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Have you been boxing all your life? Or have you recently stepped into the dynamic and exciting world of boxing?
Whether you're boxing for you cardio improving or training for a pro fight – good boxing gloves are essential. And yes, that also applies to sparring, Muay Thai and Kickboxing!
With the right gloves you protect yourself from nasty injuries and you will notice a huge difference during your training.
Here you can read all about the best boxing gloves, what to look out for and which ones suit you best.
Whatever your goal is with boxing, you need a good pair of boxing gloves.
Each type of training style has its own distinctive features that you should look for when purchasing this important piece of equipment.
This list includes the best boxing gloves for each of these goals, and you'll read everything you need to know before making this investment.
The absolute favorites are these new Venum Giants if you want to get serious about boxing but don't want to spend too much. Maybe not as durable as the professional Cleto Reyes we'll also discuss, but you can get a lot of practice rounds with it.
Speaking of Cleto's, Thee Combat Corporation has done a great reveiw talking in particular about the durability and thickness of the padding which is perfect for sparring:
They are a bit more pricey and you don't necessarily have to spend that. There are a lot of other good gloves you can consider, for example for beginners or for kickboxing.
Also read on in the article to learn more about the things to look for when buying the right boxing gloves, depending on what you want to do with them.
First, let's take a look at the different options:
Dear newcomer
Triple protection with foam padding to absorb and balance shocks.
Best Professional Boxing Gloves
Made from the strictest form of water-resistant goatskin leather that keeps your hands comfortable and dry.
Best kickboxing gloves
Delta-EG technology in the inner core gives ultimate transfer of speed and power, while protecting your hand at the same time.
Best Muay Thai Gloves
The craftsmanship, the deliberate concentration of padding over the back of the hand and knuckles, the design and flexibility in the wrist is perfect for Muay Thai style clinching.
Best Cheap Muay Thai Gloves
Padding not only protects wrists and knuckles but closures up to mid-forearm provide extra protection for the wrists.
Best boxing gloves for amateur boxers
Own developed technology – Injected Molded Foam (IMF). This form of filling provides a preformed inner shape
Best Cheap Boxing Gloves For Beginners
This bullet-shaped pair comes with a hook-and-loop closure mechanism that wraps completely around your wrist, so your hand never slips on a punch.
Best lightweight boxing gloves for the punching bag
Slightly more pricey, but well worth the extra money. You can use them to hit the bag harder without worrying that you won't have enough wrist support.
Best Cheap Pocket Gloves
Inexpensive enough to serve as a 2nd pair for bag training or at-home fitness, yet still provide plenty of protection.
Best MMA gloves for the punching bag
Bag training with MMA gloves is quite risky but if you still want to practice with this, the RDX MMA gloves offer a lot of protection.
Best Bag Training Boxing Gloves For Kids
RDX Robo children's boxing gloves offer the perfect protection for 5-10 years.
What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
Boxing gloves buyer's guide
Since we know how important it is to wear the right gloves for boxing, we need to talk about choosing the right gloves for different applications and different people.
A boxer's hands are certainly judged as their most valuable possessions. Injuries can lead to an extended period of time on the sidelines while you wait for them to fully heal.
In the worst case, hand injuries can mean that you will never fight in a boxing match again!
Whether you're using a punching bag or standing punching post for regular exercise or training for competitive boxing matches, it's essential to protect your hands with the right gloves.
If you're not sure which one suits you best, don't worry, we've got it all covered for you here!
Which glove is the right one for me?
Boxing has been around since ancient Greek times and of course in other cultures from ancient Asian times as well. While much has evolved over time, the basic concepts in the different styles have remained the same.
Whether training, mid-level, pro boxing, sparring, Muay Thai or even Kickboxing, the right equipment is essential not only for an optimal workout or fighting match, but also for your safety.
There are different types of boxing gloves, each with its own function:
- Punching bag gloves
- Training/Fitness Gloves
- Personal Training Gloves
- sparring gloves
- Fighting Gloves
Each of these has different characteristics that are special and unique to them. However, they all have the same investment choices to consider. The right glove for the sport makes all the difference in performance, comfort and safety.
Would you like to know more about which glove is for what exactly? You can read that here.
The 5 features to look out for are:
Glove Fit
The reason so many companies include a very detailed sizing chart, including athlete's height and weight, is that glove fit and fit is paramount, and should be the highest criteria on a boxing list.
Although the glove should fit snugly, the person should be able to open and close their hand easily. It may be necessary to break in the glove. Also look for styles with an attached thumb, not only for your safety, but also for the safety of your opponent.
