Cardio The 7 Best Boxing Gloves of 2023, According to an Expert Our personal trainer recommends the best options for fit, comfort, protection, value, and style By Mallory Creveling, ACE-CPT Mallory Creveling, ACE-CPT Mallory Creveling is a health and fitness writer and ACE-certified personal trainer whose work has been published in Prevention, Runners World, and Men's Journal. Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 06, 2023 Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. If your workout involves throwing punches—especially if you hit heavy bags—you’ll want to invest in a good pair of boxing gloves. According to Eduardo Perez, senior director of mixed combat arts and Pilates programs at LifeTime, quality boxing gloves are essential for protecting your wrists and the small bones in your hands from injury while you punch. The best boxing gloves are well-fitted, comfortable, and provide proper protection. One thing to keep in mind when making your boxing glove pick: You get what you pay for. Cedric Jones, owner of Beastie, a boxing gym in Manhattan Beach, California, suggests opting for a pair of leather gloves. But you also have the option to choose synthetic (usually at a lower price point). It's also helpful to buy a pair that's slightly larger than your hands since you’ll want space for wrist wraps underneath. Buying weighted gloves can also up the intensity of your workout. Whatever boxing glove you buy, padding and wrist protection are essential. To find the best boxing gloves on the market, our certified personal trainer used her knowledge in the space and interviewed three boxing experts to understand the most valuable features to look for in boxing gloves. We then reviewed dozens of boxing gloves from the most trusted and popular brands and paid attention to customer reviews to determine our final list of recommendations. We only recommend boxing gloves that are the best in class for fit, comfort, protection, value, and style. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Sparring: Everlast Pro Style Elite Boxing Gloves at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Bags: Hawk Sports Boxing Gloves at Amazon Jump to Review Best Gel: Sanabul Essential GEL Boxing Gloves at Amazon Jump to Review Best Leather: Hayabusa T3 LX Leather Boxing Gloves at Amazon Jump to Review Best Professional-Grade: Cleto Reyes Hook & Loop Training Gloves at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Kids: Everlast Youth Prospect Boxing Training Set at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Fit Best Overall Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Hayabusafight.com Pros Superior protection Secure Durable Cons Pricier than other options We recommend this pair of gloves because of their overall value. Made of vylar engineered leather, these gloves have double straps and a splinting system for a secure fit and ample wrist protection. The multi-layer foam absorbs impact and creates a shield for your knuckles so you can confidently hit your target. Meanwhile, the inner liner is designed to keep your hands cool. To top it off, you get a microfiber thumb to wipe off your sweat. They're perfect for boxing, mixed martial arts, and many other high-intensity workouts. Perez says his favorite boxing gloves are any from the Hayabusa Fight brand. He says the brand is known for its top-notch engineering and craftsmanship. The gloves come in various colors and are available in 10-, 12-, 14-, 16-, and 18-ounce sizes. We like that the gloves are easy to wipe down and clean once you finish your workout. Price at time of publication: $159 Weight: 10-18 ounces | Outer layer: Vylar (engineered leather) | Padding: Foam Best for Sparring Everlast Pro Style Elite Boxing Gloves Amazon View On Amazon View On Dick's View On Everlast.com Pros Quality protection Breathable Antimicrobial Cons Not as durable as other options Another top brand backed by boxing instructors, these Everlast gloves feature a synthetic leather outer layer, foam padding, and an hourglass-shaped wrist closure for superior security as you jab, cross, and uppercut. Despite their lower price tag, we love that they're a quality option. Perez explains that sparring gloves are designed to protect both the fighter and the opponent. They tend to provide extra padding, which is great for beginners who are not yet accustomed to striking a surface, but this also means they tend to be heavier compared to other options. In addition to the antimicrobial finish, these gloves also keep your hands cool as you heat up, thanks to the mesh palm. Price at time of publication: $45 Weight: 12-16 ounces | Outer layer: Synthetic leather | Padding: Foam Best for Bags Hawk Sports Boxing Gloves Amazon View On Amazon Pros Premium Protection Secure Cons Not as durable as other options A hook and loop closure around the wrist allows for security and makes it easier to take on and off. Like other gloves, these also offer a thick foam layer for support and shock absorption as you throw powerful punches at heavy punching bags. Note that bag gloves are designed to protect the user and will generally have a little less padding compared to sparring gloves as they aren't designed to also protect the opponent. These gloves feature holes to allow for some ventilation and a waterproof lining so your hands stay comfy—not soggy. Price at time of publication: $26 Weight: 8-16 ounces | Outer layer: Synthetic leather | Padding: Foam Best Gel Sanabul Essential