Best Boxing Gloves

The subject of this discussion is, just to be clear, the best boxing gloves for training, practices, and workouts. Competitive boxers would know what gloves to wear for fights, and specialty categories like MMA and Muay Thai have their own grapple-friendly gloves as well.

Whether you’re a professional or amateur boxer training for a fight, or a boxing workout or cardio kickboxing enthusiast, the last thing you want is to hurt your hands in any way that’d require layoff. You’d want a pair of boxing pair that can protect your hands comfortably and without undue burden.

Since the hands are arguably more important than the feet, you can expect a pair of good, durable boxing gloves to cost more than a pair of sneakers. The following best-rated boxing gloves are the top in class in terms of quality, protection, comfort, and durability. It is highly recommended that you try a pair on before committing, and if order online, buy from a site that offers hassle-free returns. Check for fit and comfort with hand wraps on.

(Prices vary by size. Listed prices are for 16oz gloves with Velcro straps.)

Our pick

Rival High Performance Hook-and-Loop Sparring Gloves, Red, 16-Ounce

“There’s Winnings and Grants. This Canadian brand is right underneath those bad boys”
-Patrick

Check Price on Amazon

Our pick

Rival High Performance Hook-and-Loop Sparring Gloves, Red, 16-Ounce

“There’s Winnings and Grants. This Canadian brand is right underneath those bad boys”
-Patrick

Check Price on Amazon

How do you become the godfather of training gloves? Start with a good name, like Don or Vito or Marlon, or better yet, Winning! Think about it. If you’re not winning a fight, you’re getting beat up. Who wants that? Scores of big-name boxers, including Mayweather and Pacquiao, train with Winning gloves even if they endorse another brand on fight nights.

Winning gloves are handmade in Japan, right outside of Tokyo, of proprietary foam materials and the highest quality cowhide and workmanship. They offer the best padding for the knuckles, though several other brands are not too far behind. The Winning MS-600 does have the best design. There’s virtually no break-in period needed – these gloves fit and go to work perfectly the first time.The featured anti-thumbing stopper and dual-layer impact absorber are still the industry leaders.

Your confidence can only soar when you feel beautifully protected and supported. You can’t go wrong with Winning gloves’ world best, almost mythical reputation. The stitching is strong and immaculate – they’ll last for years even with rough use.

Cleto Reyes logos are aggressively styled for a good reason. The gloves are reputed to be the ultimate puncher’s gloves. They are made completely by hands in Mexico City with high-quality goat leather, horsehair, and water-repellent nylon lining and stitches. The horsehair padding can be adjusted to expose more knuckles for extra punching prowess. Top boxers that fought with Cleto Reyes gloves include VitaliKlitschko, Manny Pacquiao, and Bernard Hopkins.

The good thing about the horsehair padding is it never deteriorates. The drawback is there’s a break-in period with these gloves. Like a pair of leather dress shoes, Cleto Reyes gloves will feel their best and most comfortable after a few sessions.

Don’t worry about the reputation of Cleto Reyes on fight nights, as these are genuine training gloves with extra foam padding in addition to the horse hair (2 inches thick total). They provide superb protection for both sparring and punching bags. These beautifully balanced gloves feel lighter on your hands than the physical weight.

It’s now time to talk about boxing gloves with better bang for the bucks. One of them is the Rival RS2V sparring gloves. Rival, a Canadian company based in Montreal, has made quite a name for themselves despite only recently celebrated their 10th anniversary. Rival designed and billed their boxing gloves as puncher’s gloves.

The Rival RS2V sparring gloves are as good as they are eye-catching. This is a pair of relatively affordable boxing gloves that can rival (no pun intended) the established choices in performance. If you think boxing gloves are a pain to properly affix on your wrist and arm, wait till you try the RS2V’s awesome 15-degree angled Velcro straps. Ergo Xtrem Strap System, the name Rival used for their unique strap design, sounds a bit bombastic, but maybeif you’re good you can be as bombastic as you want.

The full-grain leather surface feels supple and thick enough. The inner lining is not as luxurious as the really expensive pairs but it feels comfortable all the same. The 1.75-inch padding gives plenty of protection for sparring, though not as soft and thick as the others. Your sparring partner is going to feel it but not getting hurt. These are not exactly beginner’s gloves but won’t preclude beginners from using – just go easy at first.

If you’re a pro and it’s critical to protect your hands, go for the Winning MS-600. If you have slightly tender hands or if you simply want the best, look no further than the Winning.

If you have your eyes on a pair of Winning MS-600’s but can’t quite swing for the steep price, just go with the Ring to Cage C-17 2.0 and you’ll feel much happier for it. They are high quality in their own right and almost as durable.

If you’re a fan of Pacman and the Klitschko brothers, and fancy yourself a power puncher, pick the Cleto Reyes and you’re all set. And if you value quick hand reflexes above all else, go with the Cleto Reyes.

If you’ll be using the gloves for mostly sparring, go with the Rival RS2V. They’re also great for those who desire additional wrist support over and beyond hand wraps.