Introduction

Anybody who loves boxing knows how important it is to find the right gloves. However, with so many options available today, it can feel nearly impossible to determine the specific pros and cons of each type of padding to decide which one suits your needs best.

That’s why, after hundreds of hours of research, we’ve compiled what we believe are the three best types of padding—tailored to your skill level, budget, and training goals.

3. Understanding Horse Hair Padding

Overview

Most commonly associated with boxing’s golden age, classic horsehair gloves are renowned for their tactile feedback and unforgiving nature.

Performance Characteristics

The reason for their unforgiving nature is that the hairs can shift inside the gloves, typically moving away from the common point of impact(your knuckles) and towards the less important areas. This causes the padding to be slightly less protective for both your hands and your opponent. That’s why horse hair gloves have always been known as a “puncher’s glove” for people who prefer the grittier more aggressive side of boxing.

Despite this massive downside, the gloves are also famous for having a high level of feedback when throwing punches. This means you can better feel which area of your fist is landing on your target and easily make adjustments to practice the correct technique.

Will Horse Hair Gloves Break My Hand?

This has always been the biggest concern about horse hair gloves. Unfortunately, the horse hair can shift away from your knuckles and lead to a hand fracture/break. This is why wrapping your hand correctly is crucial if you prefer the feel of horsehair gloves.

Hit N Move Suvari Gloves

Our founder, Ozhan Akcakaya, has developed an innovative solution to prevent the shifting of horsehair while preserving the responsive feedback that defines these gloves. He has done this by creating a proprietary stopper above the wrist on the back of each glove. This compresses the horsehair, packing it tightly to reduce shifting and ensure your hand stays protected while you benefit from the advanced feedback of our Iconic Suvari Horsehair Gloves.

Fake Horse Hair

With hundreds of hours of research to create the Suvari gloves, Ozhan found a common issue among modern horse hair padding. Many brands currently claiming to sell Horsehair gloves are actually selling regular foam gloves. The secret is that they throw just enough horse hair into their foam mixture to be able to advertise “horse hair”, however, the protective qualities and feedback are more comparable to a standard foam glove.

Summary

While Horse hair comes with great feedback and not-so-great protection, there is no doubt they have an irreplaceable spot in the history of boxing. Primarily used during boxing’s golden age, these gloves are ideal for experienced fighters seeking tactile feedback to perfect their technique. They also appeal to nostalgic boxers who want to feel what legends like Sugar Ray Robinson felt with every punch on his ascent to greatness.

2. The Role of Regular Foam

Overview

The most common material used in gloves today, regular foam is the standard for boxing protection. It can be found in gloves ranging from $30 to $390, offering versatility for beginners and professionals alike.

Performance Characteristics

Typically denser than horse hair, regular foam gloves generally offer better protection and shock absorption for your hands. The gloves tend to start off more rigid, meaning they won’t be as comfortable to begin with and you will need a break-in period but once this is over, the foam should relax and leave you with a more comfortable glove.

The biggest downside is that regular foam often has limited feedback for boxers. This means you can’t feel how your hand lands against the bag/opponent, which can lead to bad habits and incorrect punching form. It may not lead to immediate injury but if you throw with too much power or try to punch in smaller gloves with incorrect form, you will find out very quickly why technique is so important.

The biggest upside compared to horse hair is that the foam is all in one piece means that it won’t shift around and leave your knuckles less protected. However, regular foam tends to compress and degrade over time, which can reduce its ability to protect your knuckles effectively.

Summary

While regular foam gloves do degrade much faster than horse hair, they also changed the boxing world with their more efficient shock absorption and superior protection. Not only that, they also sparked a boxing revolution to create different variations of foam padding leading to the superior multi-layered systems we have today. For this reason, the regular foam gloves are perfect for beginners or less consistent boxers who want extra protection but won’t wear the padding down too quickly.

1. Discovering DR-T Padding Technology

Overview

Patented by Hit N Move, DR-T(dart) changed the game from the moment it was released back in 2020. Since then Ozhan has relentlessly iterated the glove, striving for perfection and today many top reviewers and world-level fighters place this glove in the highest tier of overall quality and performance.

Performance Characteristics

The greatest feature of our DR-T padding is its aerodynamics. Ozhan used modern science to break down the average bone density and weight distribution of the human hand. Using the results he found the most efficient shape and weight distribution allowing this glove to fly like a dart.

From there he created a multi-layered padding system, with each layer designed to enhance a specific aspect of performance. The DR-T system offers feedback comparable to horsehair while providing superior protection compared to regular foam. Thanks to the second layer, the foam is more durable, taking much longer to degrade. This results in a stronger, safer, and more reliable glove that lasts longer without compromising any critical feature.

What Are The DR-T Layers?

Layer 1: Comfort ID Memory Foam

Engineered for comfort, this innermost layer is designed to be tight but plush allowing the custom ID memory foam to mold around your clenched fist after only 30 rounds on the bag.

Layer 2: DR-T Compressor

Designed for protection, this firmer section covers only the knuckle area of the gloves. Thanks to the special material used, this layer redirects the force of impact from your punch, bouncing it back into your target rather than letting it be absorbed by your joints and arm.

Layer 3: Resilient & Lightweight Sheet Foam

Added for durability, this resilient, lightweight sheet of thin foam acts as a cohesive layer, reinforcing the glove’s structure and extending its lifespan by years.

Layer 4: 2 In-1 Optimized External Density Layer

Finally, the outer layer of foam features optimized density, allowing it to withstand bag work without deteriorating or flattening the glove. This ensures it remains safe for sparring, even after countless rounds on the bag.

Summary

Overall this glove was designed to be a leading innovation in boxing glove safety and performance. With thousands of boxers all over the world agreeing, this glove is best for those who are in boxing for the long run and want to invest in top-tier equipment that will keep them safe and protected for many years to come.

Conclusion

Ultimately, finding the right glove padding for you comes down to your specific goals and experience.

While regular foam is affordable and reliable, making it a great option for beginners. More dedicated fighters might want to invest in something like DR-T for its scientifically maximised performance, protection, and durability. However, if you’re looking for a traditional feel and excellent feedback, horsehair gloves are a great option that will also connect you to boxing’s rich history.

No matter which type you choose, the most important thing is to find a glove that fits your needs and helps you perform at your best. With the right pair, you’ll be ready to train harder, fight smarter, and keep striving towards your goals.