If you want to train boxing, mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, or kickboxing, you’ll need a good pair of gloves. If you’re not familiar with the market, it could be difficult to choose the best ones among all the options.
Fortunately, we have compiled this guide to assist you in making the right decision when buying the best boxing gloves for your needs and budget.
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Top Pick
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Best All-Round Gloves
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Best Budget Gloves
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5.0
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4.5
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3.0
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$239
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$89.99
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$29.99
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Material:
Genuine Leather
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Material:
Premium Leather
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Material:
Faux Leather
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- Best Boxing Gloves: Hit N Move All Day Balance Boxing Gloves
- Best Boxing Gloves For Beginners: Ringside Apex Boxing Gloves
- Best All-Round Boxing Gloves: Revgear S5 Boxing Gloves
- Best Boxing Gloves For Wrist Support: Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves
- Best Venum Boxing Gloves: Venum Elite Boxing Gloves
- Best Boxing Gloves For Sparring: Cleto Reyes Boxing Gloves
- Best Boxing Gloves For Heavy Bag: Revgear Leather Bag Gloves
- Best Boxing Gloves For Training: Fairtex BGV1 Boxing Gloves
- Best Boxing Gloves For Women: Sanabul Women’s Easter Egg Boxing Gloves
- Best Budget Boxing Gloves: Sanabul Essential Boxing Gloves
- Best Kids Boxing Gloves: Sanabul Sticker Bomb Kids Boxing Training Gloves
- Best Value For Money Gloves: Byakko Boxing Gloves
Best Boxing Gloves
Hit N Move All Day Balance Boxing Gloves
- High-quality grain leather will last a lifetime.
- Very compact yet protective, the size to protection level is exceptional.
- Very comfy, allowing you to focus on training without distractions.
- Excellent wrist stability lowers the chance of wrist damage.
- Ideal for bag work and sparring, eliminating the need to carry multiple boxing gloves to the gym.
- Premium gloves for a premium price.
Picking one boxing glove model that meets all of your training needs is challenging, but Hit N Move gloves became the best solution for me.
The All Day Balance model is designed to be an ideal glove for heavy bags and sparring and excels in both.
These gloves are made of only high-quality materials and feature genuine-grained leather that will last a lifetime.
The padding comprises four layers, each with a specific purpose. The most innovative part is the DR-T compression, which reverses and spreads the impact of punches and spares your hand while letting you experience the feedback from the punch.
The 16-ounce version is small and compact yet provides excellent protection for your hands and sparring partners. This is perhaps my favorite feature of the Hit N Move gloves.
They offer the proception of a top-shelf 16-ounce sparring glove while having the outside size and hand compartment of a 12-ounce glove.
Wrist stability is also excellent, thanks to additional padding on both sides of the wrist and a strong velcro strap.
The Hit N Move comes at a high price. Still, the investment in a high-quality pair of gloves for any training circumstance is well worth the price.
After trying Hit N Move, you’re unlikely to return to lower-quality gloves.
Best Boxing Gloves For Beginners
Ringside Apex Boxing Gloves
- Vinyl is a bit harsh but super durable
- Cool visual design and loads of color options
- Well suited for sparring and heavy bag training
- Good value for the price
- I don't like vinyl gloves, and there are leather ones for just a few more bucks.
When starting out, it’s best to get just one pair of gloves at 14 ounces and use them for all your needs before investing in more expensive separate pairs.
The Ringside Apex model is one of the best gloves on the market, combining affordable price, versatility, and quality.
These gloves are compact, which I always look for, and the padding can handle heavy bag work while being soft enough for sparring.
The Vynil material is not my first choice when it comes to gloves, but it is durable, and Ringside managed to make it not as abrasive as other Vynil gloves, and you can really spar with these with no issues.
The design is fresh and modern, and you get plenty of interesting color palettes suitable for both men and women.
Many people use this model years into their training, so you can be confident you won’t quickly outgrow them, if ever.
I think there are better options on the market, like the leather Byakko and Revgear gloves at a similar price, but the Ringside are very popular for a good reason, and you won’t regret buying them.
Best Budget All-Round Boxing Glove
Revgear S5 Boxing Gloves
- Suitable for both heavy bag and sparring.
- Very versatile in terms of fighting style use.
- The rounded shape makes them extremely protective.
- Due to poor stitching, they may break apart more quickly than other gloves.
- Lining is not particularly good
Finding training gloves equally suitable for heavy bag work, sparring, and general training can be difficult.
Finding an affordable pair to do everything with is even more of a challenge, but Revgear could have cracked the code.
At its inexpensive price point, their S5 model aspires to be the sole glove you need for practice.
