Preseason Hates Goalkeeper Gloves: Glove Review of the Uhlsport Ergonomic Hardground and Uhlsport Fangmaschine Hardground

Double sessions, pressure training, hard and dry practice fields, and artificial grass fields are evidence that stand by the title, preseason hates goalkeeper gloves.  With college seasons around the corner, preseason is quickly approaching.  Same holds true for high school soccer seasons especially as high school soccer teams tend to play on much worse quality soccer fields.  Preseason also brings on a series of nerves and worries, goalkeepers tend to look for any edge they can get.  We’re here to tell you that the edge can be in your goalkeeper gloves, that is, hardground goalkeeper gloves.

No matter how great a goalkeeper glove is fresh out of the box, if it’s not durable it’s not going to be much of a help during preseason.  We recently tested two hard ground goalkeeper gloves from Uhlsport – the Ergonomic Hardground SF/RP and the Fangmaschine Hardground AG, the latter is specially designed for artificial grass surfaces.  We tested the Ergonomic Hardground SF/RP goalkeeper glove in black/orange/silver on a dry and dusty hard ground field and we tested the Fangmaschine Hardground AG in black/silver/lime on an artificial grass field.  Both gloves are a size 8 and fit true to size.

Palms -
The palms for the Ergonomic Hardground and the Fangmaschine Hardground gloves were pretty similar, the latex for both seemed thin without being tacky. Both gloves didn’t have very strong absorption qualities, more so with the Fangmaschine Hardground, but that being said, you did have a good feel for the ball. Also, because of the innovative Rough Profile (Ergonomic Hardground) and Artificial Grass (Fangmaschine Hardground) technologies, the gloves never felt slippery where as most gloves tend to feel slippery when they get dry, dusty, or dirty. The Ergomonic Hardground palm is not completely flat, there are small dimples that keep the glove abrasion resistant without sacrificing too much grip. As you can see in the picture, most of the dirt wasn’t collected in these dimples which kept the glove from getting slippery. The Fangmaschine Hardground gloves are very innovative with its blades of grass pattern offering the most extra grip possible and also not tearing up on astroturf fields.

These gloves are the most durable gloves I have ever worn. After three training sessions on a turf field, there was only slight wear on the Fangmashine Hardground glove. The wear is too small to be noticed in a picture, one of the longitudinally stamped friction strips (blades of grass) started to tear.  There was no noticeable wear on the Ergonomic Hardground gloves after during a full 45 minute shooting training session on hard ground.

Fit -
The Ergonomic Hardground gloves fit well. Uhlsport uses its Supportframe system which made the spines surprisingly comfortable, my knuckles tend to get red from the constant rubbing when I wear other finger protection gloves. These gloves were also a wide classic fit meaning the catching surface is extended and the gloves are proportionally wide fitting.

I preferred the fit of the Fangmaschine Hardground gloves because they seemed lighter and more flexible, which could just be the case of a glove without finger protection. Uhlsport’s Fangmaschine line is a traditional cut made for a Goldilocks – not too tight and not too wide, just right.

Style -
Both of these gloves definitely look like they were built tough. The Ergonomic Hardground glove backhand uses Uhlsport’s EVA. The backhand is not as soft as other gloves, but it’s made to be durable. The Fangmaschine Hardground glove is also a EVA backhand, but it feels more soft and flexible than the Ergonomic gloves. Also, the Fangmaschine Hardground AG uses a two color EVA palm, note the black thumbs and the coloring along the base of the palm.

Innovation -
Both gloves are very innovative with the palm (in my opinion the Fangmaschine Hardground slightly more so than the Ergonomic Hardground) and Uhlsport’s supportframe is very innovative on its own as it finds the fine line between finger protection and comfort (which do not tend to go hand in hand). I can’t tell you how many times I’ve examined the grass blade like texture on the Fangmaschine Hardground gloves – it’s pretty neat. If you don’t have an interest in purchasing the gloves, I’d suggest you just try them on in your local soccer shop just to see what I mean. It has been a few years since I’ve worn a pair of Uhlsport’s with finger protection, I love feel of the support frame.

Value -
$60 or $70 (Fangmaschine Hardground or Ergonomic Hardground) for a glove that will last you a whole season and them some? That’s a steal! Uhlsport picked and chose the qualities these gloves would excel in and priced it correctly. You also could argue that this glove is under priced as other brands charge over $100 for their hardground models!

Improvements/Changes -
Ergonomic Hardground – My biggest drawback to this glove model was the style. I personally prefer a lighter color glove. That being said, take a look at the new model of the Ergonomic Hardground, what an improvement! If it’s possible to improve the grip, cushioning, or the material of the backhand without sacrificing durability, I would suggest that as well. But then again, this is a hardground glove. If you’re looking for more of an all-around glove, consider the Fangmaschine Intermediate.

Fangmaschine Hardground – As I suggested for the Ergonomic Hardground gloves, if there is a way to improve the grip or cushioning without sacrificing durability, Uhlsport definitely should. Also, take a look the new model of the Fangmaschine Hardground, I like it better as well.

Conclusion -
If you’re a serious goalkeeper playing at top levels (and have to buy your own gloves), I absolutely recommend this glove as your training glove. The lack in absorption in the palm gives you more feel for the ball and will help improve your catching ability. You won’t have to stretch the life on these gloves. If you take minimal care of the them, they should without a doubt last you a season and maybe a full year.

If you’re a recreational or youth goalkeeper, I recommend this gloves as match gloves. Most likely at this level of play you’ll either be playing on hard ground fields or artificial grass, you’re going to want a glove that gets the job done, doesn’t get slippery when it gets dirty, and also lasts.

So, the Ergonomic Hardground SF/RP or the Fangmaschine Hardground AG? It all comes down to fit. If you want a traditional fitting flexible glove, go for the Fangmaschine Hardground. If you want a slightly wide fit with finger protection, you guessed it, the Ergonomic Hardground is your glove.

The Uhlsport Ergonomic Hardground SF/RP Glove:
Grip – 7
Absorption – 7
Durability – 10
Comfort/Fit – 8
Style – 8
Innovation – 10
Value – 10

Overall – 8.6

The Uhlsport Fangmaschine Hardground AG Glove:
Grip – 7
Absorption – 6.5
Durability – 10
Comfort/Fit – 8
Style – 9
Innovation – 10
Value – 10

Overall – 8.6