We hope you’re ready because today’s guide promises to be energetic and action-packed.
With an increasing number of people taking to boxing, we thought it would be good to look at different types of boxing gloves. Just as individual boxers have their style, no two gloves are the same. With the right pair, you can opt for overall development or improve specific aspects of your game.
Now, landing a powerful punch depends on a seamless union between the technique and your boxing equipment. To ensure that your hard work outside the ring doesn’t go in vain, we’ve decided to highlight boxing gloves for every type of boxer.
Irrespective of offensive or defensive styles, you can better your opponent in the most challenging contests with the right boxing gloves. Through our discussion, you’ll see how boxing gloves have changed with time and which model best suits your game.
Different Types Of Boxing Gloves
While boxing gloves may look similar, each has specific characteristics to help you triumph. These aren’t discernible differences to a layman’s naked eye, but some boxing gloves offer more protection while others efficiently provide powerful punches.
It’s vital to have all the information to succeed as a boxer which is why we’ve narrowed down the top models below. Let’s step into the ring, where our first pair of boxing gloves are waiting without further ado.
1. Training Gloves
We’ll start by discussing training gloves, also known as bag gloves. As the name suggests, they prove ideal for bag workouts. However, modern bag gloves are an all-around unit, so more boxers opt to use them at the beginning of their careers.
They enable you to engage in different training routines like pad work, highlighting their versatility. Also, we advise you to avoid traditional bag gloves as they don’t offer much support. Instead, the modern version of these gloves is highly reliable, delivering the best results.
2. Sparring Gloves
Once you start finding your feet in the ring, you may shift to sparring gloves and thus begin the journey towards attaining professional status. While sparring, the goal is to develop the necessary skills rather than knocking your partner out. It’s better to save those deadly moves for the actual fight.
Although boxers can use any pair of gloves, we recommend choosing brands that develop options specifically for sparring. You’ll see that these gloves are similar to the training gloves we discussed earlier, but there’s a slight difference. Sparring gloves have softer and more cushioned padding, evenly distributed to soften the blows.
They are available in various weights, but you should ideally look for gloves weighing 14oz or above. Choosing the right option depends greatly on body weight, but 14oz is usually the standard weight at which boxers get optimum results.
Another point to remember is that your coach knows best. We say this because boxing coaches have a lot of experience and understand whether a particular pair of gloves works. That’s why if the coach asks you to replace your current pair, rest assured that they were not suited for sparring.
You might end up hurting someone, which may also affect your training, so don’t try to be cocky. It would be best to double-check with your coach and gym trainer before purchasing.
Choosing the right pair of boxing gloves also depends on common sense, so opt for a reputable brand. The rest depends on your training, hard work, and sports dedication.
3. Amateur Competition Gloves
Some athletes prefer to use amateur boxing gloves while making significant strides toward fame as a boxer. These models aren’t very popular but prove helpful as they come coloured in red and blue, denoting the boxer in each corner. Manufacturers may highlight the knuckle area, making it easier for the judges to score each punch.
The main advantage is that you won’t have to purchase these gloves since the boxing federation provides them. So, it’s perfect for people having a tight budget as they get to practice with both bag and sparring gloves. At the fight, they can slip on the boxing gloves and return them after the contest.
However, the major disadvantage is that you don’t get to choose the weight or size of the gloves. You’ll have to adjust swiftly to the new boxing equipment, which may be challenging for many people.
Besides, they’re not very comfortable with a high risk of injuries. There’s no guarantee that a particular pair will suit your boxing style since all athletes must wear standard-sized gloves. Perhaps, the only silver lining is that all boxers must go through the same drill and feel the same things as you.
4. Professional Boxing Gloves
After years of hard work, when it’s finally time to step into the ring as a professional boxer, it’s evident that you’ll be using professional gloves. As seen with the other models, there are bound to be numerous options, so let’s see your choices.
Professional boxing is a cut-throat competition so never accept your opponent to show mercy. Hence, most brands develop boxing gloves that feature reduced padding for powerful jabs. With the decrease in padding, the weight also goes down, allowing you to generate more speed through the air for offensive play.
This means you’ll get less protection from the gloves, so don’t be surprised by injuries. Boxing, after all, isn’t for the faint-hearted. You can’t use professional gloves outside fights because they’re not suitable for boxing training. Again, this is due to the reduced padding, making them firmer and more compact.
Now, delivering more power in each punch is possible, and you can choose between an 8 oz or 10 oz model. Meanwhile, professional gloves almost always come with laces rather than velcro for more tightness, making them suitable for top competitions.
We must also tell you that professional boxing gloves aren’t cheap, and you’ll need to pay a lump sum for the right pair. So, it’s probably too good to be true if you run into a store selling professional gloves at a lower price. Therefore, remain vigilant and don’t mix training and professional boxing gloves.
