Find a Company That Makes Prototype Sports Gloves in Sialkot (2026 Top Picks)

I have been in this industry for years, and I see this frustration daily. Finding a factory that wants your money is easy. Finding a company that makes prototype sports gloves, one that actually cares about product development and isn't just chasing bulk orders, is a completely different ballgame. But here is the good news: They do exist. And most of them are right here in Sialkot.

In this guide, I’m going to share my insider perspective on how to find manufacturers who are willing to work with startups, how to approach them so they take you seriously, and where to look in our directory for the best results in 2026.

Why Sialkot is Your Best Bet for Prototyping

You could try your luck on Alibaba or source from generalist factories in China, but for sports gloves manufacturing specifically, Sialkot remains the undisputed heavyweight champion. When it comes to product development, the "Sialkot Advantage" comes down to three concrete realities that save you time:

• Global Dominance: Sialkot produces over 70% of the world’s hand-stitched inflatable balls and a massive portion of the global supply of performance gloves, meaning the skilled labor force is already here.
• Hyper-Local Supply Chain: Manufacturers here don't wait weeks for shipments of raw materials; the leather tanneries, Velcro suppliers, and sublimation experts are often just down the street.
• Rapid Iteration: Because the ecosystem is so tight-knit, a company that makes prototype sports gloves in Sialkot can design, stitch, and ship a revised sample faster than almost anywhere else in the world.

How to Choose the Right Manufacturer for Glove Prototyping

Finding a factory is easy; finding a partner is hard. When you are looking at a list of twenty potential suppliers on SialkotMade, how do you know which one is the right one? Do not just look at the price tag. Here is the checklist I use to vet a manufacturer before I send them a deposit:

1. Check for True Specialization 

In Sialkot, many trading companies claim to make everything from surgical tools to soccer balls. Avoid them. You want a factory that lives and breathes gloves. Look at their catalog. If 80% of their products are gloves, that is a green flag. It means their stitching teams are specialized in the complex curves and small seams that gloves require, rather than the straight lines of a t-shirt.

2. The "24-Hour" Communication Test 

Send an email with three specific questions. If it takes them 4 days to reply to a simple inquiry, imagine how long it will take when there is a problem with your order.

• The Standard: A professional export house should reply within 24 hours (accounting for time zones).
• The Language: Their English doesn't need to be Shakespearean, but it must be clear. Miscommunication in technical specs leads to expensive disasters.

3. Ask About Their "Sample Refund" Policy 

This is the ultimate test of confidence. A manufacturer who knows their quality is good will often agree to refund or adjust the prototyping fee against your bulk order.

• What to ask: "If I approve this sample and order 100 pairs, will you deduct the sample cost from the final invoice?"
• If they say "No," they might be making their profit solely on overcharging for samples.

4. Production Capacity vs. Your Reality 

Don't hire a factory that produces for Adidas if you are ordering 50 pairs. They will push your order to the back of the line every time a big client calls.

• For Startups: Look for mid-sized units (often listed as "SME" or Small-Medium Enterprises). They will value your business and give you the attention you need to perfect your prototype.

Red Flags to Avoid

I have seen too many startups lose their entire budget by trusting the wrong people. If you spot any of these warning signs during your conversation, do not transfer money.

• The manufacturer is not willing to provide glove samples before mass production.
• Not giving clear answers about cost and timeline.
• Not transparent about sourcing materials.
• Having no clear policy on design ownership.

The Step-by-Step Glove Prototyping Process

Creating a high-performance sports glove isn't just about sewing pieces together; it is a cycle of engineering and refinement. A strong process ensures that by the time your product reaches an athlete's hands, it is optimized for durability, grip, and comfort. Here is what the journey looks like from idea to "Gold Sample":

1. The Blueprint (Concept & Design) 

Every great glove starts with a clear intent. Are you designing for the gridiron, the baseball diamond, or the weight room? In this phase, designers create the "Tech Pack", sketching the patterns, mapping out where the padding sits, and deciding exactly how the grip technology should function. This is the foundation of custom development.

2. Material Selection

Materials dictate performance. This is where we balance trade-offs: Synthetic leather for durability, neoprene for that snug, flexible fit, mesh for airflow, or Kevlar for high-impact protection. The manufacturer will help you select the exact fabric blend that matches the intensity of the sport you are targeting.

