In this article, I will discuss boxing gloves, and my recommendations from gloves that have used over the years, for bag work, pads, and sparring.
Firstly, I will start by going through formulas that you will want to consider when purchasing gloves for different roles.
It was worth investing in separate pairs of gloves for sparring and bag work, and you will usually use for sparring gloves for pad work as well.
Glove Size Formula
Bag gloves need to be denser, and more compact, and the choice of weight/size correlates with height. For example, if you’re 5″7 or there whereabouts, 12oz gloves should be a good fit for bags.
Here is a formula that can help you with making purchase decision on boxing gloves: Glove weight = 0.08 x user weight
Of course, baring in mind that wrist and fist size will also determine whether the gloves are a comfortable fit, or not, a secure, comfortable fit will offer more protection for your hands.
In terms of brands, I’ve tried gloves across different budgets, from Everlast, Lonsdale, Ringside and Rival.
You may use this link from Rival as a rough guide for optimal glove size: https://rivalboxinguk.co.uk/pages/size-charts
Glove Maintenance
Rival are my personal choice, I have a pair of RB1 bag gloves that I purchased in 2018 that I still use to this day, they have some wear-and-tear, but I’ve impressed with the longevity.
Spending a bit more money is the way to go if you’re planning on doing frequent, regular training sessions, and especially if you’re training hard.
If you buy a cheaper, less reliable glove, you will usually be forced to spend more as a lot of gloves will degrade quickly with frequent, heavy use, especially if not properly maintained
You will need to get a good quality glove to get the most out of your training, and also to protect your hands, as the padding will get worn over time.
Typically, the padding gets softer and breaks, but my Rival RB1’s still have solid foam, even after 6 years of use.
You can maintain the gloves by using cloths to absorb moisture from sweat, and you can also use sanitiser on a damp cloth to help keep the gloves clean. Do not immerse the gloves in water.
The following is a product link for an updated version of the gloves I use, this gloves are a mid-tier glove, so whilst not the most expensive on the market, they are more expensive than likely any glove that you will find the local sports store: https://rivalboxinguk.co.uk/collections/bag-gloves/products/rb1-2