Best Gloves for Kickboxing

As a kickboxer you don’t want to be worrying about whether your gloves are the right fit for you, you’d rather know that they are supporting all the right places and know that you’re getting the most out of your training sessions.

With an abundance of kickboxing gloves available to buy, it can be challenging to know which gloves will provide you with the best support.

So how can you find the gloves that are the best fit for you? Relax, we’ve done the hard bit for you.  

We’ve created a list of the top five best gloves for kickboxing to take the hassle out of choosing. Alongside this, we’ve written a buyer’s guide of things to consider before buying a pair of kickboxing gloves.

Relax in knowing that you’ll be getting the most out of your hits with your new kickboxing gloves!

Take a look at our top pick below.

Best Gloves for Kickboxing Buying Guide

There are a few things to think about when buying a pair of kickboxing gloves, but it mainly comes down to their intended use/ the type of training you intend to be using them for, and the protection of your hand to avoid injury. 

It is important to mention that you shouldn’t purchase a pair of kickboxing gloves just because they seem cheap.

Kickboxing can be a dangerous sport without the right equipment, so you want to try your best to avoid injuring yourself by buying the correct supportive gloves to ensure that.

Don’t be tempted to go for cheaper quality gloves, as it could lead to a much more serious problem further down the line.

We’ve written a handy buyer’s guide to ease the pressure off your search for the best gloves for kickboxing. 

Check out our list of things to consider before buying a pair of kickboxing gloves.

Padding

When buying a new pair of kickboxing gloves, one of the most important features to consider is their padding. How much padding you require depends on personal preference and the type of training that you’ll be doing, so consider this before clicking ‘buy’ at the checkout.

Generally speaking, kickboxing gloves come with gel or foam padding. Although both work well to absorb shock and hard hits, foam padding is increasingly becoming a less popular choice as it is more outdated and less innovative than its gel counterpart.

When deciding which gloves are right for you, you should always do your own research to figure out what you think you’d prefer in terms of padding.

It may be a case of trial and error, but ultimately you want the right support for your hand and knuckles to avoid causing injury to yourself and your opponent so it is very important to think about.

Material

Kickboxing gloves come in an array of materials, but how can you find out which one is the most durable? The longevity of a glove relies on an amalgamation of contributing factors: the material used, craftsmanship, and the personal care you take to look after your gloves.

Generally speaking, the most common materials used are as follows.

Synthetic leather is less durable than leather but it is more affordable. It's also very easy to maintain but will crack or peel over time. 

Genuine leather is arguably the most popular choice because it’s more durable than synthetic leather yet it’s more affordable than full-grain leather because it’s thinner and has been sanded to a smooth finish.

Full-grain leather is usually characterized by its luxurious, smooth surface and its minimal flaws but is marketed at a higher price.

Full-grain leather is typically thicker and has minimal imperfections for better appearance and durability but also requires regular cleaning and conditioning to keep the leather hydrated and flexible.

Whichever type of kickboxing gloves you decide to purchase, no glove lasts a lifetime without personal care! Be sure to clean and look after your new gloves to ensure you can use them for years to come.

Size & Weight

Something significant to consider before purchasing kickboxing gloves is the size and weight that you require. Training with gloves that are too big or extremely tight could cause a more severe issue further down the line, even causing injury.

Arguably the most important thing is that the gloves you purchase should be comfortable for your hand and it must fit correctly in order to avoid injury. 

If they feel too tight, they probably are, and could do some serious damage if you’re not careful!

If in doubt when looking online, you can always go into a store to ensure that your gloves fit properly. The shop assistant will be able to help you and advise on which gloves are best for you and how they should feel.

Velcro V Lace Kickboxing Gloves

Something to consider before buying a pair of kickboxing gloves is whether you’d rather have lace or velcro gloves. This largely comes down to personal preference, as there are pros and cons to both lace and velcro gloves.

As a result, it largely depends on what you prefer and what suits your training better.

For instance, lace gloves provide a secure, close fit around the wrist. Also, the wrists usually feel more streamlined and less bulky compared to Velcro gloves, and you don’t run the risk of scratching your opponent with velcro either. 

However, lace kickboxing gloves do generally take longer to put on and to take off, which is less convenient for shorter training sessions. You will also need help lacing them up, meaning you’ll have to rely on someone else to do this.

This may not be a problem for matches, however, may provide more of an issue when it comes to training alone. 

If you’re looking for a glove that takes less time, velcro gloves are an excellent alternative as you can put them on and remove them yourself without help.

Also, the large velcro strap itself can add comfort and support whilst you are kickboxing. 

Not to mention they are versatile, as there are a number of different fastening styles of velcro attachment, all of which have different levels of fit and support.

However, the straps of velcro kickboxing gloves can sometimes be too long and leave velcro exposed which means there is a danger of injuring your opponent by accident. Also, cheap velcro can lose effectiveness over time and lose grip. 

So whichever option you choose, make sure you consider what works best for your training and lifestyle the best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do kickboxing gloves come in different sizes?

Kickboxing gloves come in ounces. Gloves usually range from 10oz-20oz depending on the protection you want and the type of sparring that you’re going to be doing. 

The weight of kickboxing gloves is determined by the amount of foam or padding that is inside the glove. The more padding a glove has the heavier it is going to be. Subsequently, the more padding there is the more protection there is for your hands and your opponent.

However, if in doubt, the manufacturer should have information about the sizing on their website so be sure to check there if you are unsure.

Are these kickboxing gloves authentic?

There’s nothing worse than buying a fake product. In short, how to tell if the kickboxing gloves you are purchasing are authentic comes down to a few things you can look for.

Firstly, you should inspect the pictures of the products and compare them with the manufacturer’s site. Are there any obvious differences? Do the gloves look the same shape, color, size? Are the logos in the correct position? Usually, the pictures give you a good idea of whether a product is authentic or not.

Secondly, product reviews and descriptions are usually a good indication of whether a product is legitimate. If the product reviews are doubting the authenticity of the kickboxing gloves you are planning to purchase then you have good reason to suspect that something probably isn’t right.

Also, if there is no product description alongside the gloves, you have all the more right to be suspicious as a company will want to market the gloves in the best light possible, boasting all of their neat features!

Lastly, if a deal seems too good to be true it probably is! Save your money and buy something that you know will be reliable.

How do I take care of my kickboxing gloves?

In order to ensure you get the most use out of your kickboxing gloves, you’ll need to take good personal care of them to maintain them.

Make sure you clean your gloves after every use. Antibacterial wipes or antibacterial spray are great for this to ensure your gloves are ready to go for your next training session and to get rid of any germs and dirt that they will have picked up throughout the session.

Always make sure that you wear a fresh pair of hand wraps under your gloves every time you use them, as this helps to soak up your swear and also to stop your gloves from smelling.

Another tip is to dry them on the inside out as much as possible. Moisture absorbent glove deodorizers can help with this.

To follow on from the last tip, do not leave your gloves wet in your gym bag. Dry them as soon as possible!

Last but by no means least, do not put your gloves in the washing machine unless you know that it is safe to do so.