Whether you’re trading blows in Boxing or Muay Thai, equipping yourself with a premium set of gloves is essential, as they safeguard not just you but also your sparring partner.
The art of being a responsible sparring partner is akin to the golden rule: what you give is what you get.
That’s precisely why the quest to find the best boxing gloves for sparring shouldn’t be taken lightly. With the right gloves, you don’t just spar; you build trust, respect, and skills in an environment where safety is as paramount as the sport itself. Join me as we delve into the realm of top-tier boxing gloves specifically designed for sparring.
I always recommend wearing 16-ounce gloves at minimum, sometimes even heavier than 16 ounces is better. Not only do you need well-padded gloves, but you’ll always need a mouthguard to spar. Many gyms won’t allow you to spar without the correct equipment, at least that’s the case at all the gyms I’ve trained at. I realize sparring can be exciting and stressful at the same time if you’re new to sparring I highly recommend visiting our article to understand how to become a better sparring partner.
What type of Boxing Gloves do I need for Sparring?
In the world of Boxing and Muay Thai sparring, there are so many possibilities when it comes to the best boxing gloves and training equipment. You want the perfect set of gloves that will take your training to the next level. However, naturally you also want the best equipment that is suited for your specific type of training. Unless you’re a profession, I don’t recommend buying 4 to 5 pairs of gloves so that you can use a different pair depending on the training method. However, when it comes to sparring, you should have a separate pair of boxing gloves. I always recommend buying the best boxing gloves for sparring that’s within your budget.
Things to remember:
– BAG gloves protect you.
– SPARRING gloves protect your partner.
– TRAINING gloves should protect both.
As I’ve said many times before, I highly recommend having sparring gloves that are no less than 16 ounces in weight. I understand 16 ounces may sound heavy to some of you who are accustomed to using smaller sized gloves for training. However this is the recommend size by boxing and kickboxing professionals world wide. Not only from a safety stand point, but also from a technical stand point. Boxing with heavier gloves will allow you to be much quicker on fight night when you’re wearing lighter gloves.
The Best Boxing Gloves For Sparring in 2023
Luckily for you, we’ve done all the hard work for you! We’ll show our top boxing glove choices for sparring, and give detailed descriptions on why we believe they’re a great pair. Every pair of boxing gloves that we’ve hand picked are tough and durable. Every pair of boxing gloves on this list was made to last long and protect your partner. The brands included on this list are all reputable and almost all of them have been around for decades.
Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves
Guru’s Choice – Guru Score: 10/10
Pros:
– Made of premium leather
– Stylish gloves with over 5 designs to choose from
– 5 layer foam padding for wrist support
– Excellent return policy from Amazon
Cons:
– DUAL-X closure system takes some getting used to
Guru Score: 9.5/10
The Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves are the newest Hayabusa model that is sure to impress. These are some of the most stylish gloves available today. Including a 5 layer foam structure that doesn’t require break in. Designed to deliver the best performance for bag work and sparring. DUAL-X closure system provides lace-like fit. Best in class wrist support delivered by the 4 interlocking splints at the back of the hand. Hand crafted with top of the line engineered leather delivers superior resistance from cracks, abrasions, and tears.
These gloves were specifically made for sparring and heavy bag training because of the extra padding provided. Not only do these gloves look absolutely stunning on the hands, but they also feel just as good as they look. Although Hayabusa is known as an ‘MMA’ brand, these gloves are absolutely stellar for sparring in boxing. I know many boxing purists who don’t like to go away from traditional boxing brands, however I think the Hayabusa T3 boxing gloves are worth the try.
Venum Elite Boxing Gloves
Guru Score: 9/10
Pros:
– Over 15 color styles to choose from
– Premium skintex leather construction
– Triple density foam
– Great return policy from Amazon
Cons:
– Expensive
Guru Score: 9/10
The Venum Elite boxing gloves are the best that Venum has to offer. With over 20 professional designs (including the Mexico and Italy flag colorway), these sparring gloves are the most stylish on this list. If you’re someone who is serious about boxing or kickboxing, these are the gloves for you. These gloves are made of high quality material and aren’t sent out until approved under strict quality tests.
Venum produces all of their equipment in Thailand, the Muay Thai capital of the world. Although they are similar to Hayabusa in that they both are an ‘MMA’ style brand, these gloves are still excellent for those hard sparring sessions in the gym. I gave these gloves a 9 out of 10 guru score because of the originality of style, and comfort from superior design. Even if you’re a boxing purist I highly recommend giving these training gloves a try.
Winning Training Boxing Gloves
Guru Score: 9/10
Pros:
– Made of premium leather
– Water repellent nylon covering
– Hook and loop closure
– Fantastic return policy from Amazon
Cons:
– Very expensive gloves
Guru Score: 9/10
The best boxing gloves in the world. The Winning training boxing gloves are made under strict quality control in Japan. These gloves are notorious for being the best boxing gloves you can possibly own. It’s not only the amazing comfort that set these gloves apart, they also do their job when you’re done training with them. Sweat and odor doesn’t stay on this glove like it normally does with low/mid tier gloves. These are the best boxing gloves for sparring, heavy bag training, all-around training.
