Another new part of our series of best-buy guides. This time we specifically examine the gloves for the punching bag (and pads). Rival Boxing Gear dominates this field and also in our range, but certainly for very legitimate reasons!
Why do you use bag gloves?
Most people buy one pair of boxing gloves for all types of training. This is understandable but not the best choice. If you regularly train on a punching bag (or on hand pads), it is really wiser to get separate bag gloves to be purchased.
Advantages of bag gloves on the punching bag:
- Bag gloves have a flatter striking surface and flatter padding, which transmits less impact to the wrists with correct technique.
- Bag gloves are smaller and lighter. This allows you to punch much faster and more precisely.
- Your sparring boxing gloves last much longer because the padding is not destroyed on the punching bag.
- Bag gloves usually last much longer on a punching bag
No subdivision by price range
We have not made a division by price range because the size of the selection does not justify it. Price is therefore included as a scoring criterion.
Criteria for scoring bag gloves*
When evaluating the bag gloves, we look at what we consider the most important features of a bag glove: the fit, protection and support, closure, build quality, and price. We will score the bag gloves based on these criteria.
- Fit & closure: By fit we mean: comfort during use, but especially how well the bag gloves fit your hands and how you form your fist inside them. This also brings an important note: everyone’s hands are different, so personal preference or the shape and size of your hands also play a role.
- Protection & support: Protection is the extent to which the bag gloves do what they are intended for, namely protecting your knuckles, hands, and wrists. Therefore, the level of protection is also linked to the fit and closure, as these features influence each other.
- Build quality: The materials used, finish, and durability of the bag gloves. We also look at details such as the finish, closure system, and Velcro straps.
- Price: The quality the product offers in relation to the price and compared to similar products on the market.
At the time of writing, Fight2Win has a selection of no less than over 20 different bag gloves for boxing, kickboxing, cardio boxing, and thai boxing in its range. *From these, we have selected the top 3 based on customer experiences and feedback, external product reviews, popularity, and our own expertise.
Best buy: Bag gloves for heavy bag training, cardio boxing, and pads 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 in terms of bag gloves and offers an enormous amount of glove for the relatively modest price. They excel in many aspects you can and should expect from a good bag glove.
You will notice when you put on these gloves that you suddenly feel like training. These bag gloves fit your hands so comfortably. They are also easy to put on, and the closure is super easy to fasten thanks to the ingenious "Angled Ergo-Strap-System."
As the icing on the cake, the RB50 is also very reasonably priced, so you can definitely spare your sparring gloves (as you should) for the bag and use these instead. They are also available in 4 sizes and no less than 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 has no such problem. The thumb is positioned similarly to a "normal" boxing glove and thus already forms a fairly natural fist.
Unlike sparring gloves, the thumbs are not stitched to the boxing glove, because this is not required for bag gloves. You can hardly injure the thumb anyway, as it is protected by the striking surface.
Another great feature of the RB50 is its very compact size, partly due to the flat padding. Furthermore, the closure is simply amazing. Thanks to Rival's patented "Angled Ergo-Strap-System," you can easily grab the wide strap and pull it diagonally tight around the wrists.
Protection & support Rival RB50 (Score: 8/10)
As mentioned earlier, the RB50 from Rival has very compact padding. This also cushions extremely well, thanks to the use of revolutionary D3O padding, a breakthrough for protectors in various (extreme) sports.
D3O: The materials of D3O are designed to absorb repeated stress that leads to degradation of structure and muscle tissue. In boxing and striking, this means in practice that you can punch more often and harder without injuries, despite the repeated shocks 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 closure of the Rival’s is not only easy but also contributes to some extra wrist support. It doesn’t go as far as the bigger brother RB10, but because the closure covers a larger diagonal area of the wrists, you noticeably feel 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 flexible. The finish is also more than sufficient, although of course there is a difference compared to the real top-class bag gloves. Then we are obviously talking about very different (much higher) price levels.
Rival makes extensive use of microfiber for their materials, but with the R50 they still choose old-school 100% leather. This gives the gloves a sturdy and durable appearance that definitely benefits the build quality. It is necessary to maintain the leather with leather grease, because otherwise cracks appear on the surface, as we have noticed with pairs used for a long time.
The punching bag gloves are simple but super comfortable; I would definitely recommend these gloves to everyone
Price Rival RB50 (Score: 8/10)
The price of the RB50s is simply competitive. This is very market-conform for a good pair of bag gloves and the RB50 clearly rises above the competition in all areas. Here the RB50 scores a very neat 8 points!