5. Mexican Style Boxing Gloves
We hope you find the guide interesting because we’ve yet to cover many more quality models. And a unique option that boxers can try is the Mexican-style boxing glove. Immediately, the first thing you might ask is how are Mexican-styled gloves different from standard models.
Thanks to the extended cuff and reduced padding, these boxing gloves offer a fantastic fit, making them more compact. This also highlights how Mexican gloves have evolved over the ages, from being fully padded to now bearing the closest resemblance to professional gloves. Once you break them in, they deliver optimum comfort and adjust according to your hand shape.
One of the most well-known Mexican-styled boxing glove manufacturers is Cleto Reyes, and they use horseshoe hair for firmer padding. The brand also uses goatskin leather for a superb feel, making it stand out in the market.
6. Muay Thai Gloves
You might wonder why we’ve shifted to Muay Thai from boxing, a completely different sport. Although these are other disciplines, both are glove-based combat sports, and over time, boxing gloves have played a significant part in the development of Muay Thai. The sport also requires similar attire to boxing.
The main advantage of Muay Thai gloves is their high versatility since most athletes have to learn the art of kickboxing. We should tell you that Thailand has several boxing glove manufacturers specialising in different areas. Not surprisingly, the gloves have undergone significant change, providing maximum comfort.
They feature extra padding on the back of the hand for more flexibility while gripping. You can open the palm wider to absorb kicks from your opponent, making them highly efficient. In some cases, designers might even add padding along the side of the gloves for more protection.
Keep in mind the Muay Thai gloves may not be suitable for everyone. While some people like the feel, others prefer traditional boxing gloves, so there’s always a split house. More often than not, it does come in handy for kickboxing, which has increased demand.
Another essential aspect that deserves mention is that Muay Thai gloves are affordable. There’s no need to spend a lot of money, and if you’re looking to perform bag work, regular boxing gloves will work just fine.
Some well-known brands you can try out are Adidas and Everlast, but we suggest you don’t purchase at face value. Often retailers might reduce the price to tempt large numbers of people but be sure to check the quality and material. Whatever you do, never compromise on quality if you intend to get the best results.
7. Traditional Bag Gloves
We’ve touched upon traditional bag gloves at the beginning of the article, but it’s essential to provide a minor detail. Firstly, these gloves are smaller and offer a cheaper alternative to modern boxing gloves, meaning people still buy them for rough use. So, don’t expect them to deliver sufficient protection.
To dispose of these gloves, retailers often provide them free with punching bags. However, even if you own a pair, certain gyms won’t allow you to train in these gloves. The main issue is that traditional bag gloves haven’t changed with time, so modern models have replaced them.
In addition, the shape isn’t the best, with designers opting for generic designs rather than being innovative. Also, they don’t provide much wrist support because there isn’t much padding, leading to injuries. Therefore, it’s better to look for other options unless essential instead of using them.
8. MMA Gloves
Those who follow mixed martial arts sports will know that MMA gloves differ significantly from regular boxing gloves. That’s because MMA as a sport is in sharp contrast to boxing. While both involve firing blows at the opponent, the former is much more ruthless, with few things even being deemed dangerous. The fight takes place in a cage, adding to the intrigue.
The gloves need to be different for a sport of this magnitude. As a result, they are fingerless and often look like a biker’s glove.
You might be wondering that this might increase the risk of injuries, which is true. It’s also true that the freedom to use your fingers brings the palms into play, allowing fighters to grapple with more freedom. Unlike professional boxing gloves having laces, MMA gloves have velcro, so it’s possible to undo the gloves yourself.
Even though it’s convenient to move the fingers with these gloves, the basic principles remain the same. You should check if the boxing glove forms a snug fit, opt for a reputed brand, consult your coach, and then make the purchase.
9. Semi-Contact Gloves
Looking at this product, you might wonder how semi-contact gloves will help you win a fight. They’re mainly used for karate or taekwondo and look like a combination of boxing and MMA gloves.
The padding is extremely minimal, and protection comes from the dipped-foam construction. There isn’t much contact in karate and taekwondo, meaning the manufacturers can be lenient with the padding. Plus, you have fewer chances of injuring yourself, primarily focusing on fitness and agility.
What’s The Best Fit For You?
That’s all for now. Hopefully, you’ve gathered sufficient knowledge about the different types of boxing gloves.
Before making the purchase ask yourself – for what purpose, will you be using the gloves? This will help you narrow down the options and choose the right size.
If you need assistance choosing the best boxing gloves, contact our team! We have a team that is ready to assist you!
Take care and see you soon. Bye!
