In the world of boxing, there are so many possibilities when it comes to training and training equipment. You want a training exercise that will take you to new heights, however, you also want the best equipment suited for your specific type of training. Many people are surprised to find out that there are certain types of boxing gloves for specific types of training.
The gloves you wear in a competition are going to be much different from the ones you use for heavy bag training. If you’re constantly training on the heavy bag, then you’ve come to the right place. Training on a heavy bag daily can put a great amount of pressure on your knuckles, wrists, and forearms. It’s important to be fully protected while training on the heavy bag, with gloves that are the correct weight.
Things to remember:
– BAG gloves protect you.
– SPARRING gloves protect your partner.
– TRAINING gloves should protect both.
If you need a glove that’s for all-around training, I highly recommend visiting my “The Best Boxing Gloves for 2020” list. Or if you’re looking for sparring gloves, check out my Best Sparring Gloves guide. But, if you’re looking for heavy bag gloves you are in the right place!
The Best Boxing Gloves For Heavy Bag Training
Without further ado, here are my personal picks for the best heavy bag gloves…
Gold BJJ Foundation Boxing Gloves
Pros:
– Excellent value, the perfect set of heavy bag gloves for all skill levels
– Breathable and sweat-resistant, with vents in the palms
– Hook and loop velcro closure is secure, and easy to cinch tight even with a glove on
– They come with free hand wraps
Cons:
– Offered in very clean black-on-black and white-on-white, but no other colors yet
Gold BJJ’s Foundation Boxing Glove is my new go-to glove for heavy bag training. These gloves have a sick aesthetic: choose from completely blacked out, or white-on-white. They have ample padding to protect your hands, and break in quickly.
One thing I really like about these boxing gloves is their hook and loop closure system. It’s simple, effective, and easy to get a tight fit (even with one glove on) thanks to the big velcro pad.
These gloves include a free set of hand wraps! And I really like them too, they are extra long Mexican Style wraps that match the gloves perfectly. I wish more brands thought of that.
Overall, you really cannot go wrong with these gloves (especially at the price point).
Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves
Pros:
– While they have raised the price on these gloves, they are still an excellent all-around pair for the value
– They break in very quickly thanks to the 4 layer foam
– Unique DUAL-X velcro closure system mimics the tight fit of laces
Cons:
– While I like their DUAL-X velcro system, and it's super convenient, you'll never match the tightly cinched fit you can get from laces with a velcro system
The Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves are one of my favorite boxing gloves. Hayabusa has invested so much in the technology of their gloves, bringing innovative features like their DUAL-X velcro system and their microfiber thumb pad (AMAZING for wiping sweat off without removing your gloves).
The T3’s are some of the most stylish gloves available today, and they are available in tons of colors. These boxing gloves are built with a 5 layer foam structure that doesn’t require break-in. Hayabusa designed them to deliver the best performance for bag work and sparring.
You’ll quickly notice that the DUAL-X closure system is unlike anything most other gloves have. It provides a lace-like fit, and best in class wrist support delivered by the 4 interlocking splints at the back of the hand.
Handcrafted with top of the line engineered PU leather delivers superior crack, abrasion and tear resistance. These are some of the top boxing gloves for heavy bag training because of their innovative design and amazing comfort.
I realize Hayabusa is an ‘MMA’ brand, however, these gloves go above and beyond boxing standards for a good boxing glove. I highly recommend all of you boxing purists out there to try these gloves out. The Hayabusa T3 heavy bag boxing gloves were made for serious hitters.
TITLE Gel World Bag Gloves
Pros:
– 100% Genuine leather outer
– 16oz weight for maximum hand protection while hitting the heavy bag
– Secure wraparound wrist strap
Cons:
– Gel injected gloves remove some of the bag feel you get with each punch
Title’s Gel World bag gloves are great boxing gloves for heavy bag training. A good alternative to the gloves listed above, the Title Gel is synonymous with boxing history. With an all leather outer and special hand compartment lining for cool, dry and comfortable wear, the Title Gel won’t let you down.
Usually, I tend to stay away from “gel injected” gloves, however, these Title gloves are perfect for people who have problems finding a comfortable glove. These boxing gloves will keep your hands protected when you train on the heavy bag. The Title Gel bag gloves are one of the best boxing gloves for heavy bag training, these are great boxing gloves for heavy hitters.
