Best Boxing Gloves (2024): Coach’s Top Picks – Better Than Winning?

Regardless of your chosen discipline, be it boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, or kickboxing, you will need boxing gloves to train. Choosing the right ones in the saturated market may be daunting, especially if this is your first time. Luckily, we have made this guide that will make your path easier and help you buy gloves that will help your progress in your martial art, not hinder it.

Best Boxing Gloves

Hit N Move All Day Balance Boxing Gloves

Produced only from high-quality materials, these gloves come in genuine-grained leather that lasts forever. A friend in my gym who works as a leather smith told me that this leather would last forever, even though I didn't tell him anything about the gloves or that I was testing them.

The padding has four layers, each serving a purpose. The highlight is the DR-T compression, which reverses the punches' impact and lets you feel feedback. The 16 oz version is tight and compact but very protective for both the hands and sparring partners.

Wrist stability is also exceptional, thanks to the added padding on both sides of the wrist and the super strong velcro strap. In my opinion, this is what makes Hit N Move gloves better than Winning and Cleto Reyes with better wrist and knuckle protection.

The Hit N Move does come at a hefty price. Still, the investment in a high-quality pair of gloves for every training scenario is well worth the investment. It's unlikely you will ever want to switch to lower-class gloves after you've tried Hit N Move.

You can read my full in-depth Hit N Move Boxing Gloves review which has more video and pictures to help you make an informed decision.

Best Boxing Gloves For Beginners

XMartial Boxing Gloves

The XMartial Boxing Gloves tick all the boxes you are looking for—they are made from a durable material, have a breathable palm, and provide excellent protection. The inside grip and the part of the padding near the fingers offer excellent grip for full power shots, making these good for the heavy bag.

There is also a nice palette of color options, further improving the allure for everybody. Of course, the materials will not be on the same level as those of the more expensive and premium offerings from other brands, but nothing is also lacking.

Best Budget All-Round Boxing Glove

Revgear S5 Boxing Gloves

The Revgear S5 is made from high-quality leather, which is the highlight in the materials department. The padding is multi-layered to serve all training purposes. After a break-in period, it is equally suitable for both the heavy bag and sparring.

The shape is slim and rounded, providing excellent protection for the whole hand. If you like to bang away at the bag and feel nothing, the S5 will give you that. Additional padding on the wrist is also great for partner drills and parrying.

The S5's versatility extends to the styles it is appropriate for, and they are designed to work well in boxing, kickboxing, and MMA striking sparring. All of this comes at a very reasonable price. The downside is that there are a couple of quality misses in the stitching and overall craftsmanship.

I've tested the Revgear S5 in and out, and you can find out much more about this excellent budget all-around gloves in my Revgear S5 Boxing Gloves review.

Best Boxing Gloves For Wrist Support

Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves

Their T3 model is the latest and most sophisticated boxing glove that combines the best of everything. They get away from the classic boxing and Thai-style designs, which makes them a favorite amongst boxers and MMA fighters. 

They use their own twist to get the perfect combination of protection, durability, and fit. The T3 ticks the box for durability with its high-quality material construction. The downside is that the leather is not genuine despite the price.

However, the real innovation comes from their world-renowned wrist support system that includes dual interlocking wrist straps and a splitting system in the middle that keeps the hand aligned from any angle.

Regardless of whether you train in boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, or MMA, the Hayabusa T3 should be among your top choices for a boxing glove. The only thing that may stop you from buying it is the price, but the prices are generally the same if you look at other higher-end brands. The Hayabusa T3 quickly takes the top spot on our list.

Best Venum Boxing Gloves

Venum Challenger 2.0 Boxing Gloves

You get the design of their much more expensive gloves at a fraction of the price. The cost, of course, is in the quality of the materials. This does not mean they are deficient, just that the more expensive models will last longer and feel more comfortable. But as a first pair of gloves, the Venum Challenger 2.0 is a perfect choice.

Best Boxing Gloves For Sparring

Cleto Reyes Hook and Loop Boxing Gloves

For sparring, you want to protect the heads of your partners in the best possible way, so investing in high-quality gloves is a must. Cleto Reyes is still handcrafted in Mexico from high-quality leather and has a classic design. In a classic boxing fashion, most of the padding is located on the knuckles.

