The Verdict Up Front

The Maverik Tank gloves are the real deal for defenders — thick palm protection, a cuff that actually covers your wrist, and construction that holds up when things get physical. If you play in the trenches, these deserve a serious look.

Who This Is For

Defensive players and physical midfielders at the high school varsity level and above. This is not a glove for the guy who wants to feel every pass and lives for stick skills. This is a glove for the guy who takes a slash across the knuckles six times a game and needs his hands to still work in the fourth quarter.

Budget range: expect to pay in the $70–$90 range, which puts the Tank in the mid-tier — not an entry-level choice, but not a premium tax on the name either.

What Works

Palm protection is the headline. Maverik built the Tank with a reinforced palm that absorbs impact without turning your hand into a club. You maintain enough feel to catch and grip properly, but the padding is real. Compare this to the STX Cell 6, which prioritizes flexibility and feel — the Cell 6 is a better glove for offensive players and midfielders who want to forget they’re wearing gloves. The Tank makes a different trade: protection first, touch second. For a defender taking checks and dishing out contact, that’s the right trade.

Cuff height is legitimately good. The Tank runs taller than most gloves in this price range. That extra coverage at the wrist matters on slap checks and when you’re scrambling for ground balls in traffic. Defenders who’ve dealt with a slash catching the gap between glove and arm pad know exactly why this matters.

Durability holds up. The materials don’t look like they’re going to separate after two months of practice. The stitching on the back of the hand and at the fingers is reinforced at the stress points — this is a glove that was designed with the understanding that defenders put gloves through more punishment than other positions.

Fit runs true to size. No guesswork here. Order your normal size, get a normal fit. The break-in period is minimal — they’re game-ready out of the box within a week of practice use.

What Doesn’t

Ventilation is mediocre. The Tank runs warm. If you’re playing in summer heat or in a gym with no airflow, your hands are going to sweat. This is the direct cost of the added protection and construction — more material means less breathability. It’s a real trade-off, not a minor quibble.

Touch players will hate these. Reiterating this because it matters: if you’re a midfielder who likes to feel the ball and play in space, the Tank is going to feel sluggish. This is not a criticism of the glove — it’s doing exactly what it was designed to do — but the wrong player buying these is going to be disappointed.

The colorway options are limited. Maverik doesn’t offer a huge range of colors on the Tank. For teams with specific color requirements, this could be a problem. It’s a minor issue in the context of performance, but worth knowing before you order.

Slightly stiff at first. The palm protection that’s a selling point also means the initial flex is stiffer than you’d get from a lighter glove. Again, this breaks in reasonably fast, but the first few sessions can feel awkward if you’re coming from something like the Cell 6.

Price vs. Value

At $70–$90, the Tank is priced fairly for what it delivers. You’re not overpaying for a brand story — the protection and durability are legitimate, and you’d pay more for comparable specs from some other brands. The STX Cell 6 sits in a similar price range but targets a different player entirely, so direct price comparison is almost beside the point. For a defender who wants gloves built for physical play without going $120+ for top-tier options, the Tank hits the sweet spot.

One caveat: if you’re a recreational or casual player who gets on the field occasionally, you’re probably fine with a cheaper option. The Tank earns its price for players who are on the field consistently and putting gloves through real wear.

Bottom Line

The Maverik Tank gloves do exactly what they promise. Defenders and physical midfielders who are serious about protecting their hands without sacrificing durability should buy these. Offensive players and anyone who prioritizes touch over protection should look at the STX Cell 6 or something in Maverik’s own Nuke or Erupt line instead.

The Tank is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that’s why it works. Know your position, know your game, buy accordingly.