Having the right boxing gloves is crucial for successful training. Good boxing gloves not only provide protection for your fists but also make the training more comfortable for your partner. In this article, we explain what to consider when buying boxing and MMA gloves.
What material do I need?
Boxing gloves are generally available in two different materials. First, there is the classic leather boxing glove. This material is extremely durable and therefore very robust. For many training sessions per week where the gloves are frequently used, the leather glove is recommended because the leather provides good protection against rapid wear and tear and can be worn for a long time during training. Leather gloves are a little more expensive due to the high-quality material.
However, PU synthetic leather gloves are also of high quality nowadays. Thanks to many years of development, these gloves can withstand a lot and are perfect for any beginner and advanced boxer. The material is usually a little softer, making it usable even after extended use.
What do the oz specifications mean?
The most important specification for boxing gloves is the ounce weight. It indicates how heavy the glove is and is extremely important since a specific ounce weight is required for training as well as for certain competitions. The volume of the glove does not change, but the density of the material does. The "oz" specification is, therefore, crucial for how bouncy a glove is. The larger the "oz" number, the stronger your hand and your opponent will be protected from punches. Therefore, for training, a glove with a high ounce weight is recommended.
Boxing gloves 10 oz
10 oz. boxing gloves are the classic competition gloves in Europe. Therefore, every competitive athlete should have them at home. However, the 10 oz. gloves are not suitable for training since they are very noticeable due to the low padding and injuries are more likely to occur.
Boxing gloves 12 oz
The 12 oz. gloves are more heavily padded and are already ideal for training and sparring. They protect your ankles and your training partner very well during sparring, but direct contact can still be felt, making it ideal for preparing for competitions.
Boxing gloves 14 oz
Due to the higher weight, the strain on the arms is greater, and your training is more intense. Especially during intense training with many sparring rounds, you can train very hard without being at risk of injury.
Boxing gloves 16 oz
The 16 oz. boxing gloves are ideal for strength-endurance training. The high weight provides an excellent load on your muscles, allowing you to increase your punching speed while wearing them. They are also the safest choice for beginner sparring.
What size fits me?
Just like with all other things, there are standard sizes for boxing gloves ranging from XS - XXL. You will need to try on different sizes to determine which is the most comfortable for you. When selecting a size, make sure the gloves fit snugly around your hand without feeling too tight.
Which MMA glove is right for me?
When it comes to MMA gloves, we differentiate between sparring and competition gloves. As the name suggests, sparring gloves are intended for training. They offer increased protection with more foam padding around the knuckles. The inner construction is the same for both models. The competition gloves have less padding, making the impact of punches more noticeable.
