INTRODUCTION
Two of the prominent features of hockey gloves are the palm and the gussets. (Custom cuffs would probably be next!) When I set out to order my custom Easton Pro+ gloves, I tried to research as many options as I could to pick out my specs. The information and videos about palms and gussets are scattered and sparse, so this is my attempt to bring together the information into one place.
Obviously, each material will vary from user to user, so take the information as you will. I'm open to suggestions to improve this post.
Special thanks to Pat Rivest for letting me visit his shop and pick his brain.
OVERVIEW
Hockey palms can be either genuine leather or synthetic leather. They will vary in thickness and durability. The synthetic leather options will be generally more durable than genuine leather. Their grip will depend on whether there is an addition adhesive or pattern added to the material.
Genuine leather palms used in hockey gloves mostly come from goatskin. Common natural leather options are Digital, mustang, and kangaroo. Those names are given by the manufacturer, Pittards; it does not necessarily relate to their source animal. They tend to be labelled as “performance” materials as they are not intended to be durable palms. Another drawback is that they may have irregularities from being a natural hide. These palms are not usually found on stock retail gloves because of their lower durability. Rather, they’re found on gloves for players who request it, whether it’s a pro or a regular customer.
Synthetic leathers are man-made. Common synthetic leather options are nash and micronash. In general, they are microfibers made to look like genuine leather but with improved durability and stain resistance. Based on their features, synthetic leathers are found not only on most (if not all) retail stock gloves, but usually on pro gloves, too. Hockey companies are always looking for the optimal synthetic palm material that is thin, durable, and soft, so more options are available on the market now than in previous years.
Replacement palms are available for genuine leathers and synthetic leathers. Companies will offer replacement palms pre-made (such as the ones found in the catalogue from Nash Sports) or will create them from the source material (such as repalming services offered at Custom Pro Repair).
GENUINE LEATHERS
Digital:
- Comes in grey.
- Goatskin supplied by Pittards. (Synthetic non-Pittards “Digital” is not true Digital.)
- Considered a “performance” leather.
- Medium thickness between kangaroo/yellow mustang and pearl mustang.
- Properly known as Digital textured leather and was first used in collaboration with Franklin as a “grip-enhanced leather for baseball batting gloves”.
- May also been known as “Carbon Fibre Digital”.
- Can be used as a base palm, and often used as an overlay for grip.
- Has a pattern stamped onto the material to provide grip. (Looks similar to Suregrip, except Suregrip is a synthetic leather. Digital from Pittards will stay grippy over the course of its lifetime but nash-based synthetic variants will get slick over time.)
- A common option for custom gloves at the pro and consumer level for its grip and feel.
Digital Tacky:
- Comes in a dark grey.
- It is Digital (as above), but it is treated with an adhesive/glue to make it more sticky.
- Generally used as an overlay only for added grip.
Digital Tacky (top), Digital (bottom).
Warrior Franchise, Digital palm, micronash gussets.
Warrior Franchise, Digital palm, Digital Tacky overlay.
Mustang:
- Comes in pearl and yellow.
- Suede goatskin supplied by Pittards.
- Considered a “performance” leather.
- Pearl mustang is the thickest of all the “performance” genuine leathers and has the least grip.
- Yellow mustang is thinner and has more grip than pearl mustang.
- Yellow mustang is comparable to kangaroo, but with slightly less grip.
- Was a popular option mostly for custom Warrior gloves.
Yellow mustang (top), pearl mustang (bottom).
Warrior Franchise, yellow mustang palm.
Warrior Franchise, pearl mustang palm.
Kangaroo:
- Comes in one color, yellow.
- Goatskin supplied by Pittards.
- Considered a “performance” leather.
- Apparently, it was given the name “kangaroo” because of its color! (It’s not made from kangaroo hide.)
- Supple and grippy material.
- Similar thickness (thinness?) to yellow mustang.
- Kangaroo and yellow mustang have a relatively lower durability compared to the rest of the genuine leathers.
- Was an option mostly for custom Warrior gloves.
Kangaroo.
Warrior Franchise, kangaroo palm.
Horsehide and cowhide:
- These palms are (presumably) made from their respective source animals.
- They’re usually very thick and most often used by players who prefer an old-school style of glove.
- Horsehide is reportedly not as durable as goatskin.
- Not a common option.