Some people train boxing for competition. Others do it for self-defense. A lot of people in the gym, though, simply do boxing as part of a greater fitness regimen. Boxing, after all, offers a unique mix of cardio, strength, and agility training that few other disciplines can replicate. Not to mention, learning how to parry a punch and throw a cross correctly are pretty badass skills to have in your back pocket.
In order to make the most of your boxing training, you need the correct equipment and it all starts with your boxing gloves. These heavy, padded hand covers offer a protective shield for your fists, allowing you to pack speed and power in each punch without putting your delicate bones at risk. And yes, the small bones in your hands are at serious risk in boxing training, as the repetitive impact of punches can take its toll, especially once you begin to fatigue and start slacking on your form.
The best boxing gloves will depend on the kind of training you’re doing. When hitting pads and heavy bags, most trainers recommend thinner 10- or 12-oz gloves, as the lighter weight lets you unload your punches in bunches while still offering adequate protection. Of course, those same boxing gloves can feel a little sparse when you’re trying to throw harder punches, so you might want to go for heavier 14- or 16-oz. gloves that will absorb a bit more impact while helping develop your strength. The bigger you are, the more the heavier gloves make sense, too – a 200-pound man punching with 10-oz. gloves just doesn’t make for the right combination (not to mention, it probably won’t fit). When sparring, by the way, it’s common to move up to heavier gloves, as they offer more substantial protection that can benefit both you and your sparring partner once either of you start landing heavy blows.
These are the best boxing gloves to use for your training.
Title Classic Pro-Style Training Gloves 3.0
Designed for bag work and mitts, these affordable boxing gloves offer good protective padding while feeling much lighter than their listed weight, making it ideal for those times you really want to work on your punching speed. It uses a mix of high- and low-density foam that does a decent enough job of absorbing impact, while the synthetic leather exterior feels decent enough to hold up to most kinds of training. Will these gloves last you years? Probably not, especially if you’re training regularly, but they’re good enough to last you months of serious training without cracking, making them great value for the low price.
Everlast Elite Training Gloves
We love the contoured shape of these boxing gloves, which transition from the wrist to the hands very naturally, while offering very supportive reinforcement right on that wrist joint. It’s just a great fit. We also appreciate the one-piece construction, which offers no resistance when clenching your fists into a punching stance, making it easy to maintain good form punch after punch. The padding feels cushier than comparable gloves from other brands, leaving you very confident to throw with all your might, while the mesh material inside offers excellent breathability. The only real downside here is the hook-and-loop closure, which can take some getting used to with the bit of overlap it causes. If you can look past that, though, these boxing gloves offer arguably the best training experience you can ever expect at this price range.
Byakko Boxing Gloves
Made with real cowhide leather, these boxing gloves feel much more premium than the price will suggest. Seriously, if you want real leather boxing gloves at an affordable price, this just might be the best option available. It’s built sturdy, too, with durable stitching that doesn’t even feel like you can tear them bare-handed. On top of that, you get three layers of foam for impact protection, an easy-to-grip bar to help make the perfect fist, and a hand-molded shape. We love how secure the hook-and-loop wrist strap feels, which really imparts a feeling of confidence and stability. Seriously, we can’t believe they made gloves this good at this price range.
Ringside Apex Bag Gloves
We love the bold visual elements in Ringside’s boxing gloves, which just feel the right kind of cheeky with that old-school boxing vibe. Instead of a leathery appearance, the exterior uses a synthetic material with a carbon fiber feel that further adds to the gloves’ unique styling. And yes, the material feels hardwearing enough to last through a good load of your punches. It uses 2.25 inches of injected molded foam to provide stiff protection that will probably take some getting used to, while the tapered wraparound wrist closure brings standout support that keeps everything feeling secure and stable. Do note, we’d keep this strictly for training (no sparring), as the extra bits of material along the wrists could be hazardous to your sparring partners.
Twins Special Boxing Gloves
This Thai brand of boxing gloves first gained popularity in Muay Thai, being one of the favored equipment for local Thai fighters. It has since gained popularity elsewhere, with its combination affordable price, comfortable protection, and convenient Velcro closure winning over many people who train boxing for fitness. The gloves are handcrafted, so they’re have a pretty sturdy build, giving you the confidence that they can last through a good stretch of your training schedule year in and year out. These gloves, by the way, are available in sizes as small as 4-oz., which could make them ideal for smaller individuals looking for more size-appropriate training equipment.
Venum Elite Evo Boxing Gloves
If you like generously-padded mitts, you’ll love these boxing gloves, which pack on the triple density padding to protect your hands each time it lands on that heavy bag. Seriously, this is what we put on when we’re doing a full session of bag work. Yes, the heavier weight of the foam restricts your speed somewhat, but more than makes up for it with the amount of power you can pack in each throw without incurring any knuckle damage. It’s highly recommended for beginners because of that heavy padding, although those who’ve been training the sweet science a bit might find that much shock absorption a little too much.
Cleto Reyes Hook and Loop Gloves
These boxing gloves have a slimmer silhouette designed to provide a snug fit in hand. While it does make your punches feel more flush, some might find the fit a bit constrictive, so you’ll definitely want to try a pair before deciding on getting them, especially at this price range. These gloves are cut in cowhide leather, so these are as durable as boxing gloves get, while the two-inch latex foam padding provides all the knuckle support you need to throw punches confidently. We particularly appreciate the water-resistant lining, which keeps sweat from gathering inside the gloves, as well as the reinforced wrist support that keeps that joint from bending during workouts, ensuring injury-free training sessions. Unless, of course, you get hit in the face, which, let’s be honest, the gloves have nothing to do with.
Hayabusa T3D
These unique boxing gloves ditch the foam cushion in favor of a 3D-printed resin lattice, creating an entirely new way to absorb shock and protect the knuckles. Not only does this offer novel protection, they’ve also tailored the right amount of cushioning at every area of the fist, all while keeping weight to a minimum. That means, you get plenty of protection while retaining hand speed like never before. Of course, it’s early days for the technology, so we’ll have to see how it fares years down the line, but this is definitely a promising innovation that boxing has arguably needed for a while. Other features include a breathable lining, hardwearing Vylar exterior, and splinted support for perfect wrist alignment during punches.
Winning Pro Gloves
These competition boxing gloves are individually handcrafted over in Japan and have developed an unmatched reputation for their durability through the years. They’re lace-up, so you have to take your time putting them on and taking them off, although for the extra hassle, they give you arguably the best construction you’ll find in most boxing gloves today, complete with a full leather exterior, thick nylon stitching all over, and just an overall indestructible feel each time you slam them into a bag (or your sparring partner’s headgear). Simply put, if you want a pair of boxing gloves that will last you years, this is definitely a pair to consider. Pricing for the gloves, by the way, varies by the padding, with lighter padded gloves priced more affordably compared to heavier ones.