This is a new installment in our best-buy guide series: boxing mitts. We've categorized the Punching mitts by price range. In this part of our best-buy guide, we'll review the absolute best hand mitts, the ones even professional fighters use for training.
Subdivision by price range
Since the available budget is often a determining factor in the choice, we have divided the boxing mitts into 3 price ranges: boxing mitts up to 100 euros , up to 200 euros and the absolute top class above 200 euros.
We are now covering the third category (over 200 euros) and will cover the other categories in other blogs from the best-buy guides.
Criteria for scoring boxing mitts*
When evaluating the boxing mitts, we look at what we consider to be the most important features of a handpad: ergonomics (comfort, weight distribution, and grip), impact absorption, and build quality. We will score the boxing mitts based on these criteria.
- Ergonomics: By fit, we mean comfort during use, but especially how well the boxing mitts fit the contours of your hands and arms. This brings us to an important point: everyone's hands are different, so personal preference and the shape and size of your hands also come into play. We also pay attention to weight distribution and ease of use.
- Impact absorption: The protection is the extent to which the boxing mitts do what they are intended to do: absorb impacts with limited feedback transmission. Therefore, the degree of impact is also linked to the fit and weight, as these properties influence each other.
- Build quality: The materials used, finish, and sturdiness of the boxing mitts. We also look at details such as the hand compartments and closures.
At the time of writing, Fight2Win offers a selection of over 30 different boxing mitts for Krav Maga, martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai. *From this selection, we choose the top 3 based on customer experiences and feedback, external product reviews, popularity, and our own expertise.
Best Buy: Boxing mitts over €200
- Winning CM-65
- Rival RPM100 Professional
- Twins PML10
1. Winning CM-65
The CM-65 is by far the absolute top of the line in boxing mitts. These are the best possible boxing mitts, and any professional coach will confirm this. If you ever want to invest money in a piece of training equipment, buy these Winning pads. They will survive countless sessions without compromising on fit and cushioning.
We don't need to discuss the price. It's simply exorbitant. After all, we're talking about a piece of handcrafted work perfected down to the smallest detail. Add to that the high demand and low supply, and you arrive at a price that is, incidentally, entirely justified.
No fancy descriptions, no patents, no empty marketing slogans. Winning simply makes the best boxing gear, period. The Winning CM-65 boxing mitts have everything you need as a coach who takes their training seriously: pleasantly light weight, maximum shock absorption, good grip and incredible comfort.
One aspect that consistently amazes everyone about Winning's products is their extremely high build quality combined with surprisingly light weight. It seems almost impossible: everything feels protective, balanced, and sturdy, yet the boxing mitts weigh almost nothing when you hold them.
Ergonomics Winning CM-65 (Score: 9/10)
The fit of the Winning CM-65 is simply almost perfect. The model clearly distinguishes itself from both budget and premium boxing mitts due to its almost perfectly ergonomic shape, regardless of the shape of your forearms and hands. After all, the Japanese are masters at endlessly improving even the smallest things, until (almost) perfection is achieved.
Winning products always look very basic and simple, but everything is measured, well-thought-out and perfectly fitted. The inner hand slips on effortlessly and fits perfectly, almost magically. What's most striking is that you have a good grip without the use of extra straps to close. Something that normally contributes to the grip of boxing mitts.
In our experience, the size of the CM-65 is also ideal, especially if you only want to buy one good pair of boxing mitts. There are, of course, smaller, specialized micro-pads on the market (also from Winning), but as a coach, you're then limited to speed training with advanced competitive fighters. The CM-65 has a nice impact surface and is therefore suitable for all possible hand techniques.
Impact absorption Winning CM-65 (Score: 9/10)
The impact distribution and the degree to which the Winning boxing mitts neutralize the blows you receive is once again almost perfect. The padding of the pads is of excellent thickness over the entire surface, but above all of excellent material with good cushioning qualities.
The padding used feels solid yet soft at the same time. We have sold these to, among others, a top Muay Thai trainer who suffered from wrist and arm pain, and he stated that these pads provided enormous relief.
Build quality Winning CM-65 (Score: 10/10)
You never have to doubt the quality and finish of Winning products. The Winning brand has proven itself in this area for many decades. The build quality of the Winning CM-65 boxing mitts is also of the highest order.
With its meticulous craftsmanship and dedication to its products, the small company has become world-renowned in the boxing world. The materials used feel both sturdy and incredibly supple. The finish is also checked down to the last thread, with no imperfections.
