The first pair of boxing gloves is special - it’ll always be your first. While it’s easy to just go for the cheapest way to get the most famous logo on your hands, you want to do some research to make sure you are actually getting the best gloves for your money and not just paying for the name.
And once you start looking into the differences, things quickly become overwhelming.
What’s best to begin with, is to define what your training and use of the gloves will look like. Are you just going to hit the bag or mitts at home or the gym? Are you joining an actual boxing club, looking to spar and prepare for competitions? In this little guide, we cover the key things to consider before buying your first pair of boxing gloves.
1. Boxing Glove Sizes: Which Weight Do You Need?
Boxing gloves are measured in ounces (oz), which indicate the overall weight of the glove, including its padding. The right size depends on your training activity, body weight, and gym requirements.
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8 - 10 oz: Lighter gloves, typically used for professional fights or specific training drills. They offer less padding and are not suitable for sparring or partner work.
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12 oz: A popular size for bag and mitt work, not suitable for sparring
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14 oz: A versatile choice for general training, including bag work and pad sessions - suitable for light technical sparring drills, unless light weight class.
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16 oz: The standard size for sparring as it offers sufficient padding. Many boxing gyms require 16 oz gloves for partner training and they are also popular for the bag.
Summary: 12 oz or 14 oz gloves may suit your bag and pad sessions, though 16 oz gloves are the general standard for sparring. Gym requirements may vary, but please always keep your training partner’s well-being in mind. Hit N Move’s gloves are well known for their compact size, allowing you to work with 16oz gloves while still having the aerodynamics and speed of a smaller glove.
2. Material Quality: Leather vs. Synthetic Gloves
The material of your boxing gloves affects their feel, durability, maintenance, and price. While some premium-quality microfiber can emulate the haptics of leather, most synthetic materials are inferior to high-quality genuine leather fabric.
Leather is simply known to be more durable, flexible, and adaptive to different forms of regular use. With the right care, leather gloves can last for years, while synthetic materials will have a much shorter half-life. Obviously, leather tends to be the more premium option when it comes to the price as well. However, ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ can go for boxing gloves as well.
For occasional training, a well-made synthetic pair can offer a fair entry into the sport. If you are determined to train several times a week, it is well worth investing in higher quality gloves that you will continue to enjoy long-term.
3. Boxing Glove Padding: What Is the Difference?
There’s a range of different materials found in the padding of boxing gloves - often even in combination with each other. As you might imagine, these materials all have different qualities and haptics.
Foam padding is widely used in today’s boxing gloves. It can be made from different densities of polyurethane or other foams, offering a balance of protection, weight, and flexibility. Multi-layer foam combines different densities to provide a more tailored feel. Hit N Move’s brand new Vector model is a great example of such a padding.
Horse Hair padding was once only found in very old-school gloves or famously in Mexican fight gloves. However, Hit N Move’s Süvari model has caused a resurgence in the natural material, combining it with foam to keep it in its place. Horse hair padding in the past had a reputation for moving out of its position within the glove over time, something Hit N Move has made impossible with the Süvari glove. The combination offers the great responsive feedback from horse hair, with the protection of foam layers.
Latex foam can offer a responsive, relatively firm feel, although its durability and cushioning depend on the formulation and construction. While often offering a great ‘pop’ on the bag, it is not recommended for boxers who have more sensitive knuckles.
Gel padding is sometimes incorporated into gloves to help distribute pressure and provide a firmer, more compact feel. It can add weight or stiffness, depending on the design.
There is no single padding material that is automatically best for everyone. What’s more important is intentional and even padding distribution, secure wrist support, and of course a fit that is comfortable to you. It’s important to know that padding can compress over time, so inspect your gloves regularly and replace them when cushioning deteriorates. Also, padding breaks in during the first few sessions of using a brand new glove. That means, a glove that comes rather firm, will likely soften up after a reasonable amount of rounds on the bag.
4. Fit, Comfort, and Wrist Support
Your boxing gloves should feel snug without restricting circulation. It’s always smart to try them on with handwraps before committing to a pair. While they can be very snug at the beginning, they should not cause any serious discomfort or pain. They should not restrict your blood flow. At the same time, your hands shouldn’t be swimming inside the glove.
Beginners often find velcro strap closure systems more convenient than lace-up gloves. While that’s totally reasonable, it’s important to make sure the glove offers a strong wrist support to avoid injuries. Especially as you are still working on fundamentals like fist position and punching technique, a supportive glove is important.
5. Help Your Gloves Survive
Make sure to always clean your gloves after each session. Air them out near a window or with designated systems, not in direct sunlight or on a radiator. Use fresh wraps for every session and never leave the gloves inside the bag after training.
The journey of boxing will bring you many lessons, challenges, new friends and confidence. On top of that, it will most likely bring you across a range of different equipment over time. A great beginner move is to invest in a good pair of gloves early, so that they can not only witness but enhance your progress in the sport.
