Boxing gloves

In fact, there are only 2 types of closures to choose from for boxing gloves:

• Velcro closure
• Classic lace-up closure

Most people buy boxing gloves with a Velcro closure because of the superior ease of use. Beginners almost always buy boxing gloves with Velcro closure, but many advanced and (semi-)professional fighters also choose this. A lace-up closure is almost impossible to put on alone without help. However, there are many innovations in the field of Velcro closures, with brands like Hayabusa and Rival leading the way.

They have ingenious systems (Dual-X, Ergo Xtreme Strap, and Wrist Lock 2 among others) that mimic the tight fit around the wrists of a lace-up closure as closely as possible, without the disadvantages of the ease of use of lace-up closures.

One of the best boxing gloves with the

Velcro closure is undoubtedly the Rival RS11V Evolution. However, for

professional fighters, there is nothing better than the classic lace-up closure, because it can always be made super secure and tight around the fighter’s wrists.Rival also has unique innovations in this area, where even traditional lace-up closures have been further improved in more modern systems (Angled Lace Track and Ergo Lace Track, for example). A popular and excellent boxing glove with

laces is the Rival RS100 Professional. Rival RS100 Professional.

A wide variety of materials are used, especially for the exterior of the boxing gloves. The chosen materials also partly determine the price of the gloves.

Actually, the choice is only between synthetic leather/fake leather and real Leather (usually cowhide). But that’s an oversimplification, because there is obviously a big quality difference between both types of synthetic leather and types of Leather (there are Leather sports shoes costing 100 euros, but also Italian Leather shoes costing hundreds of euros).

Extremely good Leather boxing gloves at sharp prices are the XPRT Pro V3 boxing gloves, available in a wide range of colors.

It used to be easier to say that Leather is always better than synthetic materials, but as of 2025 that is no longer the case. Moreover, the Leather of a Winning, Di Nardo, or Cleto Reyes boxing glove is not the same quality as the Leather of a budget Leather boxing glove.

The more expensive brands use the absolutely best quality Leather from Italy. This is supple and very durable Leather. The Mexican brands use somewhat stiffer Leather, which is very sturdy but looks less luxurious. The Cleto Reyes Velcro Sparring in black or other colors are true gems and beautiful classic boxing gloves.

Many modern manufacturers even prefer their own synthetic materials, which are certainly not comparable to cheap plastic or PU boxing gloves. Hayabusa uses their own patented and extremely strong Vylar-2, while Rival Boxing Gear virtually indestructible Microfiber is used in their top-line boxing gloves.

Leather can be maintained, while synthetic materials are usually easier to care for. In general, Leather “breathes” and ventilates better than synthetic material, but for boxing gloves the materials on the inside are just as important.

This is often overlooked when choosing boxing gloves, but in fact, this is precisely the essence of a boxing glove: the padding. Ultimately, this is what a boxing glove is all about: protecting the hands and the training or sparring partner.

There are considerable differences between brands and even model series. There are "soft" boxing gloves, such as Twins, King Pro, or XPRT, "harder" boxing gloves like Cleto Reyes and Fairtex, and boxing gloves that seek a golden middle ground like Rival, Winning, and Di Nardo.

One is not necessarily better than the other, but the difference is certainly worth mentioning. Cleto Reyes, for example, are widely known as "puncher’s gloves" that hit hard, while Winning are famous as "pillows" because of the protection they offer the hands during hard punches.

Boxing gloves with an excellent reputation for padding are the Winning MS600 boxing gloves, although these are very difficult to obtain.

The most commonly used material for the padding of modern boxing gloves is foam. There are different types, including latex foam, injected foam, and multi-layer foam. Latex foam feels soft and is quite flexible, allowing it to adapt well to the shape of the hand. Cleto Reyes, for example, uses this for all sparring gloves, making them mold very well to the user’s hands.

Horsehair is almost never used anymore in regular training or sparring boxing gloves. However, it is still definitely used in competition gloves. You can find this in competition boxing gloves from, among others, Cleto Reyes and the Rival RFX Guerrero’s. Rival also has models where they use a combination of foam and horsehair.

The choice of brand is not only a matter of quality but also a personal choice and a question of budget.

Some brands, such as Twins and King Pro Boxing, are more associated with kickboxing and thai boxing (although you can also use them perfectly for "regular" boxing), while other brands like Cleto Reyes, Winning, and Rival Boxing Gear are known as "real" boxing brands.

Hayabusa, with its original MMA background, is a bit of an odd one out.

Fight2Win only sells the brands that we stand 100% behind. In our extensive range, we have many top brands.

"How long do boxing gloves last?" Is a frequently asked first question in our store and webshop. It is impossible to give a direct and honest answer to this. How long car tires last, for example, also depends heavily on usage, just like with boxing gloves and kickboxing gloves.

Several factors play a role in the lifespan of boxing gloves. First of all, of course, the quality of the chosen boxing gloves, but especially the training intensity with which they are used and the force used when punching. An 11-year-old girl will generally punch less hard than an adult man weighing 90 kg.

In general, boxing gloves with regular use of 2 to 3 times per week last between 6 and 12 months . In practice, it can be shorter or longer, but that depends, among other things, on the intensity of use:

• Number of training sessions
• Intensity of the training
• Body weight and especially punching power
• Maintenance

If you notice that the padding of the boxing gloves is worn out or that you punch through them or tears appear in the material, it is time to replace them. Do not train with old or defective gloves to prevent injuries.

Boxing gloves absolutely do not have an 'eternal life'. Especially people with less experience in martial arts expect boxing gloves to last for years. However, this is not the case.

The better you take care of your boxing gloves, the longer they stay in good condition, but even then they won't last for years.

We have written a more extensive blog about maintenance; these tips will help keep your boxing gloves cleaner, fresher, and in good condition for longer.

What is the difference between boxing gloves and kickboxing gloves? It is a question we often get. Actually, the answer is: none. There is no difference between boxing gloves, kickboxing gloves, thai boxing gloves, and gloves for stand-up fighting in MMA and Krav Maga.

You can use all gloves in our assortment for both boxing and kickboxing. However, some brands are more strongly related to kickboxing and thai boxing, especially the famous Thai brands Twins, King Pro, Booster, and Fairtex. Some other brands are more linked to classic Western boxing, such as Rival Boxing Gear, Cleto Reyes, Di Nardo, and Winning.

In Krav Maga and MMA (standup fighting), regular boxing gloves are often used during training and sparren.

Some gloves, however, have padding on the palm. During sparren, you can absorb kicks and punches with the inside of your glove. So it is mainly extra protection for the palm. The Twins BGN, for example, have this extra padding.

Bag gloves are used for training on the punching bag. The gloves are specially designed for striking punching bags.

Regular boxing gloves are less suitable for training on the punching bag due to the softer padding. Fight2Win therefore offers various top brands of bag gloves for intensive punching bag training.

Of course, we have a complete collection of bag gloves from different brands and price ranges.

Kids boxing gloves are always in stock in various sizes and colors. Do you also want to spar and practice together with your kids? Of course, we have a collection of boxing gloves for kids, featuring a great selection in many colors and designs.

We have written a handy article: Which size boxing glove should I have? with a clear size chart!

For children, it can sometimes be difficult to choose. We personally find the build important in relation to the weight of the gloves. With every boxing glove, you will find a section size advice that provides specific information for that model.