Features Rival RB50:
| Material | Leather |
| Closure | Angled Ergo-Strap-System with Velcro |
| Sizes | S, M, L and XL |
| Weight | approx. 623- g (per pair) |
Advantages:
+ Excellent fit and support
+ Excellent protection thanks to padding with D3O technology
Disadvantages:
- The used leather 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 top when it comes to bag gloves. We have never encountered such good bag gloves before, and that includes models from the absolute crème de la crème, Cleto Reyes and Winning. The RB10 is not outdone by any model claiming the title of best bag glove.
The only one that surpasses this model in our test is the smaller sibling RB50. That is only because the RB10 is quite firmly priced for a bag glove for many athletes. That’s not entirely fair, because for many athletes a bag glove is something "extra." Meanwhile, during training on the bag, your hands and wrists endure much more strain. They are at least as important in your gear as good "regular" boxing gloves.
Fit & Closure Rival RB10 (Score: 9/10)
The fit of the RB10 is simply phenomenal. Your hands slide smoothly into the bag gloves and are completely "locked in and embraced" by the compact gloves.
Due to the construction, you can make a perfect fist in these rock-solid gloves. It’s no coincidence this is the flagship of Rival Boxing Gear in terms of bag gloves, and Rival is known for caring a lot about the ergonomics of their products.
What we find a bit less appealing about the RB10s is the relatively large size for a bag glove. They are still very compact but significantly larger than most bag gloves.
The closure of the RB10s, like the RS11V sparring gloves, is made with the Wrist-Lock 2 system and that is simply brilliant. This is the best closure system we have seen so far in velcro gloves and comes closest to a lace-up closure.
Protection & Support Rival RB10 (Score: 9/10)
The Rival RB10 provides maximum protection for your hands and knuckles through the ultra-dense padding, which is also made using D3O technology.
Your thumbs are locked in the RB10 just like in normal boxing gloves in a half-open fist that you can squeeze into a fully closed fist. Unlike most other bag gloves, Rival chooses to equip this top model with a thumb protector. This means the thumb is attached to the rest of the glove to minimize the chance of injuries.
As mentioned earlier, the RB10 from Rival has very compact padding. This also cushions extremely well, thanks to the use of revolutionary D3O padding, a breakthrough for protectors in various (extreme) sports.
D3O: The materials of D3O are designed to absorb repeated stress that leads to degradation of structure and muscle tissue. In boxing and striking, this means in practice that you can punch more often and harder without injuries, despite the repeated shocks of the activity.
Thanks 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 closure with Wrist-Lock 2 provides superior support for your wrists. This closure is also childishly easy to tighten properly.
Build Quality Rival RB10 (Score: 9/10)
When you hold the Rival RB10, you can see that it exudes top quality. The materials used feel high-end and sturdy. This top model is made from the famous patented and indestructible microfiber of Rival Boxing Gear.
The finish is also very neat, but you can expect that for this price tag. The bag gloves are equipped with luxurious mesh panels on the palm side, which allows them to let air through much better and breathe. This again ensures better drying, which contributes to durability. Still, we would also recommend a deodorizer to help them dry faster.
Nice punching bag gloves, fit firmly and stably, easy to put on and take off. So much nicer to train with on the punching bag than a regular boxing glove.
Price Rival RB10 (Score: 6/10)
The price of the RB10s is quite hefty and even higher than many sparring gloves. But then we are probably talking about the best bag glove that exists on the global market. The RB10 clearly rises far above every competitor in all areas.
We score the RB10 here with a tight 6 points, because it is simply not only one of the best, but also one of the most expensive bag gloves!
Features Rival RB10:
| Material | Microfiber |
| Closure | V-Strap Wrist Lock 2 System with Velcro |
| Sizes | S, M, L and XL |
| Weight | approx. 710 - g (per pair) |
Advantages:
+ Phenomenal fit and support
+ Maximum protection through the best padding with D3O technology
Disadvantages:
- 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 that many top brands make their bag gloves: compact, light, and with an open thumb. Yet Fairtex distinguishes itself from many other brands by the high quality at a very sharp price.
It is the favorite among many kickboxers and Muay Thai fighters for training on pads and punching bags, due to the nice small model. This allows you to work well on speed and technique because of the lack of excessive padding.
Unfortunately, Fairtex does not really have a very stable distribution network in Europe, which sometimes makes it very difficult to get their beautiful products.
Fit & closure Fairtex Open Thumb (Score: 7/10)
The Fairtex bag gloves fit snugly around your hands, especially with your (recommended) handwraps on. They have a traditional fit and closure in the sense of a basic model and the same Velcro closure. The sizing is typically Thai, so rather smaller than larger.
Fairtex tests all their products in their world-famous training camp in Pattaya, so you know that a product brought to market simply meets the demands of many top fighters.
