The Mizuno GCF1253 has long been considered the benchmark by which other girls’ softball fielder mitts are measured, and with good reason as they’re always of very good quality.
The question is, does the GFC1253 live up to the tradition, or does it fall short? Let’s find out in this review.
Features
Mizuno gGCF1253 reviews have pointed out many of this mitt’s standout features, but one thing that really becomes obvious is that it is designed expressly for female athletes who play fast pitch softball, whether it’s in the styling or the fit.
The Throwback Leather has been naturally pre-oiled and feels very rich and textured.
Another interesting feature on the glove is the Ultra Pro Soft New palm liner that gives it a smooth finish, and it has vertical laced heels that let you choose the break-in hinge so the fit can be customized.
- Patterns designed for female athletes to use for fast pitch softball
- Throwback Leather-rugged, rich, naturally pre-oiled leather that keeps its shape over time
- Ultra Pro Soft-New palm liner with excellent feeling and soft finish
- Vertically laced heel allows the player to select the break-in hinge for a customized fit
- Deep 8 T web
Other notable features on the glove are the 2.5 inch pattern, the Deep 8T Web, and the open back design that really suits female fastball athletes well.
One of the problems with most fast pitch softball gloves is there’s not enough support for the fingers, but the new Roll Welting does improve the structure so there’s better help for your fingers.
If you have never played with these gloves before it might not seem like a big deal, but ask any girl who’s played with poorly fitting gloves before and she’ll tell you it makes a huge difference.
The overall impression you get from the glove is that the company spent a lot of time developing the product because the quality is very high.
Just like the other Mizuno gloves, the GFC1253 undergoes a certification process supervised by Kuni Nakamura (mitts) and Master Craftsmen Kosaku Kishumoto (fielder’s gloves).
Ease of Use
The Mizuno Classic Fast Pitch Series feels very smooth and soft in your hand, and this is no doubt in part due to its handcrafted quality.
With its roll welting, leather and vertical laced heel, breaking in the GFC1253 is a straightforward affair, although it might take a few tries until you’re fully comfortable with it.
While the glove has many new features, it also incorporates several elements of the classic Fastpitch design. Of note here is the aforementioned Throwback Leather, as it somehow manages to be both rugged and rich.
Because it’s been pre-oiled the glove is guaranteed to last longer and keep its shape for extended periods.
Another one of the more important features of the glove is the Ultra Soft Pro palm liner. This isn’t just something that was added as an afterthought, as it actually helps you make catches without the sting that comes with other gloves.
Aside from providing protection, the Ultra Soft Pro palm liner adds a soft finish and true to the claims, adds a nice comfortable feeling to it.
The glove has a light feel in spite of the additional support, and it is really fast to the ball and doesn’t get out of shape. Not only is this durable, but it’s also handcrafted to a very high standard.
As many customer reviews have pointed out, the GFC1253 fits well in your hands and unlike others, it fits in well even in skinny hands.
The glove has a deep pocket and has a feel that other cannot match, and breaking it in takes a few tries just like other gloves, and the pocket’s design and look are just stylish.
The comfort strap is another nice feature because it makes adjusting on the fly easy.
If you’ve tried other fast pitch softball gloves you’ll notice they’re very hard to adjust, and oftentimes this is something that can cost you the game. This glove though is the exception as it was developed specifically for that.
The bottom line is that the GFC1253 is easy to use, durable and does exactly what it should. It is built to last and the glove actually feels better the longer you wear it.
It is not going to deteriorate easily even when used continuously, and a quick look at the glove shows that it does have elements of the Classic line, but also has plenty of new and innovative features.
Pros
- Durable
- Allows for on the fly adjustment
- Stylish
- Doesn’t lose shape quickly
- Comfortable
Cons
- Might be a too big for little girls
- Needs to be used a few times to break in
What Customers Say About The Mizuno GCF1253
Mizuno Fastpitch gloves have been mostly positive, with most commenting on how comfortable it is to use.
Jason of Alabama says:
- My daughter plays fastball a lot and she’s always had problems with getting her old glove to fit. I decided to buy her the Fastpitch and it fits perfectly. The glove is very comfortable and it’s durable too.
Alvin of New York has this to say:
- I bought this for my kid a few weeks back and she loves it. After the glove was broken in it works great and she doesn’t complain about getting stung when making catches.
Mike from Atlanta shares a similar sentiment:
- My girl needed a new glove and I decided to give this a try and I’m glad I did. For a high end glove this broke in easily. She plays fast pitch softball a lot and the glove hasn’t shown any wear and tear.
Aubrey also wrote a positive review of the glove:
- My daughter had a difficult time with her glove before, but this one fits very well and has helped her game a lot.
These are just some of the reviews that have been posted, and the general consensus is that the glove improves your catch and does what it should.
Many reviewers have also pointed out that the wrist strap works as well as advertised and adjusting is easy.
Conclusion on This Mizuno GCF1253
Based on the features and customer feedback alone, it’s safe to say that the Mizuno GCF1253 more than lives up to the hype. It’s very comfortable in your hand and the design helps a lot in terms of functionality.
Taking everything into consideration, this is definitely worth a buy.
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API