It’s a diplomatic problem when you are asked which one is best among Wilson A2000 vs Heart of the Hide(HoH) from Rawlings Sporting Goods Company. It’s because both Wilson and Rawlings have been dominating the baseball equipment sector for decades.
By the way, Wilson A2000 and Rawlings Heart of the Hide two are among the top-class baseball gloves. They have the same purpose of serving: the best in their class.
I have tested both of them, and the A2000 already has a full review on our site. By the way, we got some requests to compare two legendary gloves, A2000 and HoH. Regarding this aspect, I have compared these two gloves, and here is the result “are Rawlings or Wilson gloves better?”
So, no more ado; let’s get to the point. I will try to let you know which glove among Wilson A2000 vs Rawlings Heart of the Hide is better by comparing them side by side.
Wilson A2000 Baseball Glove Overview
Before getting into the pain point, knowing each glove’s features will help you understand its stance. Let’s first start with the Wilson A2000 baseball glove.
A2000 is a glove series that produces different types of gloves for different positions. Check the basic features from the following table.
Rawlings Heart of the Hide at a Glance
| Category | Baseball glove |
| Material | Pro Stock Leather, SuperSkin |
| Types | Infield, Outfield, First Base, Pitcher, catcher’s mitt |
| Size | 11.5”, 11.75”, 12”, 12.25”, 12.5”, 12.75”, 33” and 34’ mitts |
| Support | Rolled Dual Welting |
| Fit | Comfort Pro-Fit with ProLux Leather liner |
| Wrist Lining | DriLix Wrist lining |
| Special Feature | Pedroia Fit Technology |
| Webbing | H-web, I-web, SINGLE POST WITH 3X LACE, 6 finger web, Half-moon, Single post, etc. |
Wilson A2000 is made of pro Stock leather which is picked from full-grown American Steers (Black Angus). The leather is comparatively soft and needs comparatively less break-in time.
In terms of build quality, A2000 is top-notch, without any doubt. Also, the Pro Stock leather is slightly lighter than traditional steer hide.
Along with Pro Stock leather, Wilson Sporting Goods implemented Rolled dual welting cosmetic effect. This rolled dual welting gives better support to the glove to hold its shape as it is.
Wilson exclusively gives attention to flat finger binding technology for players who love to play by keeping a finger outside. Flat finger binding reduces the space between the back of the glove and the outer finger. As a result, the shock impact is reduced, and you feel less pain.
The DriLex wrist lining is pretty much effective in keeping your gloved hand dry for the longer time you wear the glove.
Also, Wilson features custom Pedroia fit technology that gives shorter finger stalls and narrow wrist openings. This helps fit the glove for smaller hands.
Additionally, you might like Wilson A1000 VS A2000 | A Side By Side Comparison
Rawlings Heart of the Hide Overview
Rawlings Heart of Hide has a historical nostalgia along with its top-class performance. Rawlings Sporting Company did a great paint job, especially for the HoH’s 2022 models with a bunch of colors. The most significant change is its color availability which amazed me the most.
By the way, let’s briefly look at the glove with its features.
Rawlings Heart of the Hide at a Glance
| Material | Top-grade Steer Hide Leather |
| Types | Infield, Outfield, Pitcher, Catcher’s mitt |
| Lining | Shell palm/Deer-tanned leather lining/Thermoformed wrist lining |
| Padding | Redesigned heel pad |
| Webbing | Two-piece, and one-piece solid, I-web, Vertical Hinge, Modified Trap-Eze, etc. |
| Special Feature | R2G, hyper shell |
Rawlings Heart of the Hide is made of top-class pro-grade steer hide leather. As per Rawlings’s claims, they used the top 5% of steer hide in their storage. There are different patterns used for different positional gloves as well as different webbing.
My concern is not that, by the way. Despite this, there is not a shred of doubt that the construction quality is excellent. Rawlings, on the other hand, included full-grain leather onto the back of the finger lining and deer-tanned cowhide into the palm lining of their gloves.
As a direct consequence of this, wearing the glove will provide you with the highest possible level of comfort. In addition to a number of additional benefits, the thermoformed hand opening bestows unparalleled ease of use and dependability onto the wrist.
The special feature of the glove is its R2G features, which presents the glove as almost factory broken-in(65%).
Summing up everything, you will get a tough fight on the Rawlings Heart of the Hide vs A2000 Wilson.
Let’s compare these two to understand their differences. Also, this comparison will help you to understand are Rawlings or Wilson gloves better.
Wilson A2000 vs Heart of the Hide of Rawlings: Comparing Side By Side
Now let’s dive into the point. Here I will compare both Wilson A2000 vs Rawlings Heart of the Hide by their individual sides. We will try to find out how they differ from each other or how they are equal.
Also, it will help you to which one you should pick regarding your needs.
Build Quality and Durability Comparison
Let’s first talk about the build quality of both gloves. Wilson uses Pro Stock leather, which is almost like the leather of A2K. A2K is the most premium and top-class glove of Wilson.