The perfect fit of the gloves helps your hand to feel safe and comfortable when landing your punches.
It is worth noting that size and weight are treated separately when it comes to boxing gloves.
There are three different sizes of boxing gloves available:
- small
- medium
- large
The size of your hands usually determines the size of the gloves you should buy.
Padding design
The sole purpose of the padding is to protect the back of your hand and knuckles from injury.
While you'll know right away if you've got enough filling when you crack your knuckles, that's not the way you want to find out.
Several padding choices are also available, including horsehair, gel, foam, and a mix of foam and horsehair.
Depending on what kind of impact you want to feel in the punch, depends on the density of the padding in the different models of gloves.
Closure type
The world of boxing has evolved over time, and one of the things that have evolved on this piece of gear is the types of closure. The main three are:
- Lace-up
- Velcro fastener
- Hybrid:
In the late 19s, there was only the Lace-up method that is still in practice and attracts the old-school boxers the most. It is still considered the most appropriate, supportive and most common in the best brands.
Also called the “Hook and Loop Closure”, Velcro came along 100 years later and is much more convenient than laces. Laces are a bit more supportive, though. The hybrid closure has both the lace closure and the Hook and Loop. Which one you choose depends most on the fighting style.
Traditionally, lace-up gloves are better for hardcore pocket work, sparring with a partner, Muay Thai and competitions. Velcro is best for pretty much everything else, simply because of the convenience factor.
- Wrist Mobility & Support: The type of closure has a major impact on wrist mobility and support. Most boxers like a straight wrist, a secured position that can only be fully achieved through lace-ups. Others like the freedom that Velcro offers . Professional boxers recommend the use of hand wraps for proper support.
- Breathability: always look for leather; they breathe the most. Some brands also offer antibacterial and deodorant agents, which is a huge bonus. Boxing is a sweaty sport, so materials with ventilation holes also help with dryness and air circulation.
- Leather: in addition to ensuring air permeability, you also learn from the longest lifespan.
- Stitching: Look for double stitching compared to single!
- Inner lining: In addition to protection, the inside should also feel good. This is one of the biggest complaints on the internet; that liners feel coarse, scratchy, slippery, etc. This should not be the case. The quality of the interior also helps you to clean your boxing gloves quickly and safely to protect your investment.
Also read: these are the best boxing poles you can buy for home training
Weight
Boxing gloves come in different weights depending on the amount of padding used. The weight of boxing gloves ranges from about 8 oz to 20 oz.
The intended application plays an important role in your choice here.
For example, competitive boxers usually choose to use 10 oz gloves to ensure they get maximum impact.
On the other hand, 16 oz gloves are best for sparring and for training, as they provide the necessary protection due to the extra padding used, to both you and your sparring partner.
Because the weight of the gloves must match the weight of the boxer using them, female boxers benefit most from using lightweight gloves, approximately 12 oz.
Material
Boxing gloves are made of different materials. The materials used on the gloves affect their durability. Leather boxing gloves are usually the most durable. However, they are also the most expensive.
Before hitting someone else, a beginner trains himself on a punching bag. Through training he learns different techniques.
For practicing on a punching bag, the bag gloves must have sufficient padding. The padding prevents hand and wrist injuries.
Top 12 Best Boxing Gloves Reviewed
Here are our recommendations for the best professional boxing glove brands, which are also well-reviewed by the experts to deliver the perfect punch quickly and safely:
Venum Giant 3.0
- Triple density foaming
- Stylish and affordable
- Mesh Covering
- Found some extra space at the thumb on the inside of the mitten
Venum is a newer company that focuses products more on the amateur level boxer and MMA arenas. Of all the gloves tested so far, the Giant is by far the best.
This style is made in Thailand which means it is much better than some of their products that say “designed in Thailand” which fool many consumers.
Their synthetic leather, which they call Skintex, is actually quite a durable construction and can take a beating.
They offer triple protection with their foam padding made with a triple density to absorb and balance shocks.
Inside the glove you will be pleasantly surprised to find a fantastic thermal adjustment due to the mesh panels placed specifically under the fist.
Your thumb will wiggle with pleasure afterwards due to the 100% fully attached protection thumb designed to prevent injury.
Within a few years Venum has already largely taken over the amateur market from established brands.
There are only a few complaints about the material Skintex in that they were not satisfied with the appearance.
However, the rave reviews keep pouring in.
People mainly use them for what they are meant to be; training and sparring. They are comfortable, supportive, shock absorbing and durable:
The extended closures with padded palms, high density foam are all placed in the perfect place to protect your wrists and hands so you can improve your training and gain better control over your opponent.
