GLUV Smith Essentials BundleStandard Break-In & Partial Relace

Relace:

• Multiple Color Options: By default there is one color choice. If you prefer multiple colors let us know in the Additional Info box what color you would like laced in and where!
  
• Full Relace:  All lace will be replaced with premium glove lace from a full stock of 40+ colors to choose from. Web, Finger Tops, Web Top, Palm, Heel, Thumb, Little Finger, Palm Adhesive, & Perimeter if the glove type calls for it are all included.
  
• Partial Relace - Upper:  Web & Finger Tops. Most typically we see customers choosing to replace these laces as they receive the most strain.
  
• Partial Relace - Lower: Palm & Heel.  This area receives much less strain during use, but on occasion this is requested so we leave it as a separate option.  This option also includes fresh palm adhesive.  
  
• Partial Options: Wrist Strap Tie, Little Finger, & Thumb.  These areas don't typically receive a lot of use strain, but contribute to the look & feel of the glove and are almost always requested.  By default these are included, but can be optioned out for a small savings.  If your glove does not have replaceable wrist strap lace then turn this option off.
  
• First Base & Catchers Gloves: These gloves require additional lace, time, and complexity with the perimeter lacing.  So there is a slight additional cost associated with the Full Relace and Partial Relace - Lower options. 

Break-In:
We offer 3 tiers of break-in levels all backed by guaranteed time in the shop with our glove pros. Each level increases the time our glove pros spend with your glove lab equipped to get the most of out of that time.

• Light Break-In: Offers 20 mins with a glove pro and will deliver a balanced pocket formation and moderate flex development. This is a great option for those who have already started breaking in their glove and
• Standard Break-in: Complete break-in using pneumatic, manual, and conditioning sequence for ready-to-play response.
• Pro Custom Break-In: Fully personalized shaping by glove type, field position, wear style, closure tension, hinge resistance, and pocket form tailored to player preference.

For elite gloves and high-end leathers, our preferred process is the Water Break-In - a controlled, time-tested technique that softens fibers without weakening the hide.

We use room-temperature distilled water to ensure balanced hydration while eliminating mineral deposits. Each glove is hand-formed through compression, folding, and mallet sequencing while moisture remains active in the fibers.

This allows the leather to learn its shape naturally - building flexibility where needed while preserving structure in the fingers and heel.

No steam. No heat. No shortcuts.

Just authentic craftsmanship, material respect, and professional-level results.

We approach glove lacing as both a restoration and a performance rebuild. Every glove that comes through GLUV WRX is evaluated for its intended use, player preference, and the glove’s structural design. We don’t just re-string gloves — we re-engineer them for balance, strength, and longevity.

Our standard lacing pattern is optimized for durability and playability:

• Web & Finger Tops: ¼" lace for added strength and reduced “pop” over time.
  
• Palm & Heel: 3/16" lace for controlled flexibility and cleaner pocket formation.
  
• Thumb, Pinky & Strap Tie: 3/16" or 3.5/16" lace depending on glove brand, player feel, and visual preference.
  
• Catcher’s & First Base Mitts: Reinforced with wider lace in high-stress areas to handle maximum impact.
  

Each section is analyzed against the glove’s original design to ensure tension, spacing, and break-in characteristics stay true to the glove’s identity.

Our lace is cut from leather averaging 6–7 oz (≈2.5 mm) thickness, the professional benchmark for pro-level glove construction. This ensures:

• Pro-Grade Strength: Exceptional pull resistance and reduced breakage under pressure.
  
• Moisture & Heat Resistance: Prevents hardening or cracking during heavy use.
  
• Durable Temper: Maintains structural integrity through seasons of play.
  
• Natural Stretch: Lace stretches approximately 15% over time, providing optimal pocket tension once fully conditioned and broken in.
  

Because lace can stretch unevenly depending on environmental factors (temperature, humidity, level of play, and glove conditioning habits), we calibrate tension by hand to ensure consistent feel and performance across every relace.

Lace used in the palm section is skived and thinned to create ideal flex and feel, preserving glove shape without compromising strength. Every lace installed by GLUV WRX is then treated with our hand-blended Glove Lace Wax formulated from beeswax and conditioning oils to:

• Seal against moisture
  
• Strengthen fiber structure
  
• Smooth friction for easier lacing
  
• Extend the life and color integrity of the leather
  

This treatment adds both protection and performance, ensuring the glove breaks in cleanly and lasts longer through the rigors of the game.

Whether restoring your established gamer or creating a bold new look, we match lace color and width to the glove’s brand standards and the player’s aesthetic preferences. Our wide color inventory and hybrid-width options allow precision customization.

INFIELD - Precision & Transfer

Infield gloves demand the most exact pocket architecture in baseball.

We shape for two distinct catch zones a shallow transfer pocket for quick exchanges and flips, and a primary catch pocket for securing full catch throws.

Using precision mallets and weighted balls, we build a clean, responsive hinge that moves easy yet holds form.

For pro-level kip and steerhide gloves, our Yumomi Water Break-In provides the perfect blend of flex and control - softening fibers evenly while maintaining crisp stiffness in the fingers.

The result: faster hands, faster turns, and flawless pocket response under pressure.

OUTFIELD - Reach & Retention

Outfield gloves are about extension and control at full speed.

We sculpt deep, forgiving pockets that absorb impact and guide the ball into the web while resisting rollover and collapse.

Using pneumatic cycles followed by large-radius mallet work, we layer the pocket build slowly for even tension.

Our Yumomi Water Break-In is available for top-tier gloves - balancing flex with long-form structural integrity.

The result: secure catches, smooth closures, and consistent feel from first pitch to final out.

CATCHER’S WRX -Command & Endurance

Catcher’s mitts face the highest volume of stress in the game.

We engineer them for impact resistance, repeatability, and sound.

Every mitt goes through pneumatic compression cycles that mimic high-velocity catching, followed by manual shaping and edge conditioning to set hinge tension.

The Yumomi Water Break-In is available for elite mitts requiring pliability without loss of stiffness.

We hand-shape the bowl using wooden mallets and weighted balls, then condition and seal with Ball Player’s Balm to resist sweat and friction.

The result: a mitt that pops sharp, closes strong, and holds form through the grind - the mark of a pro-caliber glove.