Wilson uses their top 5% leather for the A2K with trice sort out. But, also uses the same leather in A2000, just, after the top 5%. That doesn’t make any big difference.
Rawlings also uses their top-notch steer hide as well. They both use double lace that will surely keep the shape on.
Actually, you will not get any noticeable difference between these two in terms of build quality. But, the A2000 needs a little more time in break-in than the HoH.
On the other hand, when the A2000 gets broken in, I felt more comfortable wearing it. Also, I have found it easier to close and open as well.
Ultimately, I personally found a little better feel with the A2000 one. However, this might be varied from person to person.
In my opinion, the Wilson A2000 is a little ahead in build quality in the battle of A2000 vs HoH.
By the way, as both gloves use top-notch leather of their own, you can expect at least 5 to 6 seasons of longevity from both of them. I am mentioning again a little ahead of A2000 doesn’t mean a big difference.
So, don’t be confused about the quality of Heart of the Hide.
Additional Read: Wilson a2K vs A2000 | Which One Is the Ideal Choice
Performance
Okay, let’s talk about the performance of A2000. It’s pretty much decent in performance. Like, if I talk about catching a ground ball, you will feel the ball slightly. But yes, this will not give you pain at all due to its great ProLux leather palm and lining.
As Wilson mentioned it’s spin control technology, I have found they did a nice job here. As soon as you catch the ball, the microfiber on the palm takes control over the ball and reduces the spinning in no time.
This is a great feature I found, and it works for the glove, as Wilson claimed.
By the way, the heart of the hide also gets accustomed to its user with proper shaping and pocketing in a short time. Both of these gloves are durable and perform great in catching the ball.
The balls don’t bounce back on both of them. I have found good control of the ball easily when they come and contact.
But, as Rawlings mentioned, they provide almost factory break-in, yet I have felt a little stiffness after the entire break-in in the HoH.
Comfort
In terms of comfort, both are good. But, if I want to differentiate between these two, I would keep the Wilson A2000 ahead.
Though both use adequate padding for comfort, I have found the A2000 clearly more comfortable. The DriLex wrist lining on A2000 does a good job by keeping the glove dry.
Also, the thermoformed lining in the heart of the Hide also performs up to the mark. I am not differentiating them in such a way that Heart of the Hide is a way behind. It’s just about feeling. Both give a snug fit, easy ON-OFF, and adjustability.
As I have tested both, I have noticed the difference in comfort clearly, by the way. As a result, you can keep wearing A2000 a day long without any hassle.
Design and Look
This section could be a little tricky. Because the design taste is not the same for all people. There is varment in personal choice for different people.
By the way, Wilson A2000 implemented a modern look in terms of design and look. But, Heart of the Hide tried to keep a classical vibe in it. So, which one is best depends on your preference.
I love both modern and classical design vibes. So, both of the gloves serve their own purposes in the design section, and they are perfectly done. I think you will love both of them.
But yes, you will find a lot of color options for both gloves.
Pricing
Due to the fact that the bot is in the same section, we compared the two of them. There is also a little disparity in the prices between the two options. We will get There is a range of $230 to $300 for the Heart of the Hide.
The Wilson A2000, on the other hand, can be purchased for somewhere about $300. Both of these options provide pricing that is usual for their category and quality in the section devoted to pricing.
This basic comparison video might help you to understand the difference:
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a Wilson A2000 worth the money?
Without any doubt, Wilson A2000 is one of the best baseball gloves in its segment. Even with a bit higher price tag, it is actually unbeatable. The glove is soft and comfortable. Also, highly durable. You can be relieved for the next 5 to 6 seasons or even more.
- What makes the Wilson A2000 so good?
The material and spin control technology differs A2000 from others. Aside from these, the thin heel pad and shallower pocket allow the fast transfer and throw to the receiver. It’s stable in back and forth, and the palm is so comfortable to deal with the ball.
- Is Heart of the Hide a good glove?
In general, the leather that is used for the Heart of the hide is the prime cut of the leather, which is also referred to as the centerpiece of the hide. As a direct consequence of this, the leather has become more robust and robust. As a direct consequence of this, the glove takes its form very quickly.
The leather is very long-lasting and sturdy, providing you with at least six seasons’ worth of comfort in addition to its durability.
- Where is Rawlings Heart of the Hide made?
Since 1887, Rawlings has been producing their renowned gloves. They make a variety of gloves in a variety of locations, each of which has its own distinct style. However, Washington, Missouri is where the production of Rawlings pro models, Heart of the Hide gloves, and bespoke gloves takes place. It goes all the way back to the beginning.
Final Note- Which One Should You Buy From Wilson A2000 vs Heart of the Hide Rawlings?
Okay, as both are pretty nice and top-notch gloves, you might pick one regarding your choice. There are no significant differences between these two.
However, if I have to pick a specific one of the A2000 vs Heart of the Hide, I would prefer Wilson A2000. It is slightly ahead regarding comfort and making. By the way, you can choose based on your budget and preference since the HoH has several budget options.
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Hello everyone. My name is Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player. I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego.
I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit.