Product Review: Gray-Nicolls Prestige Batting Gloves 2018 v Masuri E-Line Batting Gloves 2019

Noah built an ark, whereas I seem intent on doubling up kit in my cricket bag (if only you knew what else was coming later in this series of reviews!).

Today I will be trying to justify how in addition to two pairs of cricket pads, I also have two pairs of batting gloves, and this time I don’t even have the excuse of my Cricket Collection to take the blame!

I have mentioned previously that my decision to play again could not really have been made a worse time: slap bang in the middle of the COVID-19 affected club season. As such I was fortunate that my local club, Penkridge Cricket Club, were happy for me to have a few outdoor nets before the season ended. Socially distanced of course which meant three of us per net, and only one net being used at a time, which was actually perfect for me. My first net was all very last minute so off I headed to Amazon (again) to find some gloves that could be delivered the next day. Out of the window went my intention to try another brand, and as the only Grey-Nicolls ones available the next day were the Prestige Batting Gloves, my planned budget went out of the window as well.

The Masuri E LINE on the other hand are a different story, and one that I am not totally convinced you will be convinced by, but I expect many will understand.

It all started with a members newsletter from Yorkshire Cricket Club which included an article on the new business (Elite Lids) that Tom Kohler-Cadmore had set up with his brother, Ben. I was intrigued as their main business is selling Masuri helmets, and they take your club badge (you just need to send in a high quality JPEG), and embroider it onto the helmet for the incredibly low cost of £5. Checking out the site I was surprised to see that they sold the whole range of Matsui Bats, Gloves and Accessories. My surprise was that Matsui had this range – I told you I have been out of touch for over 30 years!!

I did like the look of them, and when Tom pointed out via an email that they were extremely comfortable and the only ones he was aware of with the Wrist Bar protection I was tempted ……

Gray-Nicolls Prestige Batting Gloves 2018

My Review

I actually can’t recall with any real clarity which brand of gloves I used back in the 70’s and 80’s. I did have a paid of the “must have” SP Mittens for a while, and a pair of own brand (Bourne Sports – now sadly closed – in Stoke) mittens which were larger and softer.

I seem to recall some SS standard sausage gloves, but (and this will be no surprise) I think I just bounced around buying the current trendiest gloves each season.

They all seemed pretty much the same, got very stiff when your hands sweated (I even tried inners for a few seasons), and you just hoped you didn’t get hit on the end of the thumb basically.

First impressions of the Prestige Batting Gloves: they were big, much bigger than anything I had worn before, and second: boy were they comfortable. Unbelievably soft, yet at the same time very reassuring that they were going to offer a LOT of protection.

Visually more like your typical “sausage” style, they incorporate a number of very flexible sections which add to the comfort but don’t take away from the protection.

The thumb had more protection than anything in my previous life, and I immediately liked the Eva Shielding Bar which ran along the index finger, with a smaller one along the little finger on the left glove (I am right handed).

Nice vent along each side of the glove means that it is very unlikely given our climate and my ability that my hands will get too sweaty, and the velcro fastening was very snug – yeah for velcro!

I was a little concerned that given their size I would find them a little cumbersome on the bat – a very irrational concern when you consider it – but it really was a stupid concern.

As I have said before the level of bowling (pace wise) that I have faced since picking up a bat again does not warrant this level of protection, but they are listed as perfect for a good level of club cricketer. I can’t argue with that, and I would recommend them without question.

Protection Level: Club

Manufacturers Product Description

The Prestige cricket batting gloves by Gray-Nicolls come from our Classic range and are perfect for a good level of club or high-level junior cricketer. They are beautiful, high performance and full of innovative design traits – everything you’d hope from a Gray-Nicolls product.

In a world of noise, the Prestige design represents a change of volume but loses nothing for it. The classic black and white checks are visible on the sweatbands, with only the red Gray-Nicolls logo giving any hint of colour.

The Prestige batting gloves offer batsmen premium leather palms, which give a brilliant feel even during long innings. They are durable and ultra-comfortable, essential characteristics of top-level batting gloves.

As a traditional product in the Classic range, the Prestige gloves feature sausage type fingers which allow for great flexibility, and no compromise in protection or weight.

The Prestige glove offers excellent protection that is more and more useful in modern cricket. The three-section side impact bar at the side of the gloves not only protects against fast bowling but when playing funky shots such as ramps, scoops and reverse sweeps.

Tri-layer protection gives the user extra layers of robust defence, distributing the impact of fast bowling throughout the glove.

