Nokona Glove, Thoughts?

[Baseball gLove]

My son and I were high on SSK but their designs seemed to have changed for the worse. We had bought an infielders glove and were not real happy with it as compared to his Nomar Model from 2002. Their attitude on the phone is kind of different from 2002 as well. My son says he likes his friend's Nokona. Any thoughts on this glove and their service?

Here are a couple of older threads on this subject:

http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=56032&referrerid=12052

Jake you might want to edit this one slightly:

http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=35265&referrerid=12052

[BallCoach06]

As a former college infielder, I always thought Nokona gloves felt heavy on my hand. They are nice gloves, but I always felt more comfortable wearing a Mizuno or Rawlings when I played. I have also heard Wilson makes a good glove, but have never had reason to try them.

[hellborn]

My son and I were high on SSK but their designs seemed to have changed for the worse. We had bought an infielders glove and were not real happy with it as compared to his Nomar Model from 2002. Their attitude on the phone is kind of different from 2002 as well. My son says he likes his friend's Nokona. Any thoughts on this glove and their service?

Here are a couple of older threads on this subject:

http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=56032&referrerid=12052

Jake you might want to edit this one slightly:

http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=35265&referrerid=12052
I have known a couple of people who had kangaroo skin gloves and absolutely loved them. They will break in to be VERY soft and pliant, so stay away from that leather if that's not the feel you want. I would have bought an OF glove with this leather last summer, but I found my missing LS OF glove just before I pulled the trigger.
Other than the kangaroo models, their gloves feel heavy to me, also, as another poster mentioned.

[MrSurprise]

I have a nokona catchers mitt that is kangaroo... Lasted me going on 4 years... It is the lightest glove ever. But they are easily deformed in shape if you don't break it in right because the leather is so soft that it will form anyway you catch the ball... the padding is horrible and I sent it back for a new bigger pad to be installed and for $80 they relaced and added the new pad and after a year of catching college bullpens the pad is gone... but the glove is still holding...
PeAcE!
kP

[bhss89]

Infield, outfield, catcher's mitt?
What type of Nokona are you considering? If infield, there is a 11.00" glove here http://www.baseballexp.com/Baseball-Gloves/11--11-34-Gloves/Nokona-Todd-Walker-Infield-11-Baseball-Glove/baseball/lev/6/productId/3039/Ne/1100001/parentCatId/27/pCategoryId/2/Ns/CATEGORY_SEQ_27%7C0/N/36+1100011+33/Nty/1/categoryId/1100011/view/105/index.pro that is pricey but may be worth it. I have a HS player using it and he likes it very much (2B-SS). I think that in general you'll find that kangaroo leather is lighter than steerhide, and although it is thinner, it will be more durable as well.

I personally use a Glovesmith 1125 CO4 glove (11.25") http://www.justballgloves.com/products/detail_view.asp?i=4426 while coaching and could not be happier. It's very durable and is clearly well-made. Glovesmith is a great company and they'll work with you to build you the glove you want - and NO, I'm not a company rep!

I agree that SSK used to make some sweet gloves. The Robbie Alomar model that was out a while back was awesome - very high quality and durable.

[duckydps]

My son and I were high on SSK but their designs seemed to have changed for the worse. We had bought an infielders glove and were not real happy with it as compared to his Nomar Model from 2002. Their attitude on the phone is kind of different from 2002 as well. My son says he likes his friend's Nokona. Any thoughts on this glove and their service?

Here are a couple of older threads on this subject:

http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=56032&referrerid=12052

Jake you might want to edit this one slightly:

http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=35265&referrerid=12052

I have had a Nokona glove for 7 years now, 4 HS playing everyday and now in college when I get time. I have always used the Nokona conditioner and it is still in Excellent shape. The glove is a heavier one, but as a pitcher it didn't really matter to me as I tucked it up around my armpit during the delivery. I have been very happy with it. You can PM me if you would like for me to give you any more of my opinions.

[duckydps]

Infield, outfield, catcher's mitt?
What type of Nokona are you considering? If infield, there is a 11.00" glove here http://www.baseballexp.com/Baseball-Gloves/11--11-34-Gloves/Nokona-Todd-Walker-Infield-11-Baseball-Glove/baseball/lev/6/productId/3039/Ne/1100001/parentCatId/27/pCategoryId/2/Ns/CATEGORY_SEQ_27%7C0/N/36+1100011+33/Nty/1/categoryId/1100011/view/105/index.pro that is pricey but may be worth it. I have a HS player using it and he likes it very much (2B-SS). I think that in general you'll find that kangaroo leather is lighter than steerhide, and although it is thinner, it will be more durable as well.

