Sliding protection has evolved significantly in recent years. Two of the most common pieces of gear are sliding mitts and sliding leg sleeves.
Sliding Mitts
Sliding mitts protect a player’s hands during headfirst slides.
Benefits include:
• finger protection
• wrist stabilization
• improved grip
However, sliding mitts do not protect the lower body.
Sliding Leg Sleeves
Sliding leg sleeves focus on protecting the knee and shin, which are common impact points during feet-first slides.
Sleeves like ProSlide combine compression support with padded impact zones.
Advantages include:
• protection without bulky guards
• ability to wear throughout the game
• improved comfort and mobility
Which One Should You Use?
Many players now use both:
• sliding mitt for hands
• padded leg sleeve for knee and shin protection