Short version: three things are new in Wilson's 2027 glove line. The A2000 ($329.95) gets a Flex Insert, a leather-and-felt strip from thumb to heel that Wilson says makes the glove 17 percent easier to squeeze shut, with a Flex Liner on fastpitch models that takes it to 21 percent. The A2K Leadoff ($419.95) brings the handmade-in-Japan A2K to the 1786 and 1724 infield patterns in new colorways. And the A1000 Secret Menu ($199.95) is a limited run of patterns and colors that don't exist in Wilson's standard catalog, in game-ready full grain leather. Which tier you buy depends less on your position than on how much break-in you want to do.
A1000 vs. A2000 vs. A2K
| A1000 | A2000 | A2K | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leather | Full grain, soft out of the box | Pro Stock | Pro Stock Select (top 5% of hides) |
| Made in | Wilson Pro Stock factory | Wilson Pro Stock factory | Japan, by hand, about 18 hours per glove |
| Break-in | Days | 1–2 weeks (less with the 2027 Flex Insert) | 2–3 weeks; Double Palm keeps the pocket shape for years |
| Who it's for | Rec and travel players who want a pro pattern now | The standard for serious travel, high school and college players | Players who want the best leather and the longest life |
| 2027 price | $199.95 | $329.95 | $419.95 |
A2000: the Flex Insert
The A2000's reputation is built on Pro Stock leather that's stiff on day one and holds its shape for years. The cost has always been break-in. For 2027, Wilson added a Flex Insert, a hybrid strip of leather and felt running from the thumb to the heel, which softens the hardest part of the glove to break in. On fastpitch models, a Flex Liner adds a more pliable cut of leather in the pocket. Wilson's numbers: 17 percent easier to close with the Insert, 21 percent with both. Everything else is the A2000 you know: Dual Welting, DriLex wrist lining, the Comfort Pro fit, and SuperSkin or SuperSnakeSkin backs on the SS models to cut weight.
Baseball: the 1786SS 11.5" and 1720SS 11.5" for infield, the 1727SS 11.75" for extra reach, the DH12 pitcher's glove, the M23SS 33.5" catcher's mitt and the 1673 13" first base mitt.
Fastpitch: the H12SS 12" infield (also in Sky Blue Cloud), the FPHGSS 12" with the hourglass web for pitchers who also play infield, the FP50SS 12.25" outfield, the FPM23SS 34" catcher's mitt and the FP1620SS 12.5" first base mitt.
Game Models, built to the specs the pros use: Bobby Witt Jr. BWJ7 11.75", Gunnar Henderson GH2 11.75" in Realtree camo, and Pete Crow-Armstrong PCA4 12.5" outfield. All $329.95.
A2K Leadoff: Japan-made, on the patterns infielders actually use
The A2K is Wilson's top line: Pro Stock Select leather from the top 5 percent of hides, handmade in Japan, with Double Palm Construction, an extra layer of leather between palm and liner that holds the pocket shape through the glove's whole life. The 2027 Leadoff release puts it on the two infield patterns that matter most: the 1786 11.5", the shallow-pocket H-web that's been the shortstop standard for 40 years, and the 1724 11.75", built for playing with two fingers in the pinky stall. Both $419.95. The standard 2027 A2K 1724 and DW5 12" for third base are also in.
Honest note: an A2K is the longest break-in in the line, and the Flex Insert isn't on it. You're buying leather that's meant to outlast two A1000s. If the player is 11 and will outgrow the glove in two years, the A2000 is the better spend.
A1000 Secret Menu: rare patterns, game-ready leather
The A1000 is made in the same factory as the A2000 with softer full grain leather, so it's close to game-ready out of the box. The Secret Menu is a limited release of patterns and colorways Wilson doesn't put in its regular catalog: the DP15 Firebird 11.5" with Pedroia Fit for smaller hands, the 1786 Mamba 2.0, the DW5 Liberty 12", the B23 Geno 12" with the Swordsman web, and for slowpitch the 1922 Rocket 13". All $199.95, and when a colorway is gone it doesn't come back.
How to choose
- Pick the pattern by position first. 11.5" shallow pocket for middle infield, 11.75"–12" for third and utility, 12.5" and up for outfield, mitts for catcher and first. Fastpitch runs about a half inch larger at each spot.
- Then the tier by break-in tolerance. A1000 if it needs to play this weekend. A2000 if two weeks of catch is fine and you want it to last through high school. A2K if you want the best leather and a glove that outlives the player's growth spurts.
- Steam it. Any Pro Stock glove benefits from steaming, and we steam gloves on request; see eligible models. The full method is in how to break in a glove.
Frequently asked questions
What is new in the 2027 Wilson A2000?
The Flex Insert, a leather-and-felt strip from the thumb to the heel that Wilson says makes the glove 17 percent easier to close than earlier models. Fastpitch models add a Flex Liner in the pocket for 21 percent. Leather, construction and price are otherwise unchanged at $329.95.
What is the difference between the Wilson A2000 and A2K?
The A2K uses Pro Stock Select leather from the top 5 percent of Wilson's hides, is handmade in Japan over about 18 hours, and has Double Palm Construction for pocket stability. The A2000 uses Pro Stock leather and is made in Wilson's Pro Stock factory. The A2K costs $90 more and takes longer to break in.
What is the Wilson A1000 Secret Menu?
A limited release of A1000 gloves in patterns and colorways not found in Wilson's standard catalog, made in the Pro Stock factory with game-ready full grain leather, at $199.95.
What is a Wilson Game Model glove?
An A2000 built to the exact specifications a Wilson pro uses in games, with pattern, web and colors chosen by the player. 2027 Game Models include Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson and Pete Crow-Armstrong.
How long does a Wilson A2000 take to break in?
One to two weeks of daily catch, less with the 2027 Flex Insert and less again with a steaming. An A2K takes two to three weeks; an A1000 is close to game-ready out of the box.
Direct Sports has been fitting and steaming gloves in Pearisburg, Virginia since 1988. Shop all baseball gloves and fastpitch gloves, or email us with the player's age, position and hand.
