Another installment in our series of best-buy guides. This time, we're specifically examining punching bag gloves (and pads). Rival Boxing Gear dominates the field here, and our selection as well, but certainly for very legitimate reasons!
Why do you use bag gloves?
Most people buy one pair of boxing gloves for all their training needs. This is understandable, but not the best choice. If you regularly train on a punching bag (or hand pads), it's definitely wiser to buy one. separate bag gloves available for purchase.
Benefits of using bag gloves on the punching bag:
- Bag gloves have a flatter striking surface and flatter padding, which transmits less impact to the wrists when using correct technique
- Bag gloves are smaller and lighter, allowing you to punch much faster and more precisely.
- Your sparring boxing gloves will last much longer because the padding won't get damaged by the punching bag.
- Bag gloves usually last much longer on a punching bag
No breakdown by price range
We didn't categorize by price range, as the sheer size of the selection doesn't warrant it. Therefore, we included price as a scoring criterion.
Criteria for scoring bag gloves*
When evaluating bag gloves, we look at what we consider the most important features of a bag glove: fit, protection and support, closure, build quality, and price. These are the criteria we use to score the bag gloves.
- Fit & Closure: By fit, we mean comfort during use, but especially how well the bag gloves fit your hands and how your fist forms in them. Here's an important note: everyone's hands are different, so personal preference and the shape and size of your hands also play a role.
- Protection & Support: Protection is the degree to which the bag gloves perform as intended: protecting your knuckles, hands, and wrists. Therefore, the level of protection is also linked to the fit and closure, as these properties influence each other.
- Build quality: The materials used, the finish, and the durability of the bag gloves. We also look at details such as the finish, the closure system, and the Velcro straps.
- Price: The quality the product offers in relation to its price and compared to similar products on the market.
At the time of writing, Fight2Win has a selection of over 20 different bag gloves for boxing, kickboxing, cardio boxing, and Thai boxing. *We've selected the top 3 based on customer experiences and feedback, external product reviews, popularity, and our own expertise.
Best Buy: Bag Gloves for Punching Bag Training, Cardio Boxing, and Pad Training
- Rival RB50 Intelli-shock
- Rival RB10 Intelli-shock
- Fairtex Open-Thumb
1. Rival Boxing RB50
The Rival RB50 is definitely one of our top favorites among bag gloves, offering a lot of glove for a relatively low price. They excel in many aspects you can and should expect from a good bag glove.
You'll notice that when you put these gloves on, you'll instantly feel like training. These bag gloves are so comfortable. They're also easy to put on, and the closure is incredibly simple thanks to the ingenious Angled Ergo-Strap System.
To top it all off, the RB50 is also very reasonably priced, so you can definitely save your sparring gloves (as they should be) and just take them with you. They're also available in 4 sizes and a whopping 5 colors!
Fit & Closure Rival RB50 (Score: 9/10)
The fit of the Rival RB50 is simply exceptional for a bag glove. Your hands slide effortlessly into the lightweight gloves, and you can make a very natural fist.
Our biggest issue with many bag gloves from other brands is the unnatural position of the thumb, but the RB50 Intelli-Shock doesn't have that problem at all. The thumb adopts a similar position to a "normal" boxing glove, and thus forms a reasonably pre-formed fist.
Unlike sparring gloves, the thumbs aren't sewn to the boxing glove, as this isn't required for bag gloves. Incidentally, the thumb is virtually impossible to injure, as it's protected by the punching surface.
Another great thing about the RB50 is its incredibly compact size, thanks in part to the flat padding. Furthermore, the closure system is simply fantastic. Rival's patented "Angled Ergo-Strap System" makes the wide strap easy to grip and allows you to easily tighten it diagonally around your wrists.
Protection & Support Rival RB50 (Score: 8/10)
As mentioned, the Rival RB50 features very compact padding. This provides excellent cushioning thanks to the use of revolutionary D3O padding, a breakthrough for protectors used in various (extreme) sports.
D3O: D3O materials are designed to absorb repetitive stress that leads to structural and muscle tissue degradation. In boxing and punching, this means you can punch harder and more frequently without injury, despite the repeated impact of the activity.
Partly due to this revolutionary technology – which is also used in ice hockey protection – the RB50 offers much more protection for the knuckles and hands than bag gloves that do not use it.
The Rival's closure is not only easy to use but also provides a bit of extra wrist support. It doesn't extend as far as its bigger brother, the RB10, but because the closure diagonally covers a larger area of the wrist, you feel noticeably more support.
