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Boxing Gloves Buying Guide

So you're looking for a way to de-stress and want to take up boxing at the gym?   You'll need to hit the bag with a good pair of boxing gloves that will add enough weight to increase your cardio  while fitting snugly and comfortably.  Generally, there are two types of gloves that boxers use depending on the activity--regulation boxing gloves for sparring  and kickboxing,  and bag gloves  for use with a punching bag.   Check out the following guide to learn more about the different types of gloves so  you can get a jump-start on buying the perfect pair for you.

The Basics

  • Boxing gloves range from 10-20 ounces, and the weight of the glove will determine the intensity of your workout. Amateur boxers most often use lighter gloves, unless they're working primarily to increase arm strength.
  • Boxing gloves can be made out of a host of different materials. The highest quality gloves have outer covers made of top-grain leather and are lined with cotton material. They're then hand stuffed with shock-absorbing foam and/or wool blends.
  • Most boxing gloves have a thumb-lock feature that prevents accidental gouging of an opponent's eye.
  • Boxing gloves have different style wrist closures. They may be laced, Velcro or elastic.
  • Gloves come in both youth and adult sizes.

How to Choose

  • Always ask your instructor what brand/type/size of gloves he or she recommends for you.
  • Cheap means weak. While cheap gloves may appear high quality, the materials they're made out of won't hold up to prolonged use. You should be prepared for a good pair of gloves to be a significant investment. But remember, gloves are to protect you from injury, and nothing is more important than your health!
  • Glove size and glove weight are not the same thing, so make sure you read the package to guarantee a good fit.
  • Like a pair of shoes, gloves will stretch the more you use them. In fact, when you first purchase them, the best gloves for you should probably have a bit snugger fit than you deem comfortable.
  • Make sure there is enough room for hand wraps.

Different Sports

The right pair of gloves often depends most on the type of activity you're doing.  Some sports--like muay thai, for instance--require that you are able to grab with your hands.  Thus, you need a pair of gloves that is flexible and allows for you to open your hands.  If you're practising cardio kickboxing, you'll want to snag a pair of gloves with a lot of padding.  Constant impact on heavy bags can injure the bones in your hands otherwise.  As for professional boxing, the lighter the glove and the easier it is to make a fist, the better.  This allows for the boxer to get a big impact with his punches while still allowing him to hold his hands up for long periods of time without getting tired from extra weight.

Here's a complete list of sports that require a good set of gloves:

Major Manufacturers

When investing in a pair of new gloves, aim for trusted brands like these: 

Related Products

Competition Gloves 

Speed Bag Gloves 

Youth Gloves 

Heavy Bag Gloves 

External Links

  • BalazsBoxing.com:  Everything you need to know about boxing training and equipment.
  • Ebay.com: Boxing glove FAQs answered.