We have used a half dozen different types of glove oil. Our use intended to help break in full leather gloves as well as maintain a few. We found that most oils work to increase softness, clean and help repel water. However, products that use neatsfoot oil or mink oil paste were the best leather oils we could find. In terms of application, we did appreciate a spray bottle methods more than others that were messier. As such, we think the Wilson Premium Leather Oil, a neatsfoot product in a spray bottle, is the best glove oil on the market. The price is right too. Other options exist and we discuss those below.
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Best Glove Oil
Despite the fact there is very little difference between different types of neatsfoot oil on the market, we still think making a list for the online researcher a helpful tool. In the end, any type neatsfoot oil will be optimal and should restore moisture into a full leather glove. The following of best glove oils contains some of our favorites and are recommended.
1. Wilson Premium Glove Oil
Neatsfoot oil is the premier leather softening and preserving oil in the market. It is what many, if not most, saddle companies recommend. Wilson’s Premium Glove is a premium neatsfoot oil that is combined with other synthetic substances. We are not so sure what the other substances are, but we found they did a remarkable job of getting our gloves soft and pliable. The vast majority of users thought so too.
This neatsfoot compound comes in a very convenient spray bottle. This helps keep things less messy and evenly coated. It is the main reason why it gets the #1 spot on this list of best glove oils.
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2. Fiebings Mink Oil Paste
Our second favorite glove oil is actually Mink Oil. Mink oil is, as you might guess, the premium oil harvested from the hides of minks. (Neatsfoot oil, if you are wondering, is the oil harvested from the leg bones of cattle). Mink oil comes in a paste that is a near Vaseline type substance. It is messier than the Wilson neatsfoot oil which comes in a spray bottle. Mink oil is often the oil of choice for designer leather purses. Turns out, it works on premium gloves too.
Mink Oil has the unique advantage of usually not darkening lighter leather gloves. Of course too much oil application will change the color of any leather, but you can be sure that Mink oil is your best bet to preserve both the premium leather of your glove and the premium color too. If there were some way to melt it and put it in a spray bottle then you could bet it would be our #1 choice.
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3. Bickmore NeatsFoot Oil
If you are dead serious about the perfect oil for your perfect glove then Bickmore makes some serious leather oil. Saddle and other leather manufacturers use this oil religiously. This oils is pure neatsfoot and, in that regard, has its advantages over the Wilson Premium glove oil. However, the pure neatsfoot oil may darken lighter leather gloves more than some would want. But, in terms of preserving a premium leather glove, by adding moisture back and keeping it more water proof, this is your best bet.
We wish it came in a spray bottle to make glove application a bit easier and less messy. If you ever needed to replenish your Wilson Premium Glove Oil bottle then we suggest you fill it up with Bickmore’s NeatsFoot Oil.
The reviews on Bickmore’s NeatsFoot oil are outstanding.
Price check Bickmore’s Neatsfoot oil
Common Glove Oil Questions
We see our fair number of questions about glove break in processes. There are a number of YouTube vidoes to keep you midly entertained for at least a while. Below are some of the more common questions we get for people looking to purchase the best glove oil.
What does glove oil do for my glove?
As a general rule, glove oil is meant to encourage a proper break in for a leather glove. In theory, the oil’s minerals restore the natural moisture state of the leather to make it more pliable and preserve it’s usefull life.
What is the difference between glove oil and glove conditioner?
Generally speaking, glove oil is meant to work in the leather originally. It does this by adding minerals and liquids back into the stiff leather. This makes the glove more pliable and softer. Those features allow you break in the glove better. Glove conditioner is meant to protect the glove by making it more water resistant. Most glove conditioners also have a leather cleaning agent.
Can I use Olive Oil for my Baseball Glove?
Yes. In fact, many major leather saddle companies recommend olive oil over any other. We would guess that pure olive oil in a spray bottle might be better than any of the best glove oils we put above. It is cheap, very accessible and the lighter colors of oil may do a good job of not darking light leather. If you are experimenting we would suggest you go slow and use the oil sparingly in test spots.
How do you break in a new softball glove?
Using glove oil will help tremendously to break in your softball glove. We would recommend a spray bottle of premium neatsfoot oil on a darker glove or mink oil paste if you happen to have any of that lying around. After a light application, go about your normal routine for catch and mallet work.
How do you break in a baseball glove fast?
It is difficult to break in a premium leather baseball glove quickly. The entire idea behind a glove that is difficult to form is so, once it gets to the shape you want it will keep that shape. That said, a good use of leather oil will be helpful. Add to that regime playing a lot of catch and a glove mallet.
How do you soften a leather glove?
Aside from playing catch and using a wooden mallet on your leather glove, the use of premium glove oil is a must if you want to truly soften your leather glove. We recommend some of the best glove oils that contain either neatsfoot oil or minks oil paste.
Best Glove Oil Sources
We spent a considerable time on Amazon’s leather oil sections. In that time we became familiar with a number of oil types that are used on saddles and other premium leather products. Additionally, we have used several of these oils on our own for a number of different premium gloves that we worked in.
Wikipedia’s pages on neatsfoot oil and mink oil paste were helpful too. We had no idea that neatsfoot was oil derived from the calves and calves. Actually, it is from the lower legs of adult cattle, but the idea of writing the calves of calves could not be passed up by us.