Quick answer: The Rawlings Heart of the Hide and the Wilson A2000 are two of the most trusted gloves in baseball, built with pro-grade leather and the same game-day patterns big leaguers use. Both are made to last several seasons for high school, travel ball and adult players. The right one is the one that feels best on your hand in the pattern for your position.
- Want it game-ready sooner? Choose a Heart of the Hide R2G, which has 15% more factory break-in (Rawlings), or a 2027 Wilson A2000 with the new Flex System, which is 21% easier to squeeze shut than earlier models (Name of the Game).
- Smaller or thinner hand? Choose a Heart of the Hide ContoUR Fit or a Wilson DP15 / PF model (Pedroia Fit).
- Ages 10 to 14? The Wilson A1000 ($199.95 at our store) has the same patterns as the A2000 and breaks in faster. Rawlings' NXT, Encore and R9 lines are also built for rising players.
- Want the most advanced glove? Look at the Rawlings REV1X and Pro Preferred or the Wilson A2K.
We carry both lines at our McDonough store, so you can try them on, and we can break your new glove in for you.
The lineup at a glance
| Rawlings Heart of the Hide | Wilson A2000 | Wilson A2K | Wilson A1000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leather | Full-grain steerhide cut from the middle of the back (Rawlings) | Pro Stock leather (Wilson) | Pro Stock Select, top 5% of Wilson hides (Wilson) | Full-grain leather, made in the Pro Stock factory |
| Lining and palm | Deer-tanned cowhide lining | ProLux leather lining (Comfort Pro Fit) | Adds a double palm | — |
| Faster break-in option | R2G | 2027 Flex System, SuperSkin back | Double palm keeps the shape | Already softer |
| Smaller-hand option | ContoUR Fit | DP15, PF models (Pedroia Fit) | DP15 | DP15, PF11 |
| Lighter option | Hyper Shell, Speed Shell | SuperSkin | SuperSkin | — |
| Built for | High school, college, adult | High school, college, adult | Players who want Wilson's finest | Ages 10 to 14 |
| Our price | $299.99 to $329.99 | $279.99 to $329.95 | $419.95 | $199.95 |
Rawlings Heart of the Hide: why players love it
Heart of the Hide is Rawlings' legendary pro glove. Rawlings says it uses "the best of the best full-grain steerhide," cut from the middle of the back where the leather is highest quality (Rawlings). Steerhide holds its shape longer, performs better and lasts longer than the cowhide used in youth gloves (Rawlings). The deer-tanned cowhide lining keeps it soft on your hand.
Heart of the Hide versions:
- Traditional: all-leather, for players who like to shape the pocket exactly their way.
- R2G (Ready to Go): 15% more factory break-in than a traditional HOH, so you can use it right away and still finish shaping it your way (Rawlings).
- ContoUR Fit: for thinner hands or a tighter fit, with lowered and narrowed finger stalls, a smaller wrist opening and an adjusted back (Rawlings).
- Hyper Shell / Speed Shell: HOH leather plus a synthetic back to cut weight. A Hyper Shell back is about 15% lighter than an all-leather HOH, and Speed Shell is slightly heavier (Rawlings).
- Gold Glove Club: a limited-edition Heart of the Hide that Rawlings releases every month (Scheels launch calendar). Ask us about the current month's glove.
How to read a Heart of the Hide model number: the number after "PRO" is the pattern. For example, PRO204 is an 11.5" infield pattern, PRO205 is 11.75", PRO206 is 12", PROKB17 is 12.25" and PRO303 is 12.75" (Ballgloves.com). An "R" after "PRO" (PROR204) means it's an R2G.
Our Heart of the Hide picks
| Position | Glove | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Middle infield (2B/SS) | Heart of the Hide R2G 11.5" PROR204 (RHT) | The classic 11.5" infield pattern, game-ready faster. Also comes in the Funburst colorway. |
| Middle infield, smaller hands | Heart of the Hide ContoUR Fit 11.5" (RHT) | A tighter fit for thinner hands, in a pro 11.5" infield pattern. Also in Teal and an 11.25" R2G. |
| Infield / utility | Heart of the Hide 11.75" Modified Trapeze (RHT) | A little more length for 3B, pitchers and utility players. |
| Third base | Nolan Arenado Heart of the Hide 12" (RHT) | Arenado's game-day pattern. The extra length helps at the hot corner. |
| 3B / utility | Kris Bryant Heart of the Hide 12.25" H-Web (RHT) | A longer glove for a corner infielder who also plays outfield. |
| Pitcher | Heart of the Hide R2G 12" Pitcher's Glove (RHT) / LHT | The closed web hides your grip. |
| Pitcher (lefty) | Heart of the Hide Hyper Shell 11.75" (LHT) | A lighter back for pitchers who also field their position. |
| Outfield | Heart of the Hide R2G 12.25" Outfield (RHT) | A good size for younger high school outfielders. |
| Outfield (lefty) | Heart of the Hide 12.75" PROR3039 (LHT) | A full-size outfield glove. Also available in Mint and H-Web. |
Wilson A2000, A2K and A1000: why players love them
The A2000 is built with Wilson's Pro Stock leather, used by big leaguers like Gunnar Henderson, Bobby Witt Jr. and Dansby Swanson (Wilson). The A2K uses Pro Stock Select leather, which is "triple sorted" from the top 5% of Wilson hides. The A2K is made entirely in Japan and adds a double palm, a thin layer of leather between the palm and the liner that helps the glove hold its pocket shape (Wilson).