You can, of course, go with the classic lace-up model, but then you will need some help in putting them on. So for ease of use, we've chosen the hook and loop model, which is still top-notch and perfect for sparring even at the highest level.

Best Boxing Gloves For Heavy Bag

Rival RB5 Bag Gloves

They also force you to punch with proper form or alignment. On the other hand, the hands are easy to injure, and the small mitts offer little protection. If you choose to hit the heavy bag with dedicated bag gloves, the Rival RB5 combines the best of old-school design and modern technology. 

You still get the benefits listed above, but with a comfortable modern wrist stabilization instead of the elastic band on most models. Rival always makes high-quality equipment, and the RB 5 is no different.

You can see my full list of best boxing gloves for heavy bag here.

Best Boxing Gloves For Training

Venum Elite Boxing Gloves

This guarantees incredible durability for intense use by serious athletes. The design and feel of these are also premium. They are an excellent choice for competitive fighters and avid practitioners alike.

The ergonomics of the glove receive special attention, and the hand falls in a very natural position that significantly reduces the chance of injury. The Venum Elite gloves are an excellent choice for boxing training regardless of what you plan on using them for. Just pick the right size for your purpose, and they will be perfect. 

Best Boxing Gloves For Women

Everlast Elite Pro Style Boxing Gloves

These Everlast's are made from premium synthetic leather and have a fully breathable mesh on the palm. The wrist design is generally unique to Everlast and is called an "evershield." The purpose is to protect the wrist better when blocking punches. The strap system is also interesting and secures the glove very tightly.

You can see my complete list of best boxing gloves for women here. It covers everything for boxers to cardio boxers.

Best Cheap Boxing Gloves

Sanabul Essential Boxing Gloves

With Sanabul, you get sturdy gloves designed and tested by professionals. You will not put your hands in danger, despite the low price.

A standard glove that doesn’t have much to brag about, but nothing to be ashamed of either. A good option for people on a budget, not just beginners.

Best Youth Boxing Gloves

Sanabul Sticker Bomb Kids Boxing Training Gloves

So the look and design matter most, and the Sanabul Sticker bombs look killer. They are not only for style, though. The design is specifically tailored to protect small and not yet developed hands, so even the hardest hitters will have their hands protected. With these gloves, your kid will want to train all the time, and you will be calm that their hands are safe.

Best Value For Money Gloves

Byakko Boxing Gloves

What I like the most about the Byakko gloves after testing them is the comfort. They fit like a glove and have a very nice, snug feeling.

You can use them without hand wraps, but the fit becomes perfect with them. Another factor contributing to the comfort is the nice lining, which is superior to the regular nylon used in similarly priced gloves.

The protection comes from three layers of foam of medium density, suitable for both heavy bag work and sparring.

The shock absorption is excellent, and even after long rounds of heavy pounding on the bag, I haven't felt any knuckle pain. 

The situation in sparring is similar; the padding cushions a lot of the impact, and your training partners will be happy like mine are.

A cool feature is the added layer of padding on the palm which is perfect for parrying and using the glove as pads for partner drills.

The wrist protection is also outstanding due to an elongated and extra stiff cuff. This, plus the tiny palm opening, is a drawback only if you are heavily into Muay Thai and need to clinch often. 

These gloves are much more suitable for boxing than for Muay Thai and MMA, where catching and gripping are important.

Given the excellent quality, comfort, and level of protection, these gloves are great regardless of the price. But when you consider gloves with equivalent features and quality are $30-40 more, these become an absolute bargain and my choice for the best value for money boxing gloves on the market.

You can read my full in-depth breakdown in my Byakko Boxing Gloves review.

How To Choose The Best Boxing Gloves For You

Size & Fit

The size of the glove is what usually determines its use. Gloves are measured in ounces—the heavier the glove, the more padding it has.

Sparring in most gyms is done with 16 oz gloves (but this may differ from gym to gym). What you use for the heavy bag, pads, and other similar equipment is usually up to you. Still, a pair of 12 ounces can be a good solution for all exercises without buying too many gloves.

