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Contents
- Heart of the Hide vs Pro Preferred at a glance
- Best Heart of the Hide gloves
- Heart of the Hide 11.5 inch infield
- Heart of the Hide R2G 11.5 inch
- Heart of the Hide 12.75 inch outfield
- Best Pro Preferred gloves
- Pro Preferred 11.75 inch
- Pro Preferred 12.75 inch outfield
- Where Nokona fits
- How to choose
- Heart of the Hide vs Pro Preferred FAQ
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Heart of the Hide uses full-grain steerhide and is the tougher, more structured glove, while Pro Preferred uses softer kip leather, a sheepskin lining and costs more. For most high school players, Heart of the Hide is enough glove, and the R2G version cuts the break-in. Pro Preferred is worth it for a player who wants a lighter, softer feel, and Nokona's S1 is the pick for a handmade American glove that needs little break-in. Last updated October 2026.
Comparing Wilson too? Read our Wilson A2000 vs A2K guide, or see the best baseball gloves for every position.
How we picked: we chose Heart of the Hide, Pro Preferred and Nokona gloves in common infield and outfield sizes, and the specs come from Rawlings, Nokona and JustGloves. Prices change often, so check the store page when you click through.
Quick picks
Best Heart of the Hide infield glove
Rawlings Heart Of The Hide 11.5" Baseball Glove
Best game-ready Heart of the Hide
Rawlings Heart Of The Hide R2G 11.5" Baseball Glove
Best Pro Preferred infield glove
Rawlings Pro Preferred 11.75" Baseball Glove
Best Pro Preferred outfield glove
Rawlings Pro Preferred 12.75" Baseball Glove
Best Nokona glove
Nokona S1 All-American 11.5" Baseball Glove
Heart of the Hide vs Pro Preferred at a glance
Prices are current merchant prices and can change.
| Product | Price | Size | Web Type | Material | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rawlings Heart Of The Hide 11.5" Baseball Glove | $329.99 | 11.5 | I Web | -- | Shop Now |
| Rawlings Heart Of The Hide R2G 11.5" Baseball Glove | $259.95 | 11.5 | I Web | -- | Shop Now |
| Rawlings Pro Preferred 11.75" Baseball Glove | $349.95 | 11.75 | H Web, I Web | -- | Shop Now |
| Nokona S1 All-American 11.5" Baseball Glove | $399.95 | 11.5 | I Web | -- | Shop Now |
Rawlings makes Heart of the Hide from full-grain steerhide taken from the middle of the back of the hide, with a deer-tanned cowhide palm lining and a thermo-formed wrist liner. Pro Preferred uses kip leather from younger cattle, which Rawlings says is softer and more consistent, with a Pittards sheepskin palm lining and a wool wrist liner. That leather is the main reason Pro Preferred costs more.
Break-in is the other difference. Rawlings rates Pro Preferred at Player Break-In 70, meaning about 70 percent of the break-in is left to the player, and JustGloves puts Heart of the Hide around 60 percent. The R2G (Ready to Go) Heart of the Hide models are pre-softened at the factory for a much shorter break-in.
- Pick Heart of the Hide for a durable, structured glove at a lower price, or the R2G version if you need it game-ready fast.
- Pick Pro Preferred for a lighter, softer kip leather feel and a sheepskin lining.
Best Heart of the Hide gloves
Heart of the Hide 11.5 inch infield
Rawlings Heart Of The Hide 11.5" Baseball Glove is an infield glove in 11.5" built for quick transfers on ground balls and double-play turns. From the listed specs and product notes, expect a stiff feel with a moderate break-in period, the web is listed as an I-Web, and spec tags include Heart of the Hide line. Listed color options are Black, Blonde, Blue, Green, and 6 more.
An 11.5 inch steerhide infield glove that will hold its shape for seasons. Heart of the Hide also comes in youth-modified and fastpitch versions, which Pro Preferred does not.
