Why Pro Players, Serious Competitors, and Travel Ball Athletes Choose Steerhide Over Kip
In the world of baseball gloves, two leather types dominate the conversation: steerhide and kip.
But when you ask professional players, elite travel ball athletes, or serious competitors what they actually trust on the field, the answer is remarkably consistent:
Steerhide.
Despite the recent marketing push around kip leather, steerhide continues to be the preferred choice at the highest levels of the game—from MLB clubhouses to elite travel tournaments. And there’s a reason players who rely on their gloves day in and day out continue to choose it.
Here’s why steerhide remains the gold standard.
1. Steerhide Lasts Longer—Plain and Simple
Competitive players don’t play a short season. Many log 60, 80, or even 120+ games a year, not including practices. A glove that breaks down after one season simply isn’t an option.
Steerhide delivers where it matters most:
- Thicker, denser leather
- Stronger overall structure
- Greater resistance to wear
- Long-term shape retention
Kip leather may feel soft right out of the box, but that softness often comes at a cost:
- Faster breakdown
- Loss of pocket structure
- Reduced longevity under heavy use
This is why professional clubhouses are filled with steerhide gloves—not trend-driven leathers.
2. Built to Hold Shape Under High-Velocity Play
At advanced levels, glove structure isn’t a preference—it’s a necessity.
When balls are coming off the bat at 80–100 mph, a glove must:
- Maintain a firm, reliable pocket
- Resist collapsing on hard contact
- Stay stable on off-center catches
- Hold its form over time
Steerhide is built to handle pressure. That’s why models like the Rawlings Heart of the Hide and Wilson A2000—both steerhide-based—continue to dominate professional usage year after year.
Kip-focused gloves rarely offer that same long-term consistency under elite conditions.
3. Travel Ball Players Need Long-Term Value
For travel ball families, value isn’t about the initial price tag—it’s about how long a glove truly lasts.
Tournament schedules, heat, sweat, dust, and constant repetition place enormous stress on leather. In those conditions, steerhide consistently outperforms.
Steerhide offers:
- Better value per season
- Greater durability in harsh environments
- Resistance to moisture and sweat
- Reliable shape retention through heavy use
For players competing nearly every weekend, steerhide simply holds up better over time.
4. A Glove That Breaks In—Not Breaks Down
There’s a reason experienced players respect the break-in process.
A high-quality steerhide glove doesn’t just soften—it molds to the player’s hand, pocket, and playing style. Over time, it becomes uniquely yours.
Kip leather offers comfort quickly, but often sacrifices long-term strength.
Steerhide rewards patience, reps, and commitment—qualities serious players value.
5. Kip Was a Trend. Steerhide Is a Standard.
In recent years, many newer brands pushed kip leather heavily because it:
- Is easier to work with
- Requires less break-in
- Reduces early complaints from beginners
- Is often cheaper to manufacture
What doesn’t get mentioned is this:
Top-level players never abandoned steerhide.
Even during peak kip hype, professionals and elite competitors continued to rely on traditional performance leathers. And many players who experimented with kip have since returned to steerhide.
Trends change. Proven performance doesn’t.
6. The “Pro Feel” Players Look For
Ask experienced players what they want from a glove and you’ll hear the same word repeatedly: feel.
Steerhide delivers:
- A crisp, confident catch
- Defined pocket feedback
- Controlled stiffness
- Better connection between glove and ball
Kip leather can feel soft—but often too soft for players who demand precision and control.
7. Trusted by the Brands That Set the Standard
Two names continue to define professional glove performance:
- Rawlings Heart of the Hide – Steerhide
- Wilson A2000 – Steerhide
These gloves have proven themselves across decades, climates, and levels of play. If kip leather truly outperformed steerhide, the industry leaders would have switched long ago.
They haven’t—because steerhide works.
DeOro Sports: Built for Players Who Demand More
At DeOro Sports, we choose steerhide for one reason: performance without compromise.
Our gloves are built for players who value:
- High-quality steerhide leather
- Pro-level durability
- Strong shape retention
- Custom options without shortcuts
- Real value over marketing hype
We don’t chase trends.
We build gloves the way serious players expect them to be built—strong, reliable, and made for the long haul.
DeOro Sports isn’t about what looks good on social media.
It’s about what performs when the game is on the line.