If your workout involves throwing punches—especially if you hit heavy bags—you’ll want to invest in a good pair of boxing gloves. “They’ll help protect your wrists and the small bones in your hands from injury,” says Eduardo Perez, senior director of mixed combat arts and pilates programs at Life Time. The best boxing gloves are well-fitted, comfortable, and provide proper protection.

One thing to keep in mind when making your boxing glove pick: You get what you pay for. Cedric Jones, owner of Beastie, a boxing gym in Manhattan Beach, California, suggests going for leather gloves, but you also have the option to choose synthetic (usually at a lower price point).

Reviewed & Approved

The Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves are our top pick because they provide ample protection and a secure fit. The Trideer Pro Grade Boxing Gloves are another great option for their affordability.

It’s also helpful to buy a pair that’s slightly larger than your hands since you’ll want space for wraps underneath. Buying weighted gloves can also up the intensity of your workout. Other features to consider include padding and wrist protection. We researched popular gloves with these features in mind.

Here are the best boxing gloves on the market, according to a certified personal trainer.

We recommend this pair of gloves because of their overall value. Made of vylar engineered leather, these gloves have double straps and splinting system for a secure fit and ample wrist protection. The multi-layer foam absorbs impact and creates a shield for your knuckles so you can hit your target with confidence. Meanwhile, the inner liner is designed to keep your hands cool. To top it off, you get a microfiber thumb to wipe off your sweat. They’re perfect to use for boxing, mixed martial arts, and many other types of high-intensity workouts.

Best Overall

Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves

  • Superior protection

  • Secure

  • Durable

  • Expensive

Available in 10-, 12-, 14-, 16-, and 18-ounce sizes, the gloves also come in a variety of colors. Reviewers note that they are easy to wipe down and clean once you’re done with your workout.

Price at time of publication: $159

Weight: 10 to 18 ounces | Outer layer: Vylar (engineered leather) | Padding: Foam 

What Our Experts Say

“My favorite gloves are any from the Hayabusa Fight brand. They have incredible engineering and craftsmanship.”—Eduardo Perez, senior director of mixed combat arts and pilates programs at Life Time.

Snag a pair of boxing gloves at an affordable price with this set from Trideer. Despite the price, you still get multiple layers of foam to allow for shock absorption when you hit your bag. While the synthetic leather won’t hold up to the same standards as genuine leather, it will still last through multiple rounds.

Best Budget

Trideer Pro Grade Boxing Gloves

  • Inexpensive

  • Quality protection

  • Not as durable as other options

These gloves also provide a full wrap-around wrist strap to keep them secure through tough workouts.

Price at time of publication: $20

Weight: 8 to 16 ounces Outer layer: Synthetic leather Padding: Foam

Another top brand backed by boxing instructors, these Everlast gloves feature a synthetic leather outer layer, foam for the padding, and an hourglass-shaped wrist closure aimed at superior security as you jab, cross, and uppercut.

Best for Sparring

Everlast Pro Style Elite Boxing Gloves

  • Quality protection
  • Breathable
  • Antimicrobial

In addition to the antimicrobial finish, these gloves also keep your hands cool as you heat up, thanks to the mesh palm.

Price at time of publication: $55

Weight: 12 to 16 ounces | Outer layer: Synthetic leather | Padding: Foam

Expert Advice

“Sparring gloves are designed for protection for both the fighter and the opponent. They are generally heavier but might also provide extra padding if you are not accustomed to striking a surface. Bag gloves are designed to protect the user and will generally have a little less padding as they are not also protecting the opponent,”—Eduardo Perez, senior director of mixed combat arts and pilates programs at Life Time.

A hook and loop closure around the wrist allows for security and makes it easier to take on and off. Like other gloves, these also offer a thick foam layer for support and shock absorption as you throw powerful punches at heavy bags.

Best for Bags

Hawk Sports Boxing Gloves

  • Premium Protection
  • Secure

You also get holes to allow for some ventilation and a waterproof lining so your hands stay comfy—not soggy.

Price at time of publication: $20 

Weight: 8 to 16 ounces | Outer layer: Synthetic leather | Padding: Foam

The foam padding on these boxing gloves gets a gel upgrade, giving them extra softness while still providing shock absorption.

Best Gel

Sanabul Essential GEL Boxing Gloves

  • Inexpensive
  • Premium Protection
  • Breathable

They also have a mesh palm for airflow that keeps your hands cool as you get sweaty. Take your pick from a range of bright colors in the detailing. 