Features of Winning FG-2900:
| Material | Synthetic leather |
| Closing | Open stab wound |
| Dimension | 24.5 x 19 x 4.5 cm |
| Weight | approx. 300 g (per pad) |
Pros:
+ Excellent ergonomic fit
+ Extremely light and comfortable
Disadvantages:
- The price is very high.
- Very difficult to obtain (limited production)
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2. Rival RPM100 Professional
Rival, once again, has the most modern-looking gear. Rival Boxing Gear is known for the many innovations it has brought to the market, and so are these pads from the 100-professional line.
Let's be clear: Rival's innovations aren't just empty marketing slogans, but actual structural improvements in boxing equipment. All this is based on the knowledge of the CEO and founder: boxing trainer and "cut-man" Russ Anber.
The RPM100 Professionals are truly excellent pads that also look flashy in 5 different color schemes, matching the rest of the top line from the 100-Professional series.
Ergonomics Rival RPM100 Professional (Score: 9/10)
The fit of the Rival RPM100 Professional is truly brilliant. The pads are designed specifically for the left and right hand, and the adjustable hook and loop fastener ensures they fit snugly to your arms.
These Velcro closures are deliberately designed diagonally, making them easier and better adjustable depending on the preference and arms of the trainer holding the pads.
The products in the 100-Professional series from Rival Boxing Gear are also all made according to the "feather-lite" principle: the strongest possible materials with the lightest possible weight. And that has been achieved brilliantly here. You can feel that even world-class heavyweights like Oleksandr Usyk can use these, while they are even lighter than the Winning boxing mitts, weighing less than 300 grams per pad.
It's clear that considerable research went into the development of these pads. Their curve allows for the most natural grip possible, making it effortless for you as a trainer to use them in a controlled manner. The lining is also very luxurious, although we would strongly advise airing them out and taking good care of them given the materials used for the inner lining.
Impact absorption Rival RPM100 Professional (Score: 8/10)
As previously mentioned, Winning's boxing mitts were co-designed by a renowned boxing trainer with over 40 years of experience in the boxing world. The result is a top-of-the-line pad suitable even for the hardest-hitting pros.
The pads do feel quite hard. That's not a problem, of course. The person holding them is well protected by the quality of the padding, and the person punching is wearing (boxing) gloves. They do transmit a little more of the impact than Winning's, but certainly not to the point where it will cause any problems. And we're only talking about really hard punches.
The impact distribution and the degree to which the Winning boxing mitts neutralize the blows you receive is once again almost perfect. The padding of the pads is of excellent thickness over the entire surface, but above all of excellent material with good cushioning qualities.
The padding used feels solid yet soft at the same time. We have sold these to, among others, a top Muay Thai trainer who suffered from wrist and arm pain, and he indicated that these pads are a huge relief. The Rival RPM100 also scores a remarkable 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google Product Reviews.
Build quality Rival RPM100 Professional (Score: 8/10)
The build quality of the Rival boxing mitts is beyond reproach. Everything about these pads feels solid, and our experience with Rival as a brand only reinforces this. Furthermore, countless video reviews on YouTube and product reviews on community sites like Reddit highlight the long lifespan of the RPM100s.
The only thing we can nitpick about is that some products from the 100-Professional series don't always have full color coverage over the base. If you look closely, you can see the underlying material color. However, this doesn't affect the lifespan at all, but is purely an aesthetic issue.
Also, Rival's quality control isn't the same as, for example, Winning (which is almost OCD-level), but then we're talking about a completely different price point. So, a solid 8+ for Rival in this area.
Features of the Rival RPM100 Professional:
| Material | Microfiber |
| Closing | Slip-on glove with hook & loop fastener |
| Dimension | 20.3 x 18.5 x 5 cm |
| Weight | approx. 275 g (per pad) |
Pros:
+ Hypermodern appearance
+ Extremely good fit and protection
Disadvantages:
- Color layer sometimes does not cover completely
- Need to be well-ventilated to prevent them from stinking.
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3. Twins Special PML10
The top 3 is completed by the authentic Thai brand Twins Special with the smaller boxing mitts in their range: the PML10. This is a relatively simple-looking, compact handpad without frills, but with a solid and reliable appearance.
The PML10 fits in perfectly in any gym, whether it's used for boxing, kickboxing or MMA. The Twins Special brand is mainly associated with Muay Thai products, but every boxer and boxing trainer will be very happy with these sturdy boxing mitts.
