Best Beginner Boxing Gloves, Heavy Bag & Sparring Gloves (2023) – Rolling Stone

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Creed III arrived in theaters winning praise from audiences and critics alike. But the latest Rocky movie, starring and directed by Michael B. Jordan, also motivated some fans to get in the ring themselves.

And to anyone who wants to start boxing, we say: The sport is an incredibly effective way to get in shape, both mentally and physically. Additionally, boxing is relatively easy to pick up with a low entry cost and minimal equipment requirements.

If you are among those newcomers to boxing (due to Creed III or not) the only equipment you need is a good pair of boxing gloves. All beginners should use gloves to start (and ideally arm bands underneath) as bare knuckle work on the bag without training can quickly injure your hands and wrists.

To help you get ready for the gym, we’ve rounded up the best boxing gloves to buy online, plus some boxing glove shopping tips.

In this article

The best boxing gloves to buy online

Boxing Gloves Buying Guide

How we chose the best boxing gloves

The best boxing gloves to buy online

Below are some of the best boxing gloves you can choose from on Amazon, as well as some guidelines for choosing the right pair.

Best overall: Hayabusa T3 boxing gloves

Best for beginners: Everlast Elite Training Gloves

Best for handling heavy bags: Venum Elite Boxing Gloves

Best for sparring: Cleto Reyes Boxing Gloves

The best budget boxing gloves: Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves

1. Hayabusa T3

These Hayabusa T3 boxing gloves get top marks from almost everyone who uses them. Made from vylar, the leather is soft and durable, has plenty of thick knuckle padding and feels cool and comfortable during long workouts. But the knockout punch of the T3s is their wrist support, thanks to dual wrist straps. The T3s’ premium design comes with a premium price tag, but they’re well worth it for beginners and pros alike.

2. Everlast Elite Training Gloves

While all of our picks will work for beginners, we think these Everlast Elites are the best boxing gloves for beginners. They offer a soft pad to protect your knuckles, an “Evershield” pad to support your hands and wrists, and even a special treatment to prevent odor build-up. The gloves are also among the most breathable, which is good for the sweaty, cardio-heavy workouts you’ll likely be doing once you start boxing. They are also relatively affordable.

3. Venum Elite Boxing Gloves

If you are still new to boxing and primarily work with a heavy bag, these Venum Elite Gloves are a great choice. Thanks to the triple-density lining and the reinforced palm, the gloves will allow you to hit as hard as possible throughout the training without damaging the knuckles. However, if you’ve been training for a while, you may want to opt for gloves with less padding.

4. Cleto Reyes Boxing Gloves

So you progressed to regular sparring work? Check out these pro gloves from Cleto Reyes. The handmade gloves feature thick latex foam padding, ensuring safety for both you and your sparring partner. They also have genuine leather on the outside, extending the life of the gloves, and a large wrist strap for added support.

5. Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves

If you’re shopping on a budget (or aren’t sure if you’ll stick with boxing), check out these Everlast Pro Style Gloves. You get all the support and cushion you need to start learning the sport, plus features like Everlast’s Everfresh treatment to prevent odor build-up. They were my first personal pair and worked flawlessly while learning the basics of boxing.

Boxing Gloves Buying Guide

Before you pick up your new boxing gloves, there are some key features you should familiarize yourself with. Here are a few things to think about as you shop:

Size: Boxing gloves come in several “sizes”, which actually refers to the weight of their lining, measured in ounces (oz). Most gloves come in 12, 14 or 16 ounce sizes. In general, for bag work, boxers weighing 125 to 150 pounds should get 12-oz gloves, those weighing 150-175 pounds should get 14-oz gloves, and anyone heavier should use 16-oz gloves. If you’re sparring, you’ll want to size up to ensure your partner’s safety.

Closing: You’ve probably seen professional boxers wearing lace-up gloves, which look great and provide some light support, but are extremely uncomfortable for most of us without a personal boxing trainer. For this reason, we settled on gloves with a Velcro closure.

Build quality: The best boxing gloves are built to last a year or two of regular training, but some are made better than others. Look for gloves with high-quality materials made by well-known brands to avoid gloves that fall apart after a few months.

How we chose the best boxing gloves

In addition to wearing gloves in the gym, working the bag, and sparring with gloves, we reviewed glove reviews from experts and regular users to determine the best boxing gloves. We also settled on brands that have a history of making great products instead of the unproven, cheaper brands you’ll see all over Amazon.