Best Boxing Gloves (Updated 2021)

So you’re new to boxing, and don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place. I’ve tried everything online and it has been a total struggle for me.

I’ve bought a lot of boxing gloves in the past, both online and at retailers. And I can understand how scary it is to buy a high-ticket item like this without seeing it or trying it first. I don’t claim to be an expert on all combat sports equipment, but from what I know about boxing gloves after my research, I know quite a bit.

However, I am not a professional, but I do have the experience to help other practitioners make good buying decisions.

I’ve learned from my boxing glove buying experience that you should compare a variety of gloves in your price range and listen carefully to what others have to say about them.

When trying to figure out how to use a product, an online review can be helpful. Make sure you take them with a grain of salt though- because there are thousands of people who have tried the same product and sometimes have either liked or disliked it.

Amazon product

If I had to use only one pair of personal boxing gloves for as long as I lived, it would be the Everlast Elite Style Boxing Gloves.

Studying martial arts for many years has taught me about the importance of trust. Everlast is one company in which I can confidently say that I have a lot of faith.

One thing about them is that they’re constantly investing money into research to make their gear better and more advanced, making them my first choice when it comes to fitness apparel.

With an emphasis on improving boxing gloves, Everlast is one of the best brands to select for your glove needs. The Elite Style Gloves model is both affordable and offers a high-quality product that will meet all of your needs.

Since improved gloves were the main focus in this company’s research, they are at the top of my list for best boxing gloves with a few models available depending upon what you’re looking for. The perfect balance between price and quality makes it worth checking out – especially if you’ve been holding out because they seem too expensive (more costly than Winning Glove models) but when you slip these on during your first fight, you’ll be glad that you did!

These Everlast boxing gloves are excellent to wear when you want to stay strong and flexible. They provide wrist support, allowing you to continue through your workout without pain! Simply slip the gloves on, since there is no break-in time needed with these high-quality gloves.

There are a variety of colour options for these gloves and different weights, ranging from 10-18oz.

The Best Boxing Gloves for Beginners

If you’re new to combat sports and are in the market for boxing gloves, you’ve come to the right place. Selecting a quality pair can be daunting when faced with all of your options online. You’ll want to consider everything from the style of glove, model, size and even price point before making a decision on which set fits your needs.

Thankfully, I’ve become a bit of an expert at buying boxing gloves and I know from personal experience what people need to do to make sure they buy the right gloves for their own needs. If you are a beginner boxer, then I will recommend that you buy 12-16 ounce gloves (if not specified).

These boxing gloves, while not the most durable or long-lasting, are great for beginners. They provide extra padding so that you can use them to practice in a safe environment. If you’re on a budget and don’t want to spend too much money just yet, these gloves offer an inexpensive way to keep your hands protected.

h3Venum Challenger 2.0/h3 Amazon product

These Venum Challenger 2.0 Boxing Gloves are designed to suit any type of boxers, from beginners and amateurs to intermediate fighters. With every colour-way imaginable, you’ll surely find a pair that suits your needs.

These gloves come in a range of sizes from 10 ounces to 16 ounces, so you will find the size that is right for you. Don’t be turned away by the break-in period these gloves have, this just means it takes time for them to properly fit your hands.

The triple-density foam protects your hands and wrists when punching, making it a good choice for beginners.

If you are learning to punch, chances are that your hands will not be fully protected unless you wear quality gloves. Quality leather construction is the primary reason why these boxing gloves are one of the best for would-be fighters.

h3Sanabul Essential GEL Boxing Gloves/h3 Amazon product

The Sanabul Essential GEL is one of the few boxing gloves on this list with gel-infused foam. This type of foam offers great protection for your hands and wrists.

As a beginner (3-5 months of training time), I got amazing recommendations for these gloves. They are the perfect gloves for beginners because they provide protection and they’re affordable with any budget.

