When you buy a brand-new baseball glove, it will be very stiff and uncomfortable. That’s why you need to “break in” it, and the same goes for any other leather items, such as shoes, boots, jackets, and more.
There are many effective methods for breaking in your baseball glove, one of which is to oil it. It is always best to use glove oil, but many people may recommend that using coconut oil is okay.
This article will answer the most accurately: “Can you use coconut oil to break in a baseball glove?” Keep reading to see more!
Can You Use Coconut Oil to Break in a Baseball Glove?
No, you should not soften your baseball glove with coconut oil. It is ineffective and may damage your glove. Here are 3 main reasons that support our claim.
Baseball Gloves Won’t Dry Even After 48 Hours
We tried to soften a new baseball glove with coconut oil and put it under the fan.
The following day, we checked our glove, and it was still soaked with oils and didn’t dry out like the night before. The situation was not even better two days later.
Coconut Oil Will Make Gloves Slippery
Baseball glove conditioners and oil are specially designed to absorb into baseball gloves as quickly as possible.
However, the same does not happen with coconut oil. Fatty acids (an essential component of coconut oil) do not allow the oil to absorb quickly.
Therefore, if you break in your baseball glove with coconut oil, it will likely be slippery during use, reducing your playing performance.
Coconut Oil Will Change Those Gloves’ Color
Coconut oil can also change the color of your baseball glove. Specifically, this oil will darken your glove.
Ruin Your Game Performance
Coconut oil will make your glove slippery. If you don’t buy a new one in time, you will have to enter an essential tournament with that slippery glove.
As a result, your performance will be significantly reduced, affecting the overall outcome of the team.
For example, the baseball slips from the pocket of your glove, dropping the ball you have caught. It can form a disappointed and hostile atmosphere on the field.
FAQs
Why Does A Baseball Glove Need to be Broken In?
Unused leather items that have just come off the production line are stiff as a rock, and the leather utilized by baseball glove manufacturers is no exception.
Hence, you need to soften these gloves to make them easier to use and feel more comfortable. The process of softening leather items is called “break-in.”
What Can I Use Instead of Glove Oil?
Many users use shaving cream (preferably with lanolin), and others also use Vaseline, tanner’s glove oil, mink oil, saddle soap, etc.
But we always recommend glove oils or whatever product the manufacturer recommends for the best results.
How Long Does It Take To Break in a New Glove?
Most gloves vary in terms of break-in times. It could be weeks, months, or even one year, depending on your chosen break-in method.
Does Rain Ruin a Baseball Glove?
Everything will be fine if you quickly dry your baseball glove. However, if you leave your glove with moisture, it will cause mold and other damage.
Can You Break in a Glove With Olive Oil?
It is possible to use olive oil to soften a baseball glove. But we’d say it is not the ideal choice. It still risks making your baseball gloves slippery or dark.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Get all the necessary things:
- Olive oil.
- Clean, soft cloth.
- Fan or air heater.
Step 2: Put a bit of olive oil on the soft cloth.
Step 3: Gently rub the cloth to apply olive oil to the whole glove. Ensure all the outer surfaces of your glove are coated with olive oil.
Step 4: Put your in a dry place and give it time to dry (usually 24 hours). Using an air heater or fan to dry your glove is also alright.
Step 5: Check out the glove after one day. You may want to use a soft dry cloth to wipe it if it still feels slippery. Then give it another half day to dry.
Does Oiling a Glove Help Break It In?
Yes, oils definitely soften the leather up and make it more pliable. But it is essential to choose the right oil for your glove.
What Kind of Oil Can I Use to Break in a Baseball Glove?
Of course, you should prioritize using oils and conditioners recommended by the manufacturer. If you can’t buy glove oil, you can consider using other products like vaseline, olive oil, mink oil, linseed oil, and petroleum jelly.
What Is the Quickest Way to Break in a New Baseball Glove?
You can refer to the method of Wilson Sporting Goods’ Shigeaki Aso, one of the world’s leading glove gurus. You will need to prepare the following:
- A bucket of hot (not boiling) water.
- Cup.
- Soft surface (carpet or pillow).
- Glove mallet/glove hammer.
Watch the following video to learn.
The Bottom Line
Can you use coconut oil to break in a baseball glove? We recommend never doing this. It will make your gloves slippery and change their color.
You can find a lot of advice online saying that it’s alright to use coconut oil for a baseball glove, but don’t believe it. We’ve seen a lot of players make mistakes and end up throwing their gloves in the trash.
It is best to use glove oil or any product the manufacturer recommends to break in your baseball glove. Also, follow the instructions that come with the product for the best results.