New for 2027: Wilson's 2027 A2000 adds the Flex System. A leather-and-felt Flex Insert runs from the thumb to the heel, one of the hardest parts of a glove to break in. Together with the Flex Liner, it makes the glove 21% easier to squeeze shut than earlier models (Name of the Game). The 2027 gloves started arriving in August and September 2026 (Scheels launch calendar).
Wilson terms you'll see:
- SS (SuperSkin): a microfiber back that's half the weight of Pro Stock leather and twice as durable (Name of the Game). An "SS" at the end of a model number (1786SS, DP15SS) means it has a SuperSkin back.
- Spin Control: a dimpled texture in the palm and web that adds grip (Lifestyles Sports).
- Pedroia Fit (DP15, PF models): built for smaller hands, with the tightest wrist setting, shorter finger stalls and a thinner heel pad (JustBallGloves).
Wilson patterns by position (JustBallGloves):
- 1786 (11.5"): the classic middle infield glove for 2B and SS.
- DP15 (11.5"): the same position as the 1786 but with a snug fit, popular with younger players and players with smaller hands.
- 1975 / 1785 / 1787 (11.75"): a little longer, for 3B or a shortstop who wants more reach.
- B2 / B23 (12"): pitcher's gloves with a closed web to hide the grip.
- 1799 / 1800 / 1777 (12.75"): outfield.
Our Wilson picks
| Position | Glove | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Middle infield | Spring 2026 A2000 1786 11.5" (RHT) | The most popular infield pattern Wilson makes. |
| Middle infield, smaller hands | 2027 A2000 DP15SS 11.5" (RHT) | Pedroia Fit plus the new 2027 Flex System. |
| Infield, more reach | A2000 1975 11.75" (RHT) | For 3B or SS. |
| Third base | José Ramírez A2000 JR11 12" | Ramírez's game model for the hot corner. |
| Pitcher | A2000 Classics B23 12" (RHT) / LHT | The closed Swordsman web hides the grip. |
| Outfield | A2000 1799SS 12.75" (RHT) | Dual Post web with a SuperSkin back to keep the weight down. Also see the 1800SS. |
| First base | A2000 1614 12.5" First Base Mitt (RHT) | A single break point, so it plays like an infield glove on ground balls. |
| Catcher | Spring 2026 A2000 SCM23SS 33.5" | Thinner toe pads for thumb-up catching and framing. |
| Top of the line | Spring 2026 A2K 1786 11.5" (RHT) | Pro Stock Select leather, made in Japan, with a double palm. |
| Ages 10 to 14 | 2027 A1000 1786 11.5" or A1000 DP15 11.5" | A2000 patterns at $199.95, with a faster break-in. |
More Rawlings and Wilson gloves
Heart of the Hide and the A2000 are the headliners, but both brands make a glove for every player and budget. Here's every other Rawlings and Wilson line we carry, from Rawlings' most advanced gloves to first gloves for young players.