Cleto Reyes Hook & Loop Gloves
Pros:
– Made with super soft goatskin leather
– Water-repellent lining keeps your hands dry and wicks away sweat
– Attached thumb helps prevent eye and thumb injuries
Cons:
– They offer a lot of colors, but some of them are frequently out of stock
These Cleto Reyes boxing gloves have quality and craftsmanship that goes above and beyond many expectations. With so many different sizes and colors to choose from, it won’t be hard finding your perfect pair. These training gloves are manufactured under strict quality control in goatskin leather with water-repellent lining to keep the hands dry and comfortable as you reach your athletic and fitness goals.
The Cleto Reyes boxing gloves feature a full hook & loop closure that allows you to take them on and off in seconds. This is the last ‘high-tier’ glove on the list. Cleto Reyes are absolutely amazing boxing gloves for both heavy bag training and sparring gloves. I personally own a pair of red Cleto Reyes hook & loop boxing gloves and absolutely love them for hitting pads and heavy bag training.
Winning Training Boxing Gloves
Pros:
– The gold standard in boxing gloves
– Very soft padding, and unmatched leather quality
– Lace-up style allows you to adjust the perfect fit
Cons:
– They're pricey, overkill for beginners
The best heavy bag gloves in the game are Winning. These are very expensive gloves and aren’t needed for beginners, so if this is your first pair of gloves I wouldn’t recommend this specific pair. Winning gloves offer both the Lace-up and Velcro options, with many colors to choose from so that you can find your perfect pair. These gloves are great for heavy bag training, as well as sparring. Winning boxing gloves are made in Japan under strict quality control and guidelines, these are top-tier gloves.
I have personally worn a pair of Winning gloves and have used them for a heavy bag session, let me just say they felt like gold on my hands. Usually, my hands and wrists hurt after a hard session, with these gloves on I didn’t feel a thing. I highly recommend Winning boxing gloves for heavy bag training, or any type of training. I can say confidently that the Winning Boxing gloves are the best boxing gloves for heavy bag training and are amazing for heavy hitters.
Ringside Apex Boxing Gloves
Pros:
– Innovative injection mold foam build
– Durable, genuine leather design
– True to weight, exactly 16 ounces
Cons:
– They run small and are generally very tight
The Ringside Apex heavy bag gloves are an absolute game changer. The new IMF (Injected Molded Foam) technology is a hard puncher’s favorite, with the molded foam for superior protection. These gloves are super comfortable and supportive, perfect for training on the heavy bag. With multiple colors and sizes to choose from you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your perfect pair.
Ringside has been a reputable brand in boxing for years so you don’t have to worry whether or not these gloves will do the job, because they will impress you every single time. These are a great ‘mid-tier’ glove for beginners or for people who have been boxing less than 4 to 5 years and need an upgrade from their first pair of gloves.
Venum Impact Boxing Gloves
Pros:
– Micro-perforated coating allows excellent breathability
– Triple layer foam padding provides a lot of impact protection
– They come in some really cool designs (Camo, Dark Gold, etc)
Cons:
– Synthetic leather (can be a pro or a con, some people prefer it)
The Venum Impact Boxing Gloves are some of the most comfortable gloves available today. These gloves include triple density foam for better absorption and a full attached thumb to provide better protection. With multiple special edition colors to choose from, these gloves are sure to leave a mark. Made in Thailand so you know it’s a quality glove.
Venum is another brand that is known in the ‘MMA’ game, however, these gloves are made under strict quality control in Thailand (home of Muay Thai). Not only are these great boxing gloves for heavy bag training, but they also are super comfortable and have so many amazing designs to choose from. I highly recommend looking at the Venum Impact boxing gloves if you’re looking for a glove that will do it all. These are some of the best heavy bag gloves for boxers that hit hard.
RDX Ego Boxing Gloves
Pros:
– Excellent value for entry level bag gloves
– Impressively durable and long lasting thanks to Maya Hide leather construction
– Extra long Hook-and-Loop strap provides a bit more flexibility than other gloves
Cons:
– I would really like to see RDX add more cushioning. These gloves are tough on your knuckles if you're going to town on the heavy bag.
