The Ultimate Boxing Gloves Guide - 2022

Finding the right set of boxing gloves for your training needs can be a real struggle, regardless of whether you’re a hobbyist, amateur, or professional fighter. 
Thankful our team at RDX Sports Australia has created a detailed RDX sports boxing gloves guide to assist you in finding exactly what you need to look for in your next pair of premium boxing gloves.

What Are Boxing Gloves?

Boxing gloves are weighted and padded gloves that fighters use to soften the impact of blows on their body when training in the gym or during in-ring competition. Boxing gloves are used in conjunction with other kinds of protective equipment in order to keep your body safe when training in combat sports, such as shin guards, groin guards, headgear, etc.

Why Should You Wear Boxing Gloves?

In boxing and other combat sports like Muay Thai or MMA, it’s very common for your hands and bodies to receive injuries. This is why it is very important to always consider your safety during any training session. Some RDX boxing gloves even go beyond the normal padding expectations and provide the user additional cushioning to prevent their sparring partners from getting injured from hard punches thrown.
A great pair of boxing gloves should also fit the hand comfortably, and the wrist sits snugly and can withstand the normal wear and tear you should expect from hard pad work or bag training.

How Long Should My Boxing Gloves Last?

Even if you were to take reasonable care of your gloves before and after training, any material that is struck regularly can be expected to face wear and tear and eventually deteriorate. Regardless of whether your boxing gloves have premium materials. At some stage, if you notice that certain sections of the glove are failing such as the wrist, padding or thumb, you can be assured you’re going to be more susceptible to injury and it may be time to start thinking about a replacement!

What Are The Different Types Of Boxing Gloves?

Whether you’ve been throwing punches at the heavy bag for years or just thinking about starting your boxing/Muay Thai journey, it’s important to know that not all boxing gloves are built the same. There are actually more variations than you may expect, and each glove style has its own benefits and setbacks, which is exactly why we created this handy boxing gloves guide! Below is a quick summary of common boxing glove styles you commonly find in the market.

1.      Training Gloves

• Typically hand-made using leather casings
• Improved knuckle protection via thick foam padding
• Crafted with either a hook-and-loop (Velcro) or lace-up wrist closure
• Appropriate to utilise with pads, bag work or sparring depending on the weight
• Offers more features in comparison to bag gloves/mitts

More layers of foam padding add shock absorption, and a quality lace-up or Velcro (hook-and-loop) wrist closure ensures good protection and stability. Leather is normally the preferred material for the durability of premium training gloves, although premium synthetic materials are also available. Training gloves in our opinion the most essential item in a boxer’s arsenal, protecting the knuckles, hands, and wrists during intense sparring and training sessions.

2.      Bag Gloves/Bag Mitts

• Much finer padding compared to other types of boxing gloves
• Minimal protection of the hands and support for the wrist
• Used for light bag work rather than hard pad work or sparring
• More cost-effective option than other glove types

The padding of bag mitts are usually finer and also have less wrist support so that boxers can feel more feedback in their hands and arms with every punch. They are more often made of synthetic materials rather than leather. While minimal padding can assist with technique improvement, this also equals having less protection from injury. A more protective and versatile training glove is highly recommended for beginners or all boxers who want to use a heavy bag, spar and throw power into their punches consistently.

3.      Sparring Gloves

• Feature much softer padding to lower the impact of the punch
• Designed to spar with a partner in a controlled environment or exhibition fights
• Available in heavier weights mostly 12oz, 14oz, 16 ounces or heavier

Safety is usually the main feature when it comes to crafting sparring gloves. Brands often make them bigger and softer in comparison to bag gloves and training gloves, as plush and softer padding assists with the distribution of force. It is incredibly important to ensure you and your sparring partner wear boxing gloves that weigh 16 ounces or more, sometimes this can be less if your body weight is below 70 kg. If you plan to start training with training gloves that are a lot lighter than 16oz, we highly recommend purchasing a second pair, specifically built for sparring sessions.

4.      Competition/Fight Gloves

• Bear many similarities with training gloves but have standards needed to be met by sporting bodies
• Designed with a lace-up closure wrist support only
• Typically made in 8oz or 10oz

All fight gloves undergo intense regulations. Depending on a fighter's weight class, they further can also further separate them into either amateur or professional bouts depending on the quality of the gloves. It is imperative that fighters who are keen to participate in competitive boxing matches find a premium pair of competition gloves that meet the regulatory bodies' standards.

It’s important to note that fight and premium training gloves come sometimes be similar in many ways, but the former sometimes boast stiffer padding to lend a more significant impact of the strikes to the opponent. Almost all contemporary boxing organisations require competition gloves to have a lace-up wrist closure instead of a hook-and-loop closure to ensure they do not cut or scuff the opponent while the fight is underway.

Not taking the time to research when purchasing a pair of gloves can raise the possibility of incurring injury. That’s why you need a viable boxing gloves guide.

In Summary

Whether you train at the gym or at home, boxing gloves are a must-have tool. Here’s a quick summary to ensure you get a great pair of boxing gloves.

• Before purchasing your boxing gloves, remember the purpose you’ll be using them for, i.e. pad work, sparring or bag work. 
• Don’t get caught up by the visuals! While aesthetics and colourways are appealing, be sure to do your homework first. 
• Have a chat with your coach, teammates or experienced fighters for their opinion on their favourite gloves and brands. 
• Cheaper is not usually better! This rings true in a great pair of boxing gloves. So, avoid buying gloves from unknown brands, and stick to established brands such as RDX Sports. 
• Velcro is recommended for users who want convenience when putting on or taking off their boxing gloves.