Rawlings
| Line | What it's great at | Our price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| REV1X | Rawlings' most innovative glove. It pairs Heart of the Hide leather in the palm with an ultra-light back shell and 3D-printed thumb and pinky padding, plus a laceless palm and web for quick transfers. Rawlings calls it its "most durable, high-performance glove ever" (Rawlings). | $439.99 | 11.5" infield (RHT), 11.75" (LHT), 12.75" outfield (RHT), 34" catcher's mitt |
| Pro Preferred | Rawlings' other premium leather line. Kip leather is a bit softer and more consistent than steerhide, with a Pittards sheepskin lining for moisture control and a wool wrist liner (Rawlings). | $419.99 | Aaron Judge 12.75", Fernando Tatis Jr. 12.75", Anthony Volpe 11.5", Carlos Correa 11.75" |
| Heart of the Hide ContoUR Fit | Heart of the Hide leather with lowered, narrowed finger stalls and a smaller wrist opening for thinner hands (Rawlings). | $329.99 | 11.5" infield, 12.5" (LHT), 32.5" catcher's mitt |
| NXT Series | Made for top travel ball players, with quality leather and a quick, easy break-in (Rawlings). | $179.99 | 12.25" first base mitt, 32.5" catcher's mitt |
| Encore | A deeper pocket that's easy to close and keeps fingers out of the impact zone, with less break-in (Rawlings). A good step up for rising youth players. | $169.95 | 11.75" infield/pitcher |
| R9 Series | A game-ready all-leather glove that helps younger players make an impact right away (Rawlings), plus training gloves for quick hands. | $139.99 to $149.99 | 12.75" outfield (LHT), 9.5" training glove, 27" catcher's training mitt, fastpitch ContoUR 11.5" |
| Select Pro Lite | Youth gloves styled after favorite big leaguers (Rawlings). | $74.99 | Mike Trout 12.25", Anthony Volpe 11.25" |
| Liberty Advanced (fastpitch) | Full-grain leather fastpitch gloves with a quick, easy break-in (Rawlings), in team colors. | $219.99 to $229.99 | 12.5" fastpitch, 12.75" outfield, White/Scarlet, 13" first base, White/Pink, 33" catcher's mitt |
| Fundamental and Flex Palm (softball) | Value fastpitch and youth softball gloves for new players. | $44.99 to $99.99 | Fundamental 12.5" fastpitch, Flex Palm 10" youth |
Wilson
| Line | What it's great at | Our price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2K | Wilson's finest glove: Pro Stock Select leather, made in Japan, with a double palm (Wilson). | $419.95 | A2K 1786 11.5" |
| A1000 | A2000 patterns, full-grain leather and a faster break-in, made in the Wilson Pro Stock factory. Great for ages 10 to 14. Includes Wilson's limited "Secret Menu" models. | $199.95 | 1786 11.5", 1975SS 11.75", 1892 12.25" outfield, CM33 catcher's mitt, Secret Menu 1786SSS, 10" trainer |
| A900 | Game-ready on day one, with Pedroia Fit shorter finger stalls for younger players (BaseballMonkey). | $129.95 | PF12 12" utility (LHT) |
Don't see the line or size you want? Call 678-272-2267. We may have it in the store or can order it.
How to find the right glove: 4 questions
1. What position? Position decides the pattern and size more than anything else. Use the chart below.
2. How big is the hand? If the glove feels loose, try a ContoUR Fit Heart of the Hide or a Wilson DP15 / PF model before you go down a size. A smaller-hand glove keeps the right pocket for the position.
3. How fast does it need to be ready? A traditional Heart of the Hide or A2000 takes a few weeks of steady catch to break in (JustBallGloves). If the season starts soon, pick an R2G, a 2027 A2000 with the Flex System or a SuperSkin model, or let us break it in for you.
4. Is the player still growing? Heart of the Hide and A2000 gloves are built to last several seasons. For a younger player who's still growing, the A1000 is a great step up, with A2000 patterns at a lower price.
Glove size by position
| Level | Infield | Outfield | Pitcher | First base |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth, 7 to 12 | 10.25" to 11.5" | 11.5" to 12.25" | 10.75" to 12.5" | 11.5" to 12" |
| 13 and up / high school / adult | 11.25" to 12" | 12" to 12.75" | 11.5" to 12.5" | 12" to 13" |
Sources: Rawlings sizing chart and Wilson sizing chart. For more detail, see our glove sizing guide.
Let us break it in
Bought a new Heart of the Hide or A2000 and don't have weeks to break it in? Our in-house glove bench offers professional break-in, plus relacing, reconditioning and repairs for every brand. See glove repair and break-in, or read how to break in a glove if you'd rather do it yourself.
Try them on in McDonough
The best way to find your glove is to try it on. Visit 27 Baseball, 1634 GA-42 S, McDonough, GA, or call 678-272-2267 to check whether we have a size, pattern or throwing hand.
Shop all gloves · Infield · Outfield · Pitcher
FAQ
What makes Heart of the Hide gloves special? Rawlings builds them with full-grain steerhide cut from the middle of the back, the highest-quality part of the hide, with a deer-tanned cowhide lining. Steerhide holds its shape and lasts longer (Rawlings).
What makes the Wilson A2000 special? It's built with Wilson's Pro Stock leather in the same patterns pros use, and the 2027 models add the Flex System for an easier break-in (Wilson, Name of the Game).
What's the difference between Heart of the Hide and Heart of the Hide R2G? Both use the same leather. The R2G has 15% more factory break-in, so it's ready to use sooner (Rawlings).
What does the A2K add? The A2K uses Pro Stock Select leather from the top 5% of Wilson hides, is made entirely in Japan and adds a double palm that helps the pocket hold its shape (Wilson). It's Wilson's finest glove for players who want the very best.
What's new on the 2027 Wilson A2000? The Flex System, a Flex Insert from the thumb to the heel plus a Flex Liner, makes the glove 21% easier to squeeze shut than earlier models (Name of the Game).
What size glove does a high school infielder need? Usually 11.25" to 12". Middle infielders use 11.25" to 11.5", and third basemen often go to 11.75" or 12" (Rawlings).
Can you break in my glove for me? Yes. We offer professional break-in at our McDonough store. See glove repair and break-in.