Nokona

Founded: 1934

Contact Information:
Nokona
105 Clay Street
Nocona, TX 76255

Phone: 1-800-433-0957

Email: info@nokona.com

History and Background of Nokona:
America’s pastime. American made^TM. Since 1934, Nokona has been producing ball gloves for America’s pastime right here in the United States. Made with top-grain American hides provided by American ranchers, our leathers are tanned in the USA to Nokona’s specifications. Nokona gloves are still produced in the very same small town in Texas, where Nokona all started in the 1920s. They are made by Americans who carefully cut, stamp, stitch, lace, and embroider each glove by hand. Each Nokona has its own unique identity and feel, based on the careful selection of leather per part and its hand-crafted construction. Nokona puts classic American workmanship into every glove, using special techniques developed over the past 80 years. This ensures that the highest American and Nokona standards are met so that you can wear your glove with great confidence and pride.

Nokona is committed to preserving the strong heritage of its brand, while constantly improving its product line by developing new technologies and using the highest-quality materials that today’s top players demand. Nokona’s 2014 line features several new technical series, including the X2 Elite and Alpha Select, as well as its proprietary Nolera Composite Padding System^TM for improved performance. The Ristankor^TM Closure System, which is used on all of Nokona’s new fastpitch gloves secures your hand and allows for easier break-in.

Visit the Nokona factory to see how America's ball glove is made. You will see each part of the process – from leather selection and cutting, to stamping, embroidery, forming, stitching, and lacing. There are so many steps to handcrafting a Nokona, and you will see every one. You will also view their extensive baseball memorabilia collection. Located in Nocona, Texas, the factory is just a 90-minute drive north of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Nokona is proud to be celebrating its 80^th Anniversary, making top-quality ball gloves for America’s pastime right here in America since 1934.

Nolan Ryan, Baseball Legend:

“My first glove was a Nokona. One of my favorite childhood memories was going down to Alvin Hardware with my Dad, and picking it out. The high quality of these gloves is what today’s top players need, and they’re the gloves I’ve chosen for my grandkids. I am proud to be a part of Nokona’s American-made tradition.”

Joe Phillips, aka “The Glove Collector”:

“I don’t have to tell you that the one constant through all the years has been baseball”, wrote W.P. Kinsella. And the most constant of ball glove makers has been Nokona, and the men and women there who keep alive the tradition of American craftsmanship of ball glove making. The spirit of glove-making is still alive and well in Nocona, Texas.

Bobby Storey, 3^rd Generation Owner:

“Dad said he’s rather just quit and go fishing if he had to import Nokona gloves. We can brag about making them right here in America – and I’ve been doing that for 60 years.”

Professional Players Who Use Nokona Products:
Nokona has a growing roster of up-and-coming pros who are using their gloves. Featured players include Kevin Siegrist of the St. Louis Cardinals, Jean Machi of the San Francisco Giants, Wilmer Font of the Texas Rangers, and Ross Ohlendorf of the Washington Nationals.

Glove Leathers used by Nokona:
Nokona offers a wide range of proprietary leathers, applied to the shell and palm of the glove in various combinations so that they can meet your personal requirements for weight, stiffness, feel, and game-readiness. The break-in period is not an indication of the quality of a leather – that is your personal preference. All Nokona leathers are top grain and hand selected to meet Nokona’s rigorous standards.

Buffalo
Buffalo leather is highly regarded for its unique appearance, hardy nature, and renowned flexibility. This leather is drum dyed and dry-milled to accentuate its soft and supple feel. The history of the buffalo and its status as an American icon make this leather an American original.

Walnut Crunch^TMNokona built its reputation on its proprietary Walnut Crunch^TMleather. An old world tanning process is to develop the unique, random dye pattern seen in this leather. Walnut Crunch^TM is a full aniline leather, with natural oils and waxes incorporated to highlight its special character and feel.

Stampede^TMA new-generation, full grain, full oil, performance Steerhide. StampedeTM is aggressively tumbled to provide a supple feel and easy playability – for serious ballers who want a glove that is immediately ready to perform.

Bloodline^TMBloodline^TM is full grain, smooth aniline leather, vacuum dried, for a rich, traditional appearance, and excellent durability.

Sandstone^TMSandstone^TM is a full-grain, smooth, aniline leather. Noted for its light color, Sandstone^TM requires a a cleaner selection at the tannery, and provides a firm feel for players who want a glove with greater structure.

Kangaroo
Australian wild-range Kangaroo leather is one of the strongest leathers in the world, with a tensile strength 2-3 times greater and lighter in weight than cowhide. The scratch marks are an authentic part of this exotic leather, and add to the glove’s character. Kangaroo leather provides increased strength, decreased weight, and the natural feel and play of traditional leather – a truly unique combination in a ball glove.

Banana Tan^TMBanana Tan^TM is a very supple yet sturdy cowhide, first developed by Nokona in the 1970’s to allow for a quick break-in period. Banana Tan^TM still has the same look, feel, and performance as when it was first developed – and, with the durability required by today’s most serious players.