DD is looking to replace her Nokona UT-1225 she's had for about the past 5 years. She took reasonably good care of it, but probably should have let it air out more as the inside is deteriorating. Got a reasonable price on it years ago and tons of use out of it. It doesn't owe us a thing.
She loves the glove and wants to replace it with same but a little bigger (primarily plays OF.) She's checked out local Vinci, Rawlings, Wilson, Easton, etc...but still prefers the Nokona. She wants the closed back and closed web. Either velcro (I know, I know) or D-Ring type wrist fastener.
Have only been able to see a few as the Nokona selection is limited in stores locally, and we just don't see a lot of them in the softball circuit.
So, what we have seen locally is as follows:
X2-1250C (12.5") - a nice softball glove, but I'm a little skeptical of longevity. DD has same concern in that this new glove at the store seemed a bit floppy. There was only 1 in the store...maybe got a return or a bad one? Curious to see long term durability. Online reviews have shown 1 or 2 issues concerning this, but not alot of data to draw from on this series.
X2-1300 (13") - actually listed as a baseball glove and DD loved it the most. However, it has a laced wrist strap and she did not like the floppy feel around her wrist. Not sure the available adjustment would be enough. I know there might be some glove mods out there but I'm super hesitant about ripping into a glove that goes for $350.
Odd side note: The 13" baseball glove had a superior feel all around vs the 12.5" softball glove. Same series gloves, but is there something different about the leather between baseball and fastpitch versions aside from finger stalls?
Because of the 1250C durability concern, we've been trying to find a previous 12.5" Nokona versions to check out. Those are hard to come by locally with a few places online that have some left.
Thoughts or feedback? Is our concern about durability founded?
She loves the glove and wants to replace it with same but a little bigger (primarily plays OF.) She's checked out local Vinci, Rawlings, Wilson, Easton, etc...but still prefers the Nokona. She wants the closed back and closed web. Either velcro (I know, I know) or D-Ring type wrist fastener.
Have only been able to see a few as the Nokona selection is limited in stores locally, and we just don't see a lot of them in the softball circuit.
So, what we have seen locally is as follows:
X2-1250C (12.5") - a nice softball glove, but I'm a little skeptical of longevity. DD has same concern in that this new glove at the store seemed a bit floppy. There was only 1 in the store...maybe got a return or a bad one? Curious to see long term durability. Online reviews have shown 1 or 2 issues concerning this, but not alot of data to draw from on this series.
X2-1300 (13") - actually listed as a baseball glove and DD loved it the most. However, it has a laced wrist strap and she did not like the floppy feel around her wrist. Not sure the available adjustment would be enough. I know there might be some glove mods out there but I'm super hesitant about ripping into a glove that goes for $350.
Odd side note: The 13" baseball glove had a superior feel all around vs the 12.5" softball glove. Same series gloves, but is there something different about the leather between baseball and fastpitch versions aside from finger stalls?
Because of the 1250C durability concern, we've been trying to find a previous 12.5" Nokona versions to check out. Those are hard to come by locally with a few places online that have some left.
Thoughts or feedback? Is our concern about durability founded?