Boxing is growing in popularity, as it's a great cardio workout and an intensive competitive sport that both men and women can enjoy. If you're looking to start training, you're going to need a good pair of gloves. Finding the correct ones will improve your performance and, importantly, offer wrist support and prevent injury.
Wondering which gloves are better for sparring, heavy bags or pads? We're here to help with our ultimate guide. We've also ranked the best boxing gloves for beginners and up to buy on Amazon, Argos and Decathlon from pro brands like Venum, Everlast and RDX. They come in various weights including 10, 12, 14 and 16 oz, and there's even a pair of pink boxing gloves in the mix.
Quick List - Top Boxing Gloves
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Training gloves are versatile as they can be used for all types of training and cardio workouts in the gym or elsewhere. They are pretty firm for bag work and they have good shock absorption for sparring.
Consider your body weight when choosing boxing gloves for training as follows:
If you're doing a bag workout or using pads, you should pick gloves that are either 10 or 12 ounces. These gloves have less padding, which allows you to speed up your punches for an intense workout. Don't worry, they'll still protect your hands!
That being said, a slightly heavier 14-ounce size will enable you to build more muscle. Heavier gloves mean you have to work harder, which will improve endurance and assist in toning and muscle development.
If you're sparring, you should pick a larger size for your partner's safety. It's recommended that you pick 14-once or 16-once gloves for this, depending on your weight. That's because larger gloves have more padding for shock absorption.
Although you can use training gloves for sparring, some gloves are specially developed for it. You'll find they have softer padding – and more of it – which takes the edge off your punches. Remember, your objective is to protect you and your partner, not knock them out.
You can also find gloves with three or four layers of foam. Again, these are particularly good for sparring as they offer a higher level of shock absorption.
Smaller sizes are better for boxing professionals who are competing. You want less padding for completions so you can deliver speedy punches with great impact. Men's lower weight classes and women use 8 or 10-ounce gloves. Heavyweights (over 64 kg) or senior boxers use 12-ounce gloves.
There are also specific gloves designed for competing that are approved by boxing organisations, which have much less protection to improve impact. They'll deliver sharp blows thanks to the firm padding inside. The aim of the game is to win the fight, after all!
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Leather gloves can get pricey, especially if the leather is high-quality. However, they are worth the investment if you're competing or training regularly as they have higher levels of comfort and durability. Essentially, they'll last a lot longer without becoming damaged.
Synthetic gloves are cheaper and great for beginners but they are somewhat less durable, so they're best if you're only using them once a week or so. Let's not forget to mention that, as PU is made from a thermoplastic polymer rather than hide, it's vegan-friendly and suitable for anyone who prefers not to buy or wear animal products.
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When picking between the two types of glove fastening, you need to consider what your intended use is for the gloves. If you're a beginner, or just hoping to train, velcro is a popular and convenient choice. If you intend on fighting professional, you'll likely need lace-up gloves to enter any competitions. Here are the key points to consider with each option:
Velcro
Lace-Up
Lastly, you should make sure that the gloves have a mesh outer layer or a perforated surface for ventilation. This is essential for long and intense training sessions as it stops the gloves from becoming too moist, resulting in bad smells and bacteria growth. If you have cuts or broken skin, harmful bacteria could enter and lead to infection. No thanks!
Out of the two, gloves with a mesh panel are superior to perforated ones. A mesh lining has better breathability, as it contains thousands of small holes and is woven loosely. It'll also stop you from feeling hot and sticky.
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Everlast Boxing Gloves Powerlock | ![]() | Excellent Training Gloves With Wrist Support From a Leading Brand | |
2 | Valour Strike Pink Boxing Gloves | ![]() | Three Foam Layers to Absorb Shock When Sparring | |
3 | SAWANS Leather Boxing Gloves | ![]() | Premium Leather Gloves for an Affordable Price | |
4 | RDX Professional Boxing Fight Gloves | ![]() | Professional Competition Gloves With EVA Foam Padding | |
5 | Pro Power Boxing Gloves | ![]() | Durable Full-Grain Leather That Lasts | |
6 | Venum Contender 2.0 Boxing Gloves | ![]() | Advanced Shock Absorption With Injected Foam | |
7 | Outshock Sparring 900 Boxing Gloves | ![]() | A Hybrid Fastening for Security and Wrist Support | |
8 | adidas Speed 50 Boxing Gloves | ![]() | Indestructible 10 oz Gloves With 3D Inner Mesh | |
9 | Outshock 500 Ergo Boxing Gloves | ![]() | Good Wrist Support and Performance for Intermediate Training |
Everlast is the leading manufacture of boxing equipment, used by many professionals such as Jack Dempsey. These gloves have everything a beginner will need for safe and successful training sessions. There are four layers of foam for improved shock absorption, which is good for sparring and novice workouts.