Build quality Rival RB50 (Score: 8/10)
The build quality of the Rival RB50 is more than adequate. The materials used feel sturdy and supple. The finish is also more than satisfactory, although there is a difference here compared to top-of-the-line bag gloves. Of course, we're talking about a very different (and much higher) price point.
Rival uses a lot of microfiber for its materials, but opts for the old-school 100% leather for the R50. This gives the gloves a sturdy and durable look that undoubtedly enhances the build quality. Maintaining the leather with leather polish is essential, as we've noticed that with longer-lasting pairs, cracking can occur otherwise.
The punching bag gloves are simple but super comfortable, I would definitely recommend these gloves to everyone
Price Rival RB50 (Score: 8/10)
The RB50s are priced competitively. It's very competitive for a good pair of pocket gloves, and the RB50 clearly outperforms the competition in every way. The RB50 scores a very respectable 8 points in this regard!
Rival RB50 Features:
| Material | Leather |
| Closure | Angled Ergo-Strap System with Velcro |
| Sizes | S, M, L and XL |
| Weight | ca. - g |
Pros:
+ Excellent fit and support
+ Excellent protection through padding with D3O technology
Negatives:
- The leather used requires maintenance
View in webshop:
External sources:
- Youtube - CsquaredBoxing - RB50 Review
- Youtube - Fit2Box - RB50 Review
- Youtube - That Boxing Guy - RB50 Review
- Youtube - Dwight Delgado - RB50 Review
- Youtube - RivalBoxingOfficial - Bag gloves vs Sparring Gloves
- https://www.d3o.com/shock/
- Reddit: [Review] Rival RB50 Intellli-Shock
- Reddit: [Review] Rival RB50 Intellli-Shock
2. Rival Boxing RB10
The Rival RB10 is the absolute best when it comes to bag gloves. We haven't encountered such good bag gloves before, and that includes even the models from the absolute crème de la crème, Cleto Reyes and Winning. No model denies the RB10 the title of best bag glove.
The only model that surpasses it in our test is its smaller sibling, the RB50. This is only because the RB10 is quite expensive for a bag glove for many athletes. That's not entirely fair, because for many athletes, a bag glove is an "additional" accessory. While your hands and wrists endure much more during bag training, they are just as important a part of your equipment as good "regular" boxing gloves.
Fit & Closure Rival RB10 (Score: 9/10)
The fit of the RB10 is simply phenomenal. Your hands slide effortlessly into the bag gloves and are completely "locked in and embraced" by the compact gloves.
The construction allows you to make a perfect fist in these rock-solid gloves. It's no wonder these are Rival Boxing Gear's flagship bag gloves, and Rival is known for paying close attention to the ergonomics of their products.
What we don't like about the RB10s is their relatively large size for a bag glove. They're still very compact, but considerably larger than most bag gloves.
The RB10's closure, like the RS11V sparring gloves, uses the Wrist-Lock 2 system, which is simply brilliant. It's the best closure system we've seen on hook-and-loop gloves and is the closest we've ever seen to a lace closure.
Protection & Support Rival RB10 (Score: 9/10)
The Rival RB10 offers maximum protection for your hands and knuckles thanks to the ultra-dense padding that is also made using D3O technology.
In the RB10, your thumbs are enclosed, just like with regular boxing gloves, in a semi-open fist that you can easily squeeze into a fully closed fist. Unlike most other bag gloves, Rival has also chosen to equip this top-of-the-line model with a thumb guard. This means the thumb is secured to the rest of the glove to minimize the risk of injury.
As mentioned, the Rival RB10 features very compact padding. This provides excellent cushioning thanks to the use of revolutionary D3O padding, a breakthrough for protectors used in various (extreme) sports.
D3O: D3O materials are designed to absorb repetitive stress that leads to structural and muscle tissue degradation. In boxing and punching, this means you can punch harder and more frequently without injury, despite the repeated impact of the activity.
Partly due to this revolutionary technology – which is also used in ice hockey protection – the RB10 offers much more protection for the knuckles and hands than bag gloves that do not use it.
The aforementioned Wrist-Lock 2 closure provides superior support for your wrists. This closure is also incredibly easy to tighten.
Build quality Rival RB10 (Score: 9/10)
When you hold the Rival RB10, you'll see it exudes top quality. The materials used feel premium and durable. This top-of-the-line model is made of Rival Boxing Gear's renowned patented and indestructible microfiber.
