Short version: Rawlings sorts its gloves by leather, and price follows. For baseball: Pro Preferred (kip leather, $419.99), Heart of the Hide (steerhide, $329.99 on most models, closeouts at $249.99), NXT (Pro Soft leather in a narrow ContoUR fit, $179.99), R9 (all-leather and nearly game ready, $139.99 to $149.99) and Select Pro Lite (lightweight youth gloves, $64.95 to $75.95). For fastpitch: Liberty Advanced ($199.95 to $229.99) and Shut Out ($59.95 to $79.99). Our pick for most players from 10 to 14 is the R9. For a high school player who wants one glove to last, Heart of the Hide.
Rawlings glove series at a glance
| Series | Leather, as listed | Break-in (factory/player) | Sizes offered | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Preferred (baseball) | Full-grain kip, Pittards sheepskin palm lining | 30/70 | 11.5", 12.25", 12.75"; 12.75" first base mitt | $419.99 |
| Heart of the Hide (baseball, some softball) | Steerhide, deer-tanned cowhide palm lining | 35/65 to 65/35 | 11.25" to 12.75"; 33" and 34" catcher's mitts; 12.5" and 13" first base mitts | $249.99 (closeout) to $329.99 |
| NXT (baseball) | Pro Soft leather, ContoUR fit | 65/35 to 80/20 | 11.25" to 12.5"; 32.5" catcher's mitt | $179.99 |
| R9 (baseball, some fastpitch) | Soft, durable all-leather shell | 80/20 | 11.5" to 12.75"; 13" first base mitt; 32.5" catcher's mitt | $139.99 to $149.99 |
| Select Pro Lite (youth baseball) | Lightweight, soft leather shell | 90/10 | 11.5" to 12.25"; 11.5" first base mitt; 32" catcher's mitt | $64.95 to $75.95 |
| Liberty Advanced (fastpitch) | Full-grain leather, Poron XRD palm padding | 70/30 | 11.75" to 13"; 33" and 34" catcher's mitts; 13" first base mitt | $199.95 to $229.99 |
| Shut Out (fastpitch) | Full-grain leather shell | 80% factory | 12" to 13"; 12" first base mitt; 31.5" catcher's mitt | $59.95 to $79.99 |
Read the break-in rating first. A glove rated 90% factory plays this week. A glove rated 70% player is stiff on purpose and holds its shape longer. For the Wilson equivalents, see our A2000, A2K and A1000 guide.
Pro Preferred: kip leather, $419.99
Pro Preferred is the top leather in this guide, and every glove in the series is $419.99. The listings describe full-grain kip leather with a tight grain, a Pittards sheepskin palm lining, 100% wool padding and pro-grade leather laces. The break-in rating is 30% factory, 70% player, the stiffest here.
Start with the 11.5-inch infield glove, the Mike Trout 12.75-inch outfield glove and the 12.75-inch first base mitt. Buy it for a player settled on one position who will do the break-in work.
Heart of the Hide: the steerhide standard, $329.99
Heart of the Hide is the series we point most serious players to. The leather is Rawlings steerhide, which some listings describe as the top 5% of hides available, with a deer-tanned cowhide palm lining. Most models are $329.99. A few earlier colorways are $299.95 to $299.99, and closeouts are $249.99.
Break-in ratings change by model, from 35% factory, 65% player up to 65% factory, 35% player. R2G models are described as having additional factory break-in.
Start with the 11.75-inch infield glove ($329.99), the ColorSync 10.0 12.75-inch outfield glove ($329.99), and the closeout 11.5-inch infield glove with a Hyper Shell back listed at 15% less weight ($329.99 $249.99).
ColorSync, Funburst 2.0, Spring Break and Glove-of-the-Month are colorways and stamping on the same leather. ContoUR fit models have a narrower hand opening. Pick the pattern and size first, then the color, from the full run of Heart of the Hide gloves.
NXT: ContoUR fit for travel ball, $179.99
Rawlings says it designed the NXT for the typical travel ball player. Every NXT glove is $179.99 and uses Pro Soft leather with the ContoUR fit: a narrow fit and smaller hand opening, designed for adolescent and teenage hands. Break-in is rated 65% to 80% factory.
Start with the 11.25-inch infield glove, the 12.5-inch outfield glove and the 32.5-inch catcher's mitt. Buy it when a full-size glove feels loose on the hand.
R9: all-leather and nearly game ready, $139.99 to $149.99
The R9 listings describe a soft, durable all-leather shell, a reinforced palm pad and padded fingerback liners, with break-in rated 80% factory, 20% player. Several models list a recommended age of 10 to 14. The Americana 11.5-inch lists 14 and up.
