Glove tested: Srixon Cabretta Leather (men’s) Retail price: $12.99 Material(s): Cabretta leather, lycra Colors: White with black Hand: Left, right Sizes: S, M, ML, L, XL, XXL
Available in cadet* fit: Yes (left hand only) Weather: All
About this glove: Apparently, Srixon wasn’t concerned about giving this particular glove model a snazzy name. Then again, “Cabretta Leather” pretty much tells the story.
Most of it, anyway. This glove actually has a swatch of lycra across the backhand, which (along with $4 in price) differentiates it from Srixon’s top-end Z-STAR Premium Cabretta Leather glove.
Srixon doesn’t spend a lot of time describing its Cabretta Leather model, either. The company’s website merely mentions “enhanced fit and control,” “exceptional fit and feel” and lists available sizes.
That made us all the more curious about a (nearly) all-cabretta glove at this price point. Given our great experiences with Srixon’s golf balls – including the Q-STAR and Z-STAR models – we had high hopes that this glove would equal them for performance and value.
Read on for our verdict.
Appearance: Nothing out of the ordinary. The Srixon Cabretta Leather glove looks good on the hand and won’t clash with your wardrobe.
Comfort: Now we’re getting somewhere. Any differences in cabretta quality between this glove and pricier models are too fine for us to notice. Fit is snug but not restrictive throughout the hand, with that cooling softness the separates genuine leather from the faux stuff. The lycra backhand strip is larger than those on similar models, which gives this Srixon glove added flexibility.
Feel: Yet again, Srixon’s Cabretta Leather glove stacks up with some that cost $20 or more. Sleek and thin in the palm and fingers, the material conducts the minutiae of contact as well as any amateur could want. Miss-hits aren’t dampened, and flush shots send a life-affirming jolt through the hands to the brain’s pleasure centers. Sweet.
Tackiness: Golfers should expect any cabretta glove, no matter the price, to provide excellent traction against the club’s handle. Srixon’s version doesn’t disappoint. The palm is nice and squeaky when given a vigorous rub, gripping with authority from backswing to follow-through.
Durability: Likely about average for a leather glove. In other words, keep it dry, stretch it flat between uses and give it a few swipes with a damp towel between outings. That’ll ensure a good dozen or so 18-hole rounds and practice sessions, combined, and more if you rotate it with another glove.
Bottom line: Srixon impresses yet again. The Japanese company is a definite go-to for value in the golf ball market, and its Cabretta Leather glove proves Srixon is more than a one-trick pony. If you insist on wearing cabretta but hate paying a premium for it, this glove’s got your name written all over it.
