Glove Maintenance · Lace Repair · DIY vs Professional
Baseball Glove Laces
Baseball Glove Laces
& Repair Guide
How to replace broken laces, choose between DIY and professional services, and keep your glove game-ready. Complete 2026 guide.
The reality
Broken glove laces don't require a new glove.
Baseball glove laces are the unsung heroes that literally hold your glove together. When they break or fray, it feels like catastrophe — but it's one of the easiest fixes in baseball. You can replace them yourself with basic tools, or send your glove to a professional service for $50–100. Either way, a broken lace is a repair, not a retirement.
Why glove laces matter — the anatomy of support
A baseball glove is a collection of leather pieces — webbing, fingers, heel, palm, back — that could fall apart in your hands without laces. The laces are the literal threads that bind these parts together and determine how the glove performs.
What laces do
Glove laces thread through pre-made holes connecting the fingers to the thumb, attaching webbing to the rest of the glove, and fastening the heel and palm together. The tightness of the lacing affects pocket depth, flexibility, and stability. Tighter lacing creates a rigid glove for quick infield transfers. Looser lacing creates a deeper pocket for outfielders tracking fly balls.
Lacing patterns affect performance
Different lacing methods create different glove characteristics. A single-strand spiral lacing (common in youth gloves) is simpler but less rigid. Cross-lacing patterns (common in premium gloves) distribute tension evenly and maintain structure better. When replacing laces, matching the original pattern is critical — it's not just aesthetic, it's functional.
Types of glove laces — materials and specs
Leather laces (traditional)
Made from American leather, traditionally 3/16" wide and 72" long. Leather laces are durable, flexible, and break in naturally over time. Available in tan, black, red, blue, white, and multi-color combinations. Brands like Mizuno, Rawlings, and Red Hawk Tannery dominate this space. Leather laces are the standard for serious players because they conform to the glove and feel natural after break-in.
Cost: $8–15 per strand
Synthetic laces (modern alternative)
Made from nylon, polyester, or blended materials. Water-resistant, stretch-resistant, and low-maintenance. Don't require conditioning. Lighter weight and easier to thread. Growing popularity for youth gloves and wet-weather play. Some players avoid synthetics because they don't "feel" like a traditional glove.
Cost: $5–10 per strand
Lace specifications
| Width | Length | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/16" | 72" | Standard baseball gloves | Most common. Works for full relace or sectional replacement. |
| 1/4" | 72" | Larger gloves, mitts | Thicker, more rigid. Better for catcher's mitts. |
| 3/16" | 48" | Partial repairs, youth | Single lace replacements or smaller gloves. |
| 3/16" | 96" | Full relace, extra length | For complex lacing patterns or spare material. |
DIY vs Professional — which path is right for you
This is the critical decision that most players get wrong. They assume they must DIY or buy a new glove. In reality, you have a third option: professional repair services.
Choose your path:
DIY Relace: 2–4 hours, $10–20 in materials, full control, risk of error, requires patience and care.
Professional Relace: 7–10 day turnaround, $50–150 depending on service, guaranteed quality, glove conditioned/cleaned, peace of mind.
Professional Single Lace Repair: 5–7 day turnaround, $30–60, fixes only the broken lace, faster than full relace, good for one break.
When to DIY
- You have time and patience (3+ hours)
- The glove is not your primary game glove (practice/backup glove)
- Only one or two laces are broken
- You want to customize the lace color
- Budget is tight
When to go professional
- Your primary game glove has broken laces
- Multiple laces are damaged or the entire glove needs relacing
- You've never done this before and don't want to risk damaging the glove
- You want the glove cleaned and conditioned while the laces are replaced
- You want a professional pattern matched to your original lacing
Professional services worth knowing about
Better Baseball Glove Repair: Full relace with optional deep clean, 7–10 day turnaround, free UPS shipping label. GloveRelace.com: 5,000+ gloves restored since 1983, single lace or full relace, 48-hour express available. Glove Restore: Single lace repair or full restoration, game-ready timeline. Bradley Baseball: Free lace repair first year, extended warranty plans available (2 more years for ~$20–30).
How to DIY relace — step by step
Tools you'll need
- Leather lacing needle or large tapestry needle
- Scissors or utility knife
- Leather conditioner
- Pliers or punch (optional, for tightening or starting holes)
- Glove mallet or rubber mallet
- Photographs of the original lacing pattern (critical)
The process
Step 1: Document the pattern before you start
This is non-negotiable. Take clear photos of both sides of the glove showing exactly how the laces weave through. These photos are your blueprint. Players who skip this step almost always mess up the relacing pattern.
