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Top 10 Softball Brands

Softball Brands

Many athletes have brands they are faithful to when choosing equipment used during gameplay, and softball is no different. This list compiles the 10 brands most popular with softball players, whether it be on a professional or recreational level.

  1. Rawlings
  2. Mizuno
  3. Easton
  4. Demarini
  5. Nike
  6. Wilson
  7. Franklin
  8. Worth
  9. Schutt
  10. Ripit

1. Rawlings

Rawlings is one of the most successful companies for sports equipment, outlasting other companies and distributing their gear across the country and the world. Rawlings is known as “The Gold Glove Company,” originating from its sponsorship with Major League Baseball in providing its annual Gold Glove Award. The company has been around as a sportswear brand since 1887.

The company started manufacturing gloves in 1919, originally focusing on baseball gloves but gradually transitioning into softball as well. Though Rawlings is known for gloves, they also produce softballs and helmets and other gear needed for softball other than clothing. Rawlings’ equipment is a heavily-trusted brand. Rawlings provides all of the helmets for the National Professional Fastpitch Softball League and is the official softball for the NCAA. In that sense, Rawlings has a hand in all of softball, both at the professional and collegiate level.

2. Mizuno

Mizuno was founded in 1906 in Osaka, Japan as a shop that sold primarily baseball equipment. In the years following, the demand for Mizuno sports equipment grew. In 1913, Mizuno began to manufacture baseball gloves. One year later, mass production began as the company grew and produced more internationally. Today, Mizuno is a top brand internationally for sports, even becoming an official sponsor for the Osaka Marathon.

Their speciality remains baseball and softball, while also producing gloves, balls, cleats, and other equipment. Mizuno has the honor of sponsoring arguably the biggest face in softball history. Jennie Finch is a Mizuno sponsored athlete. She wears the brand and has done so for a few years, touting Mizuno gloves as the best. Vanessa Shippy, a professional softball player, is also sponsored by the company, referencing her bat as the best she has used. 

3. Easton

Easton is the leading brand for bats, both baseball and softball, and has been known for their bats and now protective equipment. Easton is the sponsor of many major collegiate baseball and softball teams. Easton was founded in 1922, their original product being bows and arrows. They got into the aluminum business with arrow shafts before transferring to other sports.

Easton became popular in the late 1990s due to their composite business, making hockey blades, hockey sticks, and, in 1999, the first-ever two-piece metal baseball bat. In this, Easton expanded into the baseball and softball markets. Today, Easton is owned by Rawlings, and is still one of the biggest brands in baseball and softball. Easton is the official sponsor of USA softball as well as National Champions UCLA.

4. Demarini

Demarini is the most famous bat brand in the world. Most people in the United States know Demarini as a maker of metal bats, especially for youth and Little League. Demarini has now expanded to be a bigger brand, making not only bats for baseball and softball, but also apparel, protective equipment like helmets, and useful items like batting gloves.

Unlike other companies on this list, Demarini was founded with softball specifically in mind. Ray Demarini, the company's founder, was an avid softball player, and he decided to make a bat for that specific purpose. An innovator in bat technology, the company has cemented itself at the top of the softball world. Softball players sponsored by Demarini include Sierra Romero, Mo Mercado, and more. They sponsor Auburn University, Baylor University, the University of Michigan, and more at the collegiate level.

5. Nike

Nike is likely the most famous sportswear brand of all time. Founded as a shoe brand, Nike is well known worldwide for its footwear, equipment, clothing, athletes, advertisements, and much more. When it comes to softball, Nike has been making equipment and clothing for years. Their softball cleats and shoes are famous and worn by many athletes.

Nike also makes pants for softball as well as undershirts, uniforms, and other apparel. Nike’s Dri-Fit technology is revolutionary for softball clothing. Nike is a company that has always supported women’s sports, softball among them. The brand runs camps for softball players to gain exposure. Additionally, Nike is a sponsor for many universities, most notably the Oregon Ducks and all of their sports, including softball.

6. Wilson

Wilson, born in 1913 as a split-off of a meat-packing company, first used their animal by-products to string up tennis rackets, and eventually to make baseball and softball gloves using leather. In the 1940s, Wilson bought a knitting company, and ever since, they have made everything stitched in sports, from balls, to gloves, to uniforms.

Wilson has made products for a wide array of other sports besides softball and baseball, including golf, soccer, basketball, football, and many more. Wilson is one of the most iconic glove companies in terms of softball, probably second only to Rawlings. Their A2000 series is both legendary for the quality of glove as well as the customization process that allows players to create their own colors and styles of glove. The A2000 is worn by players at all levels and is one of the world’s most trusted gloves. Part of the reason that softball players trust Wilson so much is their advisory staff, and their sponsorship deals with top softball players, including many members of Team USA such as Monica Abbott, Courtney Gano, and Cat Osterman. Wilson provides gloves for many college softball players as well. 

7. Franklin

Franklin is a brand that does not differentiate between their baseball and softball equipment, unlike other brands on the list. Interestingly, this does not hinder their popularity within the softball community, as they still are a top-selling brand for softball equipment, protective gear, apparel, and most famously, batting gloves. The brand came together in 1945, but grew in prominence in 1983, when Mike Schmidt, a star third baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies, needed a custom batting glove created for him, one that would become popular with MLB stars at the time. As players wore more Franklin batting gloves, the brand rose to prominence in that field.

