It used to be simple. You either played on mud or on cinder. Anyone who experienced a cinder pitch remembers the burned palms and gloves that looked like they had been attacked by a grater after just two training sessions. Times have moved on, and cinder has been replaced by modern artificial turf. It is green, soft, and looks great. But do not be fooled – for goalkeeper gloves, it is still the biggest challenge.
Today, artificial turf is no longer just a topic for winter preparation. According to statistics, hundreds of new 3rd and 4th generation artificial pitches have been built in Czechia over the last 10 years. For many clubs, it is now the main training surface for 10 months of the year.
What does this mean for you? That your gloves face the "enemy" much more often than before.
Why Is Artificial Turf a "Killer" of Latex?
When you play on natural grass, the latex foam of the palm glides over blades full of water. On artificial turf, it is different. Here are the three main reasons why gloves wear out faster:
- High friction and heat: Artificial turf is essentially plastic (polyethylene). When the palm comes into contact with the surface, enormous friction is generated. Did you know that during a fast dive, the temperature at the point of contact can rise briefly enough to literally seal the fine pores of the latex?
- Sandpaper in the grass: To keep the grass standing, silica sand or rubber granules are spread into it. These tiny beads act as micro-abrasive. They get into the palm and mechanically grind away the latex bit by bit.
- Dry surface: Artificial turf is rarely ideally wet. Dry plastic "rubs" much more than wet grass.
A Solution Called HG 2.0: What Is the Trick?
At BU1, we have responded to this challenge with the HG (Hard Ground) 2.0 line. We will not promise you miracles – even the best gloves in the world will eventually wear out on artificial turf. But with HG 2.0, we are tackling it head-on.
- Denser latex compound: The palm on HG 2.0 models is not as "spongy" as on purely match-day models. It has a more closed structure that resists tearing and abrasion better.
- Balanced grip: It often happens that "durable" gloves are long-lasting but slide like plastic. HG 2.0 maintains excellent grip, so you can rely on them even in a competitive match.
Our Tips to Extend the Lifespan of (Not Only) HG Gloves:
1. "Wake-Up" After Unboxing
New gloves have an invisible film on them from the factory to prevent them from drying out in the box. Before the first training session, gently wash them in lukewarm water. This "opens" the latex pores and activates the grip. Without this, they will slide on artificial turf.
2. Getting Up on Your Fists
This is the simplest trick that costs you nothing. When you get up from the ground, try to push yourself up on clenched fists instead of open palms. This way, the backhand of the glove takes the contact with the surface, which is much less prone to damage than the precious latex on the palm.
3. Dampen, Dampen, Dampen
Even on artificial turf, wet latex lasts longer. Keep a water bottle by the goal and occasionally dampen your palms. Water reduces the friction and heat that destroy the latex.
Our Specialists for Your Training:
- BU1 Light HG 2.0 – Adult: Lightness and durability in one. Ideal for goalkeepers who spend several days a week on artificial turf and want a model that lasts longer than standard "match-day" gloves.
- Junior BU1 Light HG 2.0 – Youth: Artificial turf is toughest on children because they often support themselves with their palms when moving on the ground. The HG version helps them enjoy the game longer without worn-out fingers.
Artificial turf no longer has to mean the end of your favorite gloves. You just need to choose the right "weapon" and know how to take care of it!