The RDX Ego Boxing gloves are great starter gloves for sessions on the heavy bags. These gloves are super supportive and have a friendly price tag. Designed using exclusive RDX Quadro-Dome Technology to equally disperse force throughout the area of impact.
Resilient Maya hide leather construction makes these boxing gloves stubbornly durable and long-lasting. RDX Ego Boxing Gloves are some of the most affordable boxing gloves for heavy bag training.
Twins Special Signature Gloves
Pros:
– Genuine handmade gloves from Thailand
– Twins Special has an American service center and will hook you up quickly with any repairs
– Extra foam padding wrist support that is ideal for hitting the heavy bag
Cons:
– Very popular gloves that are frequently out of stock in the 16oz size you'll want for heavy bag training
The Twins Special Boxing Gloves aren’t just for Muay Thai and Kickboxing. These gloves are specifically made for hard training, perfect for the heavy bag. The heavier gloves provide for a rigorous workout and the attached thumb design prevents injuries. The Twins Special are great boxing gloves for heavy bag training.
These gloves are usually thought of as Muay Thai gloves since Twins Special is a Muay Thai brand, however, in my opinion these are some of the best heavy bag gloves you can buy (especially if you train Muay Thai as well). The Twins Special Boxing Gloves feature unique designs and are very high quality gloves for bag work.
Fairtex Boxing Gloves
Pros:
– Fairtex has a proprietary foam system that disburses shock to protect your hands
– Made with genuine leather and velcro straps
– Handmade in Thailand by people who get martial arts
Cons:
– Pricing can be all over the place, I've seen some color/sizes for absolute bargains and others at pretty steep markups
Fairtex always delivers when it comes to quality. The Fairtex Boxing Gloves include a brand new design of pattern and padding that makes the weight very consistent and correct. Made of “Micro Fiber” which makes these gloves an odorless material, endurable, flexible, soft and smooth touch.
Fairtex is an amazing brand out of Thailand, who are known for their amazing Muay Thai products. These gloves go above and beyond many ‘Boxing’ brands to deliver an overall great boxing glove for heavy bag training. The Fairtex Boxing Gloves are one of the best heavy bag gloves for all around boxing training.
Finding the Perfect Glove Size
Determine what glove size is going to be the best fit for you is crucial to picking out a pair of heavy bag gloves you’re going to enjoy. The best boxing glove size for a boxer is typically based on what they will be training for. Common boxing glove sizes are 8 oz, 10 oz, 14 oz, and finally 16 oz. It’s important to know your glove weight because it must fit your chosen training method. It’s good to know that professional boxers typically train in heavier gloves because they want their hands to be faster on fight night, compare this to a baseball batter that uses “bat weights” before stepping up to the plate.
Heavier gloves, such as 14 and 16 oz, have more padding which means they offer better hand protection. Larger gloves are helpful for when you hit the heavy bag, mitts, and other boxing training aids. Heavier gloves are what we’ll mostly be focusing on in this article. Sparring in larger gloves is also preferred because it’s safer than sparring with smaller gloves. You’re more likely to knock someone out (or get knocked out) when using lighter gloves. Lighter gloves, such as 10 or 12 oz, are commonly used in competition.
The heavy bag gloves you wear should have a snug and comfortable fit, with your fingertips able to reach the top of your gloves and the ability for your hand to comfortably make a fist. Keep in mind that your glove will also need to fit your hand wraps (if you choose to protect your hands with hand wraps). If you don’t have hand wraps with your while shopping, get a roll of quarters in your palm and wear the boxing gloves.
Things to remember:
– 16oz is the standard for boxers training on heavy bags.
– SOFT gloves for sparring, DENSE gloves for bag work.
– LACE-UP gloves for support, VELCRO for convenience.
What Gloves Do Pro Boxers Use?
This wouldn’t be a “Best Boxing Gloves for Heavy Bag Training” without including the brands that professional boxers use. Most pros (and amateurs) prefer Winning gloves for training because they have some of the best protection in the industry. Even if you don’t have a lot of money, it is still worth it to save up the $300-$400 for Winning, they are easily worth every penny. Older fighters or those with hand problems practically have no choice but to use Winning as their go-to heavy bag gloves to keep their hands injury-free.
