11 Best Softball Brands: The Queens Of Softball

In the modern world, we live a time of brands and logos that are fierce in competition. There are dozens of softball brands out there where you can get everything you could need for softball. However, only a few of them are at the top of the competition.

In this article, you will learn the 11 best softball brands out there, in my educated opinion, and the rest of the world. Note that if you don’t find your favorite brand from this list, it doesen’t mean that it isn’t good. Although the ones below are the most popular, there is a reason for that: quality and trustworthiness.

That said, check out a quick list of the brands before moving on to the in-depth overview of each.

1. Rawlings
2. Louisville Slugger
3. Easton
4. Mizuno
5. Demarini
6. Marucci
7. Franklin
8. Nike
9. Wilson
10. Worth
11. Under Armour

Some of the brands above are focused exclusively on softball equipment; baseball equipment is often the same. In contrast, other brands on the list, such as Nike, are much more than just a softball brand. Be that as it may, all brands have something different to offer for the softball audience.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each brand, and let’s start with the biggest softball name, Rawlings.

1. Rawlings

• Founded: 1887
• Founder: George & Alfred Rawlings
• Nationality: United States
• Famous for: Gloves
• Official Website

The “The Gold Glove Company,” Rawlings is probably the leading brand in all softball and baseball-related equipment. They have been around for a long time since 1887, which is the same year softball was invented. Rawlings has acquired the nickname Gold Glove Company because they provide an annual Gold Glove Award in sponsorship with the MLB.

Originally, Rawlings was a baseball manufacturer first as softball wasn’t yet a thing, or at least nobody knew it at the time. Rawlings is mainly known as a baseball company, especially from their gloves. However, they are widely involved in softball, as they provide all the helmets for professional fastpitch softball, and it’s the official NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association).

In addition, they provide bats, balls, various equipment, bags, apparel, training gear, and eve fan gear! You can even order a custom personalized glove, which is something not many brands offer.

2. Louisville Slugger

• Founded: 1855
• Founder: J. F. Hillerich
• Nationality: United States
• Famous for: Bats
• Official Website

Louisville Slugger is another giant in the softball and baseball industry. They have baseball and fastpitch bats ranging from composite to alloy and alloy to wood (learn the difference). Their number one product is, without a question, the bat and bats of all kinds.

This is the oldest brand on this list, dating back to 1855 when J. F. Hillerich founded the Hillerich & Bradsby brand. In 2015, Hillerich & Bradsby sold its Louiseville Slugger division to Wilson, but it still runs under the brand name of Louisville Slugger.

In addition to bats for every imagination, they offer equipment, accessories, and apparel. Where Rawlings offers customized gloves, Louisville Slugger offers customized bats for baseball and fastpitch softball.

You might know that a person swinging hard in softball is called a slugger, so Louisville Slugger should be the go-to choice for all hard hitters. It’s one of my favorites too.

3. Easton

• Founded: 1922
• Founder: Doug Easton
• Nationality: United States
• Famous for: Bats
• Official Website

Easton is another one of my favorites, especially when talking about my favorite softball bat, the Easton Ghost. It isn’t just my favorite, but many others too, given that it’s the leading brand for softball and baseball bats.

A funny thing about Easton is that their original products were bows and arrows, but nowadays, softball bats are their thing. However, they offer equipment for various other sports too, Ice Hockey being one of the biggest.

The brand was founded by Doug Easton in 1922, as the name might give away in. That said, Easton is exactly a hundred years old at the time of writing. If you’re a catcher or looking for protective equipment, Easton knows the deal in that area.

4. Mizuno

• Founded: 1906
• Founder: Rihachi Mizuno
• Nationality: Japan
• Famous for: Apparel
• Official Website

Mizuno is a massive Japanese sports equipment manufacturer founded by Rihachi Mizuno in 1906. Out of all the sports they cover, baseball equipment is considered extremely high-quality, which is unusual for a brand coming outside of the US. In addition, their golf equipment is well recognized.

When it comes to Mizuno and softball, they provide practically anything you could need for it. However, Mizuno loves giving the option of customization and personalization for the customers. For example, you can order custom cleats, uniforms, gloves, and you name it.

During Mizuno’s over 100 years of existence, its equipment reaches countries worldwide, so Mizuno is likely available for you too, regardless of country.

5. DeMarini

• Founded: 1989
• Founder: Ray DeMarini
• Nationality: United States
• Famous for: Bats
• Official Website

DeMarini is the word for all bat lovers worldwide. Ray DeMarini founded the brand in 1989, so it isn’t the oldest brand on the list. It might be the one with the coolest name, though! They also took the best position on our best bats for slappers article, which should tell you about the brand’s quality, respect, and performance.

