The golf glove is often overlooked because of new drivers, irons, wedges, putters, etc. Understandably so. And while I dislike buying new golf gloves each year, it’s a must for me. People have tried to get me to play with no glove in the past, but I’ve never been able to do so. Whether it’s a mental thing or just the Oklahoma humidity, I have to wear a golf glove until I’m chipping or putting.
A few years back, I reviewed the 3M Greptile Premium golf glove. At the time, it was the best glove I had ever worn, but I haven’t had one in more than a year. I switched to FootJoy gloves, but even they left me wanting a bit more. I’ve been playing a lot more golf this year than in the past, and the Footjoy gloves don’t last more than a few rounds in the Oklahoma heat without losing their grip.
When I had the chance to review the Mizuno Skintite glove, I jumped on the opportunity. Is it good enough to replace my beloved 3M Greptile, or will I have to keep looking? Keep reading to get my full impressions.
Mizuno Skintite Technology
The first thing that usually stands out about a golf glove is the leather. Mizuno designed the Skintite leather to be very thin yet extremely durable. With the help of Japan’s top tannery, the final product is incredibly thin at .40-.50mm.
The technology used on the Skintite provides a very thin, yet extremely durable leather.
As for the grip, Mizuno uses a unique silver tanning process that helps provide enhanced durability. On top of that, and this is very crucial, it’s also designed to provide a non-slip, water repellant finish. The durability and performance when wet are two very important things when dealing with golf gloves, and the Skintite’s goal is to perfect both.
Another important area is comfort. Mizuno uses several things to assist with comfort including 3D Pre-Curve Patterning, Mizuno Flexmesh, Mizuno Comfort Fit Wrist, and the Mizuno Superfit Pulltab.
The Pre-Curve Patterning is designed to follow the natural curve of a person’s hand which makes for a more natural fit. The Flexmesh provides breathable points at the primary flex points (around the knuckles for example) which helps the hand get air throughout a round.
The Pre-Curve Patterning is designed to fit the natural curves of a person’s hand, and it does a very good of accomplishing that.
The Comfort Fit Wrist describes the thicker moisture absorbing wristband that helps prevent glove “cuff curl.” Finally, and not much different from other gloves, the Superfit Pulltab is a specifically patterned, velcro closure pulltab designed to offer a snug fit across the palm. This is the same as many other gloves, but with a fancier name.
Look and Feel
The Mizuno Skintite glove isn’t anything special when it comes to looks. In fact, it looks like most other golf gloves, with the exception of the Mizuno logo on the pulltab. The version I have is all white, with a blue pulltab.
One minor thing is missing: the little ball-marker button found on many other gloves. This isn’t a major problem at all, and a lot of golfers couldn’t care less if it has it or not. I play a majority of rounds by myself, and I usually just use a tee or a coin to mark my ball on the greens. However, if you are a fan of the little ball-marker button, the Skintite will leave you without something to mark your ball. Fortunately this is something that can be added to a later version.
The Skintite is missing the ball-marker button that other gloves have, but it more than makes up for that in the more important areas such as durability and quality.
I mentioned above how important comfort is when it comes to golf gloves, and the Skintite delivers in this area. I enjoyed wearing the 3M Greptile Premium because is was comfortable, but this glove is even more comfortable. The technology provides very thin leather, and it’s easy to see why this is a positive. In fact, it’s easy to forget the glove is on sometimes because it’s so light and comfortable.
The Skintite also conforms to my hand very well and stays that way throughout the round. I can’t stand putting a glove on that fits loosely, even when it’s the correct glove size. This glove isn’t anything special when it comes to looks, but it’s well above average when it comes to feel.
Performance
Regardless of how a golf glove looks and feels, it’s all about the performance when put through the test of playing round after round after round. When it comes to the Mizuno Skintite, this is the area it dominates the most.
The Skintite provides numerous breathing points which helps provide more comfort. When I’m comfortable with my glove, I’m comfortable with my swing.
I got a few of these gloves earlier in the year, and if it wasn’t for me losing the first one after the first or second round, I’d just now be putting my first one into retirement. I played over 20 rounds with the Mizuno Skintite, and I walked each of those rounds. That may not be important in most cases, but walking in Oklahoma heat during the summer makes that an important fact in this situation. I just now put the used glove away, but it could still be used in emergency situations. The grip was still pretty decent, but it was time to move onto a new one.
When I lost my first Mizuno Skintite glove on the course (I still have no idea what happened to that thing), I pulled out a FootJoy glove that had been played a few rounds. I figured it would be ok, but the heat completely dominated it. After playing with it a few holes, the glove became very slick. When I play with a slick glove, you can bet my drives and iron shots will be heading right. The club slips just a little, and the ball goes bye-bye.
The Skintite is comfortable, don’t get me wrong. The way it handles wet or sweaty conditions, however, is what impresses me most about it. I never have to worry about the club slipping out of my hands when I have the glove on, and that’s worth a ton when it comes to my golf game. In every performance aspect, the Mizuno Skintite passes with flying colors. It’s a must if you play in humid conditions.
The Skintite is available in white only. There isn’t anything special about the look, but it delivers on the golf course.