Benefits:
- Comfortable
- Triple density foaming
- Stylish and affordable
- Mesh Covering
Cons:
- Found some extra space at the thumb on the inside of the mitten
Cleto reyes Workout Gloves
- 100% leather and different colors
- Reliable filling
- solid grip
- Make sure you get the right size because they have a tight fit!
The name Cleto Reyes could be synonymous with the world of boxing. Modestly started in Mexico, but make no mistake, this brand has been around since the XNUMXs.
Reyes has always provided quality art and craftsmanship in its products since its inception. You might not even mind getting a kick out of this beautifully designed work.
These sparring mitts are made from the strictest form of quality-controlled goatskin leather and a water-repellent lining that helps protect your hands by keeping them comfortable and dry.
It also features the same type of Velcro closure as most professional gloves. In addition, these sparring and training aids have an attached thumb on the side for eye protection.
Many people are not aware that these are the mitts that give you some extra strength, because of the Reyes secret.
The three centimeter padding in the hit area has a special padding. Reyes uses horsehair as part of their filling, this old-school method gives your punches that little bit of extra power.
The quality of the leather is known all over the world. Some users reported how incredible the wrist rest is and how perfect they feel when sparring.
If you're a bit of a thrill seeker and want to feel adrenaline coursing through your veins at 100 km/h as you face your opponent, you still want to know that you have enough protection to avoid sprains.
Then you'll find that your hands are… well, in good hands with Cleto Reyes. Plus they last for years and are stylish enough to help you make a name for yourself with one of their 23 colors.
Benefits:
- Sustainability
- 100% leather and different colors
- Reliable filling
- solid grip
- Well thought out design
- Affordable for what they are
Cons:
- Make sure you get the right size because they have a tight fit!
Hayabusa T3 Gloves
- Delta-EG inner core
- Dual-X wrist closure
- Hayabusa AG inner fabric
- A few had a hard time putting them on
The T3 is so named because of the rebirth of the whole technology behind these gloves. The word Hayabusa means falcon, the fastest bird in the world.
This is the reason behind the name of this new style of MMA boxing gloves.
It was literally designed with the focus on speed and efficiency in creating the design. The Delta-EG technology in the inner core is what will give you this ultimate transfer of speed and power, while protecting your hand at the same time.
Comfort is an understatement given the company-exclusive inner fabric, which provides exceptional breathability and thermoregulatory properties.
The thumb position is ergonomic for optimal performance, eliminating any pull on the wrist or thumb.
Also included in this revolutionary new design is the Dual-X patented wrist closure and fusion splinting delivering support to the wrist with 99,7% alignment. It doesn't get much better than that.
Finally, this wonder glove is also anti-microbial and their technology is anti-odor. Due to the new design, it can be a bit tricky to put on, but some people said they quickly got used to being able to put them on and off easily.
If you are an experienced boxer you like to hit things really hard and since you need a little extra support then this is what you want. The wrist rest is incredible!
If you like kickboxing, the shock absorption and wrist alignment is the best you will ever find:
Benefits:
- Fusion Splinting
- Delta-EG inner core
- Dual-X wrist closure
- Hayabusa AG inner fabric
- Vylar-2 engineered leather
Cons:
- A few had a hard time putting them on
Twins Special BGVL
- Good wrist support
- Excellent flexibility
- Triple filling
- Not as durable in areas with high heat and humidity
Twins are known worldwide as the highest quality and standard in the Muay Thai style boxing community.
With their continued innovation and teamwork with some of the world's most elite fighters, they continue to create products that are durable, protective and comfortable.
The feature of having a Velcro wrist is distinctively supportive of your wrist and will help prevent twists or sprains.
The craftsmanship, the deliberate concentration of padding over the back of the hand and knuckles, the design and flexibility in the wrist is perfect for Muay Thai style clinching.
The Twins Special has a lot to offer. The Velcro closure makes it easier to put on and take off the gear, but tape is recommended so that the Velcro does not hurt your opponent.
There are also 3 layers of different padding for your protection, and the different designs will instantly get you excited about buying a pair.
These gloves are designed for use in both pocket training and sparring.
Their universal nature means that they do not accurately address the specific needs of users when it comes to training with punching bags.
They don't have as much padding to protect the hands of boxers, who usually put a lot of force behind each punch.
In addition, their light padding breaks down much faster compared to real pocket gloves, but you can use them for both pocket and sparring.
While it may seem like you'll be making savings by choosing all-round training gloves for use in both sparring and pocket training, their obvious drawbacks cannot be ignored.
