Best Boxing Gloves for Beginners - A Buyer's Guide

When you first start out in boxing, it is a relatively inexpensive sport to get into. But how do you choose the right boxing gloves if you're new to the sport?

Boxing gloves come in hundreds of different types and brands, not to mention the fact that sizing can be tricky.

If you're just getting started, you should keep in mind that the right boxing gloves are critical to minimising the number of injuries you may sustain over time, as well as how well you train.

To make things easier, we've created a guide with everything you'll need to know about boxing gloves for beginners.

How to choose the right size for your boxing gloves

12oz, 14oz, 16oz, what does it all mean? Essentially, the glove's weight will depend on two factors: your weight and the purpose for which the glove will be used. A bag mitt or glove is used only for bag work and normally lighter in weight. Keep in mind that the heavier the glove, the heavier the workout.

For heavy bag workouts, boxing gloves of 10 oz or 12 oz are best while 14, 16, 18, and 20 oz are best for sparring.

Boxing gloves are sized based on padding in the palm, so a heavy weight means that your hand will be more protected, but at the same time, it will also slow your punching speed.

It is important to try on boxing gloves with hand wraps on, and the gloves should be snug around the straps, but not too tight, and it should be easy to make a fist.

When choosing boxing gloves, the fingertips should rest comfortably on top of the gloves. If possible, try boxing gloves on with hand wraps on. Boxing gloves should be snug around the straps, but not too tight, and let you form a fist easily.

You can use the following chart to determine which size boxing gloves to buy, based on the circumference of your hand:

Best boxing gloves for beginners

Boxing gloves come in a variety of types, each with its own purpose. Advanced and professional boxers typically have more than one pair of boxing gloves due to training. However, beginners typically only need one pair of boxing gloves that will protect their hands.

For most beginners, either general training gloves or bag gloves will do, but their slight differences will determine which is best for what activities.

All-Purpose/Training Gloves: This is the best choice if you are just starting out and intend to spar, as well as to practice bag work.

Bag Gloves: These boxing gloves are made specifically for bag workouts and especially suitable for training at home and with no sparring involved . These gloves provide plenty of padding and are designed to protect hands when hitting a heavy bag. They are easily recognised because they are more padded to absorb shock, have a thick Velcro strap around the wrist, and are sized in ounces.

When selecting the best boxing gloves for beginners, make sure the material is of high quality, and that the size and weight are appropriate. Start with a fairly inexpensive boxing glove and work your way up as you get more experience.

Heavier boxing gloves are better when training to fight, while lighter boxing gloves are best when competing in the ring.

But keep in mind, even the best boxing gloves take time to adapt to your needs and fit. The most comfortable boxing gloves still require a break-in period.

Which boxing gloves are better for beginners: laces or Velcro?

Laces do provide a better fit and wrist support, but they're less practical. You need a trainer to lace you up before each training session, so laced gloves are almost exclusively worn by professional boxers.

Boxing gloves can be fitted with Velcro almost as tightly as laces, and they are easy to do yourself.

Is vinyl or leather better for boxing gloves?

Boxing gloves are typically made of vinyl or leather. The boxing glove material will have an impact on your comfort, durability, and cost.

Since vinyl boxing gloves are usually cheaper than leather gloves (£20-£40) and make a good choice for beginners, leather gloves may be a better choice for those who train regularly.

If you plan on using your boxing gloves in workout classes, or any other activity in which there is minimal actual hitting, then vinyl is a great material to choose. It is, however, less breathable than leather.

Leather boxing gloves, although more expensive, offer several advantages over vinyl ones. They will mould to your hand and become better fitting with time.

Which boxing gloves are best for beginners?

There are various boxing glove brands that offer different levels of protection and value. Here are a few of our top-rated boxing gloves for beginners.

Century Boxing Gloves - Silver/Navy

The Brave Boxing Gloves feature Grab Tab patches to allow you to easily secure both gloves. These gloves are great for high-intensity training activities like sparring, pads training and heavy bag work.

Diagor Olympic Boxing Gloves 10oz Black

Exclusively crafted for Diagor in IBF approved factory hub, Diagor Olympic Boxing Gloves are designed to bring you the most of your fighting experience, at an affordable price and premium quality. Suitable for Muay Thai, Sparring, Kickboxing, Fighting, Punch Bags and Focus Pads Punching.

Twins Velcro Boxing Gloves BGVL3