Wilson DATDUDE Review
No other gloves brings as much flash to the A2K Wilson line up as the Brandon Phillips Game Model. This glove, affectionately and technically known as the DATDUDE, is a Pro-Stock Preferred Leather with the most innovative designs and features in Wilson’s catalog. It is the show stopper of show stoppers. Here we dive into the Wilson DATDUDE Review.
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Wilson DATDUDE Review Article Contents
Wilson DATDUDE Review Sources
We relied on a few sources to put together this article that you may also find helpful. First and foremost was our Wilson A2K Glove reviews page. This covers, among other things, the unique differences between the A2K and other Wilson model gloves. We also looked over our Wilson Game Model Glove Review page as it discusses in some detail the DATDUDE glove design.
Outside of our site, Wilson’s product page was very useful. You can find that here. Additionally, we spent some time on Closeoutbats product section and looked at a few user reviews on Amazon’s product page, too.
Wilson DATDUDE Recommendations
As an 11.5-inch glove with an open webbing, the Wilson DATDUDE is a quintessential middle infield glove. Some could use it at third base, as well, and a number of younger and high school players could get away with it in the outfiled. It is a full leather glove, so expect a little bit of weight when compared to a glove with a mesh opening. Also, it comes with a standard hand opening size so there will be room for even normal sized hands.
It is too flashy, legally, to be a pitcher’s glove, probably would not serve the purpose of your every day first baseman and won’t last as a catcher’s glove.
In terms of style, the DATDUDE is fit for the player looking for serious flash and the cutting edge of design techniques implemented by the world leader in baseball glove making. If that sounds like you, Mr. Swag, then you’re home sweet home.
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Wilson DATDUDE Construction, Sizing & Features
Like All A2K gloves, expect Pro-Stock Preferred leather. That is, you may recall from our general A2K Reviews, a premium premium leather from Wilson’s proprietary branded cows. As well, you will find a thicker palm and more work in time out of the factory before it hits your hand. A2K’s are the premium glove that Wilson offers in stock models. This Game Model of Brandon Phillips is exactly that.
On the DATDUDE in 2017, you will also find a textured leather on the backhand that replicates the look of snakeskin. It is not, we should emphasize, a Superskin, but instead, the same Pro-Stock Preferred leather with a bit of flair in design. As the pictures clearly point out, there are some serious aesthetic design features not found on your typical 1786.
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Wilson DATDUDE Comparable Gloves
The DATDUDE pattern does not come in an A2000 or A2000 Superskin. So, unlike Dustin Pedroia’s Game Model glove, the DATDUDE is only available in the A2K. Within the Wilson brand, though, the 1786 pattern is a very comparable model. Both are 11.5-inch middle infield gloves with an I-Web. The A2K 1786, therefore, is the most comparable model to the DATDUDE A2K and they differ only in design.
If we had to throw you for a bit of a loop, we would suggest the 1786 WBC made USA glove is a comparable design in terms of WOW factor and pure technical specs. Although the WBC 1786 is an A2000 and lacks the premium premium leather and the additional hand padding, it is, at least in our minds, a remarkably similar glove. Both possess a deathly flash and come in that very traditional feeling middle infield Wilson Glove design.
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