Custom Japanese Kip Glove

VI is the Latin word for Force. It is a command and a reminder to every athlete: Be a Force on the Field. We design our equipment to be the tool you use to impose your will on the game.

VI Athletics was founded by James Kyllonen, a designer and coach who operates between Shanghai and Michigan. James serves as the head designer for the luxury brand Kyllonen Luxury, and he brings that same obsession with precision, gemstone-grade detail, and high-end aesthetics to the world of sports performance.

Every piece of VI gear is born from real-world coaching and play. From the Shanghai Sluggers youth program to the competitive fields of the Michigan Tri-Cities, our equipment is tested by players who are on the field daily. We don't just design in a lab; we design in the dugout.

Absolutely. We specialize in custom fielding gloves and apparel that allow you to bring your own "Force" to the aesthetic. Whether it's choosing the perfect web for your position or designing a custom jersey for your team, we ensure your gear is a one-of-one original.

We prioritize "feel" and durability, which is why we use two specific types of leather:

• Cabretta (Sheepskin): Known for being incredibly soft and thin, sheepskin provides the best "feel" for the bat. It stays supple even after multiple uses and offers a natural, second-skin grip.
• Perforated Goat Leather: Slightly more durable than sheepskin, goat leather is excellent for players who take high volumes of swings (long cage sessions). The perforations help with breathability and moisture management.

A batting glove should fit snug but not restrictive. Gloves will stretch and form to your hand with use.

• No Bunching: There should be no excess material in the palm when you close your hand around the bat handle. Excess leather causes friction, which leads to blisters.
• Finger Length: Your fingertips should reach the end of the glove without stretching the seams.
• The "Clinch" Test: When you make a fist, the back-of-hand material should stretch comfortably without cutting off circulation.

To find your VI Athletics size, measure from the base of your palm (at the wrist) to the tip of your middle finger:

Adult sizes:

• Small: 7" – 7.25"
• Medium: 7.25" – 7.5"
• Large: 7.5" – 7.75"
• XL 7.75” – 8”
• XXL 8” – 8.25”

Youth sizes:

• YS: 6" – 6.25"
• YM: 6.25" – 6.5"
• YL: 6.5" – 6.75"
• YXL 6.75” – 7”

If you are between sizes, we recommend sizing up for a more comfortable fit.

Our VI Athletics gloves often feature a wider, reinforced neoprene wrist strap.

• Stability: It acts similarly to a light wrist wrap, providing extra support during high-velocity swings.
• Security: A wider strap ensures the glove doesn't shift or slide down the hand when you're swinging through the zone.

Batting gloves get stiff because sweat (salt) dries out the natural oils in the leather.

• Air Dry: After a game, never leave them crumpled in your bag. Hang them or lay them flat in a ventilated area.
• Avoid Direct Heat: Never put them on a radiator or in a dryer; this will cause the leather to crack.

The "Rub" Method: If they get slightly stiff, simply putting them on and rubbing your hands together can reactivate the natural oils in the leather.

We do not recommend machine washing leather batting gloves. If they are heavily soiled:

• Use a damp cloth with a tiny amount of mild soap.
• Wipe the surface gently.
• Air dry completely and apply a very light amount of leather conditioner to the palm if necessary.

The "best" leather depends on your age, position, and how much work you want to put into the break-in process.

• American Kip Leather: Our most popular choice. It offers a great balance between durability and a manageable break-in period. It’s stiff enough to hold its shape for several seasons but won't take forever to get game-ready.
• Japanese Kip Leather: The premium choice for elite players. Sourced from younger cattle, this leather is finer-grained, lighter, and tighter than steerhide. It allows for a quicker break-in while maintaining a very "stiff" structural integrity once formed.
• Cowhide Leather: A rugged, heavier option often used for its extreme durability. It takes the longest to break in but is incredibly resilient against the wear and tear of a long season.

Webbing has a direct function to the size of the pocket, if you want the ball hidden, and the cost to replace. Here is the common choices for webs.

• I-Web: This style and similar are the gold standard for Middle Infielders (SS/2B). It allows dirt to fall through the gaps during transitions and creates a shallow pocket for quick transfers.
• H-Web: A versatile classic used by Third Basemen and Outfielders. It provides more stability and a slightly deeper pocket than the I-Web, making it great for snagging hard line drives.
• Trapeze / Six-Finger: Preferred by Outfielders. This web acts as an extension of the glove, creating a deep, vacuum-like pocket for fly balls.
• 2-piece/Closed Web: Ideal for Pitchers. It completely hides your grip from the batter, ensuring they can't tip your pitches based on your finger movement

At VI Athletics, we emphasize structural integrity.

• Y-Style Welting: This is a signature design element of our gloves. It provides a unique reinforcement at the back of the fingers, helping the glove maintain its "fingers-up" stiffness over time and preventing the leather from folding prematurely.
• Dual Welting: Uses two strips of leather along each finger back to create a pre-curved shape, commonly used to help the glove hold a rounder pocket.

Because we use high-grade leathers, our gloves arrive stiff.

• Steerhide: Typically requires 2–3 weeks of consistent catch and mallet work.
• Kip: Can be game-ready in 1–2 weeks if worked properly, though it maintains its shape much longer than lower-tier leathers.

Pro Tip: We recommend the "Aso Method" (warm water and mallet) or simply playing catch. Avoid using ovens or microwaves, as this dries out the natural oils in the leather and shortens the glove's lifespan.

Yes. When designing your glove, you can choose between:

• Standard Fit: Designed for the average adult hand.
• Contoured/Tapered Fit: Features smaller finger stalls and a tighter wrist opening, ideal for younger players or athletes with smaller hands who want maximum control.

To ensure your glove lasts for years:

• Keep it dry: If it gets wet, let it air dry naturally. Never use a hair dryer.
• Condition sparingly: Use a high-quality leather balm once or twice a season. Over-conditioning will make the glove heavy and "mushy."
• Store with a ball: Always keep a ball in the pocket when not in use to maintain the shape.

Creating a custom glove takes time and is made by skilled artisan and hand-laced. Generally, it takes 4-6 weeks to receive. However, some models may be allowed to rush order. Here is the process.

• Design: You can submit your design or ask for a designer to help design your product.
• Confirm Details: Once we have your design, we will confirm details such as Left-hand throwing or right-hand throwing to make sure we get it right. The official timetable will begin once we confirm the details.
• Manufacturing: This is the longest part of the process. We need to select the different leathers and cut them out to your desired pattern. We will then add any embroideries. After this we will begin to assemble the glove by welting, binding and stitching. Finally, we will lace the glove.
• Delivery: We will ship out the glove with a tracking number and get your glove in your hands and ready to break in.