Start with the 11.5-inch infield glove ($149.99), the 12.75-inch glove ($139.99), and the 2027 Americana 11.5-inch infield glove ($149.99). R9 or NXT? The NXT costs $30 more and adds Pro Soft leather and the narrow fit.
Select Pro Lite: the youth glove, $64.95 to $75.95
Select Pro Lite gloves are youth models on patterns inspired by big-league players. The listings describe a lightweight, soft leather shell, Youth Pro Taper Fit, all-leather lacing and palm and index finger padding. Break-in is rated 90% factory, 10% player.
Start with the Bo Bichette 11.5-inch glove ($75.95), the Mike Trout 12.25-inch utility glove ($74.95) and the Cal Raleigh 32-inch catcher's mitt ($74.99).
Liberty Advanced: the fastpitch series, $199.95 to $229.99
Liberty Advanced is designed for the female athlete, with balanced patterns and adjusted hand openings. The listings describe a full-grain leather shell, Poron XRD palm padding and an adjustable pull-strap back. Break-in is rated 70% factory, 30% player.
Start with the 11.75-inch infield glove ($229.99), the Color Series 12.5-inch glove ($199.99) and the Color Series 34-inch catcher's mitt ($219.99).
Below it, the R9 fastpitch 12-inch is $149.99. Above it, Heart of the Hide comes in a 12.75-inch fastpitch glove (closeout, $329.99 $249.99) and a 34-inch fastpitch catcher's mitt ($329.99).
Shut Out: the fastpitch starter, $59.95 to $79.99
The Shut Out is the entry fastpitch series, also built for the hand size of the female athlete. The listings describe a full-grain leather shell, palm padding, a Velcro or pull-strap closure and an 80% factory break-in.
Start with the 12-inch infield/outfield glove ($59.95), the 12.5-inch glove ($79.95) and the 31.5-inch catcher's mitt ($79.99).
Which Rawlings glove series should you buy?
A first or second glove: Select Pro Lite or Shut Out
Select Pro Lite for baseball, Shut Out for fastpitch. Nothing in either series is over $79.99.
Ages 10 to 14, rec and travel: R9
Our pick for most families. Real leather, little break-in, and no model over $149.99.
Travel ball players with a narrow hand: NXT
Choose it over the R9 when fit is the problem.
High school and up: Heart of the Hide
Our pick when the player wants one glove for several seasons. Slowpitch players get the same leather in a 13-inch or 14-inch glove at $329.99.
One position and the best leather: Pro Preferred
The $90 step up from Heart of the Hide buys kip leather, the sheepskin lining and wool padding. It also means more break-in.
Fastpitch travel and high school: Liberty Advanced
Heart of the Hide is the step up from there.
Left-hand throw is listed on select models in every series except NXT.
Break-in: match the method to the leather
Select Pro Lite and Shut Out gloves need a few days of catch. A Heart of the Hide or Pro Preferred takes two to three weeks of daily catch. We steam gloves on request, which is worth doing on those two; see which models are eligible for glove steaming. Keep any glove out of the oven and go light on conditioner. The full method is in how to break in a glove.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Rawlings Heart of the Hide and Pro Preferred?
The leather. Heart of the Hide uses steerhide with a deer-tanned cowhide palm lining, and most models are $329.99. Pro Preferred uses full-grain kip leather with a Pittards sheepskin palm lining and 100% wool padding at $419.99, and needs more break-in.
What does ContoUR fit mean on a Rawlings glove?
A narrow fit with a smaller hand opening, designed for adolescent and teenage hands and for adults who prefer a tighter glove. It is on every NXT glove and on select Heart of the Hide and R9 models.
Is the Rawlings R9 a good glove for a 12-year-old?
Yes. Several R9 models list a recommended age of 10 to 14, the shell is all leather, and the break-in is rated 80% factory. Prices are $139.99 to $149.99.
What is the difference between Rawlings Liberty Advanced and Shut Out?
Both are fastpitch series designed for the female athlete. Liberty Advanced uses Poron XRD palm padding and costs $199.95 to $229.99. Shut Out is the entry series at $59.95 to $79.99 with an 80% factory break-in.
How long does a Rawlings Heart of the Hide take to break in?
Plan on two to three weeks of daily catch, less with a steaming. Ratings on the listings run from 35% factory, 65% player to 65% factory, 35% player.
Direct Sports has sold Rawlings gloves from Pearisburg, Virginia since 1988. Shop all baseball gloves, fastpitch gloves and slowpitch gloves, or email us the player's age, position and throwing hand.
