Starting your boxing journey is exciting, but choosing the right equipment can feel overwhelming! Most new boxers even make the mistake of selecting the wrong glove size when first starting out.
Think of boxing gloves as your armor in the ring. Just as a soldier wouldn’t enter battle without proper protection, you shouldn’t start your boxing journey without the right gear. Let’s help you find your perfect pair!
Do You Actually Need Boxing Gloves?
Before diving into specific recommendations, let’s understand why quality boxing gloves are crucial for beginners:
Protection
Your hands contain small bones that need proper protection during impact, not to mention your wrists. Quality gloves with proper padding distribute force evenly across your hand, significantly reducing the risk of injury. They’re not just an accessory – they’re your first line of defense.
Technique Development
The right gloves help you develop proper form from day one. They provide the feedback you need to understand how your punches land and help you maintain correct wrist alignment. This is crucial for developing good habits early in your training.
Confidence
When you know you’re well-protected, you can focus on learning and improving rather than worrying about injury. This confidence translates directly into better training sessions and faster progress.
How to Choose Your Boxing Glove Type
There are six main types of boxing gloves to choose from. Each type serves a specific purpose, and understanding these differences is crucial for making the right choice:
Training Gloves
- Most versatile option for beginners
- Suitable for both bag work and sparring
- Extra padding for protection
- Perfect for those just starting their boxing journey
- Our recommended choice for most beginners
Sparring Gloves
- Specifically designed for partner work
- Enhanced padding to protect both you and your opponent
- Usually 16oz or heavier
- Focused on safety rather than power
Bag Gloves
- Designed for heavy bag work
- Extra knuckle padding
- More durable construction
- Less wrist mobility than other types
Read More: How to Punch Harder
Competition Gloves
- Lighter weight
- Less padding for more impact
- Not recommended for beginners
- Designed for official matches only
Hybrid Gloves
- Combination of training and sparring features
- Good all-around protection
- Versatile for different training types
- Popular among recreational boxers
Muay Thai Gloves
- More flexible wrist design
- Extra padding on the knuckles
- Better for clinching
- Suitable for kickboxing training
Understanding Boxing Glove Weights
Choosing the right weight is crucial for your training success. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown:
- 10-12 oz: Perfect for beginners focusing on bag work and technique
- 14 oz: Ideal for general training and light sparring
- 16 oz: Standard for sparring and advanced training
- 18 oz: Used for heavy sparring and conditioning
For beginners, we typically recommend starting with 12oz gloves for bag work or 16oz if you plan to do any sparring.
Our Top Pick: The Best Boxing Gloves for Beginners
After testing a bunch of gloves and consulting with trainers, we’re confident in recommending RDX as the best choice for beginners. Here’s why:
Superior Construction
- Premium Maya Hide leather construction
- Advanced multi-layered padding system
- Ergonomic design perfect for learning proper form
- Outstanding durability in long-term testing
Beginner-Friendly Features
- Quick-EZ hook and loop closure for easy on/off
- Excellent wrist support for proper alignment
- Moisture-wicking inner lining
- Available in multiple weights (10oz-16oz)
Peace of Mind
- Free gift along with your order
- 90-day warranty for any problems with materials or design
- 30-day “love them or return them” guarantee
- Regular price $59.99, but you get 10% off with our code “PUNCHHIVE10
Exclusive Offer
We’ve partnered with RDX to offer our readers an exclusive 10% discount! Use code “PUNCHHIVE10” at checkout to save on your purchase.
Best Quality: Warfare Boxing Gloves
If you need some higher quality, pro grade gloves, Warfare Boxing offers an excellent alternative:
Key Features
- High-quality genuine leather construction
- Multi layer ventilation system for comfort
- Excellent wrist support
- Stylish design built to support hard training
- Durable construction
- Anti bacterial
- Moisture protection
Good Value
- Entry-level model: $76.00
- Premium model: $146.00
- Free shipping on more expensive orders
Warfare gloves are a bit more expensive, but they offer outstanding value for beginners. So, if you’re looking to invest into your journey a bit more seriously, consider warfare.
Why You Can Trust Both Brands
We’ve spent a while using and testing both RDX and Warfare Boxing gloves in real training conditions, and we can confidently say these brands deliver on their promises. From heavy bag sessions to sparring, we’ve put these gloves through every test to ensure they meet our high standards.
Both brands have earned solid reputations in the boxing community, and here’s why we stand behind them:
- Quick and helpful customer service – you’ll typically get a response within 24 hours if you have any questions
- Hassle-free size exchanges if your first pair doesn’t fit quite right
- Quality control that actually works – we’ve ordered multiple pairs to verify consistency
- Trusted by thousands of beginners and recommended by boxing gyms nationwide
- Strong warranties that they actually honor (we’ve tested this too!)
What’s particularly reassuring is that both brands offer complete starter sets if you’re just getting into boxing. This means you can get your gloves, hand wraps, and other essential gear all at once, knowing it’s all been tested and approved.
We regularly see RDX gloves especially being used in the gyms we visit. It’s one of the best choices for beginner boxers.
Essential Care Tips
To get the most out of your investment, follow these care guidelines:
- Clean regularly: Wipe down after each use with a damp cloth
- Proper storage: Store in a well-ventilated area, never in your gym bag
- Use hand wraps: Always wear hand wraps for additional protection
- Monitor condition: Watch for padding compression and wear signs
- Air them out: Let them dry completely between sessions
Read More: How to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing
Tips for Beginner Boxers
To help you start your boxing journey on the right foot:
Training Basics
- Master your stance before focusing on punches
- Start with basic combinations
- Focus on form before power
- Always wear hand wraps under your gloves
Training Schedule
- Start with 2-3 sessions per week
- Allow for adequate rest between sessions
- Gradually increase intensity
- Listen to your body
Technique Development
- Record your training sessions
- Work with a mirror
- Focus on slow, precise movements
- Ask for feedback from experienced boxers
Conclusion
Investing in quality boxing gloves is crucial for both your safety and development as a boxer. While both RDX and Warfare Boxing offer excellent options for beginners, RDX stands out as our top recommendation due to their experience in the boxing industry and their beginner-friendly features.
Remember to use our exclusive discount code “PUNCHHIVE10” to save 10% on your RDX gloves. Whichever brand you choose, focusing on proper fit, weight, and care will help ensure your gloves support your boxing journey for many training sessions to come.
Ready to start your boxing journey? Your perfect pair of gloves awaits!
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