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Features

  • 33.00 Inch Catcher's Mitt

  • Praying Mantis Pattern

  • Free Shipping!

  • Stress Wedge for Added Protection

  • Two Finger Hammocks for Added Control

  • Double-Sided Slim Padding

  • Kip Leather

  • Double Flexhinge

  • Quick Break-In

  • Leather is 20% Lighter

Description

Known for comfortable gloves that perform unlike anything else on the field, Akadema has raised the bar with the Torino Series. With a light brown palm and a chocolate brown shell, the Torino Series performs even better than it looks! Akadema's newest glove line is made from soft and smooth kip leather that enables the Torino Series to be 20% lighter than traditional gloves, yet just as durable as U.S. steerhide. These gloves break-in quickly yet retain their shape better than any other glove on the market. This 33.00 Inch Praying Mantis Catcher's Mitt features Akadema's patented new Stress Wedge technology. Located between the index finger and thumb, the Stress Wedge offers shock absorbing protection for the hand when catching pitches. Two Finger Hammocks allow the fingers to be positioned more securely in the glove, giving the player added control. Additional features include the Double-sided Slim Padding that allows for increased pocket size and easier ball retention. The uniquely designed shape of this mitt allows the throwing hand easier access into the pocket, resulting in a quicker glove to hand transfer and faster times to second base. The Praying Mantis also features a Double Flexhinge which makes the glove snap closed on contact. Akadema: Bring Your "A" Game! Free Shipping!

Reviews

Average Ratings Based on 6 Customer Reviews

4.0 Stars:Overall Rating
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5 Stars: Overall Rating
Russell

Pros: I love this mitt. Work of art.

Cons:

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
Kyle

Pros: This glove is an excellent glove i've own several Akadema catchers gloves and this is by far the best. It has a great feel to it that all age levels will love. Its light and has a great pocket for quick ball transfer to throw runners out I am a College Catcher and i love this glove i recommend it to everyone who wants a glove they can count on.

Cons: The glove is a very good glove as i have said the only thing i could think of to help you make a decision is that this glove if mistreated can become very floppy or if you know baseball lingo a pancake. However if treated right and kept up to proper maintence this glove tops all others by far.

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2 Stars: Overall Rating
Andy

Pros: The leather is high quality. It fits a smaller adult hand well. It has ample padding but I have not tested it catching high speed adult pitches. I'm sure it would be as good as anything else in that regard.

Cons: There is a round cushion inside the glove between the thumb and index finger which is designed to absorb impact. After a year and a half using this to catch for my son and his youth team in practices, cage time, lessons, etc. that area of the glove still won't break in. I brought it recently to someone who breaks in gloves for a living and they agreed the design just lends itself to that part of the glove remaining stiffer. This results in the glove working well for many catches but in certain ones you just cannot close the glove enough and the ball can pop out. I did call Akadema about 9 months into using it and they just advised to keep working on it and it will break in. After another 2 seasons, and that glove pro's review I am convinced the issue is one of design. Perhaps others will have better luck. While I really like the 2 Akadema youth gloves, I'm sorry to say I would not recommend this glove.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
Mason

Pros: Great mitt, it took me about 3-6 months to get it really well broken in and then it is a fantastic mitt. I am actually surprised some said this design just doesn't break in well. I would say maybe it is a user error issue, I have three of these mitts in my rotation i use and all three broke in very nicely.

Cons: No Cons at all,

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2 Stars: Overall Rating
Chuck

Pros: The leather is firm and the glove is well made. The 33" seems a bit small and appears to be made for a smaller handed catcher.

Cons: The glove doesn't break in very easily. Two years in, as a recreational adult player, the glove is STILL not even as close as my Rawlings Primo glove. I'm sure that after the glove has seen much more wear it will be better liked by me!! For now, it frustrates me, and am considering giving this away and buying another Primo. Sadly, I would not recommend the glove to another player.

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5 Stars: Overall Rating
David

Pros: Great glove! Pocket is AMAZING! The Laces will hold against a hard thrower.

Cons: NONE

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Questions and Answers

Have a question about the Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis: APM43 Catcher's Mitt? Ask our team of experts and they will respond within 24 hours.

