Best Junior Goalkeeper Gloves in Australia (2026): A Coach's Picks
Coach-selected gloves that fit a young keeper's hand, chosen by a Masters-qualified coach who kits out keepers from the youngest grades through the junior ranks.
Junior goalkeeper gloves have one job the adult pair does not: fit a small, still-growing hand well enough that the keeper trusts them on the dive. Get the size and cut right and a young keeper commits to the save. Get it wrong and the glove slides, the grip goes soft, and the confidence goes with it. Three questions decide the pick: how well the glove fits the hand size, whether the keeper wants finger-spine protection, and the surface they play on. I have chosen these six as a coach who fits out keepers from the youngest grades up through the junior ranks, judging them on fit, grip and value at Australian prices rather than on the brand on the cuff. For the full picture of what a young keeper needs, start with our goalkeeper gear guide.
The Quick Picks at a Glance
🏆 TOP PICK
Reusch Attrakt Junior Goalkeeper Gloves
Best for: A committed young keeper who wants a proper glove
Grippy junior-cut latex from the brand keepers grow up on, with a huge review base behind it.
Check Price on Amazon →💰 BEST VALUE
Arsh Sports Kids Goalkeeper Gloves
Best for: A first real pair without overspending
A 4mm latex kids glove with finger spines and double wrist support, cheap enough to replace each season.
Check Price on Amazon →✨ EDITOR'S CHOICE
Eagle Strike Youth and Junior Goalkeeper Gloves
Best for: A growing keeper who needs an all-round mid glove
A solid youth-to-junior glove with strong wrist support and a grippy palm, sized for hands still growing.
Check Price on Amazon →How a coach picks junior goalkeeper gloves
The first thing I check is fit, not brand. A junior goalkeeper glove is sized by number, usually 4 through 7 for young keepers, and the way to measure is around the palm just below the knuckles, then add roughly a centimetre of room for a snug but not tight fit. A glove that is too big folds at the fingertips and loses grip on the catch; a glove that is too small cramps the hand and gets shredded at the seams. When a young keeper makes a fist, the latex should sit flat across the palm with no bunching. If you are unsure on sizing, our goalkeeper glove sizing guide walks through the measurement step by step.
The second question is the cut, which is how the latex palm is stitched to the backhand. Junior gloves mostly come in flat cut or roll finger, and both are forgiving for a young keeper: they give a fuller contact patch than a tight negative cut and cost less to make. What matters more at this age is the latex grade. Pro-tier contact latex grips beautifully and wears out in weeks, which is fine for a senior on match latex but wasteful on a ten-year-old who trains twice a week on hard ground. A mid-grade latex that you replace once or twice a season is the smarter buy. For the full breakdown of cuts, our guide to glove cuts covers negative, roll finger, flat and hybrid.
The third question is finger protection. Finger-spine gloves slot flexible splints into the backhand of each finger to limit how far it bends backward. Some parents want them for peace of mind, and some young keepers like the support. Others find the spines stiffen the hand and prefer the freer feel without them. Neither is wrong. I frame it as a preference, not a safety requirement, because the Laws of the Game do not ask for it and a well-fitted glove without spines is a perfectly good junior glove. Whatever you choose, match the glove to the surface: soft grass forgives thinner latex, while hard and synthetic grounds chew through cheap palms fast. If you want the money glove for the whole cluster, our best goalkeeper gloves guide covers the full range.
At-a-glance comparison
Best Junior Goalkeeper Gloves in Australia (2026)
| Product | Best For | Finger Protection | Price (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reusch Attrakt Junior | Committed young keepers | No | Check price |
| Arsh Sports Kids | Best value first pair | Yes | $17.85 |
| Eagle Strike Youth and Junior | All-round mid glove | No | $44.99 |
| Reusch Attrakt Finger Support Junior | Keepers who want spines | Yes | Check price |
| Reusch Attrakt Infinity Junior | Older juniors moving up | Yes | Check price |
| Eagle Strike Pro Removable Finger | A flexible starter | Removable | $28.49 |
Reusch Attrakt Junior: the one most young keepers should start with
Reusch Attrakt Junior Goalkeeper Gloves
Best for: A committed young keeper who wants a proper glove
Reusch is the brand keepers grow up on, and the Attrakt Junior is the glove I point most committed young keepers to first. It carries a genuine grippy latex palm on a junior cut that suits a growing hand, and it has the biggest review base on this list at 4.4 stars across roughly 2,300 ratings. It skips finger spines for a freer feel, which most young keepers prefer once they are diving with intent. A safe do-it-all first proper pair.
Pros
- Grippy junior-cut latex from a trusted keeper brand
- Huge review base at 4.4 stars
- No spines for a natural, flexible feel
- Junior sizing built for a growing hand
Cons
- No finger-spine protection for parents who want it
- Stock moves, so check availability before buying
Arsh Sports Kids: the best value first pair
Arsh Sports Kids Goalkeeper Gloves
Best for: A first real pair without overspending
For a keeper’s first real pair, the Arsh Sports Kids gloves punch well above the price. They pair a 4mm latex palm with finger spines and double wrist support, and they carry over 1,100 reviews at 4.2 stars, which is rare at this price. At under twenty dollars they are cheap enough to replace each season as the hand grows, which is exactly how a junior glove should be bought.
