Conditioning vs Oiling a Baseball Glove: What’s the Difference?

Conditioning and oiling get lumped together, but they are not the same thing. Using the wrong one or overusing either can shorten the life of your glove.

Glove conditioner is designed to hydrate leather and keep it flexible without weighing it down. A good conditioner soaks in evenly, keeps the leather from drying out, and helps prevent cracking over time. This should be your go to for regular glove care.

Glove oil is heavier and penetrates deeper. It can soften stiff leather quickly, which is why players sometimes use it on new gloves or extremely dry gloves. The downside is that too much oil can make a glove heavy, cause the leather to stretch, and reduce structure.

When to condition

• Routine maintenance

• Gloves that feel dry but still hold shape

• In season care

When to oil

• Very stiff gloves

• Old gloves that have dried out

• Small, targeted areas like a hinge or palm, not the entire glove

For most players, conditioning is all you need. Oiling should be rare and controlled.