When it comes to boxing, it should go without saying that having the proper protective equipment will be extremely important.
Buying the appropriate guards and mouthpieces for your jaw shape and body height will both keep you safe and improve your boxing game by a significant margin.
But the most important piece of equipment will be your boxing gloves. Boxing gloves are the point where you connect with your opponent and they connect with you, so having gloves that you feel comfortable wielding will make or break a competition-level boxer.
A decent boxing glove will both improve your confidence in the ring and boost your skill level to new heights.
But what not a lot of people might be aware of is the fact that you can get different kinds of gloves for different types of training.
You’ll be wearing one type of glove for when you're competition fighting in the ring, whereas you’ll be using another type for when you’re punching a heavy bag during training.
This is because training on a heavy bag can damage your knuckles if you are using a glove that is too thin. Training on a bag will put increased pressure and strain on your wrist and forearms.
Having enough cushioning on your gloves to absorb some of these shocks is crucial to preventing injury.
It is important to remember that sparring gloves are designed to protect solely your sparring partner, whereas training gloves are meant to protect you both and your partner. Bag gloves, however, should protect just you.
But where can you get the best boxing bag gloves?
What are the features and materials that a boxing bag glove should have to give you the utmost protection and maneuverability during your punching sessions?
How much can you be looking to spend on a decent pair of gloves for thwacking a heavy bag?
Well, boxing enthusiasts should not worry about hurting their wrists and knuckles, because we’ve compiled an in-depth list of some of the best boxing bag gloves currently available on the market.
We’ve also got a buyer’s guide that will help you to discern the good gloves from the bad, as well as some frequently asked questions.
OUR TOP PICK
Our first pair of boxing gloves for bag training is certainly not aimed at newbies, coming with a slightly more expensive price tag.
But you can be sure that with both velcro and lace-up options, you will have a high level of support in the wrist and forearm, as well as extra cushioning in the knuckles - introducing the Winning Training Boxing Gloves.
These gloves are great for those experienced boxers who frequently hit the bag or spar with a partner.
They are made from ultra-soft padding and wipe-down leather that will allow sweat to just run off them. This water-resistant element will reduce the amount of sweat that you might get in your eyes during swinging.
Dual lace-up and velcro options are ideal for security around the wrist, as the last thing you’ll be wanting when you’re on the mat is for your glove to come loose, potentially causing you significant injury and keeping you out of the ring for a few weeks.
When it comes to absorbing the shock of repeated impacts, these are the best gloves out there.
Pros:
- You can use these gloves for both bag training and sparring, with enough padding in the knuckles and support in the wrist to protect you and your sparring partner.
- Made in Japan according to strict safety guidelines, you can be sure that these boxing accessories will give you only the very best performance.
- Long-lasting - the quality of the leather is very high, resistant to repeated impacts, sweat and water. These are gloves that you can use for months without them splitting.
- These are great gloves for intermediate to high-intensity boxers who have done more than a few sessions on the mat and in the ring.
Cons:
- The price - the fact that these have a higher price tag might deter newbie boxers who might be more accustomed to an easier pair of gloves before moving up to a professional standard.
EDITORS CHOICE
Our next pair of gloves are manufactured by a boxing company that has already earned itself a reputation for producing high-quality boxing accessories.
This is one for the boxers for whom flare is just as important as confidence and technique, coming in a wide range of colors and styles - introducing the Cleto Reyes Boxing Gloves.
These gloves are constructed from unique goatskin leather that comes with a water-repellent lining that will reduce the amount of splitting and wear and tear that most gloves naturally experience.
These gloves also have water-absorbent properties on the inside of the gloves, which will keep your hands dry during even the most intensive training sessions.
But what you’re going to need from a decent pair of training gloves is superior protection, and these gloves certainly offer you that.
The padding and extra sewn-in thumb will help prevent injuries to the eyes and the hands too.
Pros:
- These gloves are made from premium materials such as goatskin leather, with a waterproof lining that gives you the utmost protection.
