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.
BONUS PRO TIP: If you do not have a fabric tape measure, 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 SIZING
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 Pro Tips.
FAQs
To find the right size boxing gloves, you'll need to measure your hand circumference. Wrap a tape measure around the widest part of your knuckles (excluding the thumb) and record the measurement in inches or centimeters. You can then use a size chart from your preferred boxing glove brand to determine the correct size.
How do I know what size boxing gloves to get? ›
A simple method to determine the size of the glove you'll need is to measure the circumference of your dominant hand, just below the knuckles.
What is better 12 or 14 oz boxing gloves? ›
12oz gloves are a popular choice for women and people with smaller hands, while 14oz gloves are used for general training and sparring. 16oz gloves are the most commonly used gloves for training and sparring, while 20oz gloves are used for heavy bag work and for boxers who want extra protection during sparring.
How do you select the correct glove size for yourself? ›
Wrap a measuring tape around your dominant hand just below knuckles, excluding your thumb, and make a fist. This measurement is your 'hand width' glove size.
How to choose boxing gloves for beginners? ›
Choose the Right Size and Weight for Your Boxing Gloves
The more padding, the more protection they provide to the individual wearing them. For beginners, the bigger sizes are recommended to maximize safety, especially since the hands are not yet used to hitting the pads or the heavy bag.
What size gloves did Mike Tyson use? ›
So, what glove size did Mike Tyson use? As a heavyweight boxer, Mike Tyson used 18oz sparring gloves, which are very thick and heavy, offering fantastic protection for the hands.
How should boxing gloves fit your hand? ›
This means the glove should be a snug fit, without restricting blood flow. You should always try on gloves while wearing hand wraps, and never buy a set of gloves that fit perfectly without them, as they will likely be too tight once your hands are wrapped.
Do pros use 12 oz gloves? ›
Most pro boxing gloves come in 8oz or 10oz for both men and women, with the 10oz XL gloves used by heavyweight fighters with big hands for a more comfortable fit.
Should I train with 12 or 16 oz gloves? ›
12 oz: Suitable for individuals weighing between 120-150 lbs (54-68 kg). This size is commonly used for bag work and general training. 14 oz: Ideal for those weighing between 150-180 lbs (68-82 kg) and recommended for both training and sparring. 16 oz: Recommended for individuals weighing 180 lbs (82 kg) or more.
Is it okay to spar with 12 oz boxing gloves? ›
Typically, if you're going to be sparring, 14-18oz gloves are recommended, depending on your weight. If you're going to be training on a punching bag, then 12-14oz gloves will be fine. For amateur fighters, use 10-12 oz and for professional boxers use 8-10oz gloves, depending on the fighter's weight.
Gloves should fit tightly in the beginning, as they stretch out and adjust to your hand size over time. When you put on your gloves for the first time, slightly bend your fingers backwards. If a slight crease occurs by your knuckles (see picture), you'll know that you have the right glove size.
How do I choose the right glove? ›
- Measure around the hand at the fullest part (exclude thumb)
- Measure from the tip of the middle finger to the base of the hand.
- Use the largest of these two measurements for the correct size glove.
- If you are right handed, take measurements from your right hand.
- If you are left handed, take measurements from your left hand.
The average glove size for men and women is medium. This is if the glove size offers men's and women's options. However, if the gloves you are purchasing are unisex, you can go medium-large for men and small-medium for women.
How do I know my boxing glove size? ›
To find the right size boxing gloves, you'll need to measure your hand circumference. Wrap a tape measure around the widest part of your knuckles (excluding the thumb) and record the measurement in inches or centimeters. You can then use a size chart from your preferred boxing glove brand to determine the correct size.
Should beginners use 14 or 16 oz gloves? ›
14 oz gloves are the second heaviest weight gloves available. They offer slightly less protection than 12 oz gloves, but are still heavier than most other glove weights. 16 oz gloves are a great choice for those who want to balance protection and speed during their training sessions.
Are 14oz boxing gloves good for beginners? ›
As for 14 oz gloves, these are ideal for boxing practice, sparring, and for working your way up to a heavier glove. If you can't decide between 14 oz and 16 oz gloves, we would always recommend starting with 14 oz gloves, so that you can upgrade to a 16 oz glove at a later stage when you are more confident with boxing.
What size is 4 oz boxing gloves? ›
TRAINING / SPARRING GLOVES SIZE GUIDE
| Boxer's Weight & Age | Gloves Weight |
|---|
| 3 YEARS – 5 YEARS OLD | 4oz |
| 5 YEARS – 7 YEARS OLD | 6oz |
| 8 YEARS – 10 YEARS OLD | 8oz |
| 10 YEARS – 12 YEARS OLD | 10oz – 12oz |
3 more rowsA general guideline for choosing glove weight is as follows: 8-10 oz: Suitable for bag work and pad work for smaller individuals or those with faster hands who want lighter gloves. 12 oz: A standard size for lighter training and pad work. 14 oz: Ideal for general training and sparring for average-sized individuals.
How do you know your hand wrap size? ›
Lay your dominant hand flat, fingers together, palm facing upwards. Wrap the measuring tape around your palm, just below the knuckles, not including the thumb. Glove size should be measured in inches. Round up to the nearest half inch.
What size boxing gloves does Floyd Mayweather use? ›
Mayweather uses 10 oz. Grant boxing gloves. The gloves this size reduce the punch intensity by 40% when compared to bare fist. Grant gloves are ideal for welterweight class, in which Mayweather fights currently (63.5 kg - 66.7 kg).
