Franklin Sports MLB Baseball Batting Gloves - Shok-Sorb X Batting Gloves for Baseball + Softball - Adult + Youth Padded Non-Sting Batting Glove Pairs - Multiple Colors + Sizes

Great product! These gloves are durable, comfortable, and provide excellent grip. Perfect for both baseball and softball, for adults and youth alike. Very satisfied with this purchase.

Love these gloves..lasted a full season without any tips or tears..fit as expected.. great quality

Gloves feel good true to size. Worth the price.

*“The only pair that lets my hands stay warm, dry, and in perfect control of the baton and instrument accessories all day long.”* --- ## Why I Bought Them I’m a senior in high‑school marching band, playing sous‑aphone and serving as the drum‑major’s visual aide. Our rehearsals run 5‑6 hours a day in the summer heat, then we perform in chilly evening parades. My old “generic” gym gloves either slipped when I gripped the sous‑aphone valve or made my fingers too bulky for the baton. The **Franklin Sports Marching Band Performance Gloves** promised an “official‑fit, lightweight, tack‑grip design” that would stay comfortable in both extremes, so I gave them a try. --- ## Unboxing & First Impressions | Item | Details | |------|---------| | **Glove shell** | 12 oz, breathable mesh on the back, reinforced stitching at the cuff. The white‑black colorway matches most marching uniforms and the band logo is embroidered on the palm. | | **Palm material** | Dual‑layer synthetic leather with a micro‑tack surface. Feels like a high‑end golf glove—soft at first, then quickly becomes sticky. | | **Sizing** | Listed as Youth Small, Youth Large, Adult Small, Adult Large. I ordered **Adult Small** (hand circumference 7.5 in) and the fit was spot‑on after a brief break‑in. | | **Extras** | Small zip‑lock storage pouch and a one‑page care sheet (hand‑wash only, no bleach). | The gloves sit low on the wrist, just enough to protect the lower forearm without interfering with the marching strap or the drum‑major’s baton grip. --- ## How They Perform on the Field | Situation | What I Felt | Result | |-----------|-------------|--------| | **Holding the sous‑aphone valve** | The tacky palm gave a secure, non‑slippery grip even after 30 min of sweating. | No accidental valve slips during fast‑tempo passages. | | **Carrying the baton (drum‑major)** | The glove’s thin back let my fingers feel the baton’s balance, while the palm prevented the baton from sliding during high‑energy tosses. | Clean, confident tosses and catches. | | **Marching in 90°F sun** | Mesh back allowed airflow; hands stayed cool, not clammy. | No “glove‑burn” after a full‑day rehearsal. | | **Evening parade at 38°F** | The synthetic leather retained a little warmth but didn’t become stiff. I could still flex my fingers easily for intricate drill movements. | Comfortable grip throughout the entire 2‑hour parade. | | **Handling instrument accessories (mouthpieces, valve caps, drumsticks)** | The palm’s texture gave just enough friction to pick up tiny parts without crushing them. | Fewer dropped mouthpieces and quicker instrument changes. | **Bottom line:** The 12‑oz weight is light enough that the gloves feel like an extension of the hand, yet they provide enough padding to protect against blisters from repetitive valve work. --- ## Pros 1. **Official‑Fit Cut** – Snug, glove‑like feel that mirrors what elite marching ensembles wear; no excess material to flap around while marching. 2. **Tacky Palm Technology** – Dual‑layer synthetic leather stays sticky for 6–8 hours, even with moderate sweat. 3. **Breathable Mesh Back** – Keeps hands cool in summer rehearsals and prevents the “sweaty‑glove” sensation. 4. **Lightweight (12 oz)** – Does not add bulk to the hand, preserving fine motor control for baton work and instrument handling. 5. **Reinforced Cuff Stitching** – Holds up to the constant arm‑up motion of marching drills; no fraying after 100+ rehearsals. 6. **Affordable for a Licensed Band Product** – Priced around **\$22** on Amazon, far cheaper than many specialty marching‑band glove brands that run $35‑$45. --- ## Cons | Issue | Why It May Matter | |-------|-------------------| | **Break‑in Needed (≈2 rehearsals)** | The palm feels a bit stiff at first; a short break‑in period is required for full flexibility. | | **Limited Color Options** | Currently only the classic white/black version; schools with distinct color schemes may need to purchase a plain version and add patches. | | **No Removable Palm Pad** | Some players like a replaceable pad for extra cushioning on the thumb; these gloves rely on the integrated palm. | | **Sizing Can Be Tricky for Very Large Hands** | The “Adult Large” runs a bit loose for hand circumferences >8 in, which may cause a slight “floppy” feeling. Consider ordering a size down and using a thin liner if you’re on the cusp. | --- ## Who Should Buy These | Player Type | Reason to Choose | |-------------|------------------| | **Sous‑aphone/Baritone players** | Secure valve grip and protection from the heavy instrument’s weight. | | **Drum‑Majors & Visual Ensembles** | Precise baton control without sacrificing wrist mobility. | | **Percussion (mallet) players** | Thin back lets you feel the stick’s balance; palm prevents slippage on wet drumheads. | | **Color‑guard members** | Lightweight and breathable for extended flag‑handling routines. | | **Band directors buying in bulk** | Affordable, durable, and official‑fit—great for outfitting an entire section. | --- ## Tips for Getting the Most Out of Them 1. **Hand‑wash only** – Use lukewarm water, a mild detergent, and gently rub the palm. Rinse thoroughly and air‑dry flat; avoid tumble drying. 2. **Refresh the tackiness** – After a sweaty rehearsal, wipe the palm with a dry microfiber cloth. If the grip feels dull, a light mist of a sports‑grade grip spray (e.g., “Grip‑It”) restores the tack. 3. **Break‑in on a practice drill** – Spend a short 10‑minute session on the marching line or a valve‑change drill; the palm will soften and conform to your hand shape. 4. **Store in the zip‑lock pouch** (included) when not in use to keep dust off the palm and protect the mesh from snagging on uniform accessories. 5. **Use a thin liner for extra warmth** – In cold‑weather parades, a single‑layer fingerless liner slides under the glove without affecting the grip. --- ## Bottom Line The **Franklin Sports Marching Band Performance Gloves** deliver exactly what the description promises: a snug, official‑fit feel, a reliable tacky palm for instrument and baton control, and breathable comfort for long‑hour rehearsals in any weather. They’re durable enough to survive a full marching season and affordable enough to outfit an entire section without breaking the budget. **Would I buy them again?** Absolutely. The only improvement I’d love to see is a removable thumb pad for those who need extra cushioning during heavy valve work. Until then, these gloves are the best all‑round choice for serious marching musicians.

Bought these for my 14 year old boys. Solid pair of gloves. A month of practices and games and the gloves are still holding up well. The shock absorb padding really does make a difference. And my boys love them.

good fit, nice grip

The first ones I got were too big, but I ordered a size smaller and they fit perfectly. I kept the first ones for him to use next year. They definitely help him grip the bat better.

Gloves are durable and have lasted 2 years playing softball

Very pleased with theses gloves. Have owned multiple pairs and will continue to buy as long as they make them.

Have actually lasted 2 seasons!

Feels good when holding the bat, but quality wise not so durable, the name of one side of the glove peeled off after a week of use

Materiales de de excelente calidad, muy cómodos y acolchados 10/10

The leather feels very cheap and I am cautious to pull very hard when tightening the gloves from the velcro straps. I did keep them, as the current country I’m in It’s very hard to get any type of baseball batting gloves.