Boxing gloves definitely do not have an “eternal life.” Especially people with less experience in martial arts expect boxing gloves to last for years. However, this is absolutely not the case.
To explain it briefly and clearly, you can somewhat compare boxing gloves to sneakers. The better you take care of your sneakers, the longer they stay looking good, but even then they will not last for years.
The better you care for your boxing gloves, the longer they will last and the longer they will continue to smell fresh.
The basics of maintaining and keeping your boxing gloves fresh:
- Always use clean handwraps , gelwraps or inner gloves
- Take them out of your bag immediately after training.
- Wipe the outside with a clean, dry cloth.
- Use a deodorizer to help your boxing gloves dry faster and more thoroughly on the inside.
- Store them in a cool, dry place with good natural ventilation.
- If desired, use an antibacterial spray.
- For leather boxing gloves: use leather grease/leather conditioner once a month to prevent cracks and drying out.
Use clean handwraps, gelwraps or inner gloves
This goes without saying: start every training session with fresh, washed handwraps. That is why it is always advisable to have several sets of handwraps. If your handwraps are clean, they will not transfer bacteria or unpleasant odors to your boxing gloves.
Take your boxing gloves out of your gymbag as soon as you get home
These days, there are fantastic gymbags with separate, ventilated compartments for your boxing gloves. This is especially useful if you are away from home for a little longer and your boxing gloves therefore need to remain in your bag for longer after use.
Once you get home, take your boxing gloves out of your gymbag and let them dry thoroughly. It is best to wipe the outside with a simple dry cloth, such as a towel or microfiber cloth.
If desired, use a tiny amount of non-abrasive cleaning product. During training, the striking surface of your boxing gloves frequently comes into contact with your training partner or their clothing. Human sweat contains salt and organic substances such as amino acids, which can damage your boxing gloves if you do not wipe them off.
Use a deodorizer to properly dry the inside of your boxing gloves
They did not exist in the past, but deodorizers are truly a fantastic invention for your boxing gloves. In simple terms, they are “moisture absorbers.” Most deodorizers are made from a combination of carbon and moss bamboo. Bamboo is resistant to bacteria (think of cutting boards in the kitchen), and carbon atoms can absorb enormous amounts of moisture.
Deodorizers help remove moisture and sweat from your boxing gloves more quickly. Products in our range that are suitable for this purpose include the Rival Deodorizer and NO STINK. We have an entire collection of deodorizers for boxing gloves in our webshop.
Placing a deodorizer inside your boxing gloves will make the inside dry much faster. You can find an extensive article about deodorizers on our blog: Deodorizers: a miracle product for maintaining your boxing gloves
Store your boxing gloves in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place
This can simply be your room, as we assume you air it out occasionally and that it is not extremely hot. NEVER place your boxing gloves (leather or synthetic leather) on a radiator or heater to dry them.
Also NEVER place your boxing gloves in direct sunlight, because besides causing them to discolor, this is not good for the outer layer of boxing gloves. It is disastrous for leather boxing gloves, but hot sunlight is also harmful to synthetic leather boxing gloves.
Use a pleasantly fresh antibacterial spray to keep your boxing gloves hygienically clean
This too is a very useful invention that we can thankfully make use of. Various manufacturers have developed sprays to keep boxing gloves and kickboxing gloves hygienically fresh.
Unpleasant smells and odors are caused by bacteria. Antibacterial products, such as sprays, ensure that these are removed from your (boxing) gloves or other sports equipment (such as headgear and shin guards).
These special sprays are not the same as regular deodorant, which will only temporarily mask the smell in a boxing glove rather than tackle it thoroughly!
Antibacterial sprays, such as FreshKO, Sukkiri Spray and Booster Spray, have rightly been bestsellers in our range for years and are guaranteed to work when you start using them from the beginning.
Care for the outside of your leather boxing gloves with leather grease or Vaseline
If you want to take your boxing or kickboxing seriously, you will usually buy genuine leather boxing gloves, but although most types of leather are made from high-quality and durable material, leather boxing gloves will not last forever either. Remember that boxing gloves constantly have to withstand hard punches and kicks.
It is important not to let the leather of your boxing gloves dry out. When leather dries out, it becomes stiff and cracks appear. As a result, the leather will tear more quickly.
You can significantly slow down this process by using leather grease. Apply the leather grease thoroughly with a cloth or sponge and allow it to absorb for some time. You can then polish the boxing gloves until they shine.
With regular use, the leather will remain wonderfully supple and water-repellent. Products suitable for this purpose can be found in the leather grease section of our webshop. Vaseline can also be used to treat your boxing gloves, helping to prevent hairline cracks and keep the leather supple.
You can find out how best to use leather grease and how it helps maintain your boxing gloves in our blog: How and why do you use leather grease for boxing gloves?
Care for boxing gloves and care products
Keeping your boxing gloves fresh and in good condition is therefore largely in your own hands. The cheapest solution is to always wear clean handwraps and let them air out properly. If you do this consistently, you can continue training for longer with pleasantly fresh boxing gloves.
Would you like to view more care products for your boxing gear or for yourself? Then check out our complete collection of care products in our webshop.