Fighters that like Winning gloves but can’t afford them will default to one of the Mexican glove brands (like Reyes), which are still very high quality but more affordable. Boxers on a tighter budget are wise to go with Title's Gel gloves or Venum Impacts (which go on sale often). MMA guys or boxers venturing outside the traditional boxing brands will go for Hayabusa T3's (an excellent value) or one of the Thai brands (Fairtex or Twins). The most budget conscious will go for Ringside IMF Gloves, which are really cheap but functional.
Protection and Padding For Heavy Bag Training
Your hands are your most valuable asset when it comes to boxing, shouldn’t you protect them? The hands are made up of many small joints and small bones that could easily fracture from the impact of repeated punches. Hand wraps are there to hold your hand together providing support for your wrists, fingers, knuckles, and the entire hand itself. I ALWAYS recommend wrapping your hands, especially when training on a heavy bag.
Here are a few of my favorite hand wraps for heavy bag training. I ONLY recommend going with 180″ hand wraps. Hand wraps were traditionally shorter than 180″, but as boxers have realized how important having enough material to adequately protect your hands is, 180″ is becoming the gold standard. There is nothing worse than wrapping your hands and realizing your at the end of the roll before you’ve protected your wrist.
Pros:
– Longest hand wraps I've ever seen at 200 inches
– Clear this side down markings so you don't end up with a twisted wrap
– Solid value for a high end hand wrap
Cons:
– Only available in one color
The number one thing I recommend in hand wraps is going for long ones, and typically the gold standard has been 180″. For these hand wraps though, Gold BJJ extended them to 200″! You really can’t have too much hand wrap, the more the better in my opinion.
I really like the clean branding and style on these wraps. They have just the right amount of stretch.
Pros:
– Cotton and spandex blend provides just the right amount of stretch
– Oversized hook and loop strap that isn't painful on your thumb
– Available in a ton of different colors
Cons:
– You'll want to pick up more than one pair
Meister MMA hand wraps are great for both MMA and boxing. I honestly recommend grabbing a few pairs because you’ll have to wash them after a few uses. Make sure not to wash them together because they WILL become tangled and that is the worst problem to have with hand wraps.
Pros:
– Used by the pros; if they're strong enough for Michael Bisping, they'll protect your hands
– Polyester material is breathable and dries super fast
– Understated branding that looks really clean
Cons:
– They do eventually fall apart after a bunch of washes, but they're so cheap that your price per use is excellent
The Sanabul Boxing Handwraps are the only hand wraps that I personally use these days. These are great for boxing, kickboxing, MMA or anything else you can think of combat related. With over 10 different colors to choose from you could have a new color for every single day you train. Sanabul boxing gear is excellent value, but still super high quality. It’s used by big name MMA fighters like Michael Bisping and TJ Dillashaw. Please be sure not to wash them together because they will become tangled up.
- 180" of machine washable cotton/spandex blend material provides breathable comfort and safety while training
- 180" of machine washable cotton/spandex blend material provides breathable comfort and safety while training|Thumb strap ensures ease of use with a hook and loop closure for a secure fit|NULL|NULL|
What would this article be without including Everlast boxing hand wraps? These have great protection and of course, you can’t go wrong with the iconic all-black Everlast look. If you’re a boxing purist, these hand wraps are a must have.
Pros:
– Super fast to put on
– Sweat wicking material that helps keep your palms dry
– Made from a very durable woven carbon fiber fabric
Cons:
– Hand wrap mitts aren't going to give you as customized of a fit as traditional wraps
Some people will just naturally prefer hand wrap mitts over the traditional hand wraps. This is completely fine and saves a ton of time. These RDX hand wraps are some of the best in the business. If you want to save time wrapping your hands for a quick workout, these RDX hand wraps are for you.
What is the Best Boxing Glove for me?
Whether you agree with this list or not, I believe I’ve included a perfect pair of heavy bag boxing gloves for everyone. If you’re a beginner boxer that wants your first 16oz pair, or you’re a seasoned vet who needs the top quality, you’ll find it on this Best Boxing Gloves for Heavy Bag Training list. Every glove I included on this list is great for hard hitters.
My personal recommendation would be Winning's 16oz Glove if you’re looking for the absolute top-of-the-line heavy bag glove, and Hayabusa T3's if you’re looking for a budget friendly (but still very impressive) glove.
