Which Boxing Gloves Should You Buy? A Practical Guide for Beginners

Trainees can find it uncomfortable and even unsafe to walk into a boxing gym with the wrong pair of gloves on. A glove that's too light might not have the necessary padding and a glove that's unnecessarily heavy can make beginner drills more exhausting than they should be.

8oz, 10oz, 12oz, 14oz and 16oz are all weight measurements of gloves. Each option is for a different purpose and the correct answer will vary based on your scenario.

Boxing Glove Weight does not equal Hand Size.

One common newbie's error is to wrongly think that 16oz gloves are just for those with large hands, and 8oz gloves are just for small hands.

The ounce rating is primarily a measurement of the total weight and padding in the glove. Hand compartments can differ from brand to brand and model to model.

This suggests examining two things:

• Is the glove weight suitable for your activity?
• Does the glove fit well with wrapping and is comfortable for the hand?

Either question is relevant.

A visual comparison of 8oz, 10oz, 12oz, 14oz and 16oz boxing gloves for competition, bag work, general training and sparring.

Light, Quick and Competition focused 8oz Gloves.

Some of the lightest gloves are eight ounces. They provide high speed punching and have a weight saving effect on hands.

This makes them good for some competitions and advanced speed drills. But, it is not a good idea to use them for regular sparring as they have limited padding.

A new boxer won't require 8oz gloves unless their coach or competition requires them.

10oz Gloves: Great for Bags and Pads

Ten-ounce gloves are the kind of gloves that are used for heavy bag training and pad work. They enable the athlete to build up speedy combination and offer greater protection than the 8oz gloves.

They are able to feel responsive whilst practising:

• Jabs and crosses
• Hooks and uppercuts
• Combination speed
• Focus mites accuracy
• Heavy-bag technique

In some amateur and professional contests, they may be used as well, depending upon the rules.

The 12oz Gloves are a versatile initial pair of gloves.

For many novice players, 12oz gloves will be a good compromise. They are not too heavy, but offer greater padding than 8oz or 10oz gloves.

They can be used for fitness boxing, bag training, pads and general technique. 12oz gloves can be particularly useful for someone who is setting up a home gym.

As buyers are looking for boxing and MMA equipment, they should also consider the wrist support, material, stitching and internal comfort of the boxing glove, in addition to the ounce label.

Increased padding with less bulk in 14oz gloves.

Fourteen ounce gloves are great for athletes seeking the added protection without an immediate jump to 16oz.

Can be used for bag work, for pads, conditioning and some controlled partner work. Some lighter athletes may be allowed to spar in 14oz gloves (as approved by the coach).

The extra weight can also make training more challenging. If returning to lighter gloves your hands may feel faster. But technique is what's most important don't assume that wearing heavier gloves will make you faster.

The 16oz Gloves are the standard sparring gloves.

Sixteen (16 oz) gloves are normally the suggested sparring gloves due to the fact that they tend to have a greater amount of padding around the knuckles.

Sparring is performed with another person, so it's not a matter of speed, but of protection. The emphasis is placed on developing timing, spacing, defending and controlled combinations, NOT on hitting for maximum force.

Some boxing and MMA gyms mandate sparring gloves. Depending on how many pairs you have, your coach may want you to use the 16oz gloves for partner training.

Is One Pair Enough?

It's OK to start with a single pair of gloves that can be used for more than one purpose, but eventually it's convenient to have individual pairs of gloves.

Padding will compress over time when placed in a bag. Repeated use of the same type of gloves on a heavy bag and then on a sparring partner may provide less protection to the sparring partner.

A usable long term design is:

• One light/mid weight pair for bags and pads
• One pair of well padded sparring pants

Beginners, who not sparring, but able to wear from 12oz or 14oz gloves, depending on body weight and coaching advice.

Take into account Your Body Weight.

Many times, a player's weight will determine which gloves they should wear because larger athletes tend to generate more power.

Some boxers may feel more comfortable training with 12oz gloves while others that is heavier may opt for 14oz or 16oz gloves. But body weight isn't the only place to begin.

Depending on your players' technique, training level and gym rules, your coach might choose a different option.

Put on Hand Wraps, Do not forget.

Boxing gloves are not the only way to protect hands. Hand wraps provide protection for wrists, knuckles and smaller bones in the hand.

Always check gloves when wearing wraps. When the glove fits well on the bare hand, it will be too tight once wrapped.

Your fingers should not be so compressed that they hurt and your wrist should not wobble when you make a fist.

Make a Difference in material and construction

The key features of a good glove are:

• Strong stitching
• Secure wrist closure
• Even knuckle padding
• Comfortable inner lining
• Proper thumb positioning
• Durable outer material

Leather gloves can provide higher quality durability or high-quality synthetic materials might provide great value and maintenance.

The Simple Answer

Select 10oz gloves primarily for bag and pad work. If you are looking for a comfortable general training weight, you’ll want to choose 12oz. For extra padding and versatility, opt for 14oz. Spare all but 16oz, unless advised by coach.

Eight ounces is generally used for competition and is for specialist training.

The right pair will provide protection for your hands, support at your wrists and fit the type of training you're doing.