If you’re a boxer, kickboxer, or Muay Thai fighter, your boxing gloves are likely the most important tool in your gear bag. And like any tool, they work best when they’re suited to the person using them. A properly fitting pair of boxing gloves can make you feel more comfortable, protected, and confident, and lead to improved performance and well-being. Gloves that don’t fit properly can be annoying, distracting, and potentially dangerous.
So how do you know if your boxing gloves fit correctly? And how do you know if they don’t fit correctly?
We’ve talked about the importance of properly wrapping your hands and how to know if you’re wrapping your hands wrong in this blog before. Now let’s take a look at how the boxing gloves are supposed to fit on top of those properly wrapped hands and how to determine which boxing gloves are right for you.
Signs That Your Boxing Gloves Fit Wrong
- They feel tight when you first put them on. Your hands might swell a little when you box. That’s a natural result of exertion and sweating. If your boxing gloves already feel snug when you first put them on, there’s a good chance that they’ll become too constricting during your training.
- Your hands tingle our go numb when you box. Boxing gloves that are too tight can interfere with proper circulation in your hands and wrist. If you’re wrapping your hands properly and you’re still experiencing tingling or numbness during training, your gloves might be the wrong fit for you.
- Your boxing gloves slide or fall off in training. If you notice that your boxing gloves are slipping or shifting too much while you train — or if they’re at risk of falling off completely — your might have a problem with your wrist closure.
- Your fingers feel cramped. Or they have too much space. If your fingers feel crushed against the top of your boxing gloves, they’re not the right fit for you. But if you can’t reach the top of your boxing gloves with your fingers at all, they’re not right for you, either.
- You’re thinking about how your boxing gloves fit when you train. Boxing gloves are designed to support boxers while they train and compete. If you can’t focus on your training because your gloves feel uncomfortable, or because they shifting on your hands and distracting you, then they’re not the right gloves for you.
Signs That Your Boxing Gloves Fit Properly
- They stay put during training. If your boxing gloves stay where they’re supposed to when you’re boxing, that’s a good sign that your fit is right and that your wrist closures are fastened securely without being too tight.
- You can feel and move your hand in your glove. Within that securely and snug space, properly fitting gloves will still allow room for proper circulation and movement.
- Your fingers touch the top of your boxing gloves when you’re wearing them. The sweet spot for your fingers when you’re wearing your boxing gloves is sitting against the top of your glove. If your fingers are in that zone, it’s a good sign that your hands are properly supported in your gloves without being cramped.
- You feel comfortable and supported when you’re boxing. Or you don’t notice them at all. If all of the above are in the right place, with the right amount of tension, it should be much easier to focus on your training. Properly fitting boxing gloves in the right size should feel supportive but comfortable, which will allow you to train and compete with confidence.
How To Choose The Right Boxing Gloves Size
The first thing you’ll need to know when you’re searching for the proper boxing glove size is what you’ll be using your boxing gloves for. If you’re looking for boxing gloves specifically for competition, you’ll need to check the rules of your fight to make sure that you’re purchasing the correct boxing gloves. (For amateur fights, that’s generally between 10oz, 12 oz, and 16oz gloves, depending on weight and age class. Boxing gloves used in pro fights are usually 8oz or 10oz, also depending on weight class.)
If you’re using your boxing gloves for purposes other than competition, you’ll likely have a little more flexibility in terms of choice. Boxing gloves in the 8oz- 24oz range can all be used for sparring and training purposes. Lighter gloves (8oz-18oz) can also be useful for pad work. Boxing gloves in the 8oz-18oz range are also recommending for cardio kickboxing and boxercise.
That’s a big range of sizes, and it can get overwhelming, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience and haven’t figured out what your individual preferences as a boxer are