What cuts does uhlsport offer?

uhlsport currently distinguishes between seven cuts, which mainly differ in fit, seam construction and grip area:

• Classic Cut – traditional, slightly roomier cut with an outer seam
• Reflex Cut – the tightest cut, an evolution of the Half Negative Cut
• Half Negative Cut (HN Cut) – the most popular cut, combining inner and outer seams
• Tight HN Cut – a narrower version of the HN Cut for smaller hands
• Finger Surround Cut – grip wraps all the way around the sides of the fingers
• Rollfinger Cut – flat finger surface with a half-round, raised inner panel
• Skin Cut – the tightest, closest-fitting cut using latex-wrap technology

On top of that, individual collections occasionally feature special cuts.

What is the difference between outer seam and inner seam construction?

With an outer seam, the palm and back of the hand are joined together via side panels, usually made of breathable mesh. The seam sits on the outside, which enlarges the inner palm area and increases the ball-contact surface – this is the principle behind the Classic Cut.

With an inner seam, the glove is sewn inside-out so the seam sits on the inside, letting the material hug the fingers more closely. This creates a more direct ball feel and a tighter, skin-close fit – the basis for the Reflex, HN, Tight HN and Skin cuts.

Many cuts (e.g. Half Negative or Finger Surround) combine both constructions: inner seams at the fingers for a tight fit, outer seams in certain areas for better ergonomics.

What defines the Classic Cut?

The Classic Cut is the traditional, standard cut, also known as the Regular Cut. It is based on an outer-seam construction where the palm and back of the hand are stitched together at the sides. This results in a comparatively roomier fit with a large ball-contact area and, as a result, high catching security. The cut remains a solid standard and is still worn by professional goalkeepers.

What defines the Reflex Cut?

The Reflex Cut is the tightest cut in the uhlsport range and builds on the Half Negative Cut. Thanks to the inner seam, the grip wraps closely around the fingers and hand, creating a second-skin feel. This provides a very direct ball feel and maximum flexibility. uhlsport positions the Reflex Cut as a professional-level cut, which is why it is only combined with the High Performance foams: Supergrip+, Supergrip and Absolutgrip.

What defines the Half Negative Cut (HN Cut)?

The Half Negative Cut, or HN Cut for short, is the most widely worn cut at uhlsport – from grassroots football all the way up to the top international leagues. It combines the benefits of inner and outer seams: a comfortably tight, but not extreme, fit with a sensible grip distribution for a direct ball feel and good ball control. The HN Cut is generally seen as the best middle ground between comfort and a close fit.

What defines the Tight HN Cut?

The Tight HN Cut is a narrower evolution of the Half Negative Cut. It keeps the same basic construction with its dynamic inner seam, but the fit is cut narrower around the palm. This cut was developed specifically for smaller, slimmer hands, for example for female goalkeepers and young players, and comes as standard with the Absolutgrip foam.

What defines the Finger Surround Cut?

The Finger Surround Cut combines a close-fitting inner seam with an ergonomic outer-seam construction. The foam wraps all the way around the sides of the fingers and meets the top of the finger without any additional insert. This gives it the largest continuous grip contact area of all uhlsport cuts, which is why the Finger Surround Cut is especially popular at the professional level.

What defines the Rollfinger Cut?

The Rollfinger Cut is immediately recognizable by its flat finger surface and half-round, raised inner panel. The inner section of the glove is fully covered in foam, providing plenty of grip along with an ergonomic fit and a large catching surface.

What defines the Skin Cut?

The Skin Cut is the closest-fitting cut in the uhlsport lineup. Using a special latex-wrap technique, the foam is wrapped tightly around the fingers, creating an especially large grip area and a very direct, immediate ball feel. It's aimed at goalkeepers who prefer the tightest possible fit.

Which cut is right for me?

As a rough guide:

Can I combine any cut with any grip foam?

Not always. Some cuts, such as the Reflex Cut, are deliberately only available at uhlsport with the High Performance foams (Supergrip+, Supergrip, Absolutgrip), while other cuts like the Tight HN Cut come as standard with a specific foam. Which cut-and-foam combinations are actually available depends on the individual model.