J4K EXO Shell Goalkeeper Gloves

Serious Backhand Protection. Natural Finger Movement. Built for Young Goalkeepers.

Looking for goalkeeper gloves with extra backhand protection?

Meet the J4K EXO Shell Goalkeeper Gloves — designed for young goalkeepers who want added protection against impact while maintaining the natural finger movement they need to catch, dive and control the ball.

Created by former professional Everton FC goalkeeper and J4K founder Ray Newland, the EXO Shell was inspired by a serious hand injury Ray suffered during his playing career.

The innovative J4K EXO Shell Shok Shield uses rubber-injected impact protection across the back of the hand and fingers, creating a flexible protective layer inspired by the protection of a shin guard.

And unlike traditional Finger Save gloves, the EXO Shell has no rigid finger spines inside the glove. Your fingers remain flexible and natural, helping you maintain a responsive feel when handling the ball.

With a 4mm Super Soft latex palm, breathable SBR Breathaprene body and secure wrist closure, the EXO Shell Junior is built to give young goalkeepers confidence when they step into the action.

The Story Behind the J4K EXO Shell

At 25 years old, Ray Newland was playing professional soccer when an opposing player deliberately stamped on the back of his hand during a scramble in the penalty area.

Ray suffered three broken metacarpal bones.

Walking off the field in pain, Ray asked himself a simple question:

“Why is there protection for a goalkeeper’s shins, but nothing to protect the back of our hands from studs, boots and hard impact?”

That question stayed with him.

Years later, the J4K EXO Shell Shok Shield was developed to provide goalkeepers with a new approach to backhand protection.

The idea was simple:

If we protect a goalkeeper’s shins, why shouldn’t we protect their hands too?

Key Features & Performance

🛡️ EXO Shell Backhand Impact Protection

The Rubber Inject Impact Guard creates a flexible protective layer across the back of the hand and fingers, designed to help shield against studs, boots and hard contact.

🤌 Natural Finger Movement

The EXO Shell is NOT a Finger Save glove.

There are no rigid plastic spines inside the fingers. This allows young goalkeepers to move their fingers naturally while catching, diving and handling the ball.

🧤 4mm Super Soft Latex Palm

The 4mm Super Soft latex palm provides excellent grip and ball control, including in wet and rainy playing conditions.

🌬️ SBR Breathaprene Glove Body

The lightweight SBR Breathaprene body provides a comfortable, flexible fit while helping manage heat and moisture during training and games.

👊 Extended Punch Zone

Rubber injection extends across the backs of the fingers to provide additional protection and confidence when punching crosses and high balls away.

💨 Breathable Finger Gussets

JD Mesh finger gussets help improve airflow while maintaining flexibility and comfort during play.

🔒 Secure Wrist Closure

The 9cm elastic wrist strap with rubber T-Tab provides a secure fit and makes adjustments quick and easy.

Why Choose J4K EXO Shell Gloves?

Most goalkeeper gloves that offer protection focus on reducing the risk of finger hyperextension.

But a goalkeeper's hands can face other types of contact too.

A boot coming down in a crowded penalty area.

Studs catching the back of the hand.

A collision while challenging for a cross.

A powerful punch clearance in traffic.

The J4K EXO Shell was created to address this often-overlooked area of goalkeeper protection — the back of the hand.

By combining flexible rubber-injected impact protection with a 4mm Super Soft latex palm, young goalkeepers get added backhand protection without giving up natural finger movement.

Extra protection on the outside. Natural movement on the inside.

Designed From Real Goalkeeping Experience

The EXO Shell wasn't created simply to look different.

It came from a real problem experienced by a professional goalkeeper.

Ray Newland, former Everton FC professional goalkeeper and founder of Just4Keepers, suffered three broken bones in his hand during his playing career.

That experience helped inspire the development of the EXO Shell — giving goalkeepers an additional layer of backhand impact protection without relying on rigid finger spines.

J4K gloves are also tested and evaluated by experienced and professional goalkeepers as part of our commitment to quality and performance.

Who Are the EXO Shell Gloves For?

The EXO Shell Junior is designed for young goalkeepers who want:

• 🥅 Additional backhand impact protection
• 🧤 Natural finger movement
• ⚽ Reliable ball control and catching feel
• 🌧️ A latex palm suited to wet playing conditions
• 💥 Added confidence in physical games
• 🌱 Additional protection for artificial-turf play
• 👊 Extra protection when punching crosses away

Whether your goalkeeper is developing their skills at training or competing in league and tournament play, the EXO Shell Junior is designed to help them play confidently and be brave when it matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the J4K EXO Shell gloves Finger Save gloves?

No.

The EXO Shell is not a traditional Finger Save glove.

Instead of rigid protective spines inside the fingers, the glove features an external rubber-injected impact shield across the backhand.

This provides additional backhand protection while allowing the fingers to move naturally.

What makes the J4K EXO Shell different?

The EXO Shell takes a unique approach to goalkeeper glove protection by combining external backhand impact protection with a flexible, natural-fitting goalkeeper glove.

The concept was inspired by the protection provided by a shin guard and Ray Newland's own experience of suffering three broken bones in his hand during his professional career.

Are the EXO Shell Junior gloves good for wet weather?

Yes.

The glove features a 4mm Super Soft latex palm designed to provide reliable grip and ball control in wet playing conditions.

As with all goalkeeper gloves, proper cleaning and care will help maintain latex performance and extend the life of the glove.

How does SBR Breathaprene improve the glove?

SBR Breathaprene is a lightweight and flexible material designed to provide a comfortable, close-fitting feel while helping with breathability and moisture management.

Who should wear J4K EXO Shell Junior gloves?

The EXO Shell Junior is ideal for young goalkeepers who want additional backhand impact protection without sacrificing natural finger movement.

It can be particularly useful for goalkeepers playing in physical games, crowded penalty areas or on artificial turf where contact and impact are common.

Ex-Pro Recommendation

“Breaking three bones in my hand at age 25 proved to me that keepers needed real backhand armor. We created the EXO Shell so goalkeepers can step into brave 1v1s and crowded boxes knowing the back of their hands have an extra layer of protection.”

— Ray Newland, Former Everton FC Professional Goalkeeper & Founder of J4K

J4K EXO Shell 

Protect Their Hands. Build Their Confidence. Let Them Play Brave.

J4K — Built by Goalkeepers. Designed for Goalkeepers.

Personalization & Shipping

If you select a personalized glove option, please allow additional processing time.

Personalized gloves may require 24–48 additional hours before dispatch, particularly during busy periods.

For personalized orders, we recommend not selecting Next-Day Delivery.