If you’re looking for boxing gloves for beginners who want inexpensive gloves with long life, the best option is The Essential Gel. If you’re more of an expert boxer and are looking to get your hands on some even tougher leather boxing gloves then start off by searching elsewhere.

h3Everlast Pro Style Boxing Gloves/h3 Amazon product

The Everlast Style Pro Boxing Gloves are an excellent choice for boxing beginners. These gloves have padded protection on the hands, as well as the wrists, so you can work on your technique without hurting yourself. There are four colours to choose from, including black and green. One of my favourite things about these gloves is that they’re lightweight and fully padded.

The only issue with the gloves is the eventual wear and tear that happens when you learn to throw a proper punch. These gloves can last a long time for beginners, and they are reasonably priced which makes them an excellent option for newbies. Everlast has been in boxing for a long time and upholds their quality every single time.

h3Elite Sports Boxing Gloves/h3 Amazon product

Elite Sports has become a reputable boxing and mixed martial arts brand thanks to their affordable products, which makes them the perfect resource for beginners. With these gloves in particular, you won’t need to worry about replacing them months after purchase because they are durable enough to survive tight workout sessions. If performance is what you’re looking for, cleaning up the Elite Sports gloves is a breeze with their unique material that can be wiped down with ease (eliminating any chemical use).

These boxing gloves feature a snug fit over your hands with a velcro strap closer, ensuring they stay on securely and protect the wearer from injury. Impact absorption foam helps absorb some of the impacts to minimize the damage done to your hand while wearing these gloves.

These are some of the best boxing gloves for beginners because they offer great value without costing too much money and provide an outstanding feel when punching so you don’t feel like you punch through anything.

Boxing Gloves for Heavy Bag Training

When buying a pair of gloves for heavy bag training, it is important to buy both durable and protective gloves. Beginners often make the mistake of purchasing cheaper gloves before realizing that they hurt their hands. When you start hitting hard and heavier, you’ll want heavy-duty gloves that protect your hands.

I know firsthand that it is easy to injure your hand if you are too rough with a heavy bag. Since the average person has 27 small bones in their hand, any injury can be serious. I always recommend wearing gloves while training with the heavy bag and wrapping one’s hands before attacking the bag.

When it comes to boxing, your hands are the most important tool you have so the gloves you use need to provide the necessary protection. For heavy bag training, I recommend buying a set of 14oz or heavier gloves. The following boxing gloves below do an exemplary job at protecting your hands and wrists when punching a heavy bag; if you’re someone who mostly hits a heavy bag for their workout these will keep your hands safe.

h3Ringside Apex Boxing Gloves/h3 Amazon product

The Ringside Apex Boxing gloves are one of my favourite pairs for heavy bag boxing. The gloves are affordable and made by a trusted brand, two things that make them great to have in your gym bag.

They make a great pair of gloves because they have excellent IMF technology. They are soft and comfortable, and they also have a tapered wrist enclosure which is perfect for heavy hitters.

They have more than 10 different colours to choose from which makes them one of the most unique and stylish gloves on this list.

These gloves are great for boxing and kickboxing. They can also be used for Muay Thai and MMA training and are best suited for heavy bag training, which is why they’re one of our highlighted items on our heavy bag list.

I recommend these Ringside Apex boxing gloves, which are both an affordable brand and one of the best for heavy bag training.

h3Title Gel World Boxing Gloves/h3 Amazon product

These Title boxing gloves now include exclusive gel enforced lining and multi-layered foam padding, which are ideal for heavy bag training.

These gloves deliver more than just protection. They are a high-quality gel lining that provides a custom, form-fitting feel and also offers impact resistance, everything you need for heavy bag work. The best part is the gloves stay cool no matter how hard you punch!

I think these gloves are perfect for both heavy bag training and sparring because they are both soft and durable. They have an all-leather outer shell and a special hand compartment lining to keep hands cool and dry. These boxing gloves have a gel lining that creates a fit like no other. The gloves provide cushioning and protection when punching, and they are still cool even after the power and heat of a long workout.

These boxing gloves offer tremendous bang for your buck and are ideal for hitting the heavy bag.

h3DEFY Boxing Gloves/h3 Amazon product

DEFY is a new brand on the block and their boxing gloves won’t disappoint you with the value or quality. Their gloves were built for heavy bag training, which again can be seen through their high-quality build.

