Best Baseball Sliding Mitts & Guards
Written by Zach Kerr
Updated October 21st, 2026
A sliding mitt protects a baserunner's hand and fingers on headfirst slides and dives back into a bag. It's worth having for a player who slides headfirst or steals a lot, and it's optional for one who slides feet first. Pick the style by how much coverage he wants: a full mitt with wrist support, or a shorty that's lighter and easier to pull on.
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How we picked: we compared the mitts listed on this page on coverage style, wrist support and size range, using the specs each maker and merchant lists. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full sliding mitts
The EvoShield Sliding Mitt and EvoShield 2.0 Sliding Mitt are both listed with hand and wrist guarding. The Franklin CFX Slider PRT is a reversible protective sliding glove with a wrist strap.
Don't get sidelined swiping bags. The EvoShield Youth Sliding Mitt is designed to protect young player’s hands on the base paths as they rack up stolen bases. Protective plates on the top and underside of your hand safeguard against spikes and jammed fingers, and protective stabilization strips secure your wrist.
Get the edge on the base paths with the Sliding Mitt 2.0, EvoShield’s accessory for swiping bags while keeping your hands protected. Protective plates in the mitt insulate the top and underside of the hand while updated channels along the palm and backhand improve finger dexterity to securely grip the base. Updated with a rubber bumper along the top, the Sliding Mitt 2.0 protects fingertips when jammed up against the base.
Protect your hands on the while running on the basepaths with Franklin Sports' MLB CFX Baseball + Softball Sliding Mitt. As the official sliding gloves of the MLB, these sliding mitts are the piece of baseball equipment to help baserunners steal bases and slide headfirst while protecting their hands. These reversible sliding mitts can be worn like gloves on both the left and the right hand for protection.
Shorty sliding mitts
The Shorty 2.0 is a shorter mitt with a wrist strap for a player who wants less bulk.
Get a head start on the base paths with the Shorty Sliding Mitt 2.0, EvoShield’s smaller sliding mitt to quickly cover and protect your hand while swiping bags. Based on EvoShield’s signature sliding mitt, the Shorty Sliding Mitt 2.0 is modified with a shorter cuff and adjustable wrist strap for easy on and off once you get on base. Take the extra bag with the Shorty Sliding Mitt 2.0’s protective shields, covering each side of the hand.
Design editions
EvoShield also makes the 2.0 mitt in special designs. Pick by fit and coverage first, then the look.
Lead the charge on the base paths with the X-SRZ USA Swirl Sliding Mitt 2.0, a Red, White & Blue EvoShield accessory for dangerous base-stealers and elite athletes. Inspired by the flag of the United States, this Sliding Mitt features an image of Old Glory on the Red compression wrist strap. Channels along the palm and backhand improve dexterity to grab the base.
Be the star of the show on the base paths with the X-SRZ Savannah Bananas Sliding Mitt 2.0, designed to protect your hand on hard slides while taking the extra base. EvoShield’s updated baseball and softball sliding mitt features a Navy Blue look with Banana Yellow accents to match the great baseball circus based in Savannah, Georgia. Bananas logos appear across the wrist and rubber finger bumper, and channels along the palm and backhand improve dexterity to grip the base.
Slide in safe under the bright lights with the Austin Wells STMNT-SRZ Sliding Mitt 2.0. New York Yankees Catcher Austin Wells designed his sliding mitt with a White & Gray camouflage base to showcase his style, along with Navy accents, pinstripes, and Statue of Liberty Mint logos to celebrate his home team. Protective plates insulate the back and palm of the hand while channels improve finger dexterity to grip the base.
Does he need one?
If he slides headfirst, yes. Jammed fingers on a dive back to first are common and easy to prevent. If his coach teaches feet-first slides at his age, which many youth coaches do, a mitt can wait. Check your league's rules too, since some youth leagues don't allow headfirst slides at all.
Fit
The mitt should stay put when he opens and closes his hand, and the wrist strap should be snug without cutting off circulation. Mitts come in youth and adult sizes, so check the listing for his hand size. It goes on the lead hand he slides with, usually the one he'd reach to the bag with.
Protecting his hand at the plate too? See the best baseball hand guards and elbow guards.
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Zach Kerr
Author
Zach is a former college pitcher & Founder of Baseball Near You.