When it comes to materials, the Revgear S5 stands out thanks to its high-quality leather construction.
The multi-layered cushioning meets all training purposes. Once broken in, it works just as well for sparring as it does for the heavy bag.
The slim and rounded design provides solid protection for the whole hand. The S5 gives you the feeling of being able to rip a heavy bag with punches and not feel a thing.
Parrying and partner drills benefit greatly from extra palm cushioning as well.
Boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts striking sparring are just a few of the training modalities the S5 excels at, demonstrating its versatility.
You can have all of this for an attractive price. One drawback is that the stitching and general craftsmanship aren’t perfect.
Best Boxing Gloves For Wrist Support
Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves
- Durable synthetic materials and excellent construction
- Innovative wrist support is the best on the market
- Disperse the impact from the hand better than most.
- Unique design and recognizable look
- Despite the high price tag, the leather is synthetic. The real leather variation is even more expensive
Hayabusa, a relative newcomer to the scene with only a decade of history compared to more prominent legacy boxing glove manufacturers, is continually pushing the boundaries to provide the greatest possible experience for fighters.
Their T3 model is the most advanced and sophisticated boxing glove, combining the best of everything.
They break away from traditional boxing and Thai-style designs, making them popular among kickboxers and MMA fighters.
Hayabusa use their own spin to achieve the ideal balance between protection, durability, and fit. The T3’s high-quality material structure ensures durability.
A drawback of these gloves is that, despite the high price, the leather is not genuine, but the material crafted by Hayabusa is almost on par with the real thing.
The true innovation is their world-renowned wrist support system. It incorporates twin interlocking wrist straps and a splitting system in the middle that maintains the hand aligned at every angle.
Whether you practice boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, or MMA, the Hayabusa T3 boxing glove should be one of your top choices.
The only thing that may deter you from purchasing it is the price, which is still comparable to other higher-end brands.
Best Venum Boxing Gloves
Venum Elite Boxing Gloves
- Microfiber PU casing.
- Ergonomic hand placement
- Handcrafted in Thailand, with a premium look and feel.
- You need to spend more cash if you want Venum gloves in genuine leather
The Elite model harnesses all of Venum’s power almost without compromise. The Elite model is manufactured and hand-sewn in Thailand using a Japanese PU casting.
This ensures exceptional durability for hard-working fighters. These also have an elite look and feel. They are a good choice for competitive fighters, experienced practitioners, and beginners alike.
The ergonomics of the glove are given considerable attention, and the hand stays in a natural position, significantly lowering the risk of injury.
The Venum Elite gloves are a great choice for boxing and kickboxing training, regardless of your intended modality. They are offered in all sizes, so choose the appropriate one for your needs.
Best Boxing Gloves For Sparring
Cleto Reyes Boxing Gloves
- Genuine leather handmade in Mexico.
- Excellent padding on the knuckles.
- Super solid wrist protection
- A bit too snug for some people, but I prefer tighter gloves
Cleto Reyes, one of the oldest boxing brands, is our top choice for the best sparring gloves. Since the 1950s, the brand has established itself as one of the greatest, and its reputation has never been damaged.
Sparring requires the utmost protection for your teammates’ heads, thus investing in high-quality gloves is essential.
Cleto Reyes is still produced in Mexico from high-quality leather and features a traditional design. Most of the cushioning is on the knuckles, as is typical in boxing.
These gloves are offered in the standard lace-up style, but you’ll need some assistance getting them on.
So, for convenience of usage, we picked the hook and loop style, which is still top-notch and ideal for sparring at the highest levels.
Best Boxing Gloves For Heavy Bag
Revgear Leather Bag Gloves
- Made from durable genuine leather
- Hook and loop wrist lock not found in most mitts
- Very light and comfortable
- Protection is as minimal as it gets
The argument for and against classic bag gloves has been going on for quite some time. Their capacity to strengthen the hand and wrist while conditioning the knuckles makes them a favorite of some boxers.
They will also force you to punch with proper form and alignment, unlike big, puffy gloves, which can build bad habits.
On the flip side, the hands are prone to injuries, and the limited protection provided by thin boxing mitts is insufficient, especially if your hands are more fragile.
If you’re looking for a pair of bag gloves that blend classic style with cutting-edge technology, the Revgear Leather Bag Gloves is a great choice.
The previously mentioned benefits are still there, but with the Revgear Leather Bag Gloves, rather than an uncomfortable elastic band, you have a sophisticated wrist stabilization system, making these by far the best boxing mitts, combining traditional feel with modern extras.
