Boxing gloves

Boxing gloves that make you sting like a bee

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can't hit what the eyes can't see.” Muhammad Ali said that. And he was one of the world’s greatest boxers. 

Whether you’re determined to become the next stinging butterfly or you just want to get in better shape, finding the right pair of boxing gloves is key, especially if you’re a beginner. 

Not only do boxing gloves protect against injury, but they also play a vital role in training. So go ahead, pump Survivor's ‘Eye of the Tiger’ on your headphones and read on to find out how to find the right pair of boxing gloves for your size, training, and goals. 

How to shop for the right type of boxing gloves 

When choosing boxing gloves, it's important to get a pair that fits snuggly and comfortably. You don’t want to force your hand into an unnatural position. 

Since the goal is to pack a punch, here’s how to measure your hand for the perfect fitting boxing glove: 

You’ll need three measurements – height, weight, and hand circumference. 

1. Height – measure your height 

2. Weight – use a bathroom scale to find your weight 

3. Hand circumference – Use a flexible, fabric tape measure and wrap it around your open dominant hand below the knuckles. Measure from the center of your open palm.

If you don't have a tape measure, use a piece of string. Mark the string where it overlaps on your palm. Then measure the string from the end to the mark. 

What kind of boxing gloves do I need?

As you start shopping for boxing gloves, you’ll notice that glove weight matters. The weight refers to the amount of padding inside the glove.

A heavier weight means there is more padding (more protection). That’s great for beginners, but it might slow down your punching speed as you advance. 

• 10 oz boxing gloves are for heavy bag workouts. 

• 14, 16, 18, and 20 oz boxing gloves are for sparring. 

• Amateur boxers under the light welterweight class (141 lb) go for 10 oz gloves

• Amateurs in the welterweight (152 lb) through super heavyweight classes (over 201 lb) use 12 oz boxing gloves.

• Pro boxers in the welterweight (147 lb) and under classes use 8 oz gloves.

• Pros in the super welterweight (154 lb) and higher classes use 10 oz gloves.

How do you pick boxing gloves for beginners?

Boxing gloves for all levels should fit comfortably and have a snug fit. Your fingertips should rest near the top of the gloves when the wrist wraps are on. 

As we mentioned in the section above, the best boxing gloves for beginners are heavier because they offer more protection against injury. As your level and skill improve, you can go for lighter boxing gloves. 

We suggest all beginners start with a great pair of training gloves and wear hand wraps. These provide adequate padding and are great for training and sparring.

4 types of boxing gloves 

If you’re new to boxing, you probably think that all boxing gloves look the same. While they do have similarities, the truth is that different types of gloves are designed for different purposes. 

1. Bag gloves – Bag gloves are for training on a heavy bag or speed bag. They have less padding in the knuckles. Why? This lets you feel your punches more and get used to the strike. 

2. Training boxing gloves – If you’re new to the sport of boxing, training gloves are going to be your best friend. They offer great padding for sparring and bag work. 

3. Sparring gloves – Sparring gloves are for, you guessed it, sparring. They have the extra padding needed to protect you and the guy you're punching. 

4. Competitive boxing gloves – Competition boxing gloves are designed with less padding in the knuckles. That means that when you hit the other person, they’ll feel it. Competition gloves are divided into amateur and professional gloves. 

5. Fingerless gloves – Fingerless gloves aren’t technically boxing gloves, but they’re great for training – not actual sparring or boxing. You might find them useful during a HIIT workout or other types of interval training where you work the bag for 3 minutes before moving on to something else. Fingerless gloves give you control over your stopwatch or activity tracker but have no padding on the fingers. 

Should you tape your hands when wearing boxing gloves?

It’s recommended that you wear boxing hand wraps under your boxing gloves, especially if you’re a beginner. This provides another layer of protection and stability to your wrists. That equals less chance of injury for you. 

And, it looks super cool when you’re wrapping them up before you step into the ring. Don’t believe us? Watch any of the 6 Rocky movies for proof. 

How can you prolong the life of your boxing gloves?

You and your boxing gloves are going to go through a lot together. From heavy bag training to sparring, they’ll be with you through the ups and the downs. Take care of them, and they’ll last longer than the other guy in the ring with you. 

After every session, wipe off any sweat, oils, or dirt with a clean towel and store them in a cool, dry place – not in your sweaty gym bag for a week. 

Always avoid laying them out in direct sunlight as the heat and UV can break down the leather.

For hand wraps, wash, and air dry them regularly, too. They protect your hands and absorb a lot of sweat. Think of them as your first line of defense in keeping your gloves fresh.  

Prices that float like a butterfly at ShapeNation 

At ShapeNation, we’ve carefully curated a collection of high-quality boxing gloves for fighters and beginners who want only the best quality gloves for protection and performance.

From sparring gloves and bag gloves to heavier gloves and hand wraps, we stock top-quality materials and fabrics to deliver powerful comfort and hard-hitting punches.

From PU leather to the real thing, longevity and protection are key. Shop for your next pair and find your new favorites – designed to endure even the most intense sparring session, bag work, or pay-per-view fight in Vegas. 

And since boxing is an all-around great form of training, see what else your home gym needs to up your game. Squats, skipping, medicine balls, exercise mats and of course, a punching bag are all part of the arsenal you need to sting like a bee. Lucky for you, it’s all here at ShapeNation.