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Stan Horaczek
Published Oct 13, 2023 3:00 PM EDT
A professional martial arts instructor and personal trainer breaks down the best ways to protect your hands during workouts and sparring.
Best for beginners
Hayabusa T3
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These synthetic gloves come in tons of colors and weights.
Best for sparring
Fairtex BGV1
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The classic hook shape makes them useful for working in a clinch.
Best budget
RDX
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These solid, reliable gloves retail for roughly $30.
Published Oct 13, 2023 3:00 PM
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Selecting the right pair of boxing gloves can be a difficult task. Whether you’re a seasoned pugilist or a total newcomer to fight sports, the importance of high-quality equipment can’t be overstated. A good set of gloves is important for protecting your wrists and hands, but they also play an important role in the safety of your training partners. You must consider details like their overall weight, padding, material, and wrist support. With the explosion in popularity of casual boxing classes, a variety of options have flooded the market. Today, there are countless brands, styles, and materials to choose from, so I’ve assembled a list detailing some of my favorites to help you navigate. Plenty of quality brands exist beyond those discussed here, so shop around, try out different pairs, and find the best boxing gloves for you.
Best overall: Twins Special
Best for beginners: Hayabusa T3
Best for heavy bag: Ringside Apex Flash
Best for sparring: Fairtex BGV1
Best for sparring (runner up): Yokkao
Best budget: RDX
How we chose the best boxing gloves
I’ve been practicing martial arts on and off since I was eight years old. I picked up kickboxing in my teens, MMA in my 20s, and Muay Thai in my 30s. I now train students at a handful of fight and fitness gyms around NYC, where students of every age and level come to sharpen their skills. After a few decades of training and teaching, I’ve gotten a handle on what to look for when finding just the right pair. You’re going to prioritize the details that are most important to you. Still, I looked at overall construction, design, durability, price, and basically how each glove feels when I use it on the bag or when hitting pads. So, mix up some protein powder, strap on a pair, and get to punching.
The best boxing gloves: Reviews & Recommendations
You won’t truly know how much you love a pair of boxing gloves until you hear them slap against a pad or a bag, but we fully recommend these pairs based on years of experience.
Best overall: Twins Special
Specs
Material: Leather
Weights: 10oz, 12 oz, 14oz, or 16oz
Pros
Extremely durable
Stay firmly in place
Ample protection
Impeccable reputation
Cons
Some may prefer a longer cuff
Hard to buy online
Twins Specials is known for being a classic, high-quality, widely respected maker of boxing gloves. They’re made in Thailand, with a long history of producing premium equipment. They top my list because of their fit, weight distribution, construction, and durability. Their standard models are generally round around the fist with more-than-sufficient padding over the knuckles and a short cuff over the wrist (I personally dislike a long wrist cuff that goes way up my forearm, and these do not have one, but that’s a personal choice). They’re really well balanced, too, with just the right amount of weight on the hand versus the wrist. They also last forever. You can beat the heck out of them on the bag or on the mitts (even with an old-school trainer with heavy hands), and these gloves will somehow still keep their shape and padding. They are a little more expensive, with authentic pairs rarely less than $100, but totally worth the price tag. I’m looking forward to seeing more faux leather options from them in the future. Bottom line, Twins Special has well-earned its excellent reputation. The only trouble is buying them online. You can find limited models from online retailers, but a local shop is your best bet.
Best for beginners: Hayabusa T3
Specs
Material: Vylar
Weights: 10oz, 12oz, 14oz, 16oz, or 18oz
Pros
Tough synthetic outer
Ample knuckle protection
Lots of wrist support
Tons of color and size options
Five layers of foam for impact absorption
Cons
Breaking-in process can take a while
The Hayabusa T3 is a really high-quality glove with great wrist support, making it my top pick for beginners. Many new boxers can struggle with hand and wrist pain because of the misalignment of their joints when striking. To help solve this, the T3 runs a semi-rigid “splint” across the wrist (from the cuff to the knuckles) that helps keep the arm straight and knuckles in place when throwing a punch. Additionally, the dual straps help support the wrist and fortify it on impact. Multiple layers of dense padding help, too, and the gloves just plain look cool in pretty much every color variation. They take a few more rounds on the bag to “break in” than other brands, but that’s a good thing for newbies.
