Boxing Gloves

Ideal weight of gloves

The weight of boxing gloves is stated in ounces (oz); one ounce is equivalent to roughly 28 grams. Juniors and women should use boxing gloves weighing up to 10 oz. For children, choose gloves weighing between 4 and 8 oz. The standard competition weight of boxing gloves and kickboxing gloves is 10 ounces. Heavier weights of between 14 and 16 oz should be used primarily for heavy bag training and sparring.

What material to choose

Boxing gloves are made from synthetic or real leather. As a compromise, there are gloves made from a combination of both materials. Leather boxing gloves are the most durable and are also most frequently used by professional boxers. You could choose synthetic leather boxing gloves if you are just starting out with boxing.

Fastening

Boxing gloves fasten with Velcro or laces. The main advantage of Velcro fasteners is that the gloves are easy to put on and take off without help from a trainer. Boxers often need assistance in putting on lace-up boxing gloves. Both types of fasteners are equal in terms of how they grip the hand in the glove.

Tips to sum up

In order to get the highest lifespan out of your new boxing gloves, you have to look after them properly. After each training session leave the gloves to completely dry out, although avoid drying them on direct sources of heat (radiators, etc.). Wipe the surface of the gloves with a damp cloth; never wash them in a washing machine. 

The color of boxing gloves is also a factor. Red gloves, for example, are most commonly used in matches as red is harder to catch for the human eye. For training, go for light or brightly-coloured protectors. These are more visible and enable trainers to observe better.