Differences Between A1000 vs A2000 Gloves

- September 5, 2023

Wilson has been, no doubt, a market leader in the sporting goods industry since the company started in 1913. They’ve made a name for themselves as one of the best and most trusted baseball glove manufacturers on the market. The A1000 and the A2000, in particular, are two of the most popular gloves in the Wilson glove line-up. But often, readers are confused about the differences between the A1000 and the A2000. Both are high-quality, durable gloves, tried & tested by hundreds of players, from the amateur to the professional level. So what’s better between the A1000 vs A2000?

Wilson A1000 Overview

Wilson A1000 glove is a durable, budget-friendly, feature-packed glove that’s perfect for the young, up-and-coming ballplayer. We love that it’s lightweight and that its sizable pocket adapts to players with smaller hands. Players will get at least 2-3 seasons of hard use out of the A1000. This glove looks and feels great, given how much it costs.

Wilson A2000 Overview

Wilson A2000 gloves are arguably some of the best baseball gloves ever made. Their popularity comes down to their availability for any position (including utility players and catchers), different webbing options, outstanding craftsmanship, and leather quality – I could go on and on. The leather isn’t as pliable as the A2K, but the A2000 is still a great glove!  

The A2000 continues to be a pick for many and has been in the hands of pros like Clayton Kershaw, Carlos Correa, and Robinson Cano.

Which is Better – The A1000 vs A2000?

A1000 and A2000 gloves are Wilson products, so very little can be said about the quality. But, should you buy the A1000 glove or the A2000 glove?

The two gloves are very different and serve two groups of players. Youth players will enjoy the game-ready A1000 glove while professionals will opt for the better quality A2000 glove.

Differences Between the A1000 vs A2000

Wilsons gloves ranked from best quality to “worst” are:

  1. A2K
  2. A2000
  3. A1K
  4. A1000

The A2s are superior in quality – you can read our A2K vs A2000 comparison – and are a great pick if you can afford them. The A1’s aren’t as solid, but users sometimes have difficulty choosing between the A1000 vs A2000.

The A1000 and A2000 have several similarities in terms of sizing, availability for both right and left-handed players, and availability for different positions on the field. However, the differences between the A1000 vs the A2000 come down to two things: construction and pricing.

Differences Between the Wilson A1000 vs A2000

Construction – Wilson A1000 vs A2000

Leather Quality

The A1000 features soft full-grain leather. The A2000, on the other hand, features pro stock, top American steer hide that is thinner, lighter, and tougher than that of the A1000. The A2000 gives a one-of-a-kind feel that professional players desire. Based solely on material, the A2000 is the better choice.

Break-In Period

Breaking in a baseball or softball glove is the process of softening the glove’s leather. Softer, pliable leather makes the glove easier to use, helping players catch and secure the ball in their palm. 

As we’ve mentioned above, the A1000’s full-grain leather is softer or more “game-ready” owing to its softer leather construction. The A2000’s pro stock, top American steer hide is much tougher, so you’ll need to break it in. Remember only to use the best glove oils and conditioners to keep your glove safe. Also, break in your glove well before the season begins to give sufficient time. You can use your old glove until your new A2000 is ready to use.

Design Language

The Wilson A1000 and A2000 share a design language, with both gloves coming in many different sizes and being suitable for play in any position. The design you pick depends on the glove (the A1000 is available only in black or grey, while the A2000 comes in many other colors), position (different positions require different sized baseball gloves), and personal preference.

Technology

Webbing

Webbing is the material that connects the glove thumb to the rest of the fingers. Web types affect the weight, flexibility, visibility, and more in your glove. The correct webbing will suit your position and preferences. For instance, closed webs suit pitchers who need additional catching support. Outfielders and third basemen also prefer this kind of web. 

Open webs, on the other hand, suit infield and outfield players because they offer quicker ball transfers to the throwing hand and also make it easier to see the ball when catching pop-flys. 

The A1000 sports an open web while A2000 sports a closed web. The A1000 series comes in an H-web, Half Moon web, and Pro-Laced T web, while the A2000 models sport all these web types and more.

Welting

Welting is leather that is sewn into the fingers and thumbs to reinforce a glove. The A2000’s have dual welting, which places two strips of leather along each finger back to make for durable gloves and a firm catch. They also use flat finger binding, which gives the glove a more flattened shape and makes playing with a finger outside the glove more comfortable than with traditional glove models.

Availability/Versatility

The Wilson A1000 and A2000 work for any position and suit both left and right-handers. A Superskin model, which is stronger but half the weight, is available in the A2000 but not the A1000. The specific design you need will depend on the position you play. There is a much broader range of base colors in the A2000 than in the A1000.

Both gloves come in various sizes, which is a crucial factor in glove choice, depending on the position played. The A1000 features very flexible leather and is better for fielding ground balls and amateur players. The A2000 suits both softball players and baseball players due to its wider variety in pocket size and is more suitable for professional players.

A2000 SuperSkin gloves are lighter, stronger, and faster to break in than all-leather A2000s.

Price

The average cost for the A1000 is in the $130 range, whereas the A2000 is more than double the price at around $260. The A2000 has more refined materials and skews towards pro players, so the much higher cost is understandable. 

Conclusion

The A1000 glove is nearly half the price of the A2000 glove and is easy to break in, and suits a wide variety of positions on the field. The nature of the design makes it easy to handle and suitable for beginners and youth players.

Without question, the A2000 has better material, which justifies the relatively hefty price tag. The A2000 best suits serious players either at the professional level or aspire to be a professional. The feel is one of a kind on the hand. After a more substantial break-in period, professionals will find it comfortable for the long haul.

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