The finish is also very sleek, as you'd expect for this price. The gloves feature luxurious mesh panels on the palms, which allows for much better airflow and breathability. This, in turn, ensures better drying, contributing to their durability. However, we would still recommend using a deodorizer to help them dry faster.
Great punching bag gloves, sturdy and stable, easy to put on and take off. They're so much more comfortable to train with than regular boxing gloves.
Rival RB10 Price (Score: 6/10)
The RB10s are quite expensive, even higher than many sparring gloves. But then again, we're talking about arguably the best bag glove on the global market. The RB10 clearly outperforms all its competitors in every way.
We score the RB10 a tight 6 points here, because it's simply not only one of the best, but also one of the most expensive bag gloves!
Rival RB10 Features:
| Material | Microfiber |
| Closure | V-Strap Wrist Lock 2 System with Velcro |
| Sizes | S, M, L and XL |
| Weight | ca. - g |
Pros:
+ Phenomenal fit and support
+ Maximum protection through the best padding with D3O technology
Negatives:
- Very hefty price tag
- Can start to smell, so use a spray and deodorizer
View in webshop:
External sources:
- Youtube Shorts - Top 5 Boxing Gloves for Home Workout
- Youtube - CsquaredBoxing - Rival's Top Bag Gloves Head-to-Head: Which Reigns Supreme?
- Youtube - That Boxing Guy - RB10 Review
- Youtube - ExpertBoxing - RB10 Review
- Youtube - Fit2Box - RB10 Review
- https://www.d3o.com/shock/
- Reddit: [Review] Rival RB10: 4 month review
3. Fairtex Open Thumb
The Fairtex Open Thumb is a classically shaped bag glove in the style of many top brands: compact, lightweight, and with an open thumb. Yet, the Fairtex distinguishes itself from many other brands by offering high quality at a very competitive price.
It's a favorite among many kickboxers and Thai boxers for training on pads and punching bags, thanks to its compact design. This allows you to work effectively on speed and technique due to the lack of unnecessary padding.
Unfortunately, Fairtex does not have a very stable distribution network in Europe, which can sometimes make it very difficult to obtain their beautiful products.
Fit & Closure Fairtex Open Thumb (Score: 7/10)
The Fairtex bag gloves fit snugly around your hands, especially with your (recommended) bandages. They have a traditional fit and closure, similar to a basic model, including a Velcro closure. The sizing is typical Thai, so they tend to be smaller rather than larger.
Fairtex tests all their products at their world-famous training camp in Pattaya, so you know that a product released onto the market simply meets the demands of many top fighters.
When it comes to traditional bag gloves, the Fairtex is one of the best we've seen in years. We've never been fans of traditional bag gloves, however, due to the somewhat uncomfortable and unnatural positioning of the thumbs. This is a problem every brand faces, though (Rival Boxing Gear is the exception).
The closure is a simple but effective hook-and-loop closure around the wrists. A great feature of the Fairtex bag gloves is their compact size. You can really work on your punching technique effectively with them on the pads or punching bag.
Protection & Support Fairtex Open Thumb (Score: 7/10)
The Fairtex Open Thumb provides ample protection, particularly for your hands and knuckles, thanks to classic, compact padding. They also offer significantly more feedback during punches than the Rival models mentioned above.
The Fairtex is really a bag glove designed to protect your knuckles and leave it at that. There's no extra protection or support for your wrists and thumbs, so you'll definitely need to use your hand wraps for those.
Build quality Fairtex Open Thumb (Score: 7/10)
As soon as we hold the Fairtex, we see that it's a handcrafted Thai product, made with the care of skilled craftspeople. With Thai-made goods, you always see the difference between larger-scale factory-made products.
The leather is of a solid, stiff quality, and the stitching is carefully done. This is simply a good, simple-looking product with one goal in mind: to do what it was designed for.
Awesome bag gloves. Right out of the “box” they were quality. Leather, stitching and fit. I actually purchased a med size originally and they would work for me without hand wraps but still felt a little small based on where they closed at the palm. Gave them to my wife. She loves them. Got a second pair (Large). Great fit even with hand wraps (I use an open palm style wrap if you know how to do that) I expect them to last a long time. I have used them on the bag and Thai Pads held by others. For me … no problem with the open thumb.
Fairtex Open Thumb Price (Score: 8/10)
The price of Fairtex products is always very reasonable for what they offer. We're talking about authentically made products from the homeland of Muay Thai. Fairtex is one of the best-known Thai brands, but not one of the most expensive. We give Fairtex a respectable 8 out of 10 in this regard!