3. Prototype Creation

Once the materials land on the table, the physical work begins. Skilled craftsmen (or automated cutters) slice the patterns and stitch the first assembly. This transforms your 2D design into a tangible, 3D model that you can actually hold.

4. Testing & Feedback

A glove might look good on a desk, but does it work on the field? In this critical phase, athletes wear the sample to test its limits. They provide feedback on the fit, the grip tackiness, and comfort, while the production team examines the seam strength and finish.

5. Iteration & Refinement

Rarely is the first sample perfect. Based on the testing feedback, we tweak the design, perhaps adding better ventilation, reinforcing a seam that popped, or adjusting the wrist strap. These iterations repeat until we have a market-ready glove that performs exactly as promised.

Top Sports Gloves Manufacturers in Sialkot

You can spend hours scrolling, or you can start with three verified companies that I have seen consistently deliver. I have categorized them by their "Superpower" so you can pick the one that fits your specific project.

Telli Sports 

If you are building a brand in the cycling, motocross, or fitness niche, Telli Sports is a powerhouse. They don’t just do gloves; they understand the specific ergonomics needed for gripping a handlebar or a weightlifting bar.

• Why choose them: They are a 100% export-oriented unit, meaning they are used to Western quality standards and tight deadlines.

They are excellent if you need a "Mixed Bag", for example, if you want to launch a line of matching cycling jerseys and gloves together.

Lombard Industry 

Sometimes you just want a manufacturer who has "seen it all." Established in 1980, Lombard Industry brings over four decades of experience to the table. In Sialkot, longevity is a trust signal; it means they have survived market crashes and changing trends by keeping customers happy.

• Why them: They have a massive archive of patterns and materials. If you want a classic leather driving glove or a standard winter glove, they likely already have the tooling for it (which saves you setup costs).

Their long history makes them a safer bet for stability if you are looking for a long-term production partner.

Gratex Industries 

If your glove needs to protect the user from cuts, heat, or impact (PPE), Gratex is the specialist you need. Unlike fashion manufacturers, they focus heavily on industrial standards and safety compliance.

• Why choose them: They explicitly offer Product Designing & Prototyping services. They have an in-house design team that understands technical fabrics (Kevlar, Nomex) and safety certifications (EN/ISO).

If you are inventing a new type of mechanic glove or tactical gear, their "technical mindset" will be much more helpful than a standard sportswear factory.

Conclusion

The gap between a sketch in a notebook and a product on a shelf is execution. I know that the prototyping phase feels risky, you are spending money on something that doesn't exist yet, with a partner you haven't met, in a country you might never have visited. But remember this: Every major sports brand you see on TV started exactly where you are right now. They all had to find that first manufacturer who believed in their vision enough to stitch that first sample.

Sialkot has the infrastructure, the history, and the skill to bring your vision to life. The only variable left is finding the right partner. You don't need to scour the dark corners of the internet or take risks on unverified suppliers. We have built SialkotMade to be the bridge between your idea and the factory floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are most gloves manufactured? 

Globally, Malaysia is the dominant producer of disposable gloves, supplying approximately 60% of the world's nitrile gloves. However, for stitched sports and leather gloves, Sialkot, Pakistan, is a major global hub, alongside China, which produces a significant volume of vinyl and industrial work gloves.

What is the average price for gloves? 

Prices vary wildly by category; disposable nitrile gloves typically retail between $11 and $18 for a box of 100. Specialized sports gear, such as cricket or weightlifting gloves, can range from PKR 350 ($1.25) for basic models to over PKR 8,500 ($30) for professional-grade leather editions.

How much do hand gloves cost? 

The manufacturing cost is often much lower than the retail price; for instance, bulk nitrile gloves can cost as low as $0.04 per unit. However, premium sports gloves involve higher costs due to expensive raw materials like cowhide or goat leather, as well as skilled labor for cutting and stitching.

What is someone who makes gloves called? 

Historically, a skilled artisan who makes or sells gloves is formally called a "glover". In a modern factory setting, this role is often split into specialized titles like "cutter" (who shapes the leather) and "sewer" (who assembles the pieces)