The design of the Velcro strap also gives these gloves excellent wrist support to keep your joints healthy, plus they have a large outer mesh layer for ventilation. With these gloves, you know you'll be following the path of the greats, and who knows where that could lead?
These gloves have a fun pink and white design that could be a hit with some female boxers. They offer both style and protection for sparring with their three layers of foam. That allows them to absorb shock and keep your partner safe. They also have a perforated palm, which will offer some ventilation to stave off sweat and odours.
The addition of a curved thumb will help to stop injury, as the pressure will move evenly throughout the glove. In addition, the design makes the gloves less likely to injure your partner's eyes. A brilliant pair of sparring gloves!
When you're buying boxing gloves, you want them to be sturdy and last a long time. These are sure to do the job in that respect, as they have premium stitching that's unlikely to tear – meaning you'll be safer when training. They're made with premium leather too, so you know they're durable and will last a long time.
The gloves have improved fit so they'll be comfortable and protect your hands, alongside a thumb locking feature for extra safety whilst you complete your workout. With all that in mind, they are certainly good value for money.
These are BBBofC, BIBA, WBF and NYAC approved gloves for professional fighting. They have EVA and foam layers for superior shock absorption alongside a padded lace closure to deliver sharp punches without injury.
These gloves are made from genuine cowhide leather, so they'll last longer and have good durability. There's also a soft inner lining for extra comfort, and there are a few perforated holes for ventilation to stop smells.
Made from full-grain leather, these durable gloves are set to last, even if you're planning on using them for training and workouts multiple times a week. There's proper padding on both the front and back of the wrist too, providing ultimate protection.
Another great addition is the ThumbLok feature, which secures your thumb in place to keep your fist correctly positioned and prevent injuries. Keep in mind that these gloves tend to run on the larger side, so it's best to pick another pair if your hands are small.
Thanks to the high-density injected foam in these gloves, they'll give you better protection than other versions of Venum contender gloves. There's also a fully attached thumb that will protect your bones and reduce the risk of twisting. They're a great all-rounder for safety.
They have a wrist strap too, which offers support for beginners, and they come in a variety of weights for different training purposes. The only compromise is that they don't have ventilation, which could leave your hands feeling hot and sticky during training.
Are you looking for sparring gloves with excellent wrist support? This pair from Outshock have a unique Velcro and silicone strap closing. The silicone straps work similarly to laces to give a tight fit for optimal wrist protection. They also have three foam layers, which will protect you and your partner whilst sparring.
They might not fit people with long fingers, as there's limited space at the top of the glove. On a positive note, they are very perforated on the palm, which will give enough ventilation for sparring.
If you're looking for strong and long-lasting boxing gloves, you've found them! Adidas' Speed 50's have a 3D mesh inner layer, which gives them extra stretch and stops them from breaking. They also have top-notch shock absorption due to the clear bond cell structure and equilibrium foam. This will absorb force and distribute it equally to help prevent injuries.
These gloves don't have any outer ventilation, which could cause you to get sweaty during your session. If you're willing to risk a little comfort, the shape allows quick fist closing to reach high speeds for bag work.
These gloves are best for intermediate training. They have fewer foam layers than other options, which is ideal for more advanced users who want to improve their workout. The gloves also have a 360-degree wrist lock, which offers better support than other Velcro options.
On the downside, there are a few issues with the way the thumb is designed. It's sewn inwards, which gives it less protection, and it could cause injury to a partner's eyes because it's long. Despite that, these gloves have many positive features like a mesh palm for ventilation.
When you're training, the bacteria from your hands gets trapped inside your gloves and feeds off your sweat. Because of this, it's important to clean your gloves regularly. Here are a few tips to keep your gloves in great condition:
No. 1: Everlast|Boxing Gloves Powerlock
No. 2: Valour Strike|Pink Boxing Gloves
No. 3: SAWANS|Leather Boxing Gloves
No. 4: RDX|Professional Boxing Fight Gloves
No. 5: Pro Power|Boxing Gloves
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