One of the features that make these gloves so great is how many ventilation holes there are.

The DEFY heavy bag gloves offer excellent protection and durability at a great value, making it perfect for those looking to get in some vigorous training on the heavy bag.

One thing that’s important to have is security for your wrists and hands. The last thing you want is a heavy bag that doesn’t protect your hands properly.

These are some of my favourite boxing gloves for heavy bag work.

h3Everlast PowerLock Training Gloves/h3 Amazon product

The Everlast PowerLock training gloves were made solely for heavy bag and mitt training. These gloves are made of premium synthetic leather and include enhanced fist protection so that you know you’re reducing the risk of injury when wearing these bad boys.

They have great durability, so you know they’ll last a long time (unless you’re Mike Tyson on the heavy bag).

The only downside is that these gloves only come in one style, but they look great and are reasonably priced.

Another potential downside is that they come in the 16-ounce size which might not be right for some people. A different con is that they offer a limited range of colours (only black), however, this does keep it simple if you’re looking to buy gloves to match your outfit.

The pros include how well-made they feel when you use them and their reasonable price point.

h3RDX Quad-Kore Boxing Gloves/h3 Amazon product

RDX is quickly becoming a favourite of boxing and mixed martial arts aficionados with their inexpensive, high-quality gloves. These are an upgraded variation on RDX’s basic gloves that give heavy bag hitters extra protection by utilizing “quad-kore,” superior padding technology.

These gloves have a full-grain cowhide leather construction, while the palm has an antimicrobial lining so you stay injury and infection-free. This glove also has gel integrated padding for extra cushioning on our hands.

These gloves are very economical and provide great bang for your buck, perfect for heavy bag workouts and also good specifically for beginners.

The Best Boxing Gloves for Sparring

When it comes to sparring in Boxing, Muay Thai, or MMA, you want a set of gloves that protect your partner as much as they protect you. Sparring gloves are typically 16oz or higher. The information included on this list will help anyone find great boxing gloves for sparring and other aspects of training.

You don’t need a new pair of gloves every time you train – unless, of course, you are a professional boxer. However, if you do spar more often than anything else it is worth investing in the right style of glove. I have written an article on ‘Boxing Gloves for Sparring’ which has advice if that is something you want to consider.

h3Ringside Apex Flash Sparring Glove/h3 Amazon product

Ringside’s Apex Flash Sparring Gloves are a great value. With 2.25″ of injected moulded foam, these gloves will protect both you and your sparring partner from injury.

These sparring boxing gloves have a mesh palm to keep your hands cool and come in a variety of colours, but they only come in one size: 14oz.

If you’re buying these for kids or smaller fighters, you may not be able to find a pair that fits them as well as you’d like because all sizes are the same.

h3Ring to Cage Sparring Gloves/h3 Amazon product

These are some of the most highly rated gloves online today. Ring to Cage sparring gloves has been designed with comfort and safety in mind. They come in various sizes, including 14-ounce and 24-ounce models.

These gloves include a MiM foam injection, which protects your knuckles and gives you much more cushion when you’re hitting the bags and sparring.

The new wrist strap causes the wearer to feel more comfortable and protected than ever before, thanks to an “inside” strap that provides superior wrist protection. Not only do these gloves come in two colours, tan and green, but they are also cut with heavy-duty material so you can use them for years to come. I recommend this product because it is versatile enough for anyone who needs a protective glove of any sort no matter what sport or occupation they need it for.

h3YOKKAO Boxing Gloves/h3 Amazon product

Boxing gloves made by YOKKAO never disappoint. Made in Thailand, these boxing gloves are battle-tested from Muay Thai wars and battles in the gym. Years of perfecting them have made these boxing gloves a diamond in the rough.

These gloves provide excellent hand and wrist support which is second to none. They also offer padding in the form of extra padding for your partner during sparring.

