One of the most common questions I get in baseball glove forums is which one to buy between the Wilson A2K and the Rawlings Pro Preferred. Both are premium, hand crafted gloves that pros wear on the field, and picking a winner between them isn’t easy.
I put these two head to head on leather, webbing, comfort, sizing, and price so you can see exactly where they match up and where they don’t. If you just want my final call, skip down to the last section.
Wilson A2K vs Rawlings Pro Preferred – Comparisons
Materials and Construction
Wilson A2K: Wilson builds the A2K shell from Pro Stock Select leather, which the brand pulls from the top slice of its Pro Stock hide inventory after sorting it multiple times for consistency. It’s soft, lighter than you’d expect for a premium glove, and it holds its shape well once it’s broken in.
Rawlings Pro Preferred: Here’s something worth correcting up front: the Pro Preferred shell isn’t sheepskin. It’s Japanese-tanned kip leather, the same premium material Rawlings uses across its top-tier lines. Rawlings does line the palm with Pittards sheepskin for moisture control and a softer catch, but that’s the interior lining, not the outer shell. I go deeper on how kip stacks up against steerhide in my kip vs steerhide leather guide, and I break down this same shell-versus-lining distinction in my Rawlings Heart of the Hide vs Pro Preferred comparison.
Webbing
Wilson A2K: The A2K comes in dozens of Pro Stock patterns across every position, from I-web infield gloves to deeper webs built for outfielders. The lacing is tight and well built, so you’re not re-lacing it every season.
Rawlings Pro Preferred: Pro Preferred spreads its webbing options across trapeze, modified trapeze, H-web, I-web, and cross patterns for outfielders and third basemen, with single post, modified H-web, and dual bar options for first basemen. Whatever position you play, there’s a pattern built for it. If you want to nerd out on how each web style affects your catch, I broke it all down in my baseball glove web types guide.
Comfortability and Safety
Wilson A2K: Why buy a premium glove in the first place? Mostly to protect your hand from balls coming in fast. The A2K has generous padding built into the palm and fingers, and the Pro Stock Select leather is soft enough out of the box that it doesn’t feel stiff against your hand while you’re still breaking it in.
Rawlings Pro Preferred: Rawlings runs the Pro Preferred through its own durability testing before it ships, and the Pittards sheepskin palm liner adds a layer of plush cushion that helps on high-velocity throws. It’s genuinely one of the more comfortable gloves I’ve had my hand in at this price point.
Size
Wilson A2K: Wilson builds the A2K for advanced players. You’ll find it across sizes from about 11.5 inches up through the mid 12-inch range depending on position, but Wilson doesn’t make a true youth version of this line. It’s built for high school players and up.
Rawlings Pro Preferred: Same story here. Rawlings doesn’t build this line in true youth sizes either, it’s meant for players roughly 15 and older. If you’re shopping for a younger player, my how much does a baseball glove cost guide breaks down more youth-friendly options, and my best infield gloves and best outfield gloves roundups both include picks sized for younger hands.
Hand Variation
Wilson A2K: No matter which hand you throw with, this glove is available in your orientation. LHT gloves are harder to find than RHT ones across the industry, but Wilson keeps both in production for the A2K.
Rawlings Pro Preferred: Same deal. Every position and web style comes in both LHT and RHT builds, which makes it one of the better options for left-handed players once they’ve outgrown a youth glove.
Colors
Wilson A2K: Wilson typically offers the A2K in a wide range of colorways across its different position patterns. If you care about color and want a glove that stands out, this line usually gives you more to choose from.
Rawlings Pro Preferred: Rawlings keeps the Pro Preferred lineup a bit more limited on color since it leans into a classic, premium leather look. Either way, colorways rotate season to season for both brands, so check the current catalog before you buy.
Warranty
Wilson A2K: Wilson backs the A2K with a standard limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Like most glove warranties, it doesn’t cover normal wear and tear from regular use.
Rawlings Pro Preferred: Rawlings offers the same kind of coverage on the Pro Preferred, a standard limited warranty for manufacturing defects. Neither brand’s warranty will replace a glove just because the leather broke in the way leather is supposed to, so hang onto your receipt and break it in by hand rather than forcing it.
Overall Ease Of Use
Wilson A2K: Every detail on this glove is dialed in for comfort and control. It’s well gripped, well padded, and built with materials that hold up over years of regular use, which is why so many players treat it as a must-have once they’ve outgrown entry-level gloves.
Rawlings Pro Preferred: This is a real competitor to the A2K thanks to its kip leather shell, Pittards sheepskin lining, and Rawlings’ testing process. It takes longer to break in than some gloves, usually four to six weeks of regular use, but once it’s game ready it holds up for years. I cover how to speed that process up safely in my glove break-in oil guide.
Wilson A2K Baseball Glove Series
Rawlings Pro Preferred Baseball Glove Series
Which One Should You Buy?
Both of these gloves have earned their reputation, and it’s a genuinely close call. Pricing on both lines shifts depending on size, pattern, and position, so don’t assume one is always cheaper than the other. Check current pricing before you decide.
If I have to pick one, I lean toward the Wilson A2K for its durability and consistent feel across positions. The leather selection process and double palm construction give it a slight edge in long-term durability, and I find it comfortable across a wider range of hand sizes right out of the box.
That said, the Rawlings Pro Preferred is every bit as good a glove if you want the lightest, most premium feel Rawlings makes and don’t mind a longer break-in. If your budget is tighter, my Wilson A1000 review covers a more affordable option built on similar DNA, and my Wilson vs Rawlings baseball gloves comparison looks at how the two brands stack up more broadly.
With 4 years of Division II experience, a .272 career batting average, .410 on-base percentage, and 7 home runs, I’m now in my fifth season. I’ve played baseball since age 3, alongside future MLB Draft picks, and I aim to pursue a career in baseball professionally, be it playing, coaching, or scouting.