Punching gloves
Punching gloves are often used for training on the punching bag. Unlike boxing gloves for competitions, the thumb is not sewn on to allow the gloves to be put on and taken off independently.
Another difference is the much thinner padding of the gloves, which enables better punch feedback and therefore makes it much easier to improve your own punching technique.
When training on the punching bag, it is not absolutely necessary to wear appropriate punching gloves, but it is highly recommended, because depending on your punching technique, you will otherwise quickly suffer abrasions and other unnecessary injuries to your hands. Wearing at least bandages is highly recommended.
The usual weight is in the range of: 8 to 12 oz
Sparring gloves
Sparring is boxing training with a real partner. In this case, not only your own hands but also the body of the partner with whom the sparring exercises are carried out must be protected.
This is why these types of mittens are much thicker than the punching gloves just described. The thicker padding also automatically means that the curvature in the front area of the glove is greater.
Overall, the sparring gloves are already very similar to the competition gloves that we will introduce next.
The usual weight is in the range of: 14 to 18 oz
Competition gloves
As we have just mentioned, competition gloves are very similar to sparring gloves. However, they must fulfil certain standards that are prescribed by national or international boxing associations.
Such standards include, for example, the thickness of the filling, the filling material used, which thumb is sewn on and how the boxing gloves are fastened to the wrist; usually always by means of lacing.
Corresponding competition gloves are usually significantly more expensive than the other two types and are specially labelled by the manufacturer.
Different types of boxing gloves are also differentiated according to weight
The usual weight is : 10 oz (The weight indication ounce, abbreviated oz, corresponds to 28.35g)
While 6 - 8 ounces is a good size for children and is sometimes also the competition size for lightweights or women, 10 ounces is the standard competition size par excellence. 12 ounces is a frequently used weight for punching gloves, i.e. suitable for training on the punching bag.
From 14 ounces we are in the area of sparring. 16 - 18 ounces are also intended for sparring or heavyweight fights.
The weight must be right
The higher weight of heavy training gloves protects your partner in the ring. In Europe, 10 oz boxing gloves are the most important category. As already described, they are ideal for competitions and are the gloves that boxers are best able to use. If you only box for fun or occasionally do a little sparring with friends, heavier gloves are also suitable.
The 12 oz gloves are also softer, not just heavier. They are safer for training and sparring than the 10 oz gloves and allow you to get used to real hits. The 14 oz gloves are even softer. They are used almost exclusively in training and help you to build up more arm muscles. Intensive training with these gloves is gentle on the hand bones, and you can also wear them when sparring.
16 oz is the right weight for your gloves if you want to train your strength endurance. The gloves challenge your arms and are good for increasing your punching speed during training. These gloves are a very good choice for sparring as they are very soft and soften the blows well.
Inside the boxing glove?
Of course, you don't just sweat in the boxing glove, you bandage your hands. Alternatively, you can wear a padded inner glove. Both measures firstly protect your hands and secondly help with hygiene.
Different materials have advantages and disadvantages
Gloves made of genuine leather are of course very elegant, but they are not inexpensive. Leather absorbs the impact of blows, so the material is just as important as the padding inside the glove. An inexpensive alternative to leather is artificial leather, but this requires different care.
Original old school are the classic boxing gloves made of genuine leather. Leather gloves are the equipment of professionals and experienced boxers of many years' standing, because leather is durable, easy to care for and not so different in hardness from imitation leather. But amateur boxers also like to use leather gloves.
Cowhide or goatskin?
Goatskin is considered to be somewhat softer and nobler, but is more expensive than cowhide. Both types of leather are heavy, stable materials, and the gloves can be 10 oz, 12 oz, 14 oz or more.
Multi-layer padding
The sturdy padding in the boxing glove ensures optimum cushioning. This padding consists of different layers that must be securely glued together. If the quality is right, the glove will last a long time. However, if the padding tears at just one corner, the glove will soon be completely torn.
EVA foam is a particularly high-quality padding layer. The foam has good cushioning properties and is considered to be extremely durable. If you want to use your boxing gloves for sparring or in competitions, the thumb fixation must also be stable. It usually consists of a fine nylon strap.
This nylon strap can be supplemented with a leather strap that is sewn to the glove over the length of the thumb.
Women box differently
Generally speaking, women do not need different boxing gloves to men. However, if the ladies are into pink, they are unlikely to find what they are looking for in the men's collection. Another thing is the shape of the hand. Boxing gloves specially designed for women have a slightly narrower cut and fit better. This also applies to boxing gloves specially designed for teenagers. In competition and sparring, women generally box with 10 oz gloves, while the fighting glove weighs 8 or 10 oz.
Excursus: Bandages protect bones and joints
We often hear the question of whether bandages are really necessary. The bandages protect joints and bones from injury. Although boxing gloves cushion hard punches, they still exert high impact forces on the hands and wrists. You can only prevent sprains and injuries with the protective supports, not with the boxing gloves alone. And it doesn't matter how high quality the gloves are.
The supports distribute the force of the punctual loads evenly and thus take away their impact. This is also an issue when training on the punching bag: boxing bandages are a really good idea in combination with gloves. But the bandages can only protect your hands and wrists if they are wrapped professionally.
Measure the circumference of the hand below the knuckles for the right size
To determine the correct size of your boxing gloves, measure the circumference of your hand below the knuckles. Do not include the thumb. If you are
If you are right-handed, measure the circumference of your right hand; if you are left-handed, measure the circumference of your left hand. Experience shows that the circumference of the hand is between 17.5 cm and 22.5 cm for women and up to 24 cm for men. However, gloves are often only available in one size and differ in weight.
Classic sizes are:
15.4 cm - 17.8 cm: Size S
17.8 cm - 20.3 cm: size M
20.3 cm - 22.9 cm: size L
22.9 cm - 25.4 cm: size XL
These sizes refer to boxing gloves for teenagers and adults. Children's sizes are different.
Relationship between manufacturer and price
Brands such as Everlast and Leone are leading suppliers. Synthetic leather gloves are available from CHF 60 and CHF 80, real leather gloves from CHF 100. The price depends on the quality and material.
Conclusion: Must fit well and be comfortable
The boxing glove must be well padded to protect the hand. They must not come loose, so they must fit tightly, but must not be uncomfortable. Leather is of higher quality than artificial leather, more durable, but also more expensive. Make sure you choose the right size!
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