These were my first boxing gloves and I loved them; for a pair of gloves on the general market, they are some of the best.

h3Fairtex Sparring Boxing Gloves/h3 Amazon product

These Fairtex boxing gloves feature a new style of padding that’s made to be consistent and correct weight-wise. Sparring and mitt work are perfect for these gloves.

These gloves are made of genuine leather construct and microfibre lining which helps keep the gloves odourless.

The only downside to these gloves is that they take a while to break in, but are well worth the wait.

My honest experience with these gloves is that they are durable, flexible, and smooth to the touch. They were handmade in Thailand and are widely considered the ‘holy grail’ of Muay Thai gloves by many people.

I find that these gloves transition well to boxing from a traditional Muay Thai training style. I also find that Fairtex constructs some of the best gloves in the world, which are especially useful when sparring.

h3Sanabul Core Boxing Gloves/h3 Amazon product

The Sanabul Core boxing gloves are an upgraded version of the Sanabul Essential Gloves discussed in the beginners’ section.

These Sanabul Core gloves are perfect for sparring and can also be used for mitt work and bag training. The gel-infused foam is great for your comfort and protection.

A few customers have noted that the gloves run small, even at 16 ounces. Other than that there isn’t much I don’t like about these boxing gloves.

They’re affordable, and the design is made to last for a long time. I personally love their glossy finish since it’s unique.

Boxing Gloves for All-Around Training

Boxing and other combat sports demand a glove that will take on an array of different tasks.

Boxing gloves come in a range of shapes and sizes, but for training purposes, I find it’s best to have two pairs at the ready. One should be lightweight so you can use them when sparring, while the other needs to be heavier as that is typically what you’ll wear for long periods of time during sparring practice.

A boxing glove can be used for a variety of purposes, from hitting the mitts to heavy bag work and light sparring. My first pair of all-around gloves were Twins Special Boxing Gloves. I recommend both pairs of these gloves listed below as they are on top when it comes to boxing gloves.

h3Winning Training Boxing Gloves/h3 Amazon product

Many people believe these are the best boxing gloves in the world, and I tend to agree with those people. The Winning Training boxing gloves were made in Japan with a passion for the sport that is apparent – they’re excellent!

The first time that I used these gloves while training, I was blown away. Not only did I get an intense heavy bag workout session, but my wrists were un-bruised as they usually are after using other less adequately padded gloves. These gloves have a level of durability far above the standard boxing glove; you can rely on them for maximum performance in punching and pushing your way through bags without wrist pain!

These gloves dry quickly, which means sweat and odour do not stay on the glove for long. They work well for all-around training but they have to be babied a little more than your average boxing gloves because of this capability.

Personally, I would only use these boxing gloves if you’re a professional boxer or have the budget to purchase top-shelf equipment. Winning is hands down the best brand and type of glove on the market.

h3Cleto Reyes Boxing Gloves/h3 Amazon product

The Cleto Reyes gloves are my personal favourite because they’re a great all-around glove. The gloves are used worldwide by professionals in boxing.

The reason I love these gloves is that they’re a hybrid; durable enough for heavy bag training, yet soft enough for sparring. Cleto Reyes never disappoints when it comes to their design quality and durability, I’ve never had a problem with their gloves. In general, Cleto Reyes made some of the best boxing gloves in 2021.

These gloves are constructed of genuine leather, for the best in quality. The hook and loop closure makes it easy to put on and take them off during a busy training session.

Made for whatever the day throws at you, these gloves have nylon covering to shield your hands and provide peace of mind. Sparring with your partners is now safer while heavy hitting will be better protected too.

Of all the options on this list, I believe Cleto Reyes to be the best bang for your buck.

h3Venum Challenger 3.0/h3 Amazon product

These gloves have a multi-dimensional quality and are handcrafted from the finest top of the line leather.

The gloves come with a 5-layer construction that doesn’t require break-in and are intended to provide the best performance for heavy bag work. The dual-X closure system offers a lace-like fit. These gloves come with outstanding wrist support through the 4 interlocking splints at the back of the hand.

I love these boxing gloves and believe they are just one of the best boxing gloves available today. These gloves offer the best protection for your moneymakers while hitting the bag, mitt training, or sparring.