Heart of the Hide R2G 11.5 inch
The Rawlings Heart Of The Hide R2G 11.5" Baseball Glove (11.5") is categorized as an outfield glove for tracking fly balls and making longer-reach plays. Available product details indicate an extra-stiff feel that usually takes longer to break in, the web is listed as an I-Web, and spec tags include Heart of the Hide line. Colorways shown for this listing: Black, Grey, Navy, Pink, and 2 more.
The R2G line takes the same Heart of the Hide leather and pre-softens it, so it is the pick for a player who needs a glove ready for opening day.
Heart of the Hide 12.75 inch outfield
US steerhide shell on the 3039 pattern with an H-web built for outfield play. Standard Heart of the Hide construction means a stiff break in period but excellent durability once it's game ready. The red colorway stands out on the field.
Best Pro Preferred gloves
Pro Preferred 11.75 inch
The Rawlings Pro Preferred 11.75" Baseball Glove (11.75") is categorized as an outfield glove for tracking fly balls and making longer-reach plays. Available product details indicate an extra-stiff feel that usually takes longer to break in, the web is listed as an I-Web, and spec tags include Pro Preferred line. Listed color options are Brown, Red, Silver, Tan.
An 11.75 inch kip leather glove that works for infielders who want a little more length, or as a utility glove. JustGloves describes Pro Preferred as a baseball-only line best suited to high school players and up.
Pro Preferred 12.75 inch outfield
Rawlings Pro Preferred 12.75" Baseball Glove is an outfield glove in 12.75" built for tracking fly balls and making longer-reach plays. Available product details indicate a stiff feel with a moderate break-in period, the web is listed as an H-Web, and spec tags include Pro Preferred line. Current listing options include Black, Grey.
Where Nokona fits
The Nokona S1 All-American 11.5" Baseball Glove (11.5") is categorized as an outfield glove for tracking fly balls and making longer-reach plays. From the listed specs and product notes, expect the web is listed as an I-Web, materials called out include steerhide leather, and noted build features include an open-back hand opening. Listed color options are Black, Blue, Red, Tan, White.
Nokona handcrafts its gloves in Nocona, Texas. The S1 All-American series is made entirely from Nokona's Supersoft steerhide, which Nokona says needs minimal to no break-in, and Nokona says it built the series for youth and travel ball players. It costs more than either Rawlings line, so it makes sense for a buyer who values a handmade American glove or wants a soft glove right away.
This model is configured as an outfield glove in 12.5", with a shape aimed at tracking fly balls and making longer-reach plays. From the listed specs and product notes, expect the web is listed as an H-Web, materials called out include steerhide leather, and noted build features include an open-back hand opening. Colorways shown for this listing: Blue, Red, Tan, White.
How to choose
- Budget-minded high school player: Heart of the Hide.
- Needs a glove ready now: Heart of the Hide R2G or Nokona S1.
- Wants the softest premium leather: Pro Preferred.
- Youth player: a youth-modified Heart of the Hide or a Nokona S1, since Pro Preferred is aimed at older players.
New glove? Our guide on how to break in a baseball glove covers the process.
Heart of the Hide vs Pro Preferred FAQ
Is Pro Preferred better than Heart of the Hide?
Pro Preferred uses softer kip leather and costs more, while Heart of the Hide uses sturdier steerhide. Pick by the feel and budget you want.
Which breaks in faster, Heart of the Hide or Pro Preferred?
Pro Preferred is rated Player Break-In 70, and JustGloves puts Heart of the Hide around 60, so both need work. A Heart of the Hide R2G is the fastest option of the two lines.
What is kip leather?
Kip leather comes from younger cattle. Rawlings says it is softer and more consistent than adult steerhide, which is why Pro Preferred costs more.
Are Nokona gloves made in the USA?
Yes. Nokona handcrafts its ball gloves at its factory in Nocona, Texas.
Is Heart of the Hide good for youth players?
Yes. Rawlings offers youth-modified Heart of the Hide gloves, which Pro Preferred does not.
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Zach Kerr
Zach is a former college pitcher & Founder of Baseball Near You.
