Rawlings or Mizuno

[yankees32]

Hi, I've been considering buying a new outfield glove after the season ends and i can't decide whether i should buy a Rawlings or Mizuno (I currently have a Barraza). I'm just looking for some feedback to help me decide what to get. Thanks for your responses.

[Hartattack52]

glove

It depends how much you're willing to spend. Regardless Rawlings is better.

[StraightGrain11]

Mizuno makes a good glove - if you buy their upper-end gloves. But for the money, go with a Rawlings. All you should need is a Heart Of the Hide series, nothing "higher" (more expensive) - the Pro-Preffered is more or less "for show". If you take care of it, it should last you pretty much the rest of your career (however long that may be).

I own 4 baseball gloves - ALL Rawlings (3 Heart of the Hide), I won't buy anything else.

[sixpointone]

Tough to say, as I would not say one brand is inherently better than another.

I say that as it depends on comparing what to what, meaning there are top of the line levels within each brand, entry levels, and all steps in between.

I'd say a good piece of info to share would be you Budget and what Position you might be Playing.

Hope that helps,
John

[yankees32]

I don't want to spend anymore than $250 unless i have to.

[Twitch5]

I don't want to spend anymore than $250 unless i have to.

Based on a $250 budget, don't think you could do much better than a Glovesmith Custom Elite.


Twitch5

[59FIFTY]

The Muzino GMP series are great, takes a really long time to break it in but when its molded to you hand you will love it!

[StraightGrain11]

What type/style glove are you looking for? IF or OF?

[stejay]

My baseball motto is, if in doubt, get Rawlings.

[StanTheMan]

We hve nothing but Mizuno's and Rawlings in the house......

I have a Gold Glove Series and a Heart of the Hide Series.... Trap-Eze Web (primarily an outfielders web) and I love them. Both are holding up very well, keeping their shape, durable, never completely soft or floppy etc.

My son has a top of the line Mizuno Custom Classic, which you special order from the Mizuno Japanese factory. Pick out your size, back (traditional closed bak, index finger pad, etc.) web design (about a dozen choices) , leather color (palm, back, accent color), lace color, embroidery color, and my son's favorite feature...... they embroider your name on the glove as well.

You can get this for less than your $250 budget. Less than $200 in fact.

Rawlings has custom options as well, but they are right at $250 or perhaps slightly under. Rawlings uses H of the Hide or Pro Prefereed for their custom program, and Mizuno uses the Custom Clasic Pro.

The Mizuno is definitely a SOFTER glove overall, and will break in easier. You might prefer the stiffer Rawlings top of the line however. The will break in nicely, but it will take a lot longer. If you love it when your gloves break in competely, and not only fit your hand perfectly, but are soft, supple, floppy almost, go with teh Mizuno. The Rawlings will never realy break in that far. I prefer them that way, but my son wants them COMPLETELY broken in.

The Mizuno my son has is beautiful and turns heads on every team he's played on. Dad's/Players want to check it out, and shove their hands in it all the time...... It caused me to by Mizuno's for my 10 year old daughter and pass down my son's old mizuno to his 3 1/2 year old brother. Quality products indeed.



www.baseballexpress.com has info on Rawlings Custom Gloves (some HOH models are just $215) and Rawlings direct number is 1-800-WE-PITCH

Doing a quick search for the Mizuno (they might have the info on their website, but I did nto see it upon a quick glance) I found that ballgloves.com sells the Mizuno Custom Gloves for $190. Mizuno has many more color options as well...... and more options in general.

You could not go wrong with either of these two companies, and having your name emproidered on the glove instantly makes it the most special (and maybe the last) glove you own.

[JeepTJ12]

Rawlings is good for an outfielder b/c they have stiff fingers and stay stiff for a long time. Down side they take forever to break in.

[yankees32]

What do you guys think about Louisville/TPX gloves. I heard that they make a nice outfield glove for around $220.