I’ve personally used these heavy bag gloves and the Venum MMA gloves, both of which are excellent for improving striking skills. I recommend them for people who hit hard and enjoy combat sports.

h3Venum Elite Boxing Gloves/h3

The Venum Elite boxing gloves are the best that Venum has to offer. Usually, I am not a big fan of Venum, but these gloves have some really great features despite what I’ve heard about their other products: they are made of durable and comfortable materials, and there are over 20 different professional designs to choose from (I think two or three of them look awesome).

I love Venum boxing gloves because they are made in Thailand and many boxing experts stay away from MMA brands. Actually, if these boxing purists found out more about the product line then they would be pleasantly surprised by the Elite model which are one of the best gloves for all-around training.

h3Anthem Athletics Stormbringer Gloves/h3 Amazon product

Among fans of the combat sports community, Anthem Athletics is quickly becoming one of their favourite brands. The Stormbringer gloves are one example. With more than 25 different designs and colours, it would be hard not to find a pair you love!

These gloves are made from premium buffalo leather, which is the most durable material available. Combined with triple density foam, these gloves are nearly indestructible and perfect for heavy bag training and mitt work. They’re among the best boxing gloves on the market today.

Best Boxing Glove Brands

This is a question that will sometimes provoke biased responses depending on who you ask. Some trainers and fighters stick to one brand their entire life, while others explore the wide variety of options available. I don’t think there is any right answer to this question. When you think about boxing gloves, which are also brands such as Winning, Grant, Cleto Reyes, Ringside come up in your head? These brands are known for their quality gear and reputable name.

While many professional fighters stick to brands such as Winning and Grant, the majority of us don’t have that type of money to spend on boxing gloves. For those professionals who can afford it, I recommend brands like Winning and Grant for their versatility in training. Boxing glove designs depend on what you’re looking for in your style of training.

Winning Boxing Gloves

The winning boxing gloves are one of the most popular boxing brands in the world and have been rated at number 3 by many professional boxers, only rivalled by Grants Worldwide and Cleto Reyes.

Handmade and imported from Japan, Winning Industries Fighting Sports World Equipment are known for being some of the best.

A select few stores sell Winning fight gear, which is why they’re so difficult to find. I believe that Winning makes the best boxing gloves today.

Grant Boxing Gloves

Mexico-based Grant Professional boxing gloves are handcrafted out of only the best quality leather. These high-quality gloves were made famous by some of boxing’s greatest fighters, including Floyd Mayweather, Evander Holyfield and many more.

Competition gloves are difficult to find because they’re expensive and there aren’t many varieties. These types of gloves are primarily used for boxing competitions and Grant Boxing makes some of the best on the market today.

Cleto Reyes Boxing Gloves

Cleto Reyes is another Mexican boxing glove manufacturer with a tremendous following. Like their competitors, they offer high-quality gloves at attractive prices – so much so that I would call them the most affordable pair of gloves on my list of what is traditionally considered “top tier” boxing brands.

These gloves are great because they’re so versatile. No matter what type of training you do, heavy bag or sparring, these gloves work well for both styles. Cleto Reyes is a top tier brand as they make good boxing gloves in general.

Ringside Boxing Gloves

For years, Ringside Boxing has been a respected brand in boxing. If you are looking for quality gloves at a reasonable cost then I would recommend any product from Ringside.

These gloves are appropriate for beginners that want quality, versatile gloves. Ringside is known for manufacturing some of the best boxing gloves and shoes in history, as well as their popularity to boxers everywhere.

Hayabusa Boxing Gloves

Hayabusa is a popular brand for mixed martial arts fighters, but their gear is also high quality for professional boxers. Although the price point for Hayabusa products is slightly higher than many other brands, the quality of these products more than matches the price.

Hayabusa makes some of the best Boxing gloves. If you do a lot of Boxing and Muay Thai hybrid training, his gloves are made with specially designed material that will protect your hands and increase overall safety.

