Boxing Gloves

 

Introduction

If you are training in boxing Gloves,  or Muay Thai, then you will need a pair of boxing gloves. Boxing gloves help to protect the hands when , while minimizing impact and injuries for yourself and training partners in sparring.

However, boxing gloves come in different materials, weights designs for different occasions and sports. In order to choose the right boxing gloves, it is important to take some time to understand all these aspects.

In this guide, we will go through the different types of boxing gloves and how to pick the right high quality boxing gloves for yourself. If you want to know how to find the best boxing gloves, read on and find out.

Boxing Gloves Types

There are several different types of boxing gloves to cater for different purposes. Let’s go through the 4 main types of boxing gloves:

Training Gloves

Training gloves refer to boxing gloves suitable for everyday use in the gym for standard mitt/pad work, heavy bag training, and partner drills. They are designed to provide the optimal balance between protection and performance. Training gloves usually feature hook-and-loop closure so they can be worn or removed easily.

Bag Gloves

As its name suggests, bag gloves are used for hitting heavy bags. They have less padding compared to regular training gloves to optimize for speed and emphasize on punching form. Bag gloves are more popular with professional fighters and less so with recreational combat sports practitioners.

Sparring Gloves

Sparring gloves are worn to minimize injuries during sparring practices. Heavier gloves with more padding are recommended for sparring as they are more impact-absorbent. In most gyms, sparring gloves are required to be 16oz and above in order to lower risk of sparring injuries. Boxers in the lighter weight categories can get away with 14oz gloves.

Competition Gloves

Competition gloves are boxing gloves used for competitive purposes in boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai. They are lighter than training gloves with less padding which lends to more impact and damage. Competition gloves weigh from 6-10oz depending on the sanctioning body and the weight division.

How to Choose the Right Boxing Gloves

Boxing gloves have come a long way since the days of padded mittens. Gear-making has gone through decades of innovation and progress. These days, the best boxing gloves offer overall hand protection, wrist support, long-lasting comfort, and durability.

In order to choose the right boxing gloves, we need to dissect them into individual components. So what are boxing gloves made of? The exterior is usually made using real or synthetic leather that is stitched together by a skilled craftsman and sewing machine. Beneath the leather, there are layers of foam padding for impact absorption, which provides protection.

High-quality foam padding retains its shape and firmness over a longer period of time. They are firm enough for impact absorption but not overly dense so they do not pack too much heat during sparring.

That is a simplified view of boxing glove design but offers insights on choosing the right boxing gloves. Real leather is often the superior option due to its durability, feel, and looks. However, modern synthetic leather-like microfiber is starting to give real leather a run for the money. Microfiber leather offers better affordability, good breathability, easy maintenance, and anti-bacterial properties. 

A quick note on the subject of leather and maintenance, how do you clean boxing gloves? The best way to maintain your boxing gloves is to give them a wipe down of the exterior and interior right after training to remove excess moisture. This helps to keep the gloves free of bacteria and odor.

Another important element in choosing the right boxing gloves is the weight. How much do boxing gloves weigh and why does weight matter? We will cover this in the next section.

Boxing Gloves Size Charts

Boxing gloves sizes are denoted in weight (ounces) usually from 6oz to 18oz instead of general sizes (S, M, L, XL). Gloves weigh heavier from using more foam padding which offers more impact absorption Generally speaking, the heavier you are, the heavier gloves you need. This is especially critical for sparring where heavier gloves of 16oz and above are usually mandated.

For regular training such as mitts, pads, or bag training, 10-14oz gloves are recommended which can also double as amateur/smoker competition gloves.

Boxing gloves size charts serve as a general guide for choosing the most suitable boxing gloves weight. Here’s a size chart to help you select your ideal boxing gloves size based on your weight and usage: