A Stitch In Time: The Art Of Hockey Glove Repalming

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(Last Updated On: January 17, 2021)
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Introduction:

Hockey gloves can be one of the most overworked pieces of equipment that a player would consume. With excessive use, the palms are susceptible to tear and its backhands would likely split open, eventually resulting in its pads falling out.

How much money you spend on gloves does not alter your equipment’s life span as it would fall apart and would necessitate being replaced sooner or later. Since the cost of a new gear could greatly hold you back, hockey glove repalming keeps you on the ice while keeping your budget intact.

How Important Are Your Gloves?

Hockey Gloves help protect your hands from getting battered and bruised during intense games or practice sessions. Its top padding and shell thumb are designed to shield the player from careening hockey pucks and an opponents’ hockey stick. In addition, it helps prevent a player’s hand from getting burned from the ice.

However, goaltenders wear distinct gloves on each hand. On the hand with which he carries his stick, he brandishes a blocker with a large pad on his forearm. While on the other hand, the goaltender dons a catching glove called a trapper, one that is very much like a baseball glove. Although goaltenders wear dissimilar glove types, its main purpose is to offer a measure of protection, all while enhancing its bearer’s performance.

What Are Hockey Gloves Palms Made Of?

Generally, hockey gloves are crafted from high-quality leather, often taking months to break in and years before its fabric breaks down. Glove palms made from a combination of synthetic leather and nylon crack faster compared to one that was manufactured out of genuine skin. Faux leather may imitate suede’s look and feel, offering exceptional softness and comfort which allows players to perform as if wearing one that is all-natural. But as expected, these gloves’ downside is that they are prone to wear out faster than most players prefer.

While your glove’s backhand will show more manageable damages such as split seams, scuffs, protruding paddings, and small cuts over time, none of which would require hockey glove repalming or replacement. The palm frequently displays the most impairment due to the pressure from the fingers and friction from the stick, making significant wear and tear a game-changer.

Do I Replace Or Repalm My Hockey Gloves?

The main reason hockey gloves need to be replaced is palm wear. Though most players would jump at the chance to bring home a new pair of gloves once signs of wear turn out, some who got accustomed to the familiar fit and feel of their old pair turn to repalming as an option.

Hockey glove repalming allows you to purchase replacement palms and have a local tailor remove the old palm and stitch on the new one for a reasonable fee. There are also a handful of sports equipment stores that offer hockey glove repalming services. Just make sure that you have a substitute waiting in the box as this option will require you to part ways with your glove for a week or two.

Experienced players would often attest that replacement palms may alter the glove’s fit upon repair as the new palm has yet to be broken in, resulting in the glove being tighter in areas that used to fit perfectly. Granting that this could just be a quick-fix, it allows you to survive a few games or until you’re ready for a more lasting solution.

When Should I Repalm My Gloves?

Athletes will always have their preferred equipment. As your favorite hockey glove collects character, memories, and championships in them, holes, rips, and cuts may have also accumulated from years of heavy use. Deciding when to repalm your glove boils down to a player’s personal preference, leaving them with the conundrum of when is it time to pay a visit to the glove repairman.

While the specific period for repalming is not clearly defined, here are a few things to consider when pondering about a new palm for your glove:

  • Are they still wearable?
  • How badly worn are the palms?
  • Is it altering the way I hold my stick?
  • Will I be getting a new pair of gloves soon?

Superstitious reasons affect such a decision at times. Some players don’t want anything touched and would prefer having holes over their palms than to jinx their chances of hitting that awesome wrist shot.

How To Repalm A Hockey Glove

Since their introduction to the game, hockey gloves have gone through changes, albeit minimal, in comparison to other sports equipment. Previously crafted out of horsehide material, it includes leather palms and longer cuffs, offering extensive hand and wrist protection. These days, gloves are a tad shorter on the wrist and palmed with a much softer and lighter material, all optimized to still provide players with protection while allowing more mobility.

Here are a few simple steps on repalming your hockey glove:

Remove The Glove’s Palm Stitching.

Start by carefully assessing the amount of damage that your glove has taken, including the areas between the fingers. Undo the stitches in your glove’s palm to prepare it for replacement.

Pick A Preferred Replacement Kit

Based on the player’s comfort and liking, choose from an array of replacement materials that range from the Nash or the Clarino palm to the Dura Soft. They are pretty much the same with the options varying whether it’s single or double-layered or reinforced.

Keep Patchwork Steady

Apply a small amount of adhesive to the glove’s shell and the replacement palm to hold your materials in place until it’s time to stitch.

Bind The Glove And Palm

Hand stitch or thread a sewing machine to fasten the palm into place. Trim excess material from around the glove and optionally apply a quick conditioning coat to make your glove shine.

Repalming a mitt yourself may not be easy. But, the rewards are no doubt great, especially if you just can’t seem to part with your cherished hockey glove.

Hockey Gloves Repalming: FAQ’s

1. How Much Does It Cost To Repalm Hockey Gloves?

Repalming kits are available for as little as $11.99, way cheaper than buying a new pair of gloves.

2. How Do I Protect My Hockey Glove Palms?

Apply self-adhering athletic tape to reduce damage to palms.

3. How Do You Soften A Hockey Glove’s Palm?

Put lanolin-based shaving cream on the palms, softening that area to prevent brittleness and corrosion.

4. What Is The Difference Between Clarino And Natural Palms?

Clarino is a synthetic leather that is greatly thinner than natural leather. Due to its density, natural leather palms tend to last longer than a Clarino.

5. How Can I Make My Hockey Gloves Last Longer?

Simply wrap your stick with clear stick tape to maintain grip without subjecting your gloves to damage.

Conclusion

Due to the constant twisting and grinding, a glove’s palm is always the first to wear out. As cheap state-of-the-art materials proliferate, hockey glove repalming can be considered as a lost trade. It is as much the passion of the players on the ice as well as the dedication of the handful of folks that are keeping the practice of refitting hockey gloves alive.

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