Tradition Of Horsehair Gloves
Horsehair padding had been the standard of boxing gloves from the late 1800s, all the way to the mid 1900s. Gaining praise for their revolutionary protection and raw feedback, these gloves were used from training all the way to professional bouts. However, in the mid-1900s, they were slowly replaced by foam-padded gloves. Foam was easier to standardise, generally more protective, and often more durable, so it became the default for modern training gloves.
Eventually, horsehair became virtually unheard of as a standard training glove until very recently. Now we are starting to see a move back to tradition, as people are realising that, even though foam is more protective and durable, it can't replicate the feel and feedback of a natural horsehair glove.
Unfortunately, this has led to some brands finding sneaky ways to include the horsehair name with minimal actual horsehair and an unrecognisable feel.
But this guide is built to help you identify the genuine horsehair from the “marketed” horsehair gloves.
What Makes A True Horsehair Glove?
Genuine horsehair gloves are known and identified by these 5 components:
• A compact profile
• Firm, responsive padding
• Sharper punch feedback
• A more natural, broken-in feel
• Less material separating the fist from the target
This is why many fighters are switching back to these gloves over modern foam.
While foam is more protective and generally lasts longer, it cannot replicate the natural feel and raw feedback of real horsehair.
How To Know Your Gloves Are Genuine
Horsehair is made up of thousands of individual natural fibres. As the glove is broken in, those fibres move, compress, and shift.
That natural movement creates the raw, responsive feedback horsehair gloves are known for. It also means the hairs can work their way through the inner lining during use.
If you occasionally feel horsehair poking through the inside of the glove, that can be a sign of authentic horsehair construction. And very easy fix, plug that out and keep training. Poking happens in the beginning when the glove is new.
That is why horsehair poking through the inside of the glove does not mean the padding is failing.
It is the reality of genuine horsehair construction.
Why We Don’t Completely Contain It
We could add a thicker barrier to prevent the horsehair from coming through. But that barrier would also sit between your hand and the horsehair.
It would dull the responsiveness, soften the feedback, and take away from the experience the Suvari was designed to deliver.
We refuse to call a glove authentic while hiding its defining material beneath buffering layers.
