Hirzl Trust Control, Trust Feel, Soffft Flex
I first came across Hirzl gloves back in January at the PGA Merchandise Show. Hirzl claims that the gloves maintain or even improve their grip when wet and demonstrated this by spraying the glove down with water and then having you hit a few iron shots. The gloves seemed to work and I was impressed. So of course I jumped at the chance to conduct a longer-term review. What did I think? Click on continue to find out.
A couple of months back, Hirzl sent me a set of their new golf gloves to test out. They’re a Swiss company dedicated to designing and producing performance gloves for a variety of sports. They currently offer 3 golf gloves, the Trust Control, Trust Feel, and the Soffft Flex.
The two Trust models feature Hirzl’s GRIPPP technology that they claim delivers significantly better wet performance than traditional gloves. Both feature kangaroo leather palms and cabretta/mesh backhands. Hirzl claims that the Control model offers 3x more grip in dry weather and 5x more in wet weather. Similarly the Feel model offers 2x more grip in dry weather an 4x more in wet weather.
You can see the difference between the palms of the Trust Feel (left) and the Trust Control (right)
Hirzl claims to achieve this through a special leather tanning procedure. This process causes the glove to absorb less water and consequently provides a better grip.
20 minute palm water absorbtion test
All I can say after using these gloves is that they perform as advertised. The Control model does offer slightly more wet grip than the Feel model, at the expense of less feeling due to the gripping “ridges” on the palm of the glove that add thickness. I’ve now played in some both very wet and very humid conditions and find that either glove offers plenty of grip for “normal” conditions.
Additionally, they both wear like iron. As long as you let them dry out between rounds, they will last you a long, long time.
The Soffft model features Hirzl’s Soffft technology, designed to provide a very soft, long lasting glove. The Soffft model is made from Cabretta leather and uses a manufacturing process that takes 72 separate steps.
The Soffft model next to the two Trust models
It’s not meant to be an inclement weather glove, but rather a competitor to high-end gloves like the FJ Sta Sof. I think in this regard, it does a fine job. And considering that it’s a premium cabretta glove, it’s reasonably long-lasting, although it certainly doesn’t wear like the Trust Control and Feel gloves. It’s a great glove, just nothing that floors me like the Trust Control and Feel models.
Personally, if somebody asked me which of these gloves to buy, I’d give you two answers. If you’re looking for a great wet-weather (or really hot humid weather) glove, get the Trust Control. You won’t find anything with better wet grip on the market.
If you’re looking for an all-around glove that gives you excellent feel along with incredible wet performance for those times you get caught out in the rain, look no further than the Trust Feel. As an added plus, both of the Trust model gloves wear like iron, so while they’re not inexpensive, I do think they represent a good value.
You can buy them here.*
*If you buy these through the link, I get some beer money. Cool, huh?