- The build quality of these gloves gives you great support in the wrists, a delicate area that will experience a lot of high impacts from hitting a heavy bag.
- This is a great boxing bag glove for a variety of different skill levels - whether you are beginner, intermediate or advanced, you can strap these on and hit the mat with the confidence of someone who has a pro-standard glove.
- The fact that these gloves are so durable means that they will last you for months or even years if taken care of properly.
Cons:
- A lot of the colors that these boxing gloves come in are frequently out of stock, so order quickly to avoid disappointment.
BEST VALUE
Our next glove is probably our first choice when it comes to comfort, with a patented gel-injected inner lining that will absorb a majority of the shocks that would normally cause pain and long-term damage to your arms and wrists.
With these boxing gloves, you’ll be able to hit the bag for longer with much more comfort - introducing the Title Gel World Bag Gloves.
If you are a hard hitter, then you’ll certainly want to invest in one of these gloves. The gel injected lining will give you the same protection as some of the most professional boxers on the circuit.
When punching a heavy bag for long periods, you want to make sure that you can last longer with a higher degree of comfort.
With a 16oz weight, you can be sure of heavy-duty protection, with a 100% leather outer that will prevent splitting and water erosion.
The strap around the wrist will also keep your glove secure and stable during even the hardest swings.
Pros:
- The gel lining - these gloves are for the hard hitters who want to spend all day pounding the bag. It will give you ample protection in both the wrist and the knuckle area.
- At 16oz, this is a heavy-duty glove for professional-standard boxers who want to spend all day throwing fists and improving their stamina and technique.
- These gloves are manufactured from genuine leather, so they won’t wear and tear after repeated exposure to high impacts and sweat.
- The inside of the glove is very absorbent, keeping your hands dry and sweat-free, which can often be quite a distraction when you’re trying to focus on your swing and guard.
Cons:
- The gel lining will remove some of the responsiveness that you get from hitting the bag.
RUNNER UP
Our next boxing bag glove will elevate you from being a novice to a professional, with injection-molded foam technology that offers you premium protection.
These gloves conform to the shape of the boxer’s fist, coming in multiple sizes and colors that will give you the option of choosing a glove that reflects your personality - introducing the Ringside Apex Flash Sparring Gloves.
These gloves are very comfortable and supportive, giving you ample protection around the wrist and in the connecting knuckle areas.
If you fancy yourself as a hard-hitter, then you really won’t be able to do much better than this glove in terms of quality and price.
Ringside is an extremely well-recognized brand, with thousands of positive testimonies on Amazon, so you can guarantee that these gloves won’t split or lose responsiveness after a few sessions.
They are aimed at beginners who want to progress into the A-game boxing grade, ideally with around 4 to 5 years of boxing experience.
Pros:
- The range of colors - if you care as much about style as you do about your skill, then the range of colors on offer from Ringside will certainly appeal to you.
- These gloves are molded specifically to fit comfortably to your hands, so they won’t suffer when subjected to repeated stresses and strains of hitting the bag.
- Designed specifically for hard-hitters, the cushioning in the pads of the knuckle and the added strap in the wrist will ensure that your glove won’t come loose when hitting a sparring partner or a bag.
- The material of the gloves is high-quality leather, so you won’t have to worry about splitting or water damage.
Cons:
- Some users have complained that these gloves are too tight in the fist and around the wrist.
RUNNER UP
Our final pair of gloves is another standout in terms of comfort, with a triple density foam that gives you great absorption along with an attached thumb that will significantly reduce injury.
These are made under strict quality control conditions and, as most users on Amazon will attest, prove themselves time and time again during training - introducing Venum Impact Boxing Gloves.
As with a lot of the other models listed here, these come in a wide range of vibrant colors that will let your opponents or trainers know when you’re stepping onto the mat.
When it comes to heavy bag training, comfort and security are a must, and these gloves provide them in spades.