Thought Akadema gloves where made in America? When did China start making Akadema? Kekoa
Only Akadema's Patriot Series is made in the United States. The rest are produced overseas and have been for a number of years.
Mark
How does this mitt compare to the other Torino Series mitt (33.00)? Gage
This glove is very similar to the other 33.00" the only difference is the pocket
Ryan
How long will this glove take to break in? Catcher Boy
The Akadema Torino is made of high quality kip leather that is more lightweight and softer than other steerhide leathers. It will be easier to break in because of the soft leather. The break in period will vary depending on the amount of use by the player.
KB
Is this glove as durable as the other Torino catchers mitt the ASM 47? Also, what is the difference between this mitt's pocket and the ASM 47? I'm debating on which one I should get. Luigi
Both are made from the same materials and will be the same in terms of quality, durability and break-in time. The only difference is that the APM43 has a double flex hinge to help it snap shut around the ball easier.
Tyler
What is the difference between Torino and Precision Kip Leather other than the colors? Is one leather stiffer? Will one last longer? t poc
The Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis and the Akadema Precison Series Praying Mantis both use kip leather. They will both be lightweight. However, the Precision Kip Leather will be a little stiffer. Both will be very durable.
Kara
My name is Rory and I'm a 2nd year college catcher. I'm looking for a new glove and this is one of the gloves that has caught my eye. My question for you is how would this glove match up against something like an All Star CM3000 glove? mookie
Both the Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis and All Star Pro Elite Series are great gloves, but the leather quality of the All Star Pro Elite is going to be better, and you will get much more life out of it.
Noah
I'm looking at this mitt for my 12 yr son who is playing up on a 13U team. Do you feel this glove would work for him? Or is it more than needed? He is catching boys that are throwing low to mid 70's and also a 33" or what? Craig
I think this may be a little to big for his age. A 31.50 to a 32.00 inch catchers glove would most likely suit him better. Also want to make sure you know that we offer a 100 day return policy on all our gloves, so if it doesn't fit you may return it for a diferent size. Here are the links to view these models. http://www.ballglovewarehouse.com/products/glove%20type~baseball/sub%20type~catchers/size~31.50/ http://www.ballglovewarehouse.com/products/glove%20type~baseball/sub%20type~catchers/size~32.00/
Derek
What is the difference between the Torino APM43 and the Patriot Series USA141, other than color and the USA 141 is made in the US? What is the top of the line Akadema catchers glove? Al
The main difference (besides color and where they are made) is that the Akadema Torino Series features their Praying Mantis Pattern which features a double flex hinge designed to help it snap close better. Another difference is that the Akadema Patriot Series: USA141 features a higher grade Kip leather that they say is slightly stronger and more durable. Akadema views both the Torino Series and Patriot Series as their top of the line models.
Tyler
Which glove is of higher quality and breaks in keeping its shape better. This, or the Wilson A2000. Which do you prefer? yang
The Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis: APM43 Catcher's Mitt With FREE Akadema Sunglasses will be a very light mitt. It will be made of Kip leather and have a softer feel. An A2000 will have a stiffer feel and will take longer to break-in. Both mitts would be a very good choice for any catcher.
Brandon
What one is better for high school, the APM43, the APM41, or the highly regarded Wilson A2000? Noah
The Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis (APM43) and the Akadema APM41 will be a very light mitts.They are made of Kip leather and have a softer feel. A A2000 will have a stiffer feel and will take longer to break-in. All three mitts would be a very good choice for any catcher.
Tessa L.
Does the Akadema Torino series praying mantis APM43 catchers mitt have a deep pocket? t
The Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis (APM43) will have a deep pocket that makes it a great choice for any catcher.
Bobby
What would you recommend for a high school varsity catcher? The apm 40 the apm 43 the asm47 and the apm42. Patrick Forelli
All of these are good options for any level of catcher. The Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis Catcher's Mitt (APM43) combines the high-quality leather kip leather, which is lighter than traditional gloves, of the Akadema Torino Series and the catcher specific shock-absorption technology and the two finger hammocks, which add control and security, features of the Akadema Praying Mantis models.
Tom
My son is 12 years old and is 5'5", 138 lbs with an adult hand. Will the 33" be too big? mj
Based on your players age, the recommended size is a 32.50" catchers mitt. However, the 33" pattern on the Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis (APM43) Catcher's Mitt will work just fine for him. It will not be too big for him.
Jason
What is the difference between the APM43 and the APM41 catcher's mitt? JP
The color and the weight of the leather would be the differences between the Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis (APM43) and the Akadema Precision Series Praying Mantis (APM41). The Torino Kip leather on the APM43 is 20% lighter.
Patrick
How does this glove compare the All Star CM3100SBT? Eli
The Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis (APM43) would compare to the All Star Pro Series (CM3100SBT) in terms of quality. The style, shape and size will be different though.
Patrick
Which glove would be better quality, this one or the APM42? iceman
The quality of the Akadema Praying Mantis Series (APM42) versus the Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis (APM43) would be equal. They are the same grade of leather and manufactured with the same processes. Size and style preferences would be the major difference.
Patrick
Do you know the actual weight of the APM43 and the actual weight of the APM41? Weight
Unfortunately, I do not have the actual weight of the Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis: APM43 Catcher's Mitt or the APM41. This particular Akadema model is said to offer a 20% lighter feel in comparison to other models.
John P.
Do you think this is the nicest Akadema on this website? Miketrout27
This Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis (APM43 Catcher's Mitt) and the Akadema Praying Mantis Series (APM42 Catcher's Mitt) will be the top options of catcher's mitts that we will be carrying at JustBallGloves. If you want the larger 33.00", I would recommend this APM43 Catcher's Mitt over the 32.5", APM42.
Ben
What is the difference between this glove APM43 and the APM241? ruth
The main difference is that the Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis (APM43) Catcher's Mitt is going to be made with kip leather and is going to be the lighter of the two. The Akadema Precision Series Praying Mantis (APM241) Catcher's Mitt will be a little bit easier to break in of the two.
Carter
What is the difference between this glove and the APM241? Ellen
The Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis: APM43 Catcher's Mitt is made of kip leather that gives it a slightly lighter feel, while the Akadema Precision Series Praying Mantis: APM241 Catcher's Mitt is constructed from select steerhide leather. The patterns of the gloves also differ in regards to shape and web type.
Angelique
What hand size/opening does the APM43 seem to be made for? 900Monster
The Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis: APM43 Catcher's Mitt is designed for a teenage player ideally; between the ages of 12-15.
Cameron
What are the specific differences between the Torino and Precision mitt's? BL
The biggest difference that will exist between this Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis (APM43 Catcher's Mitt) and the Akadema Precision Series Praying Mantis (APM241 Catcher's Mitt) is that this Torino Series Parying Mantis features much higher quality kip leather (when compared to the leather on the Precision Series Praying Mantis). Besides that difference in leather quality, the two gloves display very similar features.
Ben
Which has a deeper pocket the apm43 or the apm42? The 43 is slightly larger circumference of the glove, but some of the Akadema sites mention a “pro thunder” pocket on the apm 42 like it is deeper or something. Is there a difference in pocket? Adam Horton
The Akadema APM43 and the APM42 models will have a very similar pocket depth.
Kyle
Show all 23 Questions and Answers about the Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis: APM43 Catcher's Mitt