Like all of Revgear’s products, the Leather Bag Gloves are excellent quality.
Best Boxing Gloves For Training
Fairtex BGV1 Boxing Gloves
- Slim and compact design makes them a joy to hit with
- Amazing feedback on the punches
- Great materials and construction
- May be too thin and stiff for sparring unless you take 16 ounces
Fairtex make excellent equipment and the BGV1 is one of their most popular models. The gloves have some typical Muay Thai features, but other design solutions make them perfect for bags, pads, partner drills, etc.
The lack of a grip bar, the elongated finger compartment, and the short cuff make them ideal for clinch training, and catching kicks unwisely thrown at you.
The Fairtex BGV1 gloves may be classic Muay Thai gloves with all the expected qualities, but they are also primarily puncher gloves.
The hitting surface, highly compact cushioning, and overall slim form make them ideal for people who love to feel the impact of their blows.
The only area you should be careful with is sparring because the padding, even on the 14 and 16-ounce gloves, is stiffer and more compact than what most people are used to, and you may get some unhappy remarks from training partners.
The overall shape is much slimmer than you might expect from Thai-style gloves.
The quality of the materials and construction, like always with Fairtex, are excellent, and this is the perfect model for all-around Muay Thai training.
Best Boxing Gloves For Women
Sanabul Women’s Easter Egg Boxing Gloves
- Clean and sleek shape.
- Narrow wrist and inner compartment
- Stylish appearance that sticks out
- Specially designed for ladies
- Cannot compete in quality with higher-end gloves.
Sanabul is on a mission to ensure women in combat sports receive the recognition and support they deserve.
Since women often have smaller hands than men, the Easter Egg model was created with that in mind.
The exterior and inside of regular gloves are usually too big for women. The wrist of this Sanabul product is narrow and has a sleek contour.
The hook and loop system guarantees a comfortable and secure fit.
Most of the padding is concentrated on the knuckles, making these gloves ideal for sparring and heavy bag use.
The mat finish and micro holes on half of the gloves make them stand out and look unique.
The Sanabul gloves are an excellent alternative to higher-end gloves such as the Hit N Move, and they are ideal for beginners (though experienced ladies can also use them) who do not want to practice with subpar equipment but are not yet ready to invest in the more expensive stuff.
Best Budget Boxing Gloves
Sanabul Essential Boxing Gloves
- Good durability, especially considering the price.
- Excellent design with high functionality.
- There are several color options.
- As cheap gloves, you cannot expect anything special
Sanabul still reigns over the budget segment of fight gear, even though they also produce excellent mid-tier equipment.
The overwhelming quantity of good reviews may be enough to persuade most people, but we’ll examine them in more detail.
Sanabul provides sturdy gloves that have been designed and tested by professionals. Your hands will be well protected despite the low price.
The Sanabul Essential glove is a product with little to brag about and nothing to be embarrassed by. It is an excellent alternative for everyone on a budget, not just beginners.
Best Kids Boxing Gloves
Sanabul Sticker Bomb Kids Boxing Training Gloves
- Killer designs
- Cheap price, unlike other kids' models that cost as much as adult gloves
- Specifically designed for youth hands
- Choosing the right size online is not always easy
When children begin to engage in combat sports, adult-sized gloves are unsuitable. Many brands make youth gloves, but Sanabul wowed us with their killer design.
Kids rarely spar because getting hit in the head at such a young age is not a good idea, so appearance and design are the most important in this case, and the Sanabul Sticker bombs look fantastic.
However, these are solid boxing gloves for kids, not just shiny toys. The design is specifically adapted to protect small, undeveloped hands, ensuring that even the hardest-hitting young ones are well covered.
With these gloves, your child will always want to train, and you will know their hands are well protected.
Best Value For Money Gloves
Byakko Boxing Gloves
- High-quality stitching and genuine cowhide leather ensure exceptional durability.
- The snug fit ensures maximum comfort.
- High punch absorption for both the puncher and their sparring partners.
- Ideal for any form of training.
- A bit too bulky for my taste
Many products advertise good value for money, but few live up to their claims. One of these is the Byakko boxing gloves.
These gloves are crafted with high-quality cowhide leather. The workmanship is outstanding, and the entire glove is flawlessly put together, with the stitching deserving special mention.
After evaluating the Byakko gloves, I found their comfort the most appealing feature. They literally fit like a glove and provide a comfortable, snug feeling.
They can be worn without hand wraps. However, I have found the perfect fit is with Mexican-style wraps. Another feature adding to comfort is the excellent lining, which is better than standard nylon seen in comparably priced gloves.