These are the Guru’s Choice because they are the ultimate boxing glove for sparring. These gloves are even good for heavy bag training, if you have bad hand soreness from the usually hard work on a heavy bag then you need these gloves! I can’t recommend another glove on this list as highly as I recommend the Winning boxing gloves, these gloves will do the job every single time. Every single person in the gym will want to be sparring with you after you purchase these gloves.
Cleto Reyes Boxing Gloves
Best Value – Guru Score: 9.5/10
Pros:
– Made of premium leather
– Water repellent nylon covering
– Hook and loop closure
– Fantastic return policy from Amazon
Cons:
– Can be expensive
Guru Score: 9.5/10
What’s there not to like about Cleto Reyes? These gloves are the Cadillac of boxing gloves, used by professionals in all combat sports worldwide. The reason I personally love these gloves are that they’re a hybrid, durable enough for heavy bag training, and soft enough for sparring. Cleto Reyes never disappoints with their design quality and durability.
The Cleto Reyes extra padding boxing gloves are made of premium leather that is top of the line in quality. The hook and loop closure makes these gloves not only comfortable around the wrist, but also easy to put on and off for those quick sparring sessions at the gym. The water repellent nylon covering makes sure that these gloves will never crack from water and sweat damage. These gloves include two inches of padding around the punch area, this is absolutely amazing protection for sparring! I believe with Cleto Reyes you get the best bang for your buck when compared to every other glove on this list.
TITLE Gel World Boxing Gloves
Guru Score: 8.5/10
Pros:
– Made of premium leather
– Enhanced Gel filler
– Adjustable wrist strap
– Good return policy from Amazon
Cons:
– Only 3 color styles
Guru Score: 8.5/10
Now with exclusive gel enforced lining and multi-layered foam padding for the ultimate in-style performance and protection. Gel lining delivers an unbeatable layer of custom form fit and impact resistance. Awesome wraparound adjustable wrist strap with hook-and-loop closure for secure fit. The reason I love these gloves is because they stay cool on the inside no matter the amount of heat they take on the outside.
These Title Gel World bag gloves are great boxing gloves for sparring and heavy 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. We gave these gloves a 8.5 out of 10 because the gel filler is a huge improvement for these gloves which set them apart from many mid-tier gloves on this list.
Ringside Apex Boxing Gloves
Guru Score: 8/10
Pros:
– IMF technology
– Tapered wrist inclosure
– Over 10 color combinations to choose from
– Great return policy from Amazon
Cons:
– Not as durable
Guru Score: 8/10
Fight your way to the top with Ringside’s Apex Boxing Gloves. The Ringside Apex boxing gloves are an absolute game changer. The new IMF (Injected Molded Foam) technology is a huge improvement to the boxing game. These gloves are super comfortable and supportive, perfect for those late night sparring sessions in the game. With multiple colors and sizes to choose from you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your perfect pair.
The reason I gave these gloves an 8 out of 10 is because they aren’t as durable as many other on the list. These gloves are recommended for beginners who are just starting to spar in Boxing or Muay Thai. I personally have tried these gloves and they feel like pillows on your hands. They are very stylish and have over 10 different color combinations to choose from.
Everlast Pro Style Boxing Gloves
Guru Score: 8/10
Pros:
– Antimicrobial treatment
– Multiple colors to choose from
– Full padding on front and back
– Great return policy from Amazon
Cons:
– Less durable and less protection
Guru Score: 8/10
The Everlast Pro Style Boxing Gloves are a great pair of gloves for someone who is just starting to spar. These gloves are iconic with boxing, Everlast is a brand that has stood the test of time. Mesh panels allow your hands to stay cool. Antimicrobial treatment prevents offensive odors, keeping your gloves smelling fresh. Overall this is a quality brand and a quality first pair of boxing gloves for someone who is looking to get into sparring.
We gave this glove an 8 out of 10 because there is much more to desire from a true boxing glove. These training gloves are great for beginners who don’t need as much padding and who don’t punch as hard. If you’ve been doing combat sports for over a year these probably aren’t the right gloves for you. However, if you’re a beginner who is looking to start light sparring these gloves are absolutely perfect for you and your wallet!
Venum Contender Boxing Gloves
Guru Score: 8.5/10
Pros:
– Over 10 colors to choose from
– Multi density foam for protection
– Designed for extended use
– Awesome return policy from Amazon
Cons:
– Not as durable s the Venum Elite
Guru Score: 8.5/10
The Venum Contender Boxing Gloves are specifically made for sparring, mitt training, and heavy bag training. These are some serious boxing gloves that can be used by beginners and advanced boxers for heavier training. We recommend getting the larger size when sparring, however the Venum Contender boxing gloves offers a wide range of sizes to fit your needs. With more than 10 different colorways to choose from, you won’t have a hard time finding the perfect pair for you.
We gave these gloves a guru score of 8.5 out of 10 because they are really great gloves for beginners and advanced boxers. However, they still have some things that should be worked on. The inner lining can be uncomfortable at times and the break-in period can seem longer than other sparring gloves on this list. They aren’t as good as the Venum Elite, however they are the next step down and will absolutely get the job done.
