Rawlings vs. Wilson Baseball Gloves: Heart of the Hide vs. A2000

For most infielders choosing between Rawlings and Wilson flagships, we'd buy the Rawlings Heart of the Hide 11.5" (about $250): it's roughly $80 less than the current Wilson A2000 1786 listing (about $330), and many players find its steerhide rounds into a responsive pocket a little sooner. Buy the A2000 if you want the 1786, one of the most famous middle-infield patterns in the game, and a firmer glove that holds its shape. Either way, you're buying one of the two best-known pro gloves in baseball.

This isn't a contest with a loser. Ask a dugout full of infielders which they prefer and you'll get a near-even split. Below we compare the two brands head to head: Heart of the Hide vs A2000 for the infield and the outfield, how each brand's lineup ladders from pro to youth, leather and break-in, patterns and sizing, price, and which one fits you. Every spec is kept truthful and general; we don't run lab durability tests, and we won't pretend one brand's leather "wins" on a number we made up.

Neither is objectively better. For most infielders we lean Heart of the Hide because it currently costs less and many players find it breaks in a little sooner; the A2000 wins for players who want the 1786 pattern and a firmer, more structured glove. Both are pro-grade, both last for years with care, and both need weeks of break-in.

Prices move with colorways, patterns and sales, so check both listings before you decide. When the gap is small, choose on feel, not price.

Both brands run a clear ladder from youth gloves to pro lines, and each Rawlings tier has a rough Wilson counterpart. This is the most useful way to compare the brands, because it tells you what to cross-shop at your budget.

These are approximate tiers for cross-shopping, not exact equivalents. For picks at each level, see our infield, outfield and youth glove guides.

The single biggest difference between these two gloves is the leather, and both are premium hides that start stiff and last for years. Rawlings markets Heart of the Hide as premium steerhide from the best part of the hide, which gives the glove its firmness out of the box and its longevity once it's worked in. Wilson's A2000 uses Pro Stock leather, the brand's flagship hide, equally known for being stiff, structured and durable.

Neither is a soft, pre-broken-in leather, and that's by design: the dense hide that makes a flagship stiff at first is the same hide that holds a great pocket later. The practical difference players report is one of character. Many describe the HOH steerhide as breaking in to a slightly softer, more responsive feel, while the A2000's Pro Stock is praised for staying structured and holding its molded shape. Both reward light conditioning and consistent use.

Many players find the Heart of the Hide breaks in a little faster, but both are stiff out of the box and need weeks of catch, shaping and light conditioning. This surprises players used to cheaper, pre-softened gloves. A flagship glove starts firm precisely because the leather that makes it stiff now is what makes it durable later.

The A2000 has a long-running reputation for a stiff, patient break-in, and players who love it often wear that as a badge of honor. The Heart of the Hide is also firm to start, but a common refrain is that it rounds into a good feel a bit sooner. "Sooner" is relative: both are weeks, not days. If you want less break-in, look one tier up (Pro Preferred) or one tier down (R9, A1000).

Once broken in, the difference players notice most is character: the Heart of the Hide tends to feel responsive in the pocket, while the A2000 is prized for staying structured and predictable. Both are pro-grade, so neither feels mushy; this is personality, not quality.

Infielders who like to feel the ball and squeeze it quickly out of the pocket often gravitate to the HOH. Infielders who want the pocket exactly where they left it every time, through a long season, tend to love the A2000. The best way to decide is to put a hand in both; failing that, pick the description that sounds like how you want your glove to feel.

In the outfield the comparison holds: the Heart of the Hide 12.75" (about $280) is the less expensive flagship, and the A2000 1777 12.75" (about $330) is the pick for players who love Wilson's structured feel. Both give the full length and deep pocket outfielders need, and both need a real break-in. The same leather differences apply.

If you already own one brand's infield glove and like it, buying the same brand for the outfield keeps the feel consistent. If you're choosing fresh, the price gap on these specific listings favors Rawlings. For budget outfield options from both brands, see our outfield glove guide.

Both flagship infield gloves here are 11.5", a classic middle-infield size, and the Wilson 1786 is one of the most famous infield patterns in the game. The 11.5" length is a favorite at second base and shortstop because it's small enough to get the ball into your throwing hand fast. Third basemen often go to 11.75" (like the Wilson A1000 1975 here).

The Heart of the Hide infield glove here uses a Pro I-Web, an open web that helps you locate the ball on a turn and lets dirt fall through. Both brands offer their flagship leather across every position (infield, outfield, pitcher, first base and catcher). Check our glove size chart before you pick a pattern.

For youth players, compare the Rawlings Select Pro Lite (about $68) with the Wilson A500 (about $59), and choose on size and how easily the player can close it, not on the logo. The Select Pro Lite is lighter and a bit easier to close; the A500 has a firmer, more structured feel that some older kids prefer.

Neither flagship makes sense for most players under about 14; a stiff pro glove a young hand can't close is worse than a youth glove it can. Our youth glove guide ranks both and gives a size chart by age.

Both flagship lines are built to last years of serious play, and lifespan depends far more on care than on the brand. We don't run controlled durability tests and won't invent a number, but both lines have decades-long reputations for holding up far longer than entry-level gloves when cared for.

Keep the leather conditioned sparingly, don't leave the glove in a hot car or soaking wet, store it with a ball in the pocket, and don't over-oil it. Treated that way, either glove serves a player through multiple seasons. Our glove conditioner guide covers what to use.

Pro Preferred is Rawlings' step above Heart of the Hide: kip leather (lighter, tighter grain, softer out of the box) versus Heart of the Hide's dense steerhide, at a price roughly $100 or more higher. Heart of the Hide is the sweet spot for most serious players, including high schoolers; Pro Preferred is for players who want kip leather's lighter feel and shorter break-in and are comfortable spending about $380. The Wilson equivalent of Pro Preferred is the A2K. Full detail in Heart of the Hide vs Pro Preferred.

Buy the Heart of the Hide if you want premium steerhide, a responsive pocket and the lower price on today's listings; buy the A2000 if you want the 1786 pattern and a structured glove that holds its shape. Both demand a real break-in, both last for years with care, and both are priced like the flagships they are.

• Middle infielder, value-minded: Heart of the Hide 11.5".
• Middle infielder who loves a firm glove: A2000 1786.
• Third base or utility on a budget: Wilson A1000 1975.
• Outfielder: Heart of the Hide 12.75" or A2000 1777.
• Wants the best leather and less break-in: Rawlings Pro Preferred.
• Youth player: Select Pro Lite or A500, sized by age.

If you can put a hand in each, do; your hands will tell you fast which feel you prefer.