If you buy the Prestige batting gloves, you have the Gray-Nicolls promise of high-quality performance and fantastic comfort. All you have to do now is step to the crease and perform.

Features:

• Premium leather palms for fantastic comfort and unbeatable grip
• Traditional finger design, allowing for greater flexibility
• Three section side impact bar protects the side of the hand against fast bowling
• Tri-layer protection reduces the impact on the body of the glove

Purchased off Amazon: Paid £49.99 MRP: £59.99

Masuri E-Line Batting Gloves 2019

My Review

If my first impression of the Prestige gloves was they were big, my first impression of the Matsui gloves was that they were huge!

I chose the ‘regular’ E Line over the Pro ones as I preferred the look of the multi-flex construction.

These do offer more protection over the Prestige around the end of Thumb, but the Meta Shield whilst deeper and firmer than on the Prestige is not quite as long along the fingers.

The Wrist Bars on the other hand provided an unexpected bonus: they are great for checking out the alignment of your hands on the bat – possibly not so important for you but as someone still trying to get to grips (I know terrible pun) with the whole grip, stance, trigger movement I have found this useful.

The Prestige are possibly a little longer in the thumb, but both pairs of gloves are still very new so I doubt that is going to be an issue.

Without doubt these gloves are better than the Prestige, but you would expect that as they are nearly twice the price. Are they twice as good? I suppose the truest way to answer that would be to have Jofra Archer hit me on the hand at 90mph wearing each paid and I may be able to tell you, but that is not going to happen! At my level of skill, not they are not twice as good, but that does not mean they wont be for you if you play at a higher level.

They are a GREAT glove though an I am very happy with them. Of course I have no idea how I will use both pairs: I doubt I will ever bat long enough to need second pair; it seems a little pretentious to have one pair for the nets and one for matches. The Masuri are a good match with the Penkridge Colours though, but the Grey-Nicolls go with my bat(s) and batting pads. Who knew it was all going to be so complicated!!??

Protection Level: Masuri have three ranges – E (Elite), T (Test), C (Club) so these are about as good as you are going to get.

Manufacturers Product Description

This batting glove features advanced Masuri Applied Technologies including the THUMB CLAW, four WRIST BARS and META SHIELD offering ultimate protection to the player where it is needed most.

Made using advanced Masuri PRO FOAM technology this product offers far superior protection to its rivals. Also includes sheepskin palm, full leather (three piece) thumb and inside towel lining.

A split finger, multi-flex construction featuring all the new Masuri Applied Technologies result in the most advanced level of protection seen in a batting glove.

• PRO FOAMS – a combination of graded foams that increases impact absorption. Different combinations ensure the optimum balance of protection and flexibility in high risk impact areas. Independently proven to provide 30% more impact absorption than commonly used foams.
• THUMB CLAW – a reinforced PRO FOAM that hooks around the tip of the thumb offering greater protection when impacted by the ball. Ergonomically designed to fit with the construction of the glove without compromising movement or grip on the bat.
• WRIST BAR – a reinforced PRO FOAM that protects the radius and ulna bones in the wrist. Integrated into the existing wrist band of the glove ensuring that playing style is unaffected.
• META SHIELD – a reinforced PRO FOAM providing targeted and increased protection of the metacarpal knuckle. Integrated within the glove (over the index finger of the bottom hand and little finger in the top hand) without impending grip.

Features:

• Strong, durable and breathable sheepskin palm offering incredible grip and feel on the bat.
• Breathable, double-sided elasticated wrist band offering comfortable and ergonomic fit to the player.
• Designed by Masuri, THE cricket protection specialists and experts in impact absorbing technology.

Purchased off EliteLids: Paid £89.99 MRP £100

About The Review

Reviews will always identify whether the product has been bought for my own use, gifted for my own use, or sent for review. I will keep items I have bought or been gifted. Items sent for review once reviewed will be donated to Penkridge Cricket Club, MERIT PRU or the YMCA North Staffordshire as appropriate.

Reviews will always be my personal, unbiased, opinion based on my experience of the product and my own abilities. The reality is that most of the time I will not warrant the quality of product being reviewed, but what can I say, I like “stuff” especially “good quality stuff” so that is all there is to say on the matter!!

Reviews will include the list price and where applicable the price paid, a link to the source of the product and the manufacturer and where available manufacturer published product information. If a manufacturer or seller has asked me to publish a special discount or offer I will make this clear.

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