Best for heavy bag: Ringside Apex Flash
Specs
Material: Leather
Weights: 14oz or 16oz
Pros
Round shape provides extra padding at the knuckles
Good bounce off the bag
Good for high-volume training
Flashy colors
Protect joints
Cons
Limited weight options
Ringside makes great equipment all around, and the Apex Flash line of boxing gloves is no exception. I find Ringside gloves to be well “rounded” around the knuckles, giving a bit more of a padded feel when landing heavy strikes. This is beneficial when you’re going deep in rounds on a densely packed heavy bag that doesn’t have much give. You want the slight “bounce” off the glove the Apex Flash will give you every time you throw a jab or a cross so that a high-volume training session doesn’t have a high-volume impact on your knuckles, elbows, or other joints.
Best for sparring: Fairtex BGV1
Specs
Material: Synthetic leather
Weights: 14oz, 16oz, 18oz, or 20oz
Pros
Another brand with an impeccable reputation from a long tradition
Plush cushioning for protection
Durable despite softness
Hook shape is ideal for kickboxing
Available up to 20 ounces in some colors
Cons
Graphics may not match everyone’s style
Fairtex is one of the most well-respected names in boxing, kickboxing, and especially Muay Thai training equipment. Their gloves are superbly made, and they offer a wide variety of styles and colorways. I’ve probably owned more pairs of Fairtex gloves, shinpads, and shorts than any other brand. The BGV1 is a great standard-issue glove evenly weighted around the fist with a short cuff around the wrist. I chose them for sparring because the padding is strong enough to protect your knuckles but cushy enough not to thud too heavily on your training partner and because the material doesn’t easily degrade (which could scratch your training partner’s face). Additionally, if you’re working on the inside or doing clinch work, they have a classic “hook” shape to the palm side of the glove that helps maintain a grip on your opponent. Fairtex also makes it easy to find heavier pairs, like 18 oz and 20 oz gloves, for bigger fighters.
Best for sparring (runner up): Yokkao
Specs
Material: Leather
Weights: 8oz, 10oz, 12oz, 14oz, 16oz, or 18oz
Pros
Extra-long cuff for wrist support
Soft-but-durable leather outer
Hook shape for clinching
Tons of color and size options
Cons
Some users don’t love the smell of the leather (which eventually goes away)
Best budget: RDX
Specs
Material: Synthetic leather
Weights: 8oz, 10oz, 12oz, 14oz, or 16oz
Pros
Very affordable
Simple, sturdy closure
Solid ventilation
Durable
Very attached thumb to encourage beginners to make the correct fist shape
Cons
Not as plush as expensive models
These days, you can get a pretty good pair of boxing gloves without burning through your wallet. RDX makes great high-level gear but also some of the sturdiest affordable gloves on the market. At about $30, this pair hits all the marks—solid construction, balanced weighting, dense padding through the knuckles, and they just look cool. I’m also a fan of the faux-leather material, which is just as durable as its more expensive real-leather cousin. It used to be that you couldn’t find a solid pair of boxing gloves for less than $75, and then it dropped to $50, but these RDX really do the trick for anyone just getting into striking who doesn’t want to make a big investment yet.
Here are some essential terms to know and variables to consider when you set out to find the perfect pair of boxing gloves:
Style
Most boxing gloves are constructed relatively similarly in terms of shape and “style.” Some Muay Thai gloves will have a bit of a “hook” design to them that aids in clinching, but overall, the differences are pretty subtle for most users. When considering how they fasten, you typically can choose between velcro and laces. Most gloves on the market open and close using velcro straps because it’s quick and easy. You can usually get a pretty tight grip, too, unless it begins to wear out (less common with the more expensive pairs). Laced-up gloves are great for getting a more snug fit around the hand, but they’re not really necessary below a certain level of training. In most scenarios, velcro gloves are completely appropriate, especially if you don’t have a trainer to help you get in and out of them.