About the Brand

In Akadema's short but remarkable history it has become one of America's hottest baseball and softball equipment company for professional, college, high school, and serious youth players. The Akadema phenomenon started with the Professional Glove Series and continues with the Reptilian®, Praying Mantis®, Pro Soft™ and Prodigy™ Glove Series as well as the Amish Wood™, Tacktion™ and Xtension® Aluminum Bat Series. Akadema's ownership attributes increasing market share to their innovative professional baseball and softball product line in contrast to mass-produced products that have little to do with quality, feel, or design to raise the level of play.

Akadema's products are manufactured for professional players but are now accessible to semi pro, college, high school, and serious youth players. Akadema products are still designed with the professional player in mind but competitively priced for the professional player at heart. So it's your turn to think like a professional, play like a professional, and use Akadema Professional!

Akadema now has both baseball and fastpitch softball advisory staffs that they work with closely to implement new ideas. Members of the baseball advisory staff include Hall of Famers Ozzie Smith and Gary Carter as well as Howard Johnson, Reggie Smith, Luis Polonia, Sandy Martinez and many others. Fastpitch stars that are on the advisory staff include Crystl Bustos and Julie Smith. The input on performance from the advisory staff gives Akadema something they cannot put a price on. Their advisors don’t talk about marketing or places to sell the gloves, they just care about performance.

Glove Properties

Akadema Torino Series Praying Mantis: APM43 Catcher's Mitt
Color Brown
Feel Stiff
Glove Type Baseball
Position Catcher
Size 33.00
Sub Type Catchers
Vendor Akadema
Web Type Fully Closed
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4.9 Star Rating, Google Customer Reviews