Among traditional bag glove models, the Fairtex is one of the best we have seen in years. We ourselves have never been fans of traditional bag gloves, however, due to the somewhat uncomfortable and unnatural positioning of the thumbs. This is, however, a problem every brand faces (Rival Boxing Gear is the exception here).
The closure is a simple but good and effective Velcro strap around the wrists. What is very nice about the Fairtex bag gloves is the wonderfully compact size. You can really work very effectively on your punching technique on the pads or punching bag with these.
Protection & Support Fairtex Open Thumb (Score: 7/10)
The Fairtex Open Thumb provides sufficient protection mainly to your hands and knuckles through classic compact padding. They do give you noticeably more feedback when punching than the above models from Rival.
The Fairtex is really a bag glove to protect your knuckles and nothing more. There is no extra protection or support for your wrists and thumbs, so you will definitely need to use your handwraps for that.
Build Quality Fairtex Open Thumb (Score: 7/10)
As soon as we hold the Fairtex, we see that this is a handcrafted Thai product, made with the attention of skilled craftsmen. With Thai products, you can always see the difference compared to mass-produced factory items.
The leather is of solid, stiff quality and the stitching is neatly done. This is simply a good, straightforward product with only one goal in mind: to do what it was made 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 handwraps 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 handwraps (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.
Price Fairtex Open Thumb (Score: 8/10)
The price of Fairtex products is always very reasonable for what they offer. We are talking about authentically made products from the homeland of Muay Thai. Among Thai brands, Fairtex is one of the most well-known, but not one of the most expensive. We rate Fairtex a solid 8 in this category!
Features Fairtex Open Thumb:
| Material | Leather |
| Closure | Velcro |
| Sizes | M, L and XL |
| Weight | approx. 511 - g (per pair) |
Advantages:
+ Good price-quality ratio
Disadvantages:
- Not so comfortable
View in webshop:
External sources:
SCOREBOARD*
| Model | Fit | Protection | Construction |
| 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, ratings, 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 | |
| Advantages: | Excellent fit, good protection | |
| Disadvantages: | 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 | |
| Advantages: | Modern design, top-quality padding | |
| Disadvantages: | Quite expensive | |
| 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 | |
| Advantages: | Trusted quality, made in Thailand | |
| Disadvantages: | Runs small, not very comfortable | |
| Best choice for: | Fighters who love tradition and reliability | |
| Shop now | ||
View all bag gloves for cardio boksen, pads training, and punching bag training in our webshop: bag gloves
Essential information and questions about bag gloves
Bag gloves and boxing gloves are both used in (kick)boxing training but have different purposes and characteristics.
Boxing bag gloves are specially designed for punching bag training and pads training. They have less padding and often less wrist support. This provides more feedback and faster combination possibilities.
Boxing gloves, on the other hand, are used for sparring and possibly competitions, focusing on protection and safety with thicker padding and more wrist support.
Features of bag gloves:
- Purpose: specially designed for punching bags and pads training, to promote speed and precision.
- Filling & padding: less padding compared to boxing gloves, for more feedback on impact. The materials are of much higher density to withstand repeated impact.
- Wrist support: less wrist support to promote good punching technique. However, this is not always the case; 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 well.
For comparison: Sparring gloves usually range between 12 oz and 18 oz (340 to 520 grams), with much more padding for protection during partner training.
Advice for beginners on the punching bag
For beginners who do not train very often and do not punch very hard, it is fine to use simple regular boxing gloves on a punching bag.
In fact, it is probably even better for that group to use regular boxing gloves. Why? Because regular boxing gloves are bigger, offer more protection to the entire hand, and always have a very important feature: the thumb protector.
If your technique is not yet very good, you will get a bit more protection with a regular boxing glove, and poor technique will be punished less severely.
Advantage of regular boxing gloves on the punching bag (for beginners):
- Boxing gloves protect your entire hand
- Boxing gloves always have a thumb protector
- Boxing gloves often have better wrist support
However, always use handwraps to sufficiently support and protect your hands and wrists! You can use either short or long handwraps 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 sessions on the heavy bag, it is better to use separate (smaller) bag gloves for that.
There are also many boxers who take a regular boxing glove in a more compact size. For example, on Instagram, you can see plenty of professionals and former professionals training on the bag with 10 oz Winning or 12 oz Cleto Reyes.
Bag gloves are much more compact than boxing gloves and usually weigh around 8 oz or 10 oz. The padding is much denser and specially made for intensive training on the bag.
These bag gloves are also often used in pads training. You can still continue to use handwraps. In fact, they are actually recommended.
