Fight2Win has more than 30 different punching mitts for boxing, kickboxing, thai boxing and martial arts in its range. That extensive selection makes choosing difficult, which is why we have created this best-buy guide to punching mitts.
We have divided the punching mitts into 3 price categories. In this section, we cover the category for recreational use: punching mitts up to 100 euros.
What do we look for?
Ergonomics - comfort during use, weight distribution, grip and how well the pads fit the contours of your hands and arms.
Impact absorption - the extent to which the punching mitts absorb punches while providing limited feedback to the trainer.
Build quality - materials used, finish, sturdiness and details such as hand compartments and closures.
We rate them on a scale from 1 to 10. Our selection is based on customer experiences, external reviews, popularity and our own expertise. Price is not a scoring criterion - the punching mitts have already been preselected for the category up to 100 euros.
Best buy: Punching mitts up to €100
Rival RPM7 Fitness+
Hayabusa PTS3
King Pro Revo 2
Comparison: Top 3 punching mitts under 100 euros
Model
Ergonomics
Absorption
Quality
#1 Rival RPM7 Fitness+
7/10
6/10
7/10
#2 Hayabusa PTS3
7/10
6/10
7/10
#3 King Pro Revo 2
6/10
6/10
6/10
Model
Total
Best for
#1 Rival RPM7 Fitness+
21/30
Boxing fitness classes, modern look
#2 Hayabusa PTS3
21/30
Personal trainers, versatile use
#3 King Pro Revo 2
18/30
Recreationalists, occasional pad work
1. Rival RPM7 Fitness+
The Rival RPM7 Fitness+ mitts are excellent pads for recreationalists and beginners. They look flashy, are fairly large, and are lightweight. They are not suitable for intensive use in a gym or commercial setting—but they are certainly not bad pads. Suitable for recreational punching drills and absolute beginners, which Rival also indicates with the name Fitness+.
Ergonomics - Score: 7/10
The fit is very good for pads in this price range. The RPM7 benefits from the know-how of its larger siblings: a natural curve, a comfortable teardrop shape, mesh panels around the hand compartment, and a hook-and-loop closure for a more secure fit. Despite their somewhat larger size, they are very lightweight—extremely comfortable for recreationalists.
Impact Absorption - Score: 6/10
Sufficient for conditioning and precision exercises for recreationalists, but no more than that. They are designed for movement, not for absorbing hard punches. The surface is fairly firm—using boxing gloves or bag gloves is always recommended.
Build Quality - Score: 7/10
Simply adequate. They feel lightweight, and the padding does not seem to be of the highest quality— they perform well for recreational use, but the padding will break down with harder punching. The RPM7 Fitness+ scores surprisingly highly on Google: 4.9 out of 5 stars from more than 100 respondents.
They fit wonderfully in the hand, even with wraps on, and are super lightweight. The dense foam transfers impact to your hand, so you’ll want to limit the power to fitness training. Don’t buy these if you want to throw hard punches.
The Hayabusa PTS3 is available in 2 variants: regular and micro. In this test, we use the regular version. The PTS3 look professional and resemble punching mitts that could easily have been in a higher price range. Hayabusa only has 1 model of punching mitts in its range, and that is the PTS3.
Ergonomics - Score: 7/10
Hayabusa is known for its progressive designs and materials, extensively tested with fighters. The PTS3 feel lightweight but not fragile. They are comfortable to put on, and the slight curve follows the anatomy of your hands reasonably well. The downside: they get extremely warm on the inside during use, even with the mesh panel in the hand compartment.
Impact Absorption - Score: 6/10
Enough padding to absorb punches - good cushioning, but like other pads in this price range, they are not designed for extremely hard strikes. As a trainer, you will definitely feel feedback from the mitts: they disperse the impact but still let a lot of force through.
Build Quality - Score: 7/10
The finish is good and they look serious - not like toys. The fastening strap could have been a little wider and sturdier. But for punching mitts in this price range, a solid 7. The PTS3 also score very well on Google: 4.9 out of 5 stars from more than 50 reviews.
They feel light, but certainly not fragile. Thanks to the slight curve, I was able to get a good grip and throw punches comfortably. They do get extremely warm on the inside, though.
Hayabusa PTS3 - Gallery
Advantages
Feels sturdy, with a neat finish
Good weight and size
Provides a good grip right away thanks to its slight curve
The King Pro Revo 2 punching mitts offer a lot of mitt for a limited price at first glance—still somewhat more affordable than the competitors in this test. They rise above the toy-like quality of the very cheap punching mitts sold by sports chains and look like serious pads.
Ergonomics - Score: 6/10
They fit your hands well and can be secured with a hook & loop closure—but the fastening leaves some room between your wrist and the pads. They do not fit as precisely as higher-end punching mitts. The classic slight curve provides a reasonable grip, and they are easy to work with.
Impact Absorption - Score: 6/10
Fine for additional training, but because of the looseness around the wrist area and the mediocre padding, these pads are not suitable for hitting extremely hard either. The grip is comfortable, but expect significant kickback when catching punches—there is no additional cushioning layer in the basic padding.
Build Quality - Score: 6/10
You get what you pay for. They look fairly good, but everything is made rather cheaply. The hook-and-loop fastening straps look untidy, and the metal rings do not seem particularly durable. Still, they pass— for equipment you buy as an extra for recreational use, this is acceptable.
Nice classic cobra shape at a very affordable price. Not for intensive use, but excellent for recreationalists.
The Rival RPM7 Fitness+ and Hayabusa PTS3 finish tied at 21/30—both are excellent choices for recreationalists. The RPM7 wins on lightweight design and a modern look, while the PTS3 stands out for its durability and finish. The King Pro Revo 2 is the most affordable option for anyone who wants to do some pad work occasionally without making a major investment.
Also check out our top 3 punching mitts under 200 euros or the premium punching mitts from 200 euros.
Punching mitts (also called punch mitts or focus pads) are protective pads that a trainer wears on their hands. The boxer or kickboxer punches the pads instead of a punching bag. This enables focused combination training.
Which punching mitts are suitable for beginners?
For beginners and recreationalists, punching mitts costing up to 100 euros are perfectly suitable. The Rival RPM7 Fitness+ and Hayabusa PTS3 are good choices—lightweight, comfortable, and affordable. If you train more intensively or work as a personal trainer, look at the category up to 200 euros.
What is the difference between punching mitts and Bag gloves?
Punching mitts are worn by the trainer and are designed to absorb punches. Bag gloves are worn by the boxer and are designed for punching a punching bag. They are not interchangeable.
How do I choose the right size punching mitts?
Punching mitts generally come in one size or S/M/L. Check the dimensions and weight per mitt. Lighter mitts (under 300 g) are more suitable for extended use and recreational training. Heavier mitts (300–500 g) offer more stability when absorbing hard punches.
Which material is best for punching mitts?
Leather is the most durable and offers the best breathability—ideal for intensive use. PU (synthetic leather) is lighter and more affordable, but less durable. Microfiber combines lightweight construction with strength and is the choice of brands such as Rival Boxing Gear.