These gloves have a micro-perforated lining that will allow the hands to breathe during a particularly intense sparring session.
They have a triple layer of foam padding that will also make sure that your fist is protected from multiple impacts. The last thing you’ll want is to be forced to skip training because of bruised knuckles.
Pros:
- The composition of this glove makes it perfect for high-level boxers, giving you more than adequate support around the wrist and in the knuckles.
- These gloves are also suitable for MMA, making them the ideal product for those hardcore fitness enthusiasts that like to switch up their sports.
- The breathable mesh on the inside of the glove means that you won’t be distracted by sweat accumulating in between your fingers.
- The range of colors they come in are very striking - from Dark Gold to Camo, you can pick from a wide range of designs that will suit your boxing style and intimidate your boxing rival.
Cons:
- The body of these gloves is made from synthetic leather, which doesn’t generally last as long as genuine leather.
Best Boxing Bag Gloves Buying Guide
When it comes to finding the ideal glove size, you’ll certainly want to be thinking about the intensity of the training that you’ll be doing. Will you want gloves just for bag punching?
Or do you want a glove that covers both training and sparring? As we have seen, different glove thicknesses will determine how long and hard you can train.
However, there are a few requirements that even the most basic boxing glove will need to give you the best in safety, protection and security.
How Big Is Your Boxing Glove?
Finding the right size will be crucial to avoiding injury. As we have already discussed, thicker padding on a boxing glove will be necessary for hitting heavy bags. Generally, boxing gloves for punching bags will weigh somewhere between 14 and 16oz.
Sparring and training gloves are designed to protect both sparring partners, so they generally are lighter and thinner, weighing around 8 to 10oz. You’ll want your glove to be lighter so you can move your fists faster in a fight, resulting in a better chance of knocking someone out.
Will Your Glove Fit Your Hand Wraps?
Hand wraps are very important for keeping your hands tight and secure during an intense training session or match. They keep your fingers in place and prevent injury from occurring. Hand wraps will add around an extra inch to the width of your hands.
Ideally, you'll want a glove that accommodates both hands and wraps.
Your hand size will also factor in buying an appropriate set of boxing gloves. If you have a set of gloves that are too tight or loose, you can expect to suffer serious consequences in the form of broken fingers or poor connections between hand and bag.
Are Your Gloves Adapted To Heavy Bag Hitting?
Your hands are made up of small delicate bones, so you’ll be wanting to make sure that they are adequately wrapped and protected during a boxing bout. These bones could easily fracture after repeated impacts.
Heavy bag hitting gloves are generally denser than sparring and training gloves. They also have gel foam lining to protect the fingers, as well as reinforced lace-ups or velcro in the wrist to ensure that they’re supported and protected.
The material of your boxing gloves will also matter greatly, as you can expect moisture to accumulate on the outside of your gloves in the form of sweat or water.
Exposure to this and repeated high impacts will also result in your outer materials splitting. Genuine leather is usually the best material for combating this wear and tear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kind Of Gloves Do Professional Boxers Use?
A lot of professional boxers will opt for established brands that have a good reputation for making high-quality boxing equipment.
Testimony is everything in this game, and if you run with a lesser-known brand, then the risk of them failing you on the mat or, even worse, in the ring is increased.
However, some newer boxers might be on a budget and will want to opt for something cheaper. If so, always remember that when you’re hitting a heavy bag, you want to protect your knuckles and support your wrists above all else.
Buying a glove that does not have the requisite padding could result in an injury that will put you out of the ring before you’ve even started.
What Are The Best Materials For Inside Your Boxing Glove?
Ideally, you’ll want a soft cotton material that is breathable to ensure maximum comfort and reduce the accumulation of sweat in between the fingers.
If you’re boxing for a few hour sessions at a time, you will get sores if your gloves are not properly ventilated.
He is currently the owner of his own MMA dojo "in paradise" where he teaches combat training and meditation. He is also the author of a book soon to be published on the merits of martial arts training on the body and mind.
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