Now is the time to buy the best boxing gloves, thanks to the boom in offline and especially online combat-based fitness training and even 'white-collar boxing' (plus its ancient and less la-di-dah predecessor, 'no-collar boxing'). Didn't think investing in a decent pair of boxing gloves was a good idea? Think again.
These high-impact sports test more than your stamina, coordination and skill. The punches you throw at either your opponent or training equipment test your gloves, too, which makes investing in a decent pair a good move. Sure, many gyms will rent you a pair, and we're not hung up on hygiene or anything but come on, you want your own.
Trying to build a boxing gym at home? Have a look at our dedicated buying guides first, including the best punch bags and best workout shoes, to get a feel for the market. Here are a couple of boxing workouts to get you started: the best home boxing workout and a 12-minute full-body boxing workout. Now you're ready to go!
Best boxing gloves to buy right now
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Best boxing gloves overall
Best for: All-purpose
Sizes: 12-16 oz
Material: 100% Italian grain leather
+ Ultra-premium construction
+ Thermal regulating lining
+ Offers wrist and hand protection
- Pro features might be too much for beginners
You might think we placed Hayabusa's boxing gloves on top of this buying guide because it's called T3, and you aren't entirely wrong. Of course, these boxing gloves caught our attention because of their name, but what made us rate them well was more to do with the performance of the Hayabusa T3 LX rather than their name.
In essence, the Hayabusa T3 LX encompasses all the excellent qualities of the boxing gloves listed below, including wrist and hand protection, lightweight yet solid construction, thermal regulating lining, and the durable 100% Italian grain leather shell. These boxing gloves are ideal for sparring, engaging in partner drills, or simply boxing pads or bags.
The standout feature here is the premium leather exterior of the gloves. They look and feel ultra-premium, and since Italian grain leather lasts long, Hayabusa T3 LX gloves are also damage and ageing-resistant. More whimsical fighters might appreciate Hayabusa's Marvel Heroes-themed gloves (retailer link) – fun for the whole family! We love using the Hayabusa T3 LX for training, and you will, too, whether it's sparring or pad work.
Our rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Best boxing gloves for Muay Thai
Best for: Hand and wrist support
Sizes: 14-18 oz
Material: Leather
+ Multi-purpose for training and sparring
+ Available in a range of colours
- Tight fit may be too tight for larger hands
The Muay Thai boxing gloves are great all-rounders but incorporate a design that greatly lends itself to kickboxing rather than regular boxing. That’s not to say regular boxers can’t invest in them – they’re great for training and sparring- the only difference is they have a longer wrist for blocking kicks and a slightly more open palm for catching elbows.
This Fairtex leather boxing glove boasts three layers of evenly distributed padding, which the brand says will offer excellent hand and knuckle protection and shock disbursement.
Available from 10oz to 16oz, there’s a pair for every style of training – from hitting pads to sparring in the gym. The brand claim they’re tight-fitting, too, so much so that the consensus among reviews is larger hands may find the fit too tight.
Our rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Best thermal-regulated boxing gloves
Best for: Keeping your hands warm
Sizes: 8-16 oz
Material: Skintex Leather
+ Mesh panel for thermal regulation
+ Reinforced palm
- Not real leather
Venum is also another highly-rated brand. This glove comes with a few extra perks, including the mesh thermal regulator, which prevents hands from becoming overly sweaty during intense training sessions.
As with the previous brands, there’s triple layer padding and reinforced palms, which make them great for training and sparring; however, reviewers mention other pairs may be better for heavy bag work.
Made from Skintex Leather, they aren’t genuine leather, but the brand still boasts that it offers ‘premium level quality’. If you can’t quite afford the big boys, these gloves come in at a close third.
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best boxing gloves for wrist support
Best for: Keeping your wrist unbroken
Sizes: 12-16 oz
Material: Premium Leather
+ Evercool mesh keeps hands aerated
+ Everdri lining provides antimicrobial layer
- Only available in one colour
When it comes to technical capability, these gloves are pretty up there. They feature a range of materials that make them very breathable and dry if you’re worried about sweaty hands.
Thanks to the leather construction, they will take lots of pummeling when it comes to training with equipment and sparring. Because they’re only available in 14oz or 16oz, they’re good for sparring but not so much for competitions, where a lightweight glove is required.
The only other downside is the colouring, which, while perfectly fine, won’t give you kudos points in the gym… unless you’re the only one with dry, sweat-free hands!
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best boxing gloves for pad training
Best for: Ring-use
Sizes: 10-18 oz
Material: Cowhide Leather
+ Possess unique dampening technology
+ Satin-like lining for additional comfort
- Not for training or sparring
Whether you’re looking to go pro or just want a decent pair of gloves to wear in the ring, these ones from Adidas should fit the bill. Reviewers commend their quality and comfort, while the buff leather outer and triple-layer foam should provide ample protection in the ring.
Because these gloves are only available in lighter sizes, they don't offer enough protection for sparring but should be okay when using pads or lighter bags.
Browse our adidas discount codes to pick up a saving.
Our rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Best cheap boxing gloves
Best for: Durability
Sizes: 8-16 oz
Material: Maya hide leather
+ Extra thick foam for impact absorption
+ Padding around wrist
- Appear quite bulky
Thanks to the extra thick padding and the layer of shock-dissipating gel, these gloves are great for training and sparring. Despite being lower priced than some of our other well-known gloves, the reviewers rave about the durability and comfort that these gloves offer, so don’t feel like you have to pay for a household brand to invest in quality.
Additional features of these gloves include an S.P.P incorporated palm, which filters air into the glove and prevents hands from becoming too hot and sweaty. The common consensus seems to be that these gloves appear quite bulky, even for the smaller sizes, but still provide a secure fit internally.
Our rating: 3 out of 5 stars
How to choose the best boxing gloves for you
For those looking to get fit rather than become the next Anthony Joshua, a full-size, traditional Western boxing glove is not necessarily what you're after. Something lighter and more accessible, like an MMA or Eastern martial arts glove (for muay Thai, for instance), or a more lightweight Queensbury Rules glove could well be a better bet.
However, if you intend to punch slabs of meat full-force, in the style of the first Rocky film training montage, you want the best glove you can get because the alternative is being introduced to mister T's friend, Pain. And also Mr T's other friends, 'agonising hand fracture', 'nerve damage' and 'bone deformity'.
There are three types of gloves out there for those new to the sport – training gloves, sparring gloves, and competition gloves. Training gloves are designed for hitting bags rather than people and can go two ways. Some are lower in weight – good if you want to feel the punch and learn the technique – but not so good for absorbing impact. There are also heavier gloves, which boxers use to build their stamina and endurance. The typical training glove weighs 12 oz.
Then there are sparring gloves. They are for use with your training partner in the gym. When you’re training against your partner, typically 16oz gloves are used, as they build stamina and protect you and your opponent from becoming injured before the big fight.
An amateur lightweight competitor could wear 10oz gloves in the ring, while pro heavyweight boxers need 12oz gloves with more padding. But no matter which level you’re at, your gloves will need to be of decent quality to last. Make sure you buy leather gloves that are stuffed with good padding.
Although pro gloves are lace-up, there's a lot to be said for Velcro for training – just try lacing up that second glove when you're on your own, and you'll see what we mean.