Material
Boxing gloves are typically made out of leather, but faux-leather options are on the rise and totally viable. As recently as 10 years ago, you didn’t want to purchase the non-leather options because the material would quickly break down after a handful of workouts. Today, it seems most companies have mastered the manufacturing process, and you can get inexpensive versions of both leather and faux-leather boxing gloves that will last you a while. On the inner part of the glove, you’ll typically find some kind of nylon lining, whereas some gloves will feature foam. I tend to favor lining because it’s easier to slide your hand in and out and because it helps stop sweat from absorbing into the deeper parts of the glove.
FAQs
Q: How do I clean boxing gloves?
Cleaning boxing gloves is as simple as wiping them down with a wet rag or disinfectant wipes after use. But that won’t get rid of the notoriously sour sweat smell. That is best accomplished by keeping them dry, which I learned to do with a small fan and some newspaper. This basic trick has served me and many other fighters very well for a long, long time. Bacteria are the major culprit in stinky boxing gear and thrive in the moist environment inside the glove. Desiccating bacteria (i.e., drying it out) keeps it from proliferating and producing that foul smell we’ve all come in contact with.
I usually open the gloves as much as possible, folding the velcro in the opposite direction, and then sit them on top of a small, adjustable desktop fan (you can get them at CVS or on Amazon for $15–$25 usually). Leave them there for 15 minutes on the highest setting, which usually does the trick. After they’ve dried, you can shove some old newspaper in towards the fingertips (usually the stinkiest part) to absorb any remaining moisture. You can also do this with paper towels or other materials, but what’s nice about newspaper (besides recycling it) is that the carbon-based ink is great for drying out the bacteria and neutralizing odors. This has been more effective for me than fancy sprays, inserts, or any other expensive product my Instagram feed tried to push on me. Do not put them in the washing machine.
Q: What weight glove should I get?
Your boxing gloves’ weight (in ounces) depends on your weight and what you’re doing with them. There are some standards (like 16 oz. gloves for sparring in most boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai gyms), but it also comes down to personal preference. A very loose stratification of glove weights according to body weight might look something like this:
– If you’re around 110 lbs, consider 10 oz. gloves
– If you’re around 120 lbs, consider 12 oz. gloves
– If you’re around 140 lbs, consider 14 oz. gloves
– If you’re around 160 lbs+, consider 16 oz. gloves
Other factors might include how big your hands are and how well they fit in each size glove after your hands are wrapped. Or you might want a heavier glove with more padding because you’re hitting a stiff heavy bag frequently in your training regimen (heavier gloves will also provide a bit more of an upper-body workout). Try different weights and see what works best for you.
Q: How much do boxing gloves cost?
The cost of boxing gloves and other fight gear has decreased considerably in the last decade. You can now find a pretty decent introductory pair for anywhere from $25–$50. For most practitioners, you can get by pretty well on a pair in the $40-$75 range. I regularly buy gloves for around $60, which suits me just fine. If you’re training hard and often, though, gloves around or over $100 will often last longer, but price and exclusivity are not always proxies for professionalism. I’ve watched gear-snobs on Instagram talk about this or that being the only gloves and protective gear they’ll use and proclaim that suggesting anything within X or Y brand shows that you’re clueless in the sport. It’s hard to take that seriously when plenty of pro fighters can be seen wearing the same generic, low-cost gear these wannabe influencers deem unworthy. In 2023, we’ve got lots of options.
Final thoughts on the best boxing gloves
Best overall: Twins Special
Best for beginners: Hayabusa T3
Best for heavy bag: Ringside Apex Flash
Best for sparring: Fairtex BGV1
Best for sparring (runner up): Yokkao
Best budget: RDX
At the end of the day, buying the right pair of boxing gloves is a personal decision. A strong case can be made for any of the gloves above, as well as a host of other great brands out there, but you have to find the glove that fits your needs and physiology best. Figure out your training routine and goals, then pick a pair and go! For the vast majority of us, any glove is better than no glove or no training at all. Take into consideration some of the specifics we mentioned above—weight, material, training methods, etc.—and then talk to your coach and training partners and see what they say. Try a few pairs out, and don’t be afraid to switch them up if you feel they aren’t what you’re looking for. “Protect your tools” is one of the most important things I remember from my first MMA coach, and a good pair of boxing gloves is part of that. Luckily, there are plenty on this list to choose from. Good luck and happy hitting!
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