That's why I recommend buying a separate one for your punching bag, such as the Venum Challenger above.
- Comfortable and soft
- Good wrist and hand support
- Twins are more comfortable, higher quality, more durable and just as protective, but with more feedback
- The gloves also jump very hard on the punching bag and boxing pads
These all purpose boxing gloves are great for Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Thai boxing, MMA, Mixed martial arts, UFC training and bag training.
The 8 and 10 oz gloves are designed for competitive competition or sack/pad work, sack work and sparring.
Remark: People complain that these gloves are big and have too big a cushion, but that's just not the case in many other experiences we've heard.
They are wider than other gloves, but they are not nearly as big as some of the other gloves on the market.
Benefits:
- Comfortable
- Good wrist support
- Excellent flexibility
- Triple filling
Cons:
- Not as durable in areas with high heat and humidity
Venum Contend
- Super Padding for the price
- Closure halfway arm wrist rest
- All leather and soft lining
- Difficult to break in for some
Venum offers the same protection as their brother Twins. Therefore, the two are probably Thailand's leading companies in the Muay Thai sport.
Their use of cowhide leather is a great example of the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into designing their products.
The set is so formidable and so well constructed that the padding not only protects the wrists and knuckles, the closures reach halfway up the forearm providing extra protection for the wrists.
Although they are brothers, Venum's feel and appearance are vastly different from Twins.
Venum has a boxier look due to the fill level which is bulky but with a good spring in it. It is also thoroughly distributed from the wrists to the backs of your hands.
These gloves are made with most of the padding on the knuckles and back of the hand. If you want to smash up a brick wall, these are the materials to use.
Venum has once again done its best to be one of the best. People love them because they have thought of everything, including small details.
For example, they made sure the lining was soft. They contain small holes for ventilation around the thumb, so that air can circulate faster and your hand can dry faster.
It's the little details and centuries of family knowledge that make them one of the top two in Thailand and in the world.
Plus they come in lots of distinct styles to choose from.
Benefits:
- Centuries of experience
- Super Padding
- Unique shape
- Closure halfway arm wrist rest
- All leather and soft lining
Cons:
- Difficult to break in for some
ringside Pro
- Quality construction
- wrist rest
- Affordable price
- No palm ventilation holes
Although it has been around for thirty years, Ringside has mainly made a name for itself in the last ten years as one of the best mid-range training, sparring and boxing companies.
Known for their products for the traditional boxers, it is also starting to bond with the MMA crowd.
They impressed all boxing genres when they improved the conventional designs of the product with their modern advanced technology – Injected Molded Foam (IMF). This form of filling provides a preformed inner shape.
The goal of this technical design is to absorb the maximum amount of shock to the hand and wrist during a punch.
Plus, your wrist is completely safe, protected and comfortable, while also having the perfect amount of flexibility thanks to a segmented and supported closure, which acts like a hand wrap behind an already inconspicuous Velcro closure that closes around the wrist.
There were only a few issues, but they should be mentioned.
A few people had the unfortunate experience of the glove wearing out too quickly for their liking, and a few had some sizing issues.
But still, professionals strongly recommend these to spar:
The weight distribution is the best of any glove many sparring boxers have seen, and the wrist support is truly incredible.
IMF technology takes boxing to a new level.
Years of development went into the construction of the new technology behind Ringside's IMF (Injected Molded Foam) multipurpose boxing glove.
You will be provided with unparalleled shock absorption with its new IMF technology.
Je punching ball, sparring partner or brick wall your improved performance will notice with your new IMF tech Ringsides.
Their smaller size and eye-catching surface allow you to focus your attention on hand and eye coordination and accuracy.
The slim design has a very sharp and sexy look. Anything with that aerodynamic shape subconsciously says, “I'm fast and dangerous,” and this product has carried that through everywhere.
Benefits:
- Quality construction
- wrist rest
- Sustainability
- Affordable price
Cons:
- No palm ventilation holes
Adidas Boxing Speed 100
- Antibacterial and mesh lining
- Velcro closure
- Durable synthetic leather
- Synthetic leather
Now a different kind of sports brand on our list, but a well-known one, so it should come as no surprise that we love this Flash Sparring product.
These too are equipped with the IMF technology, so when you land your punches, your hands are fully protected, your target is crushed and it feels like you are hitting air.
This bullet-shaped pair comes with a hook-and-loop closure mechanism that wraps completely around your wrist, so your hand never slips on a punch. This closure also makes it easier to put on and take off.
Additionally, a mesh lining and vents with microbial odor protection accompany the leather exterior in this list of product features.
