If you’ve ever purchased a brand new glove, you know how stiff and uncomfortable they can be. It takes time, patience, and some dedicated use to break them in. But, there is an alternative option that can speed up the process of breaking in a glove. Heating up the glove can help it become more flexible and comfortable to use. Here we will discuss how you can break in a glove using heat, the materials you need, and the precautions to take when using heat to break in your glove.
Why Heat a Glove?
Heating up a glove is the quickest way to break it in. Heat helps soften the leather and make it more flexible and comfortable to use. Many professional baseball players use this method to break in their gloves. This method is not just for baseball players, however. It is a great option for any glove, especially for those who don’t have the time or patience to break in a glove the traditional way.
Materials Needed
The materials you need to break in a glove with heat are fairly simple. All you need is a glove, a heat source, and something to protect the glove from direct contact with the heat.
Glove: The type of glove you use doesn’t matter. Any glove made of leather or synthetic leather can be broken in with heat.
Heat Source: You can use any type of heat source, such as a hair dryer, a heat gun, or a stove.
Protection: You will need something to protect the glove from direct contact with the heat source. A towel, a glove wrap, or a glove bag will work.
Instructions for Breaking In a Glove With Heat
Now that you have all the materials you need, you can begin the process of breaking in your glove with heat. Here are the steps you need to take:
Step 1: Preheat Your Glove
Before you begin, you need to preheat your glove. This will help the leather become more flexible and easier to break in. To preheat your glove, place it in the oven at a low temperature (200-250°F) for 10-15 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Heat Source
Once your glove is preheated, you can begin the process of breaking it in with heat. Make sure your heat source is set to a low temperature (between 250-300°F).
Step 3: Protect the Glove
It is important to protect the glove from direct contact with the heat source. Use a towel or a glove wrap to protect the leather from the heat.
Step 4: Heat the Glove
Start heating the glove from the outside and work your way inward. Focus on areas that need more flexibility, such as the thumb and pinky finger. As you heat the glove, use your hand to shape and mold it.
Step 5: Cool the Glove
Once you’ve heated and molded the glove to your liking, let it cool down. This will help the leather set in the new shape and make the glove more comfortable to use.
Precautions to Take
It is important to take certain precautions when breaking in a glove with heat. Make sure to wear gloves when handling the heat source to protect your hands from burns. Also, be sure to keep the heat source away from any flammable materials. Lastly, make sure to keep the heat source at a low temperature to avoid damaging the glove.
Conclusion
Breaking in a glove with heat is a great way to quickly make a stiff glove more flexible and comfortable to use. All you need is a glove, a heat source, and something to protect the glove from direct contact with the heat. Follow the instructions above and take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe and successful glove break-in.