Best Boxing Gloves of 2022: Sting Like a Bee

How We Chose & Who This Guide is For

We chose the boxing gloves featured here for their variety. We looked for gloves for every boxer, from beginners and fitness boxers to competitors and everyone in between. We chose gloves in a range of price points and varying features to find options that would appeal to as many people as possible.

How We Tested & Why You Can Trust Us

To provide you with a comprehensive insight into each pair of boxing gloves on our list, we had testers with boxing and training-specific backgrounds sample the gloves. We also combined our testers’ user experiences with online research to round out our own impressions with those of other users.  

Features to Look For in Boxing Gloves

Since many brands produce handcrafted boxing gloves, it’s a good idea to do your homework so that you can pick out a suitable pair. Here are some basic but crucial features to consider as you zero-in on the right pair for you.

Fit - The perfect fit is determined by two things: size and weight. You want gloves that fit perfectly on the hands, securely latched onto the wrist. Small gloves squeeze the fingers too much and, oversized gloves easily fall off and don’t provide support. Weight is generally determined by how you are going to use them. 8 to 12-ounce gloves are generally for competition, while 14 to 16-ounce gloves are geared more towards training.

Material – The three main outer materials you’ll find are leather, synthetic, or engineered leather, which is usually a blend of the two. Leather is the classic; when done right, these gloves stay supple and will last years. Synthetics and engineered leather are known more for their durability. However, these two don’t generally break-in as well as actual leather.

Closure Type - The closure system determines how tightly and securely the gloves are fitted on the wrists. This will prevent them from slipping off easily during a fight and ensure convenient and comfortable wear. Lacing is the best way to ensure a perfect and supportive fit but requires someone else to lace them for you. If you’re not training with a coach or partner, hook and loop closures are the way to go.

Types of Boxing Gloves

Bag Gloves - Bag gloves are also known as training gloves. Bag gloves are best for beginners, amateur boxers, or people who are in them for fitness rather than for competition. Extra-padded to provide enough cushioning, these gloves are designed primarily for bag work and dialing-in technique. 

Sparring Gloves - Sparring gloves generally come in two different weights: 16 and 18 ounces. The extra padding is designed to keep your partner safe, but an added perk is that it will make your competition gloves feel lighter when you fight.

Competition Gloves - These gloves are made for actual fighting in a boxing ring. They typically weigh from 8 to 12 ounces depending on the specific rules of that fight. Fighting gloves come as either lace-up gloves or straps, but laces are ideal for a more secure, dialed-in fit.

Q: How are boxing gloves supposed to fit?

A: Boxing gloves should be tight and secure without crossing over into feeling restrictive. If your gloves are too tight, your hands will be cramped, and it may make it difficult to make a solid fist. If they are too loose, the gloves will lack support and will move around the hand.

If you buy gloves online, make sure that the seller has a good return/exchange policy. This way, if the gloves that arrive aren’t a proper fit, you can exchange them for a different size.

Q: What is the best weight for boxing gloves?

A: It depends on how you intend to use them.

The best boxing gloves for training are usually in the 14 to the 16-ounce range, as the added cushioning will protect your hands during training sessions. Heavier gloves also prepare you for competing with lighter gloves. Using heavy gloves in training makes competition gloves feel lighter by comparison come fight night.

Lighter models — in the 8 to 12-ounce range — make for the best sparring gloves and competition gloves. The lower amount of cushioning provides a more effective power transfer when striking your opponent and won’t fatigue your arms to the same degree as heavier alternatives.

Q: Do you need boxing gloves for a punching bag?

A: Boxing gloves are the bare minimum needed to use a punching bag. Not only do they protect your hands and, to a lesser extent, your wrists, but they also save you from skinning your knuckles when training with a bag. Ideally, you’ll pair the gloves with wraps to enhance the wrist and hand protection.

Q: Do boxing gloves make a difference?

A: Boxing gloves absolutely make a difference. Not only do they protect your hands during training, but also reduce fatigue so that you can train longer.

Also, different types of gloves can make a difference as well. Different types of padding and securing methods greatly alter your boxing experience. For instance, softer padding is more comfortable but can dampen your potential to impact an opponent. As such, softly padded gloves may be more ideal for training. Lacing creates a more secure fit than hook and loop closures, but with laces, you'll have to depend on someone else to secure your gloves for you.

Q: Do heavier gloves hurt more?

A: Yes and no. Since heavier gloves are *ahem* heavier, the effort of keeping your gloves up and punching repeatedly will wear your arms and shoulders out faster than lighter gloves. This may hurt more during training, but it will make competition gloves feel lighter and faster in the ring.

If you aren’t planning on competing, heavier gloves are still a good idea. The added padding makes heavier gloves more effective at keeping your hands safe and comfortable during training sessions.

To sum up: they add pain from arm fatigue, but the less the odds of injury fatigue, so the benefits far outweigh the costs.

Q: Should I get 12 oz or 14 oz boxing gloves?

A: For bag-only training, a 14-ounce or 16-ounce glove is a great choice. Heavier gloves are more protective and reduce fatigue during longer workouts. They also help protect your hands from punching heavy bags, which have less give than the average person (depending on your opponent).

For training that includes sparring, a 12-ounce glove may be ideal. There will be less padding, but still enough to keep your hands safe without sacrificing as much hand speed. Also, the 12-ounce gloves will still be a bit heavier than many competition gloves, depending on the rules for that specific fight.

Q: How do you clean boxing gloves?

A: The first step is to get them out of your bag as soon as you get home. The limited air supply in a closed gym bag allows bacteria to grow and produce terrible odors.

If your gloves are particularly sweaty, wipe the interior out with a towel to remove the excess moisture. Then disinfect the interior by wiping it down with a half vinegar/half water solution (apple cider vinegar or white vinegar work well).

Avoid harsh chemical cleaners like Windex or bleach, as they can damage the gloves (and your skin).

Finally, spray the exterior with the same vinegar solution and water, and wipe it down to remove any dirt, body fluids, and excess solution.

For leather gloves, follow up cleaning by applying a leather conditioner to the exterior. Apply the conditioner, then work it into the leather, removing any excess after you’re done. There is a wide selection of leather conditioners on the market, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find one that fits your budget.

When you’re finished, lay the gloves somewhere away from direct sunlight to dry. To help airflow and absorb any excess moisture, you can stuff each glove's interior with newspaper. Just check the newspaper periodically; if it soaks through, replace it with dry newspaper.

Pro Tip: wipe the interior with a dryer sheet and leave the sheet inside the glove until your next session to keep them smelling fresh. 

Sources:

1. Noom vs. Weight Watchers: Which Is Better for You? – Live Strong