Pros
- 4mm latex palm with finger-spine protection
- Double wrist support for a secure fit
- Over 1,100 reviews at 4.2 stars
- Cheap enough to replace as the keeper grows
Cons
- Budget latex wears faster than premium palms
- Sizing runs snug, check the chart before buying
$17.85
Check Price on Amazon →
Eagle Strike Youth and Junior: the all-round mid glove
Eagle Strike Youth and Junior Goalkeeper Gloves
Best for: A growing keeper who needs an all-round mid glove
The Eagle Strike Youth and Junior sits in the sweet spot between the budget kids gloves and the premium brands. It has a grippy palm, strong wrist support and a cut that works for a hand moving up through the junior grades, and it holds a 4.1-star rating across roughly 170 reviews. If you want one glove to carry a keeper through a full season without paying premium prices, this is the all-round pick.
Pros
- Well-judged mid-price palm and grip
- Strong wrist support for a secure fit
- Sized for a hand growing through the junior grades
- Rated 4.1 stars across roughly 170 reviews
Cons
- Pricier than the budget kids gloves
- No finger spines if you want that support
$44.99
Check Price on Amazon →
Reusch Attrakt Finger Support Junior: for keepers who want spines
Reusch Attrakt Finger Support Junior Goalkeeper Gloves
Best for: A keeper or parent who wants finger-spine support
This is the Attrakt Junior with finger spines added, for the keeper or parent who wants that backward-bend support. The splints sit in the backhand of each finger and stiffen the hand a little, which some young keepers like and others take time to adjust to. It carries the same trusted Reusch latex and a 4.2-star rating across roughly 200 reviews. Buy this version if finger protection is the deciding factor.
Pros
- Removable-style finger-spine support in a trusted brand
- Same grippy Reusch junior latex
- Rated 4.2 stars across roughly 200 reviews
- Good for keepers building confidence to catch
Cons
- Spines stiffen the hand, not every keeper likes the feel
- Priced above the plain junior version
Reusch Attrakt Infinity Junior: premium grip for older juniors
Reusch Attrakt Infinity Finger Support Junior Goalkeeper Gloves
Best for: Older juniors moving up a level
For an older junior taking goalkeeping seriously and moving up a level, the Attrakt Infinity Junior steps up the palm grip and adds finger support. It is the most keeper-focused glove of the Reusch junior range here, rated 4.3 stars, and it suits a committed young keeper who trains often and wants a palm that bites on the catch. Worth the step up only once a keeper is diving with intent and looking after their gear.
Pros
- Stronger palm grip for a serious young keeper
- Finger-spine support built in
- Rated 4.3 stars
- A clear step up for older juniors
Cons
- Premium latex wears faster with heavy use
- More glove than a beginner keeper needs
Eagle Strike Pro Removable Finger: the flexible starter
Eagle Strike Professional Goalkeeper Gloves Removable Finger Protection
Best for: A flexible starter that can go either way on spines
The Eagle Strike Pro has one feature that suits a young keeper working out what they like: the finger spines pull out. Start with them in for support, then take them out once the keeper wants a freer feel, all in one glove. It carries a training-grade grip and a 4.4-star rating across a smaller review base, and at under thirty dollars it is a smart starter for a keeper still forming a preference.
Pros
- Removable finger spines suit either preference
- Grippy training-grade palm
- Rated 4.4 stars
- Under thirty dollars for a versatile starter
Cons
- Smaller review base than the top picks
- Training-grade latex, not a match-day palm
$28.49
Check Price on Amazon →
When to size up and replace a junior keeper’s gloves
Junior keepers grow, and their gloves take a beating, so plan to replace them more often than you would an adult pair. As a coach I check two things through the season: whether the fingertips still reach the end of the glove with no fold, and whether the palm still tacks up when you press a thumb into it. When the fingers start to fold or the palm goes slick and shiny, the glove is done, no matter how much latex looks left. Buy for a little growth, not a lot, since a glove two sizes too big loses grip on the catch. I do not chase the loudest brand or the thickest palm for a young keeper; I look for a fit that stays put, a latex grade that suits how often they play, and a price that lets you replace the pair without a second thought. Match the gloves to the rest of the kit with our goalkeeper gear guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size goalkeeper glove should a junior wear?
Junior gloves run by number, usually 4 through 7 for young keepers. Measure around the palm just below the knuckles, then add roughly a centimetre for a snug fit. A size 4 or 5 suits keepers around 7 to 9, a 6 suits 10 to 12, and a 7 suits early teens, though hands vary, so measure rather than guess by age. The fingertips should reach the end of the glove with no fold.
What are the best goalkeeper gloves for junior keepers?
For a committed young keeper the Reusch Attrakt Junior is the safe first proper pair, with a grippy junior-cut palm and a huge review base at 4.4 stars. For a first real pair on a budget the Arsh Sports Kids gives you 4mm latex and finger spines for under twenty dollars. Match the glove to the hand size and how often the keeper plays.
Do junior goalkeeper gloves need finger protection?
No, finger spines are a preference, not a requirement. They add backward-bend support that some keepers and parents want, but they stiffen the hand and plenty of young keepers prefer the freer feel without them. A well-fitted glove without spines is a perfectly good junior glove. The Eagle Strike Pro lets you have it both ways with removable spines.
What are good goalkeeper gloves for a 7-year-old?
For a keeper around 7, start with a size 4 or 5 and a budget-friendly pair you can replace as the hand grows. The Arsh Sports Kids gloves suit this age well: 4mm latex, finger spines and double wrist support at a price that shrugs off the wear a young keeper puts on them. Fit matters more than brand at this age.
How often should you replace a junior keeper's gloves?
More often than an adult pair, because junior keepers grow and train hard on abrasive grounds. Replace the gloves when the fingertips start to fold at the end, when the palm goes slick and stops tacking up, or when the keeper sizes up a hand. For a keeper training twice a week, that often works out to once or twice a season, which is why a mid-priced glove beats a pro-tier palm here.