Features Fairtex Open Thumb:
| Material | Leather |
| Closure | Velcro |
| Sizes | M, L and XL |
| Weight | ca. - g |
Pros:
+ Good price-quality
Negatives:
- Not so comfortable
View in webshop:
External sources:
SCOREBOARD*
| Model | Fit | Protection | Build |
| RB50 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| RB10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Fairtex | 7/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Model | Price | OVERALL | |
| RB50 | 8/10 | 33/40 | |
| RB10 | 6/10 | 33/40 | |
| Fairtex | 8/10 | 29/40 | |
* The scores are based on customer experiences and feedback, popularity, external product reviews, reviews and our own expertise.
CONCLUSIONS
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Rival RB50 |
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Score: 33/40 |
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| Price indication: | €120 - €160 | |
| Pros: | Excellent fit, good protection | |
| Negatives: | Leather requires maintenance | |
| Best choice for: | Serious athletes who want compact bag gloves | |
| Shop now | ||
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Rival RB10 |
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Score: 33/40 |
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| Price indication: | €230 - €300 | |
| Pros: | Modern design, top quality cushioning | |
| Negatives: | Quite pricey | |
| Best choice for: | Top fighters who want to train with the very best materials | |
| Shop now | ||
 |
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Fairtex Open Thumb |
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Score: 29/40 |
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| Price indication: | €90- €110 | |
| Pros: | Trusted quality, made in Thailand | |
| Negatives: | Fits small, not very comfortable | |
| Best choice for: | Fighters who love tradition and reliability | |
| Shop now | ||
View all bag gloves for cardio boxing, pad training and punching bag training in our webshop: bag gloves
Essential information and questions about pocket gloves
Bag gloves and boxing gloves are both used in (kick)boxing training, but have different purposes and different features.
Punching bag gloves are specifically designed for punching bag and pad training. They have less padding and often less wrist support. This provides more feedback and faster combinations.
Boxing gloves, on the other hand, are used for sparring and possibly competitions, where the emphasis is on protection and safety with thicker padding and more wrist support.
Features of bag gloves:
- Purpose: Specially designed for punching bag and pad training, to promote speed and precision.
- Padding: Less padding compared to boxing gloves, for greater feedback on impact. The materials are much denser to withstand repeated impact.
- Wrist support: less wrist support, promoting good punching technique. This isn't always the case, however; many Rival bag gloves have excellent wrist support (Wrist-Lock 2).
- Fit: Smaller and tighter fit for better wrist stabilization.
- Weight: Lighter, for faster punches and combinations. Usually 8 oz or 10 oz.
- Design: Bag gloves usually have a separate thumb and sometimes no Velcro or laces for quick on and off.
How heavy are bag gloves?
Bag gloves, which are used for training on a punching bag or pads, are usually much lighter than sparring gloves.
They are usually somewhere between 6 oz and 12 oz (170 to 340 grams).
Unlike regular boxing gloves, bag gloves are usually offered in regular sizes such as S, M, L, and XL instead of ounces because they are designed to fit the boxer's hand snugly.
For comparison, sparring gloves are usually between 12 oz and 18 oz (340 and 520 grams), with much more padding for protection when training with a partner.
Punching Bag Tips for Beginners
For beginners who don't train too often and don't hit too hard, it's fine simple normal boxing gloves to be used on a punching bag .
In fact, it's probably even better for this target group to use regular boxing gloves. Why? Because regular boxing gloves are larger, offer more protection for the entire hand, and always come with a very important feature: the thumb guard.
If your technique isn't that good yet, you'll have to work a bit with a normal boxing glove more protection and bad technique will be punished less severely.
Advantage of normal boxing gloves on the punching bag (for beginners):
- Boxing gloves protect your entire hand
- Boxing gloves always have a thumb guard
- Boxing gloves often have better wrist reinforcement
However, always use bandages To provide sufficient support and protection for your hands and wrists! You can use both short and long bandages of 250 cm or 450 cm. The standard size for adults is 450 cm.
Bag gloves for advanced fighters
If you train more often and sometimes even full training sessions on the heavy bag, it is better to use separate (smaller) bag gloves for this.
There are also many boxers who use a regular boxing glove in a more compact size On Instagram, for example, you see plenty of professionals and former professionals training with, for example, 10 oz of Winning or 12 oz of Cleto Reyes on their bags.
Bag gloves are a lot more compact than boxing gloves and usually weigh around 8 oz or 10 oz. The padding is much closer to filling and specially made for intensive training on the bag.
These bag gloves are also widely used pads training used. You can still continue using bandages. In fact, they are still recommended.