I personally use a Glovesmith 1125 CO4 glove (11.25") http://www.justballgloves.com/products/detail_view.asp?i=4426 while coaching and could not be happier. It's very durable and is clearly well-made. Glovesmith is a great company and they'll work with you to build you the glove you want - and NO, I'm not a company rep!

I agree that SSK used to make some sweet gloves. The Robbie Alomar model that was out a while back was awesome - very high quality and durable.

I also agree with this post, my pitching coach had a glovesmith glove and I would have gotten one made just for me if I had more time to get it done.

[handyman11]

I've had two ..first one I bought in 10 years ago ( in mid-season ) , was broken in right out of the box ....loved it for a while , but got too soft , too soon , and lost it's shape ...

Just bought another one last year , alot stiffer / heavier than the previous glove ...I like a fairly stiff glove for infield , so after a few weeks of breaking it in , it was great ... this one should last a while .....

I did try on 10 of the same model , in the store , before I found one that I really wanted ( which is why you have to be careful buying gloves online sometimes ) ....

[CPatt44]

I also agree with this post, my pitching coach had a glovesmith glove and I would have gotten one made just for me if I had more time to get it done.


I agree that Glovesmith is the way to go. Great products and service is next to none. I am not a rep either. I have two Custom Elite Glovesmith gloves and they are the best I have ever used including Nokona, Rawlings, and Wilson.

They are made of top notch durable steerhide that holds it's shape very well and you can get any web, colors, model you like from a 11" to a 13" glove with 3 different catcher's mitts and a 1B mitt.

The Custom Elite retails for $219 shipped to your door in 2-4 weeks and they make a Custom Select that uses the same leather and models as the Elite for $159 shipped to your door with the same turnaround.

Check out www.customglove.com, great service and easy ordering.

[Baseball gLove]

Thanks for the responses. I am going to checkout Glovesmith. I have one of their catcher's mitts. We took a look at some gloves at a local shop and my son saw the Wilson A2K 11.25. That is one nice glove. Any thoughts on that one?

[Baseball gLove]

My Son's New GLove 11.25" Kip Leather.

http://www.aluminumbats.com/ProductImages/gloves/wilson/a2k1788.jpg

[bhss89]

My Son's New GLove 11.25" Kip Leather.

http://www.aluminumbats.com/ProductImages/gloves/wilson/a2k1788.jpg

Great choice - I believe he'll LOVE the gLOVE and I'll bet it will last quite some time if he cares for it properly. A new glove is a great thing!

[pgibbons]

The A2K is a great glove.

Although I'm late to this party, here's the deal on Nokona gloves. They have a reputation for heavy, floppy gloves. And the reputation is deserved when talking about their oil-treated leathers - avoid those.

If you stick to Walnut, Outback, Kangaroo or Buffalo leathers, the glove will not be heavy. (I have a special scale that measures to the 16th of an ounce and can easily prove this).

I personally don't like Buffalo and especially don't like Kangaroo. Although they're lightweight and require almost no break-in, they are too floppy for me.

If you like a stiff lightweight glove, Walnut is the stiffest Nokona makes (and is my personal choice). Outback is slightly more pliable than Walnut and is a decent choice as well.

Hope this helps.

[Baseball gLove]

My Son's New GLove 11.25" Kip Leather.

http://www.aluminumbats.com/ProductImages/gloves/wilson/a2k1788.jpgThe A2K is a great glove.

Although I'm late to this party, here's the deal on Nokona gloves. They have a reputation for heavy, floppy gloves. And the reputation is deserved when talking about their oil-treated leathers - avoid those....

Hope this helps.


It's a done deal. Picked it up for $222 shipped. Next best price was $255. My shop wanted $268 including tax.

[wogdoggy]

nokona DOES feel heavy on the hand and they are shaped funny!

[CPatt44]

It's a done deal. Picked it up for $222 shipped. Next best price was $255. My shop wanted $268 including tax.

Where did you pick up an A2K for $222 shipped? Just wondering. Never seen one priced that low before

[Baseball gLove]

Where did you pick up an A2K for $222 shipped? Just wondering. Never seen one priced that low before

Research! I've seen one through an online store for $255 No Tax, Free Shipping and another through EBay for $259 free shipping.

[Baseball gLove]

Here's one for $255 free shipping through PriceGrabber.com

http://www.unique-sports.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=US&Product_Code=A2K0_1786