GEL Boxing Gloves Amazon View On Amazon View On Sanabulsports.com Pros Budget-friendly Premium protection Breathable Cons Not as durable as other options The foam padding on these boxing gloves gets a gel upgrade, giving them extra softness while still providing shock absorption. They also have a mesh palm for airflow that keeps your hands cool as you get sweaty. Take your pick from a range of bright colors in the detailing. Price at time of publication: $30 Weight: 8-16 ounces | Outer Layer: Synthetic leather | Padding: Gel-infused foam Best Leather Hayabusa T3 LX Leather Boxing Gloves Amazon View On Amazon View On Hayabusafight.com Pros Premium protection Durable Stylish Cons Expensive Looking for high-quality boxing gloves that’ll stand up to multiple rounds of fighting? This genuine leather pair from Hayabusa has you covered. The wrist strap also provides a customizable, secure fit—and you get the required protection for your punches from the multi-layer foam. To top it off, the gloves feature a temperature-regulating lining that increases overall comfort. Price at time of publication: $199 Weight: 12-16 ounces | Outer Layer: Italian leather | Padding: Foam Best Professional-Grade Cleto Reyes Hook & Loop Training Gloves Amazon View On Amazon View On Cletoreyesboxing.com Pros High-quality Premium protection Durable Cons Expensive One of the top-tier boxing brands, according to Jones, these Cleto Reyes gloves offer a durable, high-quality shield for your hands. Made with leather on the outside and latex foam on the inside, you have the perfect combo for keeping your body safe as you throw jabs, crosses, uppercuts, and hooks. Price at time of publication: $197 Weight: 12-18 ounces | Outer Layer: Leather | Padding: Foam Best for Kids Everlast Youth Prospect Boxing Training Set Amazon View On Amazon View On Dick's Pros Kid-friendly Comes with other gear Cons Can't buy gloves on their own Get the kids in on the cardio action with this full set of boxing equipment for home, which includes gloves, headgear, and punch mitts for when your little one is working out with a partner. The gloves feature foam padding, mesh palms, and hook-and-loop closure wrist straps. Price at time of publication: $109 Weight: 8 ounces | Outer Layer: Synthetic leather | Padding: Foam How We Selected the Best Boxing Gloves To find the best boxing gloves on the market, we first spoke to three experts in the boxing field—Eduardo Perez, senior director of mixed combat arts and Pilates programs at LifeTime, Cedric Jones, owner of Beastie, a boxing gym in Manhattan Beach, California, and Cary Williams, boxing coach and CEO of Boxing & Barbells—to understand what key features to look for in quality boxing gloves. We then researched and reviewed dozens of boxing gloves from top brands, looking for the best ones based on fit, comfort, protection, value, and style. We also considered customer reviews to make our final list of recommendations. What to Look for in Boxing Gloves Fit You want a pair of boxing gloves that’s snug but not too tight, offering protection and security without restriction. Choosing the right size will play a big role in this. If your gloves are so tight that they’re cutting off circulation or so loose that your hands move around on the inside, it’s time to try a different size. Comfort Regardless of the type of workout you prefer, from elliptical machines to rowing machines or Pilates, your fitness gear needs to be comfortable and just right. When it comes to boxing, you want the gloves to feel good on your hands so they’re not holding you back from a good workout. If they bother you as you work through jabs and crosses, it’s time to switch to a new pair. Protection The point of wearing boxing gloves is to protect your hands from punches. So you want to ensure they have enough foam and durable leather or synthetic leather to withstand your power. Make sure you feel the shock absorption as you punch. Frequently Asked Questions How do I wash boxing gloves? According to Perez, gloves should be treated as a personal item—very much like shoes, you should ideally be the only user of the gloves. When you need to clean them, start by wiping down the outside with a gentle disinfectant. "Because you’ll want to wear boxing hand wraps under gloves, you can throw those in the washer, and that will keep your gloves clean," says Williams.You can also spray a disinfectant inside the glove, but make sure to keep them open so they can dry out. How do I wrap boxing gloves? Wrapping your boxing gloves is easy, as they usually come with just one fabric fastener. (The wraps worn inside the gloves can get more complicated.) But keep in mind: “You should wrap your wrist with the hook-and-loop closure tight enough to have little mobility in your wrists, but not so tight that it's uncomfortable,” says Williams. How are boxing gloves supposed to fit? “A glove should feel snug around the hand but not too tight,” says Williams. “If your hand floats around a lot in the glove, it is too big.” Make sure the wrist part doesn’t go too far up your arm, too, especially if it hinders circulation or decreases mobility. Why Trust Verywell Fit Mallory Creveling has covered the fitness industry for more than a decade, often writing about workout equipment. She’s also a personal trainer who’s tried tons of at-home workouts, including boxing. She knows what you should look for to get the most out of your gear. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit