The Best Boxing Gloves for Protecting Your Hands and Wrists as You Punch (2024)

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We recommend this pair of gloves because of their overall value. Made of vylar engineered leather, these gloves have double straps and a 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 confidently hit your target. 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 for boxing, mixed martial arts, and many other high-intensity workouts.

Perez says his favorite boxing gloves are any from the Hayabusa Fight brand. He says the brand is known for its top-notch engineering and craftsmanship.

The gloves come in various colors and are available in 10-, 12-, 14-, 16-, and 18-ounce sizes. We like that the gloves are easy to wipe down and clean once you finish your workout.

Another top brand backed by boxing instructors, these Everlast gloves feature a synthetic leather outer layer, foam padding, and an hourglass-shaped wrist closure for superior security as you jab, cross, and uppercut. Despite their lower price tag, we love that they're a quality option.

Perez explains that sparring gloves are designed to protect both the fighter and the opponent. They tend to provide extra padding, which is great for beginners who are not yet accustomed to striking a surface, but this also means they tend to be heavier compared to other options.

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

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 punching bags. Note that bag gloves are designed to protect the user and will generally have a little less padding compared to sparring gloves as they aren't designed to also protect the opponent.

These gloves feature holes to allow for some ventilation and a waterproof lining so your hands stay comfy—not soggy.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

The gloves feature foam padding, mesh palms, and hook-and-loop closure wrist straps.

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 need to clean them, start by wiping down the outside with a gentle disinfectant.

  "Because you’ll want to wear boxing hand wraps under gloves, you can throw those in the washer, and that will keep your gloves clean," says Williams.

  You can also spray a disinfectant inside the glove, but make sure to keep them open so they can dry out.

• How do I wrap boxing gloves?

  Wrapping your boxing gloves is easy, as they usually come with just one fabric fastener. (The wraps worn inside the gloves can get more complicated.) But keep in mind: “You should wrap your wrist with the hook-and-loop 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.