Title Boxing Gloves

The name ‘Title Boxing’ is almost synonymous with boxing history. They have been building quality gloves for many decades now, and offer a mid-tier option that accommodates people just getting into the sport. I believe they carry several high-quality low tier gloves in addition to their mid-tier products.

Venum Boxing Gloves

The reason Venum boxing gloves are on the low-tier list is that they are designed for beginners and come in a selection of flashy colours. They are made directly in Thailand.

Though not of the highest quality, these gloves are still a valuable investment for any beginner. I’ve heard from many different sources that both the inside and seams can come undone over time; however if durability is not an issue for you they make wonderful introductory gloves.

RDX Boxing Gloves

RDX boxing gloves are great for people who want to get into boxing but can’t afford high-priced boxing gear. They come in many colours and styles so you don’t have to worry about not being able to find one that matches your personal style or sporting activity best. These pro-quality gloves come at an affordable price.

These gloves are not sturdy and will wear out quickly, but if you train with boxing as a lifestyle then better gloves in the near future is inevitable.

Sababul Boxing Gloves

Sanabul boxing gloves come in as the last pair on our low-tier list. Not only are they the most affordable, but they also have better reviews than some of their higher-priced counterparts.

These gloves are easily the most affordable pair on this list, and they are an excellent value considering the price.

Best Boxing Glove Material

When purchasing a set of boxing gloves, it typically depends on how much you are willing to pay for them. The materials used to make the gloves have different qualities and will greatly affect the price point of your glove purchase. Cheaper materials typically have less quality/durability and higher restrictions when wearing during an activity.

Vinyl

If you can’t afford or prefer not to use real leather, vinyl gloves are an alternative. The main drawback is that vinyl gloves are cannot be as durable as boxing gloves made from the real thing.

Vinyl gloves are disposable and provide an inexpensive option for boxing gloves. Best of all, they’re easy to clean when you put them in the wash. BUT take note: vinyl gloves will start to split over time AFTER a couple of uses so it’s important to buy MORE than one pair at a time!

Synthetic Leather

Synthetic Leather is a lower cost alternative that offers the look and feel of real leather boxing gloves, but it won’t be as durable. These gloves are low to mid-tier and generally marketed towards beginners.

They are not recommended for advanced fighters or heavy hitters because they will have odour issues if used regularly without careful cleaning

Genuine Leather

Genuine leather is a very durable and flexible material when compared to other types, and this means better moisture control for the wearer.

It also controls odours quite well while delivering an outstanding level of comfort. This makes it the primary choice for most professional boxers and fighters today.

Cowhide leather boxing gloves are more expensive than the goatskin variety, but both offer great quality. None are worth going cheap on, and I recommend genuine leather gloves over all others.

What Size Boxing Gloves Do I Need?

The first step in finding the perfect pair of boxing gloves is figuring out your glove size. It’s not just about the size of your hands, but what type of training you plan on doing with the gloves.

It’s important to know your gloves’ weight so that you can purchase the appropriate size for your training method. It would not be a good idea to spar with 8-ounce boxing gloves, while it would be foolish to compete with 16-ounce boxing gloves.

Professional boxers typically train in heavier gloves because the purpose is to make their hands quicker on fight night, as a baseball batter would with bat weights before going up to the plate.

Heavy-duty gloves are designed to protect against stronger blows, which is why they tend to be more padded. Light gloves offer better control for sparring because of their lack of padding and heavier weight.

When hitting mitts or competing, lighter gloves (8 to 12 oz) is much more preferred. In general, different people prefer certain glove weights due to the weight of the glove feeling either heavier or lighter for each person.

I personally prefer working with lightweight gloves because it feels like I am holding a big pillow when I wear the heavier ones. However, when sparring, I always choose 16 ounces so that safety are preserved for my partner as well.

When purchasing boxing gloves, make sure you can make a tight fist in the glove. You should also ensure that your fingers easily reach the top of the glove when making a fist, and check to see if the wrap will fit your hands as well.

Conclusion

I want you to know that it’s ok to stress over a boxing glove purchase. I realize how important the right pair of gloves is when it comes to your training because there are an abundance of good and bad choices these days.