If you’ve decided to take up boxing, congratulations—you’re embarking on an incredibly rewarding journey that will test your physical and mental strength. But even better than the thrill of a satisfying bout is the feeling of getting equipped just right: from headgear and training gloves to the best boxing shoes. Outfitting yourself with gear that truly fits your needs can mean the difference between a fun workout and a frustrating one.
And when it comes to training gear, few items are more important than boxing gloves. A quality pair of gloves not only helps protect your hands from injury, but also keeps you comfortable as you focus on technique and punching power. That’s why it’s essential to find the glove that’s perfect for you. In this article, we’ll break down how to choose the right boxing gloves for your training needs.
Boxing Glove Features to Consider
Buying the right pair of boxing gloves is the first step to getting into the ring. Regardless of your skill level and training goals, it’s important to select the right kind of glove. Here are some features you should keep in mind when selecting boxing gloves.
- Weight: The weight of a glove affects the amount of protection it provides. Lighter gloves (8-12 ounces) are best for sparring as they allow for more mobility, while heavier gloves (14-18 ounces) are better for bag work and general training as they provide more padding and protection for your knuckles and wrists.
- Closure: Full wrist wraps offer extra support for your wrist joints, allowing for greater power when punching or blocking. Hook and loop closures, or Velcro straps, provide a secure fit that can be easily put on and taken off.
- Material: Many boxing gloves today are made from synthetic leather or vinyl material. These materials can be more durable than traditional leather gloves due to their increased resistance to wear and tear from repetitive use in training sessions.
Knowing which features to consider is just one part of getting ready for your next fight or sparring session. With the right pair of boxing gloves, you’ll be ready to take on your opponent—or just get in a great workout!
Quality vs. Price – Which One You Should Prioritize
When it comes to choosing the right boxing gloves, it can be tempting to prioritize price over quality. After all, who doesn’t want to get the best deal?
But with boxing gloves, you really do get what you pay for. The more expensive the gloves, the better they will be in terms of quality and protection. Cheap gloves won’t offer adequate protection and won’t last as long as their more expensive counterparts. This means that, in the long run, going for a higher-quality glove will actually save you money!
Consider your training needs and budget carefully when selecting boxing gloves. If you are a beginner, consider getting an entry-level glove that offers adequate protection without breaking the bank. However, if you are an advanced boxer or someone looking for some serious performance out of their gloves, investing in a more expensive model that offers superior fit and protection might be worth considering.
Different Types of Boxing Gloves for Sparring
It is important to recognize that different types of boxing gloves are available for sparring. If you’re serious about boxing and want to make sure you’re training with the right gloves, here is your guide to the different options out there.
Training Gloves
Training gloves are designed specifically for use in the gym. They are usually quite large and have a thick padding, allowing you to practice technique safely and with confidence. The padding on training gloves also helps protect your hands and wrists from injury while punching a heavy bag or focus mitts.
Bag Gloves
Bag gloves are made for use when hitting a heavy bag or a speed bag. They usually have slightly less padding than training gloves, since they don’t need as much protection since you are only hitting a stationary object instead of another person. Bag gloves are lightweight and maneuverable so that boxers can build up speed and power in their punches without being weighed down by too much padding.
Sparring Gloves
Sparring gloves are designed for use when sparring with another person. These gloves typically have more padding around the knuckles to give better protection for both fighters, as well as wrist support so that hands do not get injured when making contact during sparring sessions.
The Importance of Hand Size and Gloves Fit
Choosing a pair of boxing gloves is more than just esthetics — you want to make sure the gloves fit your hand properly. It’s important to consider not only the size of your hand, but also the shape and width of your palm, and even the length of your fingers.
To determine which size gloves to get, you should measure the circumference of your dominant hand at its widest point. That measurement will help you choose the right glove size:
- Small: 7” – 8”
- Medium: 8” – 9”
- Large: 9” – 10”
- Extra-large: 10”+
When trying on your gloves, make sure that there’s enough room for you to move your fingers freely and that they are snug enough to provide good support on contact. You should also look for a brand with extra padding to protect both your hands and your opponent from injury.
Best Materials for Boxing Gloves
When it comes to the material of your boxing gloves, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your selection should depend on your training needs and what type of fight you are preparing for.
Genuine Leather
Genuine leather is generally considered the most durable and expensive option for boxing gloves. It is also the most breathable material and provides a nice fit as it “breaks in” over time, making it a great choice for those who are serious about their boxing or kickboxing training.
Synthetic Leather
Synthetic leather is usually much cheaper than genuine leather yet still offers good quality and durability. However, it is not as breathable nor does it provide a great fit due to its lack of pliability when compared to genuine leather.
Vinyl
Vinyl gloves are another budget-friendly option on the market, but because they are not as breathable nor durable as many other materials they are better left to occasional use only. They also tend to be more soiled than other materials.
Knowing which materials best suit your needs can help make sure you choose a pair of gloves that will last you through all your training sessions!
How to Maintain and Care for Boxing Gloves
The right boxing gloves can make all the difference in your training, so it’s important to make sure you take good care of them. Here are a few tips on maintaining and caring for your boxing gloves:
Clean Your Boxing Gloves Regularly
Keeping your gloves clean helps them last longer, and will help prevent any odors or bacterial buildup. Make sure to wipe down the inside and outside of your gloves after every use, and if they get way too sweaty, consider lightly spraying them with an antibacterial spray.
Let Them Air Dry (Don’t Use a Hairdryer!)
Don’t be tempted to speed up the drying process with a hair dryer—it can damage the materials. Instead, stuff newspaper in the gloves or leave them out in open air until they’ve dried completely.
Store Gloves Properly
You don’t want to leave your gloves out in the open air where they can get moldy or develop smells—instead, find a safe spot like a gym bag or locker where you can store them properly. This will reduce any stretching of the material that could occur from moisture build up.
With regular cleaning and proper storage, your boxing gloves should stay looking great and last for years to come.
Best Boxing Gloves for Heavy Bags
If you’re looking for the best boxing gloves for heavy bag training, you want something that’s well-padded and durable. You’ll also want to consider the material of the gloves, as well as their weight and fit.
Material
When it comes to materials, leather is the way to go for heavier bag training. It’s high quality and will last a long time even with frequent use. Synthetic leather is also an option. It’s more affordable, but usually not quite as durable as real leather so you may have to replace your boxing gloves more often if you go with synthetics.
Weight & Fit
When it comes to weight and fit, it’s important to find a pair of gloves that fits your hands properly. The size should be comfortable and snug, but not too tight so you can make a fist comfortably without feeling overly restricted. As far as weight goes, heavier gloves (14-18 ounces) help with power punching and developing power in your punches—but they’re not the best choice for speed punches or working on technique because they can slow down your punching speed and make movements awkward.
When it comes to choosing the right boxing gloves for your training needs, there are several factors you must consider. You need to think about the type of gloves and the material, the size, the weight, and the level of padding that is suitable for your training. Additionally, you should also think about the other accessories you might need, such as hand wraps, Kinesiology tape, and cleaning products.
By taking all of these factors into account, you will be better equipped to choose the right pair of boxing gloves for your needs — whether you are a professional boxer, amateur fighter or simply someone who is looking for a good quality pair of gloves for your leisure and recreational use.