Boxing Gloves

Boxing gloves are padded gloves for bag work, pad work and sparring, and makers design them for different jobs. Some are sold for bag and pad work, others specifically for sparring. A bag glove may carry its maker's warning never to use it for sparring. So if you plan to spar, check what the maker says a glove is for.

Gloves are usually sold by weight in ounces (oz). As a rough guide, one glove maker suggests 10-12oz for bag and pad work, and 14-18oz if you also do partner drills or spar. Ask whether your club expects a particular weight for sparring. A bag glove may be sized S to XL instead, so use the maker's size guide.

Hook-and-loop straps let you put gloves on and take them off without help. Lace-ups need someone to tie them, but some glove makers say laces give a closer, more tailored fit than hook-and-loop. Outers range from synthetic to genuine leather, which needs more care. Padding details, such as layer counts and named foams, are the makers' descriptions, not independent test results.

For England Boxing competition, the rules set the glove weight by the boxer's bodyweight and allow only certain brands (Rule 8.2). So ask your club before you buy gloves for a bout.