Do you think boxing gloves right sizing matters a lot in 2022? Pairing a snug glove with the right weight can help give boxers the knockout quality they’re looking for in training equipment. Rule the ring with the help of this Pro Tips sizing guide.

Packing a punch in the gym begins with packing the right gear in your bag. For boxers, having quality gloves can help keep your hands comfortable and protected during training. Just like other protective gear, boxing gloves perform best when they’re properly sized. There are also varying styles of boxing gloves, ranging from general trainers to those specialized for fight night.

By understanding how to find the right size boxing gloves and how to determine which boxing glove style is right for you, you’ll be closer to putting a heavyweight swing into your boxing regimen. So go the distance with quality boxing equipment and find the right gloves with these important tips.

MEASUREMENTS NEEDED TO FIND THE RIGHT SIZE BOXING GLOVE

Boxing gloves are at their best when they fit snug on the hand. In order to help fighters better identify which gloves they should train or fight with, glove sizes are displayed in ounces. These can range from 6oz. youth mitts to 20oz. heavyweight gloves. To find out which size is best for you, you’ll need three measurements: your height, your weight and the circumference of your dominant hand.

While height and weight are rather easy to determine with a scale and measuring tape, measuring your hand circumference can be a little less obvious. In order to take an efficient reading, use a fabric tape measure and measure around your open dominant hand just below the knuckles. Your tape should meet in the center of your palm in order to get a clear number.

BONUS PRO TIP: If you do not have a fabric tape measure, you can use a piece of string to wrap around your hand and mark it. Take the marked string and measure it against a ruler or stiff tape measure.

In terms of measuring for that absolutely perfect fit, hand circumference will be a superior indicator of size as opposed to height and weight, which are better described as guidelines. A good comparison would be to compare the fit of a tailored suit to a t-shirt off the rack. Both will fit, but the suit is far more suited to your specific measurements, whereas the t-shirt is a little more general.

Once you have these three data points in your corner, your next decision should be determining what style of gloves you need.

TYPES OF BOXING GLOVES

Despite all looking the same, boxing gloves can be specialized to perform different tasks. There are three types of training-related boxing gloves and two styles of competitive mitts. Each design has a unique quality that best suits its intended use.

BAG GLOVES: Boxing gloves right sizing


As the name suggests, bag gloves are meant to be used in heavy bag, speed bag or pad training. Bag gloves are designed with less padding in the knuckles than other boxing glove models. While it might seem counterintuitive to have a product with less padding, bag gloves are constructed this way to allow fighters to feel their punches and become accustomed to the impact. If an awkward punch is thrown or a fighter’s form is broken, they should be able to feel it in a bag glove and adjust accordingly.

TRAINING GLOVES
Training gloves are a great all-around option for boxers who are new to the sport.. These gloves are built with sufficient padding and can be used for both bag work and sparring but aren’t necessarily specialized for either. Training gloves can be a great introductory glove with ample support for novice and veteran fighters alike.

SPARRING GLOVES
In contrast to training gloves, sparring gloves are built solely for sparring and have extra padding, not only to protect you, but also your sparring partner. Sparring gloves will be sized the same as trainers but can be a tad bit heavier due to the extra padding.

COMPETITION BOXING GLOVES
Competition-level gloves are designed with the fight in mind. With less padding in the knuckles, these gloves are built for your opponent to feel your strikes. There are two levels of competitive boxing gloves: amateur and professional. Each follows sizing by weight division, with amateur gloves being more regulated due to the stricter rules at this level. A good way to typically identify amateur gloves is by the red or blue color scheme accompanied by a white knuckle overlay for easier scoring by judges.

SIZING

Amateur boxing gloves come in three sizes:

  • Fighters under the light welterweight class (141lb.) typically use 10oz. gloves
  • Fighters in divisions welterweight (152lb.) through super heavyweight (over 201lb.) typically use 12oz. boxing gloves
  • Masters Division fighters, who are age 41 and older, typically use 16oz. gloves

In addition, pro fighting gloves are separated into two size categories:

  • Fighters welterweight (147lb.) and under typically wear 8-ounce gloves
  • Fighters in divisions super welterweight (154lb.) and up typically wear 10-ounce gloves

Be sure to read the following size charts for a general understanding of how your measurements will match up to a particular glove size. Keep in mind, some sizes will vary slightly by brand, so check the manufacturer’s brand-specific size chart before purchase to help ensure you are getting the absolute right fit for you.

KO your training woes and gear up with a quality pair of boxing gloves. Stick and move your way to finding the right size equipment with these boxing Pro Tips.

If you’re curious about the sport of boxing but aren’t committed enough to buy your own equipment, many gyms have gloves and other gear that you can use. Once you develop a keen interest in the sweet science, or are just fed up with sharing old, sweaty equipment, it’s time to invest in your own pair of gloves for training. Figuring out what size gloves you need to buy is largely a matter of evaluating your hand size and body weight.

1: Measure the circumference of one hand, in inches, using a measuring tape. Although a metal measuring tape can work, a soft, plastic tape is easier to use. Hold one hand flat and wrap the tape around the hand at your knuckles. You’ll likely get a number between 6 and 10 inches.

2: Weigh yourself on a scale and note your weight, in pounds. To obtain the most accurate reading, weigh yourself before you eat breakfast and do so before you get dressed.

3: Write down the circumference of your hand and your weight and keep these numbers handy when shopping for boxing gloves. Your hand circumference influences whether you need small, medium, large or extra-large boxing gloves. The exact sizing of glove manufacturers varies. In general, however, hands that measure 6 to 7.5 inches indicate small gloves, 7.5 to 8.5 inches indicate medium gloves, 8.5 to 9.5 inches indicate large gloves and hands above 9.5 inches require extra-large gloves.

Choosing the proper size and weight punching bag has a lot to do with the type of workout that you’ll be using it for. Hitting a heavy bag that is too light can cause too much rebound when practicing power shots, but it may be great for a hybrid quickness-and-power workout. On the other hand, switching to a bag that is too heavy can make you feel like you’re punching a wall. While heavy bag selection is largely based on how hard you intend to hit it, speed bag training is far more technique oriented. Thus, your level of experience correlates strongly with the size bag that you should choose.