If you've been around boxing long enough, you must surely have heard about horse hair boxing gloves. Maybe an old-school coach talked about them, or you've seen them in videos of classic fights. But what exactly are they? And should you be using them?
This blog discusses horsehair boxing gloves, their differences, and when it's appropriate to use them.
What Are Horse Hair Boxing Gloves?
Horse hair boxing gloves are traditional fighting gloves that use real horse hair for padding inside. Most boxing training gloves today use foam padding, which is soft on your hands. However, horse hair gloves were the standard many years ago, especially in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
Today, Hit N Move is bringing them back with new upgrades, such as the Süvari gloves. This selection combines an old-school feel with modern protection.
Why Some Boxers Still Love Horse Hair Gloves
The reasons why some fighters choose horse hair gloves over modern foam ones are-
1. You Feel Every Punch
Horse hair padding is less squishy than foam. When you punch, you can literally feel your knuckles connect more. Some boxers like this as it helps them feel more in control of each hit.
2. They Have a Classic Feel
If you love boxing history, using horsehair gloves is like stepping back in time. They feel more "raw" and traditional—something legends wore.
3. They're Great for Fight Night
Many professional fighters use horsehair gloves in the ring. That's because they let you throw stronger punches and feel sharp. Just be aware — these gloves are built for performance, not for lasting a long time.
4. Made from Real Material
Horse hair is natural, which some boxers like better than synthetic foams. If you prefer gear made from real, natural materials, these Mexican-style boxing gloves might be a good fit.
What issues did the traditional horse hair gloves have?
Horse hair gloves were not perfect for every situation because of the following reasons-
1. Less Protection for Your Hands
Horse hair does not absorb shock like foam does. That means that over time, fighters' hands took more of a beating, especially if they hit the heavy bag a lot. Without good hand wraps, boxers used to hurt their knuckles or wrists.
2. They Wear Out Faster
With daily use in training, the padding flattened out more quickly than foam. The horse hair inside used to shift around, too, leaving knuckles with less padding. This used to be a big issue, but Hit N Move fixed it by adding a special stopper to keep the hair in place.
3. Not Ideal for Beginners
If you're just starting in boxing, you might want more hand protection while you build strength and form. Horse hair gloves are best for experienced boxers who know how to wrap their hands properly and punch with good technique.
When Should You Use Horse Hair Gloves?
So, when is the right time to use horse hair gloves?
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During a fight (especially if you're a pro).
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For light pad work or mitt work (to feel your punches more).
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If you collect boxing gear or want that old-school vibe.
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When training for a real fight, to get used to the fight-night glove feel.
When to Avoid Them:
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Daily bag work or sparring —as foam gloves are better here for protection.
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If you're recovering from a hand injury or have weak wrists.
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If you're a beginner and still learning proper punching form.
How does Hit N Move make a difference?
The big issue with horsehair gloves used to be that the hair inside would shift around after a few uses. This would leave your knuckles with little padding, and that's dangerous.
But Hit N Move has solved this. The Süvari gloves use 100% horse hair, but with a special stopper system that holds the padding tightly in place. This way, you get the authentic feel of horse hair, but with more safety.
That's what makes these custom horse hair boxing gloves stand out. They combine the best parts of old and new, giving you that classic feel, but with better comfort and protection.
The bottom line
Horse hair boxing gloves offer a raw, powerful, and nostalgic experience. They're not for everyone, but for the right boxer — someone with solid technique and hand wrapping skills. For many boxers, they can be a perfect glove for fights or light training.
If you want a pair of gloves that blends tradition with modern design, stop by Hit N Move. Check out the Süvari horse hair gloves today!
