Boxing gloves

Most important choices when selecting boxing gloves

There are several factors that are important when choosing your new pair of boxing gloves. It deserves your attention, as it is the most important “tool” during every boxing, kickboxing, and cardio boxing training. We explain everything as clearly as possible in the sections below.

• Which type of closure should I choose?
• What material do I prefer?
• What type of padding can I choose?
• Which brand of boxing gloves suits my needs?
• How long do boxing gloves last?
• How do I maintain my boxing gloves?
• What size or weight boxing gloves should I choose?

Type of closure for boxing gloves

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

• Velcro closure
• Classic lace closure

The majority of people buy boxing gloves with a Velcro closure because of the superior ease of use. Beginners almost always buy boxing gloves with Velcro closures, but many advanced and (semi-)professional fighters also choose them. A lace 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 of a lace closure around the wrists as closely as possible, without the drawbacks of the convenience of lace closures.

One of the best boxing gloves with a Velcro closure is without a doubt the Rival RS11V Evolution.

However, for professional fighters, nothing beats the classic lace 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 closures have been further improved into more modern systems (such as Angled Lace Track and Ergo Lace Track). A popular and excellent boxing glove with laces is the Rival RS100 Professional.

Material of the boxing gloves

Many different types of materials are used, especially for the outside 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 is an oversimplification, because there is obviously a lot of quality difference between both types of synthetic leather and types of real leather (there are leather sports shoes for 100 euros, but also Italian leather shoes costing hundreds of euros). Extremely good leather boxing gloves at a sharp price 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 uses virtually indestructible Microfiber in their top-line boxing gloves.

Leather can be maintained, while synthetic materials are usually more maintenance-friendly. In general, leather "breathes" and ventilates better than synthetic material, but for boxing gloves, the materials on the inside are just as important.

Padding of boxing gloves

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, like 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 definitely 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 hand protection during hard punches. Boxing gloves with an excellent reputation for padding are the Winning MS600 boxing gloves, although these are very hard to obtain.

The most 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. It is definitely still used in competition gloves. You can find this in competition boxing gloves from brands like Cleto Reyes and the Rival RFX Guerrero’s. Rival also has models where they use a combination of foam and horsehair.

Boxing gloves brands

The choice of brand is, besides quality, also a personal choice and a matter of budget.

Some brands, like 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.

We only sell brands that we 100% stand behind. In our extensive range, we have many top brands.

Durability of boxing gloves

“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 here. How long car tires last, for example, also depends heavily on use, just like with Boxing gloves and kickboxing gloves.

Various 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 power used when punching. An 11-year-old girl will generally punch less hard than an adult man weighing 90 kg.

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

• Number of training sessions
• Training intensity
• Body weight and especially punching power
• Maintenance

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

Maintenance of Boxing gloves

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 not the case. The better you take care of your Boxing gloves, the longer they stay nice, but even then they won't last for years.

We have written a more extensive blog about maintenance, which you can read here: How to maintain and keep your Boxing gloves fresh.

Difference between Boxing gloves, kickboxing gloves, and thai boxing gloves

What is the difference between Boxing gloves and kickboxing gloves? 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 associated with kickboxing and thai boxing, especially the famous Thai brands Twins, King Pro, Booster, and Fairtex. 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 sparring, you can absorb kicks and punches with the inside of your glove. It is mainly extra protection for the palm. The Twins BGN, for example, have this extra padding.

Difference between boxing gloves and bag gloves

Bag gloves are used for training on the punching bag. The gloves are specially developed for striking punching bags. Regular boxing gloves are less suitable for training on the punching bag due to the softer padding. Fight2Win therefore has various top brand boxing bag gloves for intensive punching bag training.

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

Boxing gloves for kids

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

The boxing glove specialist for women and men

All shipped the same working day! Fight2Win is the boxing glove specialist and really knows everything about them! More than 300 different models of leather and synthetic leather boxing gloves and kickboxing gloves for kids, women, and men. All truly in stock in our physical boxing store.

From cheap kids boxing gloves to the Cleto Reyes Limited edition boxing gloves. We even have the most exclusive gloves from Di Nardo from Italy and Winning from Japan in small quantities in stock.

Which size boxing gloves do I need?

We have written a handy article: Which size boxing gloves do I need? with a clear size chart! It can sometimes be difficult to choose for children. We personally find the build important in relation to the weight of the gloves. For each boxing glove, you will find a section sizing advice that provides specific information for that model.