How to Tighten a Baseball Glove (And When You Need a Full Relace)
A glove that has gone loose does not always need a full relace. Sometimes it does. Here is how to tell the difference and what to do in each case.
Why gloves go loose
Laces stretch over time. Every catch, every flex, every time the glove opens and closes, the lacing gives a little. Over a full season of regular use, that adds up. A glove that was tight and responsive when the laces were new can feel loose and floppy a year or two later even if no laces have broken.
How to tighten a glove without replacing laces
If your laces are intact and in good condition but the glove has gone loose, you may be able to tighten it by working the existing laces. Start at one end of the lace run and work toward the other, pulling each segment snug before moving to the next. Use a needle nose pliers to grip the lace firmly without damaging it.
This works best on gloves where the laces are still supple and have not cracked or dried out. If the laces are stiff or brittle, pulling them tighter risks snapping them.
How to tell if you need a full relace
Look at the laces themselves. If they are cracking, fraying, or feel stiff when you flex them, they need to be replaced regardless of whether the glove feels loose. Laces in that condition are close to failing.
Check the web specifically. Web lacing takes the most stress and is usually the first to go. If the web is sagging or the laces running through it have visible wear, a full relace is the better investment.
If one lace has already broken, replace all of them. As we said in our lacing blog, laces installed at the same time age together.
Relacing your own glove
A full relace is a manageable project for someone who is patient and methodical. You need the right laces, a lacing needle, and a good reference for the lacing pattern of your specific glove model. We sell a complete relace kit in our shop that includes everything you need.
If you are not confident doing it yourself, or if the glove also needs interior work, send it to us. We will evaluate it and tell you exactly what it needs.
Good equipment deserves great care.
