Franklin Sports Kids Youth Hockey Gloves - Junior Gloves for
✅ PROS
- Molded plastic knuckle protection that actually absorbs street hockey slash impacts without cracking
- Breathable mesh palm keeps hands from turning into sweat sponges during hour-long driveway sessions
- Hook-and-loop wrist strap cinches down tight enough for skinny kid wrists without bunching
❌ CONS
- Sizing runs small — most buyers report needing to go one size up for a comfortable fit
- Mesh palm is thin; expect it to wear through after a season of heavy outdoor concrete play
The Verdict
Let me be direct: most kids’ hockey gloves under $30 are basically fabric bags with foam glued in. The Franklin Sports Youth Hockey Gloves aren’t that. These are the rare budget glove that parents actually reorder when the first pair wears out — and with 229 ratings holding a 4.6-star average, the consensus is clear.
What You Actually Get
The box contains one pair of junior-sized hockey gloves designed for street and roller play, not ice. The shell uses a synthetic leather composite with molded plastic knuckle caps — that’s the key feature. As shown in the product image, the knuckle protection runs the full length of the fingers, not just a thin pad at the top. The palm is a breathable mesh material, and the cuff secures with a wide hook-and-loop strap.
There’s no liner inside, which is intentional. These are meant to be worn over thin liner gloves in cold weather or barehanded in summer. The cuff extends about two inches past the wrist, which matters for kids who are still learning to keep their sticks down.
Real-World Performance
The knuckle protection is the headline here. In street hockey, slash attempts happen constantly — whether from a real opponent or a sibling who doesn’t understand “light contact.” The molded plastic deflects those impacts rather than absorbing them, which means your kid feels a thud instead of a sting. One Amazon reviewer put it plainly: “My son takes shots off his hands constantly and these have held up for six months. The plastic knuckles are no joke.”
The mesh palm is a double-edged sword. It keeps hands cooler than full synthetic leather, which is a genuine win for summer driveway games. But it’s thin. Multiple reviewers noted the palm wearing through after a few months of heavy use on concrete or asphalt. If your kid plays exclusively on smooth surfaces like a sport court or gym floor, you’ll get more life out of them.
The wrist strap deserves credit. It’s wide enough to distribute pressure evenly, and it cinches down securely on even the skinniest kid wrists. No gaping, no slipping mid-game.
Where They Fall Short
Sizing is the biggest complaint — and it’s consistent. These run small. A reviewer who bought them for a 7-year-old wrote: “Had to return for the next size up. My son wears a youth medium in most gloves, but needed a large here.” Measure your kid’s hand from the base of the palm to the tip of the middle finger before ordering, and when in doubt, size up.
The mesh palm durability issue is real. If your kid plays daily on rough concrete, budget for a replacement pair within a year. That’s acceptable at this price point, but you should know it going in.
Who Should Buy These
- The 6-10 year old street hockey player who needs real hand protection without the $60+ price tag of ice hockey gloves
- Parents of beginner players who don’t want to invest heavily until their kid commits to the sport
- Roller hockey families playing on sport courts or smooth driveways where the mesh palm will last longer
Skip these if your kid plays ice hockey — you need proper ice-specific gloves with different cuff construction. Also skip if your kid is between sizes; the small fit will frustrate them more than the savings will please you.
FAQ
Q: Can these be used for ice hockey? A: Technically yes, but they’re not designed for it. Ice hockey gloves have longer cuffs and different padding placement. These are street and roller gloves — use them for that.
Q: How do I clean them? A: Wipe down the synthetic leather with a damp cloth. Don’t machine wash them — the plastic knuckle caps will crack and the mesh will warp. Air dry only.
Q: What size should I order for my 8-year-old? A: Measure their hand first. From base of palm to fingertip, roughly 5.5–6 inches indicates a youth medium. But given the small sizing, order one size up from what the measurement suggests.
The Verdict
Buy it if your kid plays street or roller hockey and needs real knuckle protection without breaking the budget. These deliver on the essentials — protection, breathability, and a secure fit — at a price that won’t make you wince when they get left in the backyard rain.
Skip it if your kid plays on rough concrete daily, is between sizes, or you need gloves that’ll survive multiple seasons. For everyone else, these are the smart buy.
Rating: 4.6/5 — The sizing quirk and mesh palm durability cost them the perfect score, but for the price, there’s nothing else in this category that protects hands this well.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.