Nearly all brands that provide softball equipment were manufacturing for baseball first. However, DeMarini is an all-original softball brand specializing in metal bats. Oh, and their bat designs are the most amazing on this list by a long shot!

In addition to their impressive bat collection, they offer protective equipment, gloves, apparel, and accessories. Personally, if I were out for a new stunning softball bat with personalization possibilities, I would go to DeMarini first.

6. Marucci

• Founded: 2004
• Founder: Jack Marucci, Joe Lawrence & Kurt Ainsworth
• Nationality: United States
• Famous for:
• Official Website

Marucci is a fastpitch softball and baseball manufacturer specially known for its bats. However, their gloves, helmets, protective equipment, balls, and batting gloves are well known within the softball community.

The story of Marucci is a special one. Jack Marucci, an athletic trainer, built his first baseball bat after being dissatisfied with his son’s selection. At first, Jack made his bat for his son and more as a hobby, but later, he got together with two MLB players, Kurt Ainsworth and Joe Lawrence. This started the business wheels of Marucci. The brand grew incredibly fast, and by 2016, the company supplied 40% of all MLB bats.

Nowadays, you can find great softball bats and equipment made by Marucci. Their most popular fastpitch bat models are the Echo and CAT models.

7. Franklin Sports

• Founded: 1946
• Founder: Irving H. Franklin
• Nationality: United States
• Famous for: Batting Gloves
• Official Website

Franklin Sports is a massive brand with many sports under its name. When it comes to softball, the top product is batting gloves, which are excellent. You can even make your custom batting gloves for the optimal design, feel, and performance. You can even add your team colors with ease.

The brand was founded in 1946 by Irving H. Franklin, and it wasn’t a massive global corporation back then. In 1946, Franklin was a regional sporting goods store. Nowadays, Franklin sports partner with MLB, NHL, NFL, MLS, and collegiate leagues.

In addition, you can find Franklin products from Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Amazon, Walmart, and more.

8. Nike

• Founded: 1964
• Founder: Phil Knight & Bill Bowerman
• Nationality: United States
• Famous for: Cleats
• Official Website

Nike is the biggest name in all sports, which is an incomprehensible thing to understand. The massiveness of Nike is just unbelievable. That said, it’s no wonder that Nike has expanded to softball as well; however, it isn’t like most brands on the subject.

The brand was originally founded in 1964 as a shoe brand by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman. Although shoes are their most popular category even in softball, they provide other equipment such as uniforms and apparel with revolutionary technology, no more notable than the dry-fit.

Nike sponsors many softball teams and universities and is the go-to choice for many softball players for well-performing and comfortable softball apparel. That’s what I’d recommend Nike too.

9. Wilson

• Founded: 1913
• Founder: Thomas E. Wilson
• Nationality: United States
• Famous for: Softballs
• Official Website

Wilson is one of the most known brands on this list because of its versatile selection. Wilson provides many fastpitch softball equipments, but their best offerings are found in softballs and gloves. Outside softball, Wilson is best known as a tennis and basketball brand.

The brand was founded in 1913 by Thomas E. Wilson, so it’s one of the oldest brands on this list. Amer Sports, a Finnish group, acquired Wilson in 1989. On the other hand, Amer Sports is a subsidiary of Anta Sports.

The best softball item you can get from Wilson, in my opinion, are their custom gloves. You can personalize them by position. From there, you can select by series and size. That said, you can get a tailored glove specifically made for your needs.

10 Worth

• Founded: 1912
• Founder: George Sharp Lannom Jr
• Nationality: United States
• Famous for: Bats
• Official Website

Worth is an all-around stop for softball equipment, so you can find everything you need. Their crown jewel, however, is their slowpitch and fastpitch bats.

Softball is considered a woman’s sport, whereas baseball is for men, and when it comes to statistics, they are. However, Wroth has moved towards men’s slowpitch softball more than any other brand, so keep that in mind when looking for the optimal gear for your purposes.

Worth focuses their fastpitch gear on speed and strength, whereas slowpitch gear has a durability and power aspect. That’s exactly what you should want for both types of softball!

11 Under Armour

• Founded: 1996
• Founder: Kevin Plank
• Nationality: United States
• Famous for: Activewear
• Official Website

Under Armour is one of the leading athletic wear manufacturers in the world. They offer everything you could imagine from head to toes from sport to sport. This includes softball!

Under Armour was founded by former collegiate athlete Kevin Plank in 1996. From there, the brand has grown into a billion-dollar business.

For softball, the best Under Armour products are jackets, tops, softball pants, tees, and hats. If you’re looking for sports clothing, you should check Under Armour.