According to all professionals, this is the perfect sparring equipment for all beginners. A new boxer shouldn't actually leave the house without a pair of these.
One person complained slightly of sore knuckles but loved the gloves so thought he would try to break them in a little more.
Several people are choosing Venum as their favorite training gloves as this fledgling company comes to market, but don't forget about these old hands!
Here is Ryan Garcia about the gloves:
These are the least expensive Ringside training models that come with the IMF technology.
This means that while they are cheaper, they are in no way inferior when it comes to being designed to pack that punch with maximum shock absorption, give you a solid strength workout and boost your cardio.
The outer cover is made of durable, synthetic leather that has been treated to prevent cracking and splitting. These beginner ringsides may be entry level but will make you look like a pro with their superior style and colors.
Benefits:
- Antibacterial and mesh lining
- Velcro closure
- Durable synthetic leather
- Affordable
Cons:
- Synthetic leather
Venum Challenger 3.0
- Sufficient padding for the bag
- Reinforced palm for more safety
- Triple Density foam for enhanced shock absorption
- Too light for sparring
Thus, Venum products are widely recognized as the best training equipment in the industry.
These gloves are more expensive than Everlast and WAY, but well worth the extra money.
You can use them to hit the bag harder without worrying that you won't have enough wrist support.
And the Venum gloves generally seem a bit bigger than other brands but the quality also seems better!
- Great durability and performance
- Reinforced palm for more safety
- Triple Density foam for enhanced shock absorption
The Venum Challenger 3.0 boxing gloves are perfect lightweight performance boxing gloves, an affordable glove without compromising on quality, offering exceptional value for all levels from beginner to intermediate.
Remark: if there is something wrong with the gloves you received, the customer service is great.
Hammer Boxing Punch
- Very affordable
- Light weight
- No durability like Venum or Hayabusa
- Only for amateurs
If you're looking for gloves specifically for punching bag training, you may not want to spend too much because it's your second pair (or because you're only using them all for fun or some fitness at home).
There are bag gloves for under €20, but we would advise you to spend a little more and opt for these great made Hammer Boxing gloves.
They are very durable and although they do not offer professional protection like the Venums they will give the amateur boxer a lot of fun.
RDX Maya GGRF-12
- More padding for bag training
- Quick-EZ Velcro Closure
- Hand comfort and breathability
- Little wrist protection
In addition to the above types of boxing gloves, you may also see boxers using MMA gloves for bag training.
This is quite risky as these gloves do not have the necessary amount of padding to protect your hands and wrists.
But you may still want to practice with this because you are training for MMA fights and also want to get a more realistic feeling when training the punching bag.
These RDX MMA gloves offer a lot of protection for training on a punching bag and are definitely the best choice to go for.
If you need a handy half finger Velcro training glove, RDX Maya Training F12 would be the best choice, you can check more details below:
- Resilient Maya Hide synthetic construction for durable and long-lasting use
- Quick-EZ Velcro closure provides a comfortable snug fit and wrist support
- Hand comfort and breathability, no loose threads, no pinching, no irritating seam that goes against the length of a finger.
These gloves are balanced, very durable and high quality gloves for the price.
The soft leather gives a more realistic feel for exercises at full speed than the large full boxing gloves.
Remark: Some people say it's a bit tight for tall people, and you may need a supporter so as not to hurt your hands.
RDX Robot Kids
- Perfect fit for kids
- Good protection for developing bones
- More pocket gloves than sparring
Of course there should also be special gloves for children in our list!
The main reason to wear the right boxing gloves is for your own protection; the bones in the hands and wrist are fragile and can be injured by the impact force.
Punching bags are generally quite heavy and sturdy and weigh a lot of kilos. Repeatedly pounding the bag can seriously damage the bones in your wrist and hand, ultimately affecting your ability to continue exercising.
So you understand that if you let children do this, it is even more important to pay attention!
RDX Robo children's boxing gloves for children are for the age of 5-10 years.
- Suitable group: 5-10 years old children
- Made of high quality material, they are durable for long term use.
- These are great for the money and are surprisingly well made.
These kids boxing gloves are fully stocked for punching real pockets. Highly recommended for anyone who has children who want to box or use a punching bag!
Conclusion
Buying boxing gloves doesn't have to be complicated, but you do have to know what to look for.
Because all hands are different, some boxing materials will clearly feel better and protect better. However, most people who fight seriously have at least two pairs of gloves.
Every fighter should have a softer pair to use in sparring and competition, and a denser pair of Velcro straps to use in all of his training and bagging. If you have two pairs, your sparring/competition gloves will last longer.
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