Fit is also important. Usually, the heavier the glove, the more room it has inside, but there is no set standard. Every person has a different hand. A well-fitting glove should envelop a wrapped hand without space to move inside and without being too tight.

Protection

There are different types of gloves- classic boxing style, Thai style, and modern hybrid gloves. Each of them protects the hand differently. The standard boxing gloves have the most padding on the knuckles.

Thai gloves distribute it evenly around the glove and leave the palm free to move. At the same time, manufacturers like Hayabusa and Venum invent their own unique designs.   

Wrist Support

Wrist support is crucial to the quality of a boxing glove. After all, gloves must protect the whole hand, including the wrist, not just the knuckles. The strapping type and design are responsible for securing the wrist. Lace is superior, but Velcro is more accessible and easy to use. 

Most normal quality gloves offer adequate wrist protection, but some manufacturers go further and design innovative strapping systems. Then again, if you are training Muay Thai, this may be the opposite of what you need for clinching.

Material

Three primary materials are used for boxing glove production. The highest quality is genuine leather. But if it's too pricey or you prefer not to use it, many synthetic options are very close in quality to the real thing. Vinyl gloves are located at the bottom of the quality ladder. They are still usable but will not last nearly as long as the other two types.

Velcro or Lace

Lace-up gloves give you the best fit possible. This is why professional boxers always fight with lace-up gloves. The downside is that they take much longer to put on, and someone always has to be around to help.

Velcro enclosure solves this problem with ease. Easy to strap on and off, all levels of fighters use these types of gloves daily, and for everyday needs, you probably don't need laces. The enclosure of all reasonably priced gloves is more than good enough. Still, you want to have the best possible feeling for fight night and lace up.

Price

As usual, the price of fight gear is indicative of quality. Genuine leather gloves are pricey but more durable. The lower you go in the price range, the more compromises you must make. Luckily for us, there are plenty of reasonably priced gloves that will serve you well without emptying your wallet.

Frequently Asked Boxing Glove Questions

Are 12 oz Gloves Good For The Heavy Bag?

Any size of boxing glove is good for the heavy bag. Some people prefer to use old school bag mitts to reinforce proper punching technique and condition the hands. Others train with heavy gloves that fully protect the hands. 12 oz gloves may be the perfect middle ground between the two extremes as a beginner.

What Size Gloves Do Boxers Use In Fights?

Most professional boxing fights are fought with 10 oz competition gloves that differ in design and padding distribution from training gloves. The lighter weight classes often use 8 oz, but there are precedents of even heavyweights fighting in 8 oz. Male amateur boxers weighing more than 165 lbs fight in 12 oz., while males weighing less than 152 lbs and females fighting in 10 oz.

Can You Wash Boxing Gloves?

You can wash boxing gloves, but you will have to buy new gloves if you use a washing machine. Boxing gloves are cleaned with a wet cloth and water or a special detergent and then left to dry in an open space.

Can You Use Boxing Gloves For MMA?

Boxing gloves are not used in an MMA fight, but they are always used in striking sparring, even in MMA classes. So, even if you train MMA, you will need at least one pair of good sparring boxing gloves.

What Do The Different Boxing Glove Weights Mean?

An ounce is a weight measurement used to measure all fighting gloves. The extra weight comes from the extra padding. So a higher weight in ounces means more padding on the knuckles and overall on the glove. Different brands and models distribute the padding differently, but 10 oz of each brand and model should weigh 10 oz.

What Boxing Gloves Do Professionals Use?

Professionals use expensive gloves. Jokes aside, professional boxers use high-quality training gloves for pads and partner drills, 16 oz sparring gloves for sparring, and 10 oz competition gloves approved by the responsible sanctioning body for fight night.

Summary

There are many great boxing gloves on the market, and this list is by no means extensive. But we guarantee that the top choice we listed in each category will suit that purpose, even for the pretentious of you.

As an overall winner, we will take the Hit N Move All Day Balance Boxing Gloves. They combine high-quality materials with innovation that provides an unrivaled fit, comfort, and hand stability. Add an excellent design, and it won't be easy to find a better boxing glove.