Three layers of medium-density foam provide protection, making the gloves perfect for both heavy bag practice and sparring sessions.
The shock absorption is superb, and even after several rounds of hard banging on the bag, I have not experienced any knuckle soreness.
The situation in sparring is similar; the padding absorbs much of the shock, and your training partners will appreciate you more.
A cool feature is the extra padding on the palm, which is ideal for parrying and using the gloves as pads for Dutch-style partner drills.
The wrist protection is also excellent, thanks to an expanded, stiff cuff. This, combined with the small palm opening, is only a disadvantage if you are a serious Muay Thai practitioner who must clinch frequently.
These gloves are better suited to boxing than Muay Thai and MMA, where you need a better grip.
Regardless of price, these gloves are superb in terms of quality, comfort, and protection.
However, when you consider that gloves with comparable features and quality cost $30-40 more, these become an outstanding steal and my top pick for the best value for money boxing gloves on the market.
How To Choose The Best Boxing Gloves For You
Size & Fit
Boxing glove’s size mainly dictates how they are used. Gloves are measured in ounces; the heavier the glove, the more padding it contains.
Most gyms mandate 16 or 14-ounce gloves for sparring. What you use for the heavy bag, pads, and other comparable equipment is typically up to you.
Still, a pair of 12-ounce gloves can be an adequate solution for all types of training besides sparring, where you should use 14 or 16 ounces.
If you want to use just one pair, make sure to buy something designed to be versatile and suitable for both sparring and heavy bags.
Thankfully, most models on the market today and on this list fit this description.
Fitting is also essential. Typically, the heavier the glove, the more space it has within, but there is no established norm.
A well-fitting glove should be snug with a wrapped hand, with very little room for movement while not being too tight.
Style
There are three main types of gloves: classic boxing, Thai, and hybrid. Each one provides a distinctive level of hand protection.
The traditional boxing gloves have the most cushioning around the knuckles, the cuff is longer, and the wrist is stiff and stable.
Thai gloves distribute the padding more equally around the glove to help block kicks and elbows, while the wrist is more mobile for clinching.
At the same time, manufacturers like Hayabusa and Venum create their own unique designs that do not fit the above descriptions.
Wrist Support
Wrist support is essential for the effectiveness of a boxing glove. After all, gloves must protect the entire hand, including the wrist, rather than just the knuckles.
The wrist is secured by the type of strapping and its design. Lace is better, but Velcro is more accessible and easy to use.
Most average-grade gloves provide adequate wrist protection, but some manufacturers go above and beyond by designing novel strapping systems.
However, if you’re training Muay Thai, this could be the opposite of what you need for clinching.
Material
Boxing gloves are made from three major materials. Genuine leather offers the best quality available.
However, if it is too expensive or you prefer not to use it, several synthetic alternatives are comparable in quality to the real thing.
Vinyl gloves are found at the bottom of the quality ladder. They are still functional but will not endure as long as the other two categories and are usually not recommended for sparring unless they are made well, like the Ringside Apex.
Closure
Lace-up gloves offer the greatest fit possible. This is why the fighters will wear lace-up gloves in every pro boxing match you watch.
The disadvantage is that they take longer to put on and require assistance from someone to tighten them properly.
Velcro enclosure easily overcomes this problem. Easy to put on and take off, these gloves are used by fighters of all skill levels on a daily basis, and laces are unlikely to be needed for everyday use. The enclosure of all moderately priced gloves is more than sufficient.
But you still want to lace up and feel your best on fight night.
Price
The cost of fight gear is usually a good indicator of its quality. Gloves made of genuine leather are more expensive but last longer. More sacrifices will be required as you move down the price range.
The good news is that even budget and mid-priced gloves are made well and can be used for training without interfering with your training, regardless of your level. They just will break down much quicker and do not provide nearly the same feel as more expensive pairs.
Frequently Asked Boxing Glove Questions
Summary
This list is not comprehensive, but it includes some of the best boxing gloves currently available. However, I promise that even the most pretentious among you will find that the top picks in each category are ideal for the purpose I selected them for.
The Hit N Move All Day Balance Boxing Gloves are the clear winners, in my opinion. With their innovative padding, compact shape, and premium materials, they offer the best fit, comfort, and stability for your hands. When you factor in the great design, it will be challenging to find a better boxing glove.
- High-quality grain leather will last a lifetime.
- Very compact yet protective, the size to protection level is exceptional.
- Very comfy, allowing you to focus on training without distractions.
- Excellent wrist stability lowers the chance of wrist damage.
- Ideal for bag work and sparring, eliminating the need to carry multiple boxing gloves to the gym.
- Premium gloves for a premium price.