The Twins PML10 are made in Thailand from extremely durable 100% cowhide leather. They feature a relatively simple slip-on design for the grip, but feel incredibly solid. They are a pleasantly compact size and weigh considerably more than the other pads in this top 3.
Ergonomics Twins Special PML10 (Score: 8/10)
The moment we put on Twins boxing mitts, we know: this is a serious product. Your hand fits comfortably into the open hand compartment and the natural curve immediately provides a good grip.
The boxing mitts weigh considerably more than those of Winning or the Rival RPM100, but they are not excessively heavy. You can easily complete long and multiple training sessions with them. However, the weight also has a significant advantage: it causes less twisting due to the weight, which significantly relieves the strain on the trainer's elbows and wrists.
The Twins are top-class pads, but lack the refinement in terms of adjustment options that the RPM100 offers. Because of this, they score slightly lower on this point in our opinion. However, for trainers and practitioners who specifically don't like wrist straps, these are the perfect set of hand mitts to get.
The material (100% leather) is also nice because it's easier to keep fresh and clean than synthetic materials. We can imagine that it will become somewhat slicker than padded or synthetic pads with a lot of sweating.
Impact absorption Twins Special PML10 (Score: 7/10)
Twins uses "simple", sturdy padding to absorb heavy blows. No special tricks or systems, just the padding itself. This provides more feedback, both for the fighter and the coach. However, this does mean the trainer will take more of the blows.
However, it's important to emphasize that these are pro-level boxing mitts, so the impact absorption is simply excellent. The PML10s feature very good and compact padding that absorbs a great deal of the forces released.
Build quality Twins Special PML10 (Score: 9/10)
These Twins PML10 boxing mitts are expertly crafted. Everything about them screams top-quality. The leather looks like it will last for years, and the stitching on the pads is expertly done.
Because the pads are made of several pieces of leather (front and back), they also allow for natural air circulation. This is necessary to allow the released energy to escape directly. Otherwise, the pads would tear much faster. These pieces are fastened together at essential points with thick wires/laces.
These pads truly exude quality and are perfectly suitable for a serious martial arts gym. We know they're even used in Thai training camps where they get a lot of use! You can't go wrong with the Twins Special boxing mitts.
Features of Twins Special PML10:
| Material | Leather |
| Closing | Stabbing hand |
| Dimensions | 25 x 19 x 7 cm |
| Weight | approx. 480 g (per pad) |
Pros:
+ Feels very solid
+ Artisanal Thai product
Disadvantages:
- Slightly heavier than the competition
- Twins always gives the impression of being exclusively a brand for Thai boxing.
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SCOREBOARD*
| Model | Ergonomics | Absorption | Build quality |
| CM-65 | 10/10 | 9 out of 10 | 10/10 |
| RPM100 | 9 out of 10 | 8 out of 10 | 8 out of 10 |
| PML10 | 8 out of 10 | 7 out of 10 | 9 out of 10 |
| Model | OVERALL | ||
| CM-65 | 28 out of 30 | ||
| RPM100 | 25 out of 30 | ||
| PML10 | 24 out of 30 | ||
* The scores are based on customer experiences and feedback, popularity, external product reviews, reviews and our own expertise.
CONCLUSIONS
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Winning CM-65 |
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Score: 28 out of 30 |
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| Price indication: | €650 - €900 |
| Pros: | Perfect ergonomics, extremely lightweight, top quality. |
| Disadvantages: | Expensive, difficult to obtain. |
| Best choice for: | Professionals who want the best of the best. |
| Shop now | |
 |
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Rival RPM100 Professional |
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Score: 25 out of 30 |
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| Price indication: | €200 - €250 |
| Pros: | Lightweight, modern innovations, good ergonomics |
| Disadvantages: | Can start to stink. |
| Best choice for: | Enthusiast for innovation and lightweight materials. |
| Shop now | |
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Twins PML10 |
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Score: 24 out of 30 |
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| Price indication: | €230 - €260 |
| Pros: | Classic design, premium leather, sturdy appearance. |
| Disadvantages: | Strongly associated with Muay Thai exclusively. |
| Best choice for: | Trainers who love traditional and sustainable styles. |
| Shop now | |
View all boxing mitts for personal training, combat sports and martial arts in our webshop: Punching mitts >> Punching mitts over 200 euros
