
The Gravity Catching Gloves ($9.99) are our entry-level option — ideal for practice sessions, coaching drills, and junior players learning to catch. At under $10, they're the glove you don't mind throwing in your kit bag for every net session. The grip surface is slightly less tacky than the GN gloves but perfectly adequate for training.
Our Complete Catching Glove Range
| Model | Size | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gray-Nicolls | Adult | General Fielding | $16.49 |
| Gray-Nicolls Junior / Youth | Junior | General Fielding | $16.49 |
| Gravity Cricket Adult | Adult | General Fielding | $9.99 |
| SS Player | Adult | Slip Catching | $14.99 |
How to Choose Catching Gloves
1. Your fielding position matters. Slip fielders need maximum feel and grip — get the GN Catching Gloves. Outfielders and boundary riders who take high catches need some back-hand protection — the SS Player Gloves add that. All-rounders who field everywhere should own both: catching gloves for when you're in the cordon, fielding gloves for when you're patrolling the boundary.
2. Fit is everything. Catching gloves should fit like a second skin. If there's excess material at the fingertips, you'll lose feel on the ball. If they're too tight, your hands cramp during long fielding sessions. The GN gloves come in adult and junior sizing — measure your palm circumference if unsure.
3. One pair or two? If you regularly field in the slips, own a dedicated pair of catching gloves that stays in your kit bag. If you're a part-time fielder who mostly bats/bowls, the Gravity gloves ($9.99) give you 90% of the benefit at 60% of the price.
Fielding Practice Drills with Catching Gloves
Slip catching drill: Have a partner throw balls at chest height from 10 yards, varying speed and angle. Wear your catching gloves and focus on soft hands — let the ball come to you rather than snatching at it. 20 catches, then switch.
High catch drill: Use a katchet board or sidearm thrower to send balls high in the air. Position yourself 30 yards out, track the ball from the moment it leaves the thrower, and catch with fingers pointing up (for balls above chest height).
Reaction catch drill: Stand 5 yards from a concrete wall (or use a rebound net). Throw the ball at the wall and catch the rebound. Vary the angle to practice catches at body, chest, and head height. This is the single best solo fielding drill — 10 minutes daily makes a measurable difference.
Why Buy from TopCricketStore?
We field, we catch, we drop catches (everyone does), and we know which gloves help you drop fewer. Every pair we sell is in our Edison, NJ warehouse and ships in 3-5 business days. Free shipping on orders over $100.
Need Help Choosing?
Call or WhatsApp us at 1-732-250-3598. Tell us where you field, what level you play, and your glove size. We'll recommend the right pair.
Catching Glove Maintenance: Keep the Grip Alive
The tacky palm surface on catching gloves is the whole point of the product — and it degrades with dirt, sweat, and friction. Here's how to maintain it:
After every use: Wipe the palm surface with a slightly damp cloth to remove dirt and sweat residue. Dry immediately with a towel. Don't let sweat dry on the palm — salt crystals from dried sweat create a grainy surface that reduces grip.
Deep clean (every 5-6 uses): Hand-wash in cold water with a tiny amount of mild detergent. Use a soft brush on the palm surface to remove embedded dirt. Rinse thoroughly — soap residue is worse for grip than dirt. Air-dry for 24 hours.
When to replace: The palm surface should feel slightly sticky/tacky when clean. If it feels smooth or slippery even after cleaning, the grip compound has worn through. Time for a new pair. With weekly use, expect 1 full season from a pair of catching gloves.
Slip Catching Technique: Gloves Help, But Technique Matters More
Catching gloves improve your grip — they don't fix bad technique. Here are the fundamentals that get results:
Stance: Weight forward on the balls of your feet, knees slightly bent, hands together at waist height with fingers pointing down. This is the "ready" position — you should be able to move left, right, or forward instantly.
Soft hands: The ball should come to a stop in your hands, not bounce out. Imagine catching an egg — you give with the impact rather than resisting it. Catching gloves help with this because the tacky surface grabs the ball even with gentle contact.
Watch the ball onto your hands: Sounds obvious, but the most common slip catching error is looking away a split second before the ball arrives. Track the ball all the way into your palms. If you're blinking at the moment of impact, you're not watching.
Practice progression: Start at 5 yards with underarm throws (20 catches). Move to 10 yards with overarm throws (20 catches). Then 15 yards with a katchet board or sidearm thrower (20 catches). Increase distance as your confidence grows. 60 catches per practice session, 3 times per week, and your slip catching transforms within a month.
Catching Glove Comparison: Which Model for Your Position?
| Model | Best Position | Grip Level | Padding | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GN Catching Gloves (Adult) | Slips, gully, short leg | Excellent | Minimal | $16.49 |
| GN Catching Gloves (Junior) | Junior slip/junior fielding | Excellent | Minimal | $16.49 |
| SS Player Fielding Gloves | Outfield, boundary, all positions | Very Good | Moderate | $14.99 |
| Gravity Catching Gloves | Practice, coaching, juniors | Good | Basic | $9.99 |
Common Catching Glove Mistakes
Wearing them for batting practice. Catching gloves have minimal back-of-hand protection. A ball hitting your hand during throwdowns will hurt significantly more in catching gloves than in batting gloves. Use the right glove for the right activity.
Never cleaning them. The tacky palm surface accumulates dirt and sweat that forms a slippery film. If your catching gloves feel less grippy than when you bought them, they're dirty, not worn out. A deep clean (cold water + mild detergent + soft brush) restores grip in 5 minutes.
Buying a size too large. Catching gloves should fit like a second skin. Excess material at the fingertips means you can't feel the ball properly — and catching is all about feel. If you're between sizes, size down. The GN gloves in adult fit most male hands; the junior fits ages 10-15 and smaller adult female hands.
Why Good Fielders Invest in Catching Gloves
At the recreational level, catching gloves are uncommon. At the competitive level, every slip fielder owns a pair. The difference they make is measurable: the tacky palm surface converts "half-chances" (balls that graze the fingers) into clean catches. Over a season, that's 3-5 extra wickets for your team. For $10-17, the cost per extra wicket is roughly $3 — better value than any other cricket equipment purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use batting inner gloves for fielding?
Batting inners have extra padding on the back of the hand but less grip on the palm. They work in a pinch but aren't optimized for catching — the palm surface is designed for bat grip, not ball grip. Dedicated catching gloves have tackier palms.
Do professional cricketers wear catching gloves?
Yes — especially in the slips and close-in positions. You'll see Test fielders wearing thin white or black catching gloves in the cordon. They're standard equipment at every professional level.
How do I clean catching gloves?
Hand-wash in cold water with mild detergent every 5-6 uses. The palm surface accumulates dirt and sweat that reduces grip over time. Air-dry completely — never machine-dry. The tacky palm compound breaks down with heat.
How long do catching gloves last?
With regular weekend use: one full season. Heavy use (practice + matches 3-4 times per week): 6-8 months. Replace when the palm grip surface feels smooth or slippery rather than tacky.
What size catching gloves do I need?
Adult men typically need Adult/Large. Women and teenagers 13-15 typically need Junior. If you're between sizes, size down — a snug fit is better than a loose one for catching feel.
Do catching gloves help with high catches?
They help with grip, not impact. For high catches, the glove gives you a more secure hold when the ball hits your hands. But it won't reduce the sting of a mis-caught ball — that's about technique, not equipment.
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