Price at time of publication: $30

Weight: 8 to 16 ounces | Outer Layer: Synthetic leather | Padding: Gel-infused foam

Looking for high-quality boxing gloves that’ll stand up to multiple rounds of fighting? This genuine leather pair from Hayabusa has you covered. The wrist strap also provides a customizable, secure fit—and you get the required protection for your punches from the multi-layer foam.

Best Leather

Hayabusa T3 LX Leather Boxing Gloves

  • Premium Protection
  • Durable
  • Luxurious

To top it off, the gloves feature a temperature-regulating lining that increases overall comfort. 

Price at time of publication: $199

Weight: 12 to 16 ounces | Outer Layer: Italian leather | Padding: Foam

One of the top-tier boxing brands, according to Jones, these Cleto Reyes gloves offer a durable, high-quality shield for your hands.

Best Professional-Grade

Cleto Reyes Hook & Loop Training Gloves

  • High quality
  • Premium Protection
  • Durable

Made with leather on the outside and latex foam on the inside, you have the perfect combo for keeping your body safe as you throw jabs, crosses, uppercuts, and hooks. 

Price at time of publication: $163

Weight: 12 to 18 ounces | Outer Layer: Leather | Padding: Foam

Get the kids in on the cardio action with this full boxing set, which includes gloves, headgear, and punch mitts for when your little one is working out with a partner.

Best for Kids

Everlast Youth Prospect Boxing Training Set

  • Kid-friendly

  • Comes with other gear

  • Can’t buy gloves on their own

The glove features foam padding, a mesh palm, and a hook-and-loop velcro wrist strap. 

Price at time of publication: $70

Weight: 8 ounces | Outer Layer: Synthetic leather | Padding: Foam

What to Look for in Boxing Gloves

Fit

You want a pair of boxing gloves that’s snug but not too tight, offering protection and security without restriction. Choosing the right size will play a big role in this. If you feel like your gloves are so tight that they’re cutting off circulation or so loose that your hands are moving around on the inside, then it’s time to try a different size. 

Final Verdict

Comfort

As with any fitness gear, you want the gloves to simply feel good on your hands, so they’re not holding you back from a good workout. If they’re bothering you as you work through jabs and crosses, it’s time to switch to a new pair. 

Protection

The point of wearing boxing gloves is to protect your hands from punches. So you want to make sure they have enough foam and durable leather or synthetic leather to withstand your power. Make sure you feel the shock absorption as you punch. 

Why Trust Verywell Fit?

Mallory Creveling has covered the fitness industry for more than a decade, often writing about workout equipment. She’s also a personal trainer who’s tried tons of at-home workouts, including boxing. She knows what you should look for to get the most out of your gear.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I wash boxing gloves?
  • According to Perez, gloves should be treated as a personal item—very much like shoes, you should ideally be the only user of the gloves. When you do need to clean them, start by wiping down the outside with a gentle disinfectant. “Because you’ll want to wear wraps under gloves, you can throw those in the washer and that will keep your gloves clean,” says Cary Williams, boxing coach and CEO of Boxing & Barbells. You can also spray a disinfectant inside the glove, but make sure to then keep them open so they can dry out.
  • How do I wrap boxing gloves?
  • It’s easy to wrap your boxing gloves, as they usually come with just one velcro strap. (It’s the wraps worn inside the gloves that can get more complicated.) But keep in mind: “You should wrap your wrist with the velcro closure tight enough to have little mobility in your wrists, but not so tight that it’s uncomfortable,” says Williams.
  • How are boxing gloves supposed to fit?
  • “A glove should feel snug around the hand, but not too tight,” says Williams. “If your hand floats around a lot in the glove, it is too big.” Make sure the wrist part doesn’t go too far up your arm, too, especially if it hinders circulation or decreases mobility.

According to Perez, gloves should be treated as a personal item—very much like shoes, you should ideally be the only user of the gloves. When you do need to clean them, start by wiping down the outside with a gentle disinfectant. 

It’s easy to wrap your boxing gloves, as they usually come with just one velcro strap. (It’s the wraps worn inside the gloves that can get more complicated.) But keep in mind: “You should wrap your wrist with the velcro closure tight enough to have little mobility in your wrists, but not so tight that it’s uncomfortable,” says Williams. 

“A glove should feel snug around the hand, but not too tight,” says Williams. “If your hand floats around a lot in the glove, it is too big.” Make sure the wrist part doesn’t go too far up your arm, too, especially if it hinders circulation or decreases mobility.