Buying guide for Best women’s boxing gloves
Whether you’re a first-time boxer or you’ve thrown punches in the ring for years, gloves are a boxer’s most important tools. You may decide to rent gloves if you’re a casual boxer, but lots of enthusiasts prefer to own their own.
Before you buy a new pair of women’s boxing gloves, there are some features to consider. The main differences between men’s and women’s boxing gloves come down to size, weight, and color. Consider what you’ll be using the gloves for — punching a bag, sparring — along with the style you like and the size you need to jab comfortably.
You will have more than enough styles to choose from in women’s boxing gloves, whether you want a feminine look or not. But aesthetics shouldn’t be the deciding factor when it comes to women’s boxing gloves. Look for a pair of mitts that allow you to box safely, without injury and without slowing you down.
Key considerations
With repeated impact, it’s not that hard to wear out a pair of boxing gloves. Here are a few of the types of gloves available.
Bag gloves
Bag gloves are used to hit bags, whether they’re heavy, uppercut, or speed. Within this category, bag gloves vary.
Some bag gloves have light knuckle and wrist padding; these are suited for uppercut and speed bags. Heavy bag gloves are often made from thicker, denser material to protect your hands. They include an enclosure that makes them easier to take off and put on. Because the material is so dense, you shouldn’t use heavy gloves for sparring, as they aren’t flexible or forgiving. And light bag gloves won’t give your hands the support they need for sparring.
Sparring gloves
Sparring gloves are designed to use when practicing with other people. These tend to be heavier with substantial padding. A good sparring glove should include a design that will cover the glove enclosure. This way, your practice opponent won’t get hurt by the metal loops from the glove laces. While bag gloves are offered in a range of sizes, sparring gloves are overall heavier, bigger, and have more padding.
Training gloves
Training gloves are the catch-all of boxing gloves. If you’re not sure what you want to use your gloves for, go with these. Training gloves are a hybrid between sparring and bag gloves, so technically they can be used for either. That doesn’t mean you should use a pair of training gloves for the bag and for sparring, however. You’ll wear your gloves down quickly if you do. Plus, your sparring partner probably wouldn’t appreciate the impact of your worn leather mitts. Our advice: once you decide what you’ll use the training gloves for, use them for that purpose alone.
Expert Tip
When sparring, your loose laces could hit your partner in the eye. Try tucking the loose ends inside your gloves and placing tape over them for extra protection.
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Features
Color and style
As one might imagine, the style possibilities are endless for women’s boxing gloves. An appealing pair of gloves may inspire you to push yourself harder in the gym or in the ring. If you like a more feminine appearance, you can choose from pink and purple gloves. You can even find leopard print and striped gloves. Of course, if you prefer a more traditional glove, there are gloves available in neutral colors as well.
Do keep in mind that color and style should be the least important features. Comfort and safety trump all else!
Size
In terms of size, women’s boxing gloves are usually measured by their weight in ounces. Women tend to have smaller hands than men, so women’s gloves are naturally smaller. Gloves range between 4 and 20 ounces, though 8 to 16 ounces is the size that most glove manufacturers offer. The size you’ll want depends on what you’ll use the gloves for. A lighter weight is fine for light bag work, but if you’ll be sparring or hitting a heavy bag, you’ll want a glove with more force.
No matter what you’re doing with your gloves, be sure to wear hand wraps underneath. Hand wraps are strips of gauze that you wrap tightly around the hand and wrist. Even with padded gloves, your knuckles and wrists need extra protection from the impact of repeated punches.
Material
Boxing gloves are typically made from one of two materials: genuine leather and synthetic leather.
As you might imagine, 100% cowhide is durable and of the highest quality. This is what the professionals use. Real leather gloves are durable, more flexible, and grow softer with time. These are the more expensive choice, and they require more maintenance. But real leather gloves, with proper care, can last a long time.
Synthetic gloves are made from vinyl or polyurethane. This is a more cost-effective option, and while resilient, they don’t have the shelf life of leather gloves. If used frequently, synthetic gloves may develop odors, too. But they are easy to clean, won’t break the bank, and make a solid choice if you’re an occasional boxer or a first-time boxer unsure of how long you’ll commit.
Enclosures
Traditional boxing gloves have lace-up enclosures for ideal wrist and forearm fit. However, Velcro enclosures have gained popularity in the past few decades. Professional boxers often stick with lace-ups, and for good reason: lace-up gloves stay tight better than Velcro gloves do. They have a smoother feel than bulky Velcro, and you don’t have to worry as much about scratching a sparring partner. However, you do need someone to help you lace up these gloves.
Velcro gloves are much easier to strap on, and you can easily adjust the strap while you’re training or sparring. These are recommended for the novice boxer and are generally cheaper than lace-ups.
Did you know?
Boxing gloves tend to have a thumb compartment that’s slightly tucked in. This is to protect the thumb from injury and concentrate the impact on your knuckles.
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Women’s boxing glove prices
Factors like price, manufacturer, and size determine how much a pair of women’s boxing gloves costs. In general, a solid pair will run you between $30 and $100. While expensive gloves aren’t necessarily the best, you do get what you pay for. Weak gloves can cause hand or wrist injury, so choose wisely.
Inexpensive
Gloves in the $30 to $50 range are easy to find. On the higher end of that range, you can get women’s boxing gloves with adequate padding and wrist support. These gloves are more likely to be made of a synthetic material than leather.
Mid-range
Gloves costing $50 to $100 are probably made from genuine leather and may come in a playful pattern or color.
Expensive
The average person would probably be satisfied with a pair of gloves in the $30 to $100 range. However, there are plenty of gloves that go for hundreds of dollars. These are typically professional-quality gloves suited for competition.
For your safety
Boxing gloves should have a tight fit, but not so tight that you feel your circulation being cut off. Gloves that are too loose could easily cause injury.
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Tips
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Placing your dry gloves in the freezer for 24 hours will freeze out germs.
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Don’t forget to wash your hand wraps, too. It’s as simple as tossing them in a washer.
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If your gloves are consistently smelly no matter how much you wash them, it’s time for a new pair.
FAQ
Q. How long will my boxing gloves last?
A. If you’re new to boxing, your first pair of gloves may last up to a year. But of you’re a seasoned boxer who packs a mean punch, your gloves may last as little as six months. Glove material impacts longevity, too.
Q. How do I keep my gloves from smelling bad?
A. Using hand wraps will absorb some of the sweat and prevent it from getting into your gloves. Additionally, be sure to wipe your gloves down with an antibacterial cleanser after every use, and allow them to air out.
Q. How do I determine my boxing glove size?
A. Manufacturers often provide weight charts to help you determine glove size. Measuring your hand circumference can give you a more exact measurement, too.
