R2G BASEBALL GLOVES
R2G (Ready 2 Go) Gloves Explained
R2G, short for Ready 2 Go, is Rawlings' designation for Heart of the Hide gloves built with extra factory break in, so they arrive closer to game ready than a standard Heart of the Hide glove of the same size. It shows up across Rawlings' infield, outfield, first base, pitcher's, and catcher's mitt patterns, most often marked by a model number starting with PROR instead of the standard PRO prefix.
What Is R2G on a Rawlings Glove?
Rawlings glove craftsmen spend roughly 25 percent more time breaking in an R2G glove at the factory than they do on a standard Heart of the Hide glove. A typical Heart of the Hide arrives about 40 percent broken in, leaving 60 percent of the work to the player. An R2G glove arrives closer to 65 percent broken in, cutting the player's remaining break in work down to roughly 35 percent. Rawlings also re-engineers and thins the heel pad on R2G models, which speeds up the softening process even further. The leather itself is the same Heart of the Hide steer hide used across the rest of the line. R2G changes how much break in work Rawlings finishes before the glove ships, not the grade of leather underneath it.
R2G vs. Contour Fit: Two Different Features
R2G and Contour Fit solve two different problems, and Rawlings sells gloves with either one, both, or neither. R2G is about break in speed: how much of the softening work is already finished when the glove arrives. Contour Fit is about hand shape: a tighter hand opening and lower finger stalls, similar in concept to Wilson's Pedroia Fit. A Rawlings R2G Contour Fit glove combines both traits, arriving mostly broken in with a narrower, more secure fit built in from the start.
R2G Sizes and Patterns by Position
R2G shows up most often on infield gloves, though Rawlings builds the treatment into outfield, first base, pitcher's, and catcher's mitt patterns as well.
- Infield: most common at 11.5 inches to 11.75 inches
- Outfield: typically a 12.75 inch pattern
- First base: usually a 13 inch mitt
- Pitcher's: commonly a 12 inch pattern
- Catcher's mitt: typically 33 to 34 inches
R2G vs. Standard Heart of the Hide
| Standard Heart of the Hide | R2G | |
|---|---|---|
| Factory break in | About 40 percent | About 65 percent |
| Player break in remaining | About 60 percent | About 35 percent |
| Heel pad | Standard thickness | Thinner, re-engineered |
| Time to game ready | Several weeks of regular use | Often playable within a few sessions |
| Leather | Heart of the Hide steer hide | Same Heart of the Hide steer hide |
Frequently Asked Questions About R2G Gloves
What does R2G mean on a Rawlings glove?
R2G stands for Ready 2 Go. It is Rawlings' label for a Heart of the Hide glove built with extra factory break in, so it needs less work from the player before it is ready for games.
How much more broken in is an R2G glove than a standard Heart of the Hide?
A standard Heart of the Hide arrives about 40 percent broken in. An R2G model arrives closer to 65 percent broken in, roughly 25 percent more factory work, leaving the player with about 35 percent of the break in instead of 60 percent.
Is R2G the same as Contour Fit?
No. R2G is about how broken in the glove is when it arrives. Contour Fit is about hand shape, a tighter opening and lower finger stalls similar to Wilson's Pedroia Fit. They are independent features.
Can a glove be both R2G and Contour Fit?
Yes. Rawlings sells some models with both R2G break in and Contour Fit shaping together, combining a glove that is mostly broken in with a tighter hand opening.
Does R2G change the leather quality?
No. R2G gloves use the same Heart of the Hide steer hide as the rest of the line. The difference is in how much break in work Rawlings finishes at the factory and how the heel pad is built, not the grade of leather.
What sizes do R2G gloves come in?
R2G is most common on infield patterns around 11.5 to 11.75 inches, with outfield patterns near 12.75 inches, first base mitts around 13 inches, pitcher's gloves around 12 inches, and catcher's mitts around 33 to 34 inches.
How can you tell if a Rawlings glove is R2G?
Most R2G model numbers start with PROR instead of the PRO prefix used on standard Heart of the Hide gloves, and the product name usually spells out R2G or Ready 2 Go directly.
Does Wilson make a glove like R2G?
Wilson does not sell a glove branded R2G. Its closest equivalent is SuperSkin leather, which is built to break in faster than a traditional all leather Wilson glove, though Wilson does not publish the same factory break in percentage system Rawlings applies to R2G.
How long does an R2G glove still take to break in?
Less time than a standard Heart of the Hide, but not zero. Most players still spend some time playing catch or working the pocket by hand to finish softening it, even though R2G starts well ahead of a standard glove. Better Baseball also offers a glove break-in service that can professionally finish the rest of the process.