Conclusion
I’m much more particular than a lot of golfers when it comes to golf gloves. Like I mentioned above, it may have something to do with the mental side of things, or it may just be the grueling Oklahoma heat that causes a lot of sweat throughout a round of golf. Either way, I’m a better player when I’m comfortable with my golf glove.
After reviewing the Mizuno Skintite throughout the hottest time of the year, it will definitely be my golf glove of choice in the future. It’s very comfortable, it’s as durable as any other glove I’ve tried in the past, and it isn’t affected at all by sweaty conditions. It’s obviously good enough for certain professionals including Luke Donald, and it’s good enough for me as well.
The Men’s LH Skintite sizes range from S-XXL, while the Men’s RH sizes range from S-XL. There is a Cadet LH available in sizes ranging from S-XL, and there is a Ladies LH available in Small, Medium, and Large. As I mentioned above, the Mizuno Skintite is available in white only.
Have you ever had the seam from a golf glove come right across your thumb?
I am picky with golf gloves too, and this is one of my pet peeves about golf gloves. I am wondering if I have a deformed thumb, or if this is happened to anyone else?
Let me explain a little better…it seems like there is always a seam on the thumb and this tends to lay right across the padding on my thumb. So, the seam of the glove is pressed in between my thumb and the grip of the club. I feel the seam and it bothers the crap out of me.
Anyone?
The absence of that little golf button marker is indication that it is a “players” glove. Look at the Titleist players glove..sans button also. I think they are actually pretty tacky and one of my pet peeves when I actually see someone trying to snap this button back on after they mark their ball with it.
Excellent review about an often little considered product. I use Titleist’s Players glove or FootJoy’s equivalent. I find those gloves are great for the first couple of rounds, but in the heat and humidity of a typical Mississippi summer, they just don’t retain their tackiness. They quickly become too slick and are relegated to the old glove pile (which, eventually, reluctantly, is thrown out with other household detritus). Ergo, additional expense is incurred replacing them. I shall try the Mizuno glove in hopes that it will last longer than the almost $20 or more gloves from Titleist or FootJoy.
And, certainly, were it not for this review, I would never consider a Mizuno glove; probably because I didn’t know they put their name on one.
Mizuno are definitely underrated for their golf gloves… I have used them in past and they are certainly durable but a little thick for my taste…with this new version it seems they have addressed the only criticism left
3M has discontinued the Greptile golf glove. It was the best glove I have ever used. If I new sooner I would have bought a case.
I’ll consider the Mizuno as a replacement.
I also play in humid hot conditions and am picky about my gloves. Have you tried switching between two or more gloves, changing to a fresh one on each hole? Not only does your glove have time to dry before you use it on the next hole, but it will last longer. I prefer the thinner players gloves and can get through a year with about a dozen gloves. I think that is reasonable when you consider that I average three to four rounds per week. If cost is a conderation and it is for most of us, you might try Master Grips DynaGrip Elite Glove. You buy one/get one.So I pay for six and get 12.
This usually happens to me, I don’t think it is annoying to feel, just to look at. Maybe I need to switch out of FJ gloves.
Mizuno makes a nice glove. Bionic makes the best glove out there, especially if you have had hand surgery or any other hand problems. A little extra in cost, but more durable and easier on the these old mitts of mine.
I don’t usually wear a glove. But my hands were torn up this spring so I bought a glove. I bought this Mizuno glove in particular. I am STILL using this same glove. When I used to wear gloves in the past they didn’t last long at all. This one is amazing.
Good fitting gloves, not very durable. I am now using the Mizuno Retroflex, same fit, but softer and more durable. If you check the Mizuno site, I think they discontinued the SkinTite model.
Great golf glove. Have always used Titleist of FootJoy…but bought this one because they were out of my size at a proshop when I needed a glove. The best thing about this glove is that it’s thin, but very durable. Unlike some other players gloves, this one holds up better and doesn’t get stiff once it has been sweated in. Play in Texas, so keeping a glove dry is hard to do….but this one holds up and I will buy another.
I use Mizuno Skintite gloves exclusively. The gloves are indeed thin, grippy and durable. I think this is because it is an all-cabretta leather glove (I could be wrong).
There is a 2010 version without the fabric mesh on the knuckles – making it even better fitting in my opinion.
from the photos i must say that that glove DOES NOT fit your hand well at all.
secondly most gloves come from the same set of factories / sweat shops and although Foot Joy owns most of them and the dominant players in the market, again like Foot Joy, get the best quality for themselves.
a cheap glove like FJ’s Weather-Sof (Thailand) is a much better performance value than an all cabretta glove because for the same price of an all cabretta you can get two cheap synthetic + cabretta gloves and a new cheap glove always out performs a slightly used glove. Meaning you can slip on a brand new glove way before it’s time to replace the current one for the same price. Your grip will always be at peak performance. The cheap gloves fit as well as the pricey ones, if not better due to the sewing consistency of the synth fabric, their synth materials are thinner than leather with a more consistent thickness and they use real cabretta where it counts. They require less maintenance too. They’re not the best selling just because they cost less than an ‘ego’ glove, they’re the best selling because experienced golfers buy the most gloves and know the value of a fresh well fitting glove. Expecting a glove to last is ridiculous. Sorry but golf costs, if your a true player you should be using two gloves a month.