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Which Boxing Gloves Do You Need?
The right glove depends entirely on how you train. Use the table below as a quick reference, then read our Boxing Gloves Explained guide for a deeper breakdown.
| Training Type | Recommended Glove | Typical Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy bag and pads | Bag gloves or bag mitts | 10oz–14oz Many beginners start with 12oz or 14oz, depending on fit and coach guidance |
| Sparring | Sparring gloves | 16oz is the most common starting point Coach and gym rules take priority |
| Competition (amateur) | Event-supplied approved gloves | Commonly 10oz or 12oz Depends on governing body and weight category |
| Competition (professional) | Pro fight gloves (promoter-supplied) | 8oz or 10oz by weight division |
| General gym / all-round | Multi-purpose training gloves | 12oz–16oz |
| Junior (ages 6–12) | Kids boxing gloves | 4oz–12oz by age and size |
Common Training Starting Points
These are broad examples, not fixed sizing rules. Glove purpose, internal fit and coach policy matter more than bodyweight alone.
| Your Weight | Training (Bags & Pads) | Sparring |
|---|---|---|
| Under 45kg | 8oz–10oz | Ask coach for club rules |
| 45–65kg | 12oz–14oz | 16oz 14oz permitted at some gyms, coach and gym dependent |
| 65–90kg | 12oz–14oz | 16oz |
| Over 90kg | 14oz–16oz | 16oz or 18oz Some coaches require 18oz for larger boxers |
For a full breakdown, read our boxing gloves size guide.
Velcro vs Lace-Up Boxing Gloves
Hook-and-loop (Velcro) boxing gloves can be secured and removed independently between rounds. They suit bag work, pad sessions and boxing classes where you need to switch equipment quickly. Most beginners start with Velcro for this reason.
Lace-up boxing gloves allow more customised cuff adjustment but require a training partner or lace tool to fasten. Neither closure type is automatically safer or better fitting. Choose based on your training environment: if you train alone or need to switch gloves mid-session, Velcro is more practical. If you have a consistent training partner and prefer a tailored cuff, lace-up is worth considering. Browse our sparring gloves to compare both closure types.
Brands We Stock
Rival offers clearly separated sparring, bag and professional fight-glove ranges, with model-specific closure and fit systems.
Cleto Reyes is known for Mexican-made leather gloves across dedicated sparring, training and professional fight categories. Materials and padding vary by model.
STING produces approved amateur competition models alongside separate training and junior gloves.
Hit N Move offers specialist foam and horsehair glove designs with distinct training profiles.
Why Sparring and Bag Gloves Should Be Separate
Heavy-bag work compresses padding over time. A glove that has absorbed thousands of bag impacts will feel firmer and flatter than it did when new. That compression is acceptable for equipment work but is not ideal for partner sparring, where consistent padding condition matters for both you and your training partner. Dedicated bag gloves often use a more compact or equipment-focused padding profile and should not be used for sparring. Keeping a dedicated sparring pair that never touches a bag preserves its padding profile for longer. If you train regularly, plan for at least two pairs: bag gloves for equipment and sparring gloves for partner work.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you would rather try gloves on in person before buying, visit our Caerphilly shop.
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