How to Choose the Right Size Boxing Gloves

Pairing a snug glove with the right weight can help give boxers the knockout quality they’re looking for in training equipment. Rule the ring with the help of this Pro Tips sizing guide.

Packing a punch in the gym begins with packing the right gear in your bag. For boxers, having quality gloves can help keep your hands comfortable and protected during training. Just like other protective gear, boxing gloves perform best when they’re properly sized. There are also varying styles of boxing gloves, ranging from general trainers to those specialized for fight night.

By understanding how to find the right size boxing gloves and how to determine which boxing glove style is right for you, you’ll be closer to putting a heavyweight swing into your boxing regimen. So go the distance with quality boxing equipment and find the right gloves with these important tips.

Measurements Needed to Find the Right Size Boxing Glove

Boxing gloves are at their best when they fit snug on the hand. In order to help fighters better identify which gloves they should train or fight with, glove sizes are displayed in ounces. These can range from 6oz. youth mitts to 20oz. heavyweight gloves. To find out which size is best for you, you’ll need three measurements: your height, your weight and the circumference of your dominant hand.

While height and weight are rather easy to determine with a scale and measuring tape, measuring your hand circumference can be a little less obvious. In order to take an efficient reading, use a fabric tape measure and measure around your open dominant hand just below the knuckles. Your tape should meet in the center of your palm in order to get a clear number.

PRO TIP: If you do not have fabric measuring tape, you can use a piece of string to wrap around your hand and mark it. Take the marked string and measure it against a ruler or stiff tape measure.

In terms of measuring for that absolutely perfect fit, hand circumference will be a superior indicator of size as opposed to height and weight, which are better described as guidelines. A good comparison would be to compare the fit of a tailored suit to a t-shirt off the rack. Both will fit, but the suit is far more suited to your specific measurements, whereas the t-shirt is a little more general.

Once you have these three data points in your corner, your next decision should be determining what style of gloves you need.

Types of Boxing Gloves

Despite all looking the same, boxing gloves can be specialized to perform different tasks. There are three types of training-related boxing gloves and two styles of competitive mitts. Each design has a unique quality that best suits its intended use.

BAG GLOVES

As the name suggests, bag gloves are meant to be used in heavy bag, speed bag or pad training. Bag gloves are designed with less padding in the knuckles than other boxing glove models. While it might seem counterintuitive to have a product with less padding, bag gloves are constructed this way to allow fighters to feel their punches and become accustomed to the impact. If an awkward punch is thrown or a fighter’s form is broken, they should be able to feel it in a bag glove and adjust accordingly.

TRAINING GLOVES

Training gloves are a great all-around option for boxers who are new to the sport.. These gloves are built with sufficient padding and can be used for both bag work and sparring but aren’t necessarily specialized for either. Training gloves can be a great introductory glove with ample support for novice and veteran fighters alike.

SPARRING GLOVES

In contrast to training gloves, sparring gloves are built solely for sparring and have extra padding, not only to protect you, but also your sparring partner. Sparring gloves will be sized the same as trainers but can be a tad bit heavier due to the extra padding.

COMPETITION BOXING GLOVES

Competition-level gloves are designed with the fight in mind. With less padding in the knuckles, these gloves are built for your opponent to feel your strikes. There are two levels of competitive boxing gloves: amateur and professional. Each follows sizing by weight division, with amateur gloves being more regulated due to the stricter rules at this level. A good way to typically identify amateur gloves is by the red or blue color scheme accompanied by a white knuckle overlay for easier scoring by judges.

Boxing Gloves Size Guide

Amateur boxing gloves come in three sizes:

• Fighters under the light welterweight class (141lb.) typically use 10oz. gloves
• Fighters in divisions welterweight (152lb.) through super heavyweight (over 201lb.) typically use 12oz. boxing gloves
• Masters Division fighters, who are age 41 and older, typically use 16oz. gloves

In addition, pro fighting gloves are separated into two size categories:

• Fighters welterweight (147lb.) and under typically wear 8-ounce gloves
• Fighters in divisions super welterweight (154lb.) and up typically wear 10-ounce gloves

Be sure to read the following size charts for a general understanding of how your measurements will match up to a particular glove size. Keep in mind, some sizes will vary slightly by brand, so check the manufacturer’s brand-specific size chart before purchase to help ensure you are getting the absolute right fit for you.

KO your training woes and gear up with a quality pair of boxing gloves. Stick and move your way to finding the right size equipment with these boxing gloves.