Twins Special Boxing Gloves
Guru Score: 8.5/10
Pros:
– Made in Thailand
– Multiple colors to choose from
– Super comfortable and durable
– Amazing return policy from Amazon
Cons:
– Will crack after extended use
Guru Score: 8.5/10
The Twins Special Boxing Gloves aren’t just for Muay Thai and Kickboxing. These gloves are specifically made for hard training, perfect for sparring and heavier training. The heavier training gloves provide for a rigorous workout and the attached thumb design prevents injuries. The Twins Special were my first set of gloves and did a fantastic job as a ‘hybrid glove’ I use them for pads, bag work, and even light sparring.
I highly recommend buying the 16 ounce pair if you plan to use these gloves specifically for sparring. Twins Special has been a staple in Muay Thai for years, however many boxing purists are starting to come around and realize that they make some good boxing equipment as well. The boxing gloves they make are very high quality and I highly recommend buying them if you’re looking for some good mid-tier sparring gloves.
Fairtex Boxing Gloves
Guru Score: 8.5/10
Pros:
– Made in Thailand
– Multiple colors to choose from
– Micro Fiber for antimicrobial and antiodor
– Fantastic return policy from Amazon
Cons:
– Will crack after extended use
Guru Score: 8.5/10
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. Similar to Twins Special, these gloves are known for being ‘Muay Thai’ style gloves, however they’re really great for sparring and heavy bag training.
I gave these gloves a guru score of 8.5 out of 10 because they’re an overall great glove for many different training types. These gloves are handmade in Thailand, but what makes them different from the rest is the great wrist support they offer. Fairtex is a quality brand that will stand the test of time when it comes to Muay Thai and Boxing.
Why Should You Be Sparring?
Sparring is a form of training common to many combat sports like Boxing and Muay Thai. Although the precise form varies, it’s essentially ‘practice’ fighting. Sparring can obviously be dangerous because at the end of the day, it’s fighting. With the proper regulations and equipment, you can make sparring as injury-free as possible.
Visit our ultimate guide to sparring for more sparring tips and our sparring gear recommendations.
How Sparring can be Beneficial
Sparring can be very beneficial, even if you’re new to training combat sports. I personally didn’t start sparring until the 3rd month of my Muay Thai training, and even then it was very light and head shots were off limits. Sparring can be one of the most beneficial training methods because it emulates how a real fight would feel like. I’ve learned more from sparring than I have hitting pads or doing bag work.
How sparring can benefit you:
– Will give you a real ‘fighting feel’
– Will build cardiovascular strength
– Helps mental conditioning
– Improves self confidence
– Improves awareness and reaction time
I highly recommend sparring if you’re ready physically, mentally, and have the right equipment to get the job done.
How to prevent injuries from Sparring
With the increase in scientific studies, we have found out that sparring hard more than two to three times a week can actually be very damaging for the brain. Sparring increases the risk for concussion if you don’t follow proper rules and equipment guidelines. There are many ways that you can help make your sparring sessions much safer. First things first, you need the right equipment to get the job done.
Recommend equipment:
– Mouthguard
– Boxing Gloves (16 ounces or more)
– Headgear
– Shin Guards (Kickboxing or Muay Thai Sparring)
I highly recommend wearing a mouthguard no matter what type of training you’re doing. Not only will this protect your teeth, but also your jaw will be protected and this also lessens the chance of other facial injuries. I always recommend 16 ounce gloves or higher, this not only protects your hands, but also your partner will thank you. Headgear is not necessarily needed for sparring, however I do recommend it because it can help protect you and your partner from facial injuries. Shin guards are always recommended if your sparring session involves kicks.
Not only do you need the right equipment for sparring safety, but you should also follow some guidelines on how to be a better sparring partner. It’s always recommend never to go 100% in sparring, unless you’re of course training for a world class championship fight. For beginners, I recommend going 10-25% sparring so that even if you get caught with a clean punch it won’t be as devastating. Sparring at even 10% speed and power you’ll still improve your reaction time and understand how to become a better fighter.
Of course, no matter how many safety guidelines you make or precautions you take, there’s always going to be a risk of injury. Sparring isn’t street fighting, however it’s about as close to a real fight you’re going to get without actually fighting. I think the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to sparring, however this is only if you spar the right way. I recommend only sparring once or twice a week. Depending on how hard you spar, the recommend amount could even be less than that.
Before You Buy
Before you buy the perfect pair of boxing gloves for sparring, please take into consideration the many factors we talked about earlier. There are many great boxing gloves online that have some amazing reviews from millions of people worldwide. However there are also some bad quality gloves that are poorly made with cheap materials, so you need to be careful when shopping online. I hope that I have steered you into the right direction to buying the best boxing gloves for sparring or whatever training you’re looking to do.
What to consider before you buy:
Do the gloves come in my correct size?
Are the gloves made by a reputable brand?
What do other people say about the product?
Trying to find the best pair of sparring gloves online can be very stressful, but hopefully this guide helped guide you to a solid decision!