Step 2: Remove old laces carefully. Cut the old laces or untie the knot at the end. Gently pull them out. If laces are stuck, apply a small amount of water to soften the leather. Work slowly to avoid damaging the leather around the holes.
Step 3: Condition the glove. With the laces out, you have access to areas normally covered. Apply leather conditioner to the inside and between the fingers. This is your only chance to deeply condition the glove, so don't skip it. Be sparing — you don't want the glove soggy.
Step 4: Pre-condition the new lace. Before threading, rub a small amount of conditioner on the new lace. This makes it slide through holes easier and is gentler on your fingers. This step is often overlooked but makes a huge difference.
Step 5: Thread the new lace. Insert one end of the lace into the lacing needle. Follow your photos exactly, starting from the heel and working toward the fingers and webbing. Pull the lace snug as you go — not so tight it distorts the glove, but tight enough that it holds shape. This balance takes practice.
Step 6: Tie off securely. When the lace is fully threaded, tie a firm knot at the end. Make the knot tight enough that it won't easily slip, but in a way that allows you to undo it if you need to adjust later. Many players tie a simple square knot and then wrap excess lace around the knot area for added security.
Step 7: Test and adjust. Close the glove. Does it feel right? Is there enough give in the pocket? Tighter lacing = more rigid glove. Looser lacing = deeper pocket. If adjustments are needed, you can carefully loosen sections and re-tighten.
Video guide — watch it being done
Seeing the process is worth 1000 words of text. This video walks through a complete relacing from start to finish:
Maintenance — preventing lace breakdown
How laces fail
Baseball glove laces break for predictable reasons: sweat and dirt buildup weaken the leather, repeated flexing causes stress at the holes, moisture causes the leather to become brittle, and UV exposure (from sunlight) dries out and cracks the lace.
Prevention routine
Clean the glove regularly. After games or practice, wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth. Use a soft brush to gently clean the laces and around the holes. Dirt accelerates wear. Store properly. Keep the glove in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and high humidity. A protective glove bag is ideal. Never leave it in a hot car. Condition the laces seasonally. Once per off-season (or every 6 months for active players), apply a quality leather conditioner specifically for baseball gloves. Follow manufacturer instructions. Check for fraying regularly. Inspect the laces weekly during the season. Catch small frays before they become breaks.
Extended warranty protection
Some manufacturers (like Bradley Baseball) offer extended lace repair plans — typically $20–30 for 2 extra years of coverage beyond the standard one-year warranty. If you're buying a new premium glove ($150+), this protection is worth considering. The average cost of a professional relace is $50–150, so a warranty can pay for itself with one repair.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace baseball glove laces?
DIY: $10–20 for materials (lace + conditioner). Professional full relace: $50–150 depending on the service. Professional single lace repair: $30–60. Professional services typically include glove inspection, cleaning, and conditioning, which adds value beyond just the lace work.
Can you replace just one broken lace or do you need to replace all of them?
You can replace a single lace if only one is broken. However, if multiple laces are damaged or the glove is old, a full relace is often better — you ensure uniform tension and longevity. Many professional services specialize in single lace repairs for exactly this reason.
What size laces do I need for my glove?
Standard baseball gloves use 3/16" wide × 72" long laces. Larger gloves and catcher's mitts may need 1/4" wide laces. Check your glove's manufacturer specifications or compare to the original lace if available. When in doubt, 3/16" × 72" is your safest bet.
How tight should glove laces be?
Laces should be snug enough to hold the glove's shape and maintain pocket structure, but not so tight they distort the leather or make the glove impossible to close. Tighter lacing = more rigid glove (good for infielders). Looser lacing = deeper pocket (good for outfielders). The correct tightness depends on your position and personal preference.
Can you change the lace color when relacing?
Absolutely. Leather laces come in tan, black, red, blue, white, and multi-color combinations. Changing lace color is one of the main reasons players relace their gloves. Professional services often offer color customization as part of their standard service.
Broken laces are not a death sentence
A broken glove lace feels catastrophic in the moment, but it's one of the most straightforward repairs in baseball. Whether you choose to DIY (save money, spend 3+ hours) or go professional (spend $50–150, save time and stress), the outcome is the same: your glove comes back game-ready.
Document your lacing pattern before you start, use quality leather laces, condition both the glove and the lace during the process, and your glove will perform like new. Your glove is not disposable — treat it like the investment it is.