Today, the brand’s batting gloves are popular amongst baseball and softball players alike. Part of the appeal of the gloves is the ability to customize. Adding colors to any part of the gloves allows player creativity and players to show their style on the field. Franklin does not specifically endorse schools or athletes when it comes to softball but many athletes can be seen wearing their equipment.

8. Worth

Worth has established itself as a provider of everything softball. Worth is most famous for their bats, though they have expanded in recent years and now sell gloves specifically for fastpitch softball as well. Currently owned by Rawlings, Worth makes their bread and butter on softballs and softball bats, both for slowpitch softball, where durability and power are key components, and in fastpitch softball, where speed and strength are key for equipment.

Worth’s brand is built on slowpitch softball as much as fastpitch, and it shows in their advisory staff of players, most of whom are big-time slowpitch male players like Keith Martin and Jason Matusik. That being said, there are fastpitch female players on the advisory staff as well, namely, Sara Poteat and Justine Real.

9. Schutt

Schutt is a brand that is in the business of protective gear, and with softball, that is no different. In 1935, Schutt was the leader in football facemasks and, in 1962, when masks became mandatory for professional football players, the company was at the forefront of protective gear.

Today, in softball, as more pitchers and corner infielders are opting for facemask and hockey-style helmets to protect their faces and heads, Schutt once again is ahead of the game, so to speak, providing these protective helmets for all players. Schutt makes everything for softball, from home plates to pitching rubbers, to helmets and umpire equipment, and even bags. Schutt protective gear can be found on many softball athletes, though none are sponsored.

10. RIP-IT

  • Founded: 2003
  • Website: https://www.ripit.com/
  • Products: Bats, Socks, Shorts, Pants, Facemasks, Batting Gloves, Helmets, Cleats

RIP-IT is a softball-specific brand that has flourished recently, realizing that the market for brands that focus on softball is small. Their website features opportunities for players to order uniforms for entire teams. RIP-IT has sponsorship deals with softball teams and programs across the country. With over 13,000 followers on Instagram, RIP-IT, though lesser known, is a big brand in the softball industry.

Additionally, RIP-IT has become popular for allowing players to test their gear. For 30 days, a player can decide if the gear is right for them before choosing to return it if they so desire. With a 400-day warranty, RIP-IT allows players to return broken equipment, ensuring a reliable product for all softball players.

Honorable Mentions

Marucci

Marucci is a newer fastpitch softball and baseball brand that specializes in bats. The brand also sells a full line of gear for softball batters, including batting gloves, helmets, and protective gear. Marucci was started in 2004 by athletic trainer Jack Marucci who wanted to design a better bat for his son to train with. By collaborating with MLB players Kurt Ainsworth and Joe Lawrence, Marucci grew quickly and supplied 40% of all MLB bats.

As Marucci got its start in children’s baseball bats, it is no surprise that they make some of the best fastpitch softball gear. They make a wide variety of wood and metal bats, in both off-the-shelf and custom models. Marucci also sells batting gloves and fully customizable fielding gloves.

Nokona

Nokona is an American glove brand known for their quality leather and customizable options. In addition to ready-made gloves, they offer an online custom glove builder. Customized Nokona gloves are available in seven varieties of leather and more than 30 different colors, so you can be sure your Nokona glove will stand out.

Nokona was started in 1926 in Texas as Nocona Leather Good Company, a producer of men’s wallets and ladies’ purses. They started making baseball gloves in 1934 and soon became an iconic brand of gloves around the world. A symbol of tradition, vintage replica Nokona gloves were used in the films Field of Dreams and A League of Their Own. If you want to treat yourself to the highest quality softball glove that is beautiful and steeped in tradition, Nocona is the brand for you.

All-Star

  • Founded: 1960
  • Website: https://all-starsports.com/
  • Products: Catcher’s Gear, Pads, Facemasks, Gloves, Helmets, Umpire Gear, Apparel, Accessories

All-Star Sports is a baseball and fastpitch softball company that is privately-owned and operated out of central Massachusetts. First founded in 1960, the brand strives to provide both novice and experienced ball players with high-quality equipment suited to their needs and level of skill. Primarily focused on baseball and softball, All-Star has also provided gear for other sports, such as ice hockey.

All-Star’s most prominent products are their catcher’s gear and protective equipment, including pads, facemasks, and gloves. They also specialize in batting helmets. These specialties are consistent across both baseball and softball, and All-Star also offers umpire equipment for both sports. Additionally, they offer various accessories, including apparel, bags, hats, shirts, and belts.

FAQ

What is the best softball brand?

Rawlings is the best softball brand. They are one of the best producers of softball bats, balls, gloves, helmets and protective gear. Rawlings has a long history in softball and is the official ball supplier of the NCAA and the helmet supplier of the National Professional Fastpitch Softball League.

What is the best softball bat brand?

While there are several contenders, Demarini and Marucci are two of the best softball bat brands. Both brands started out exclusively as bat companies and branched out into other softball gear. Other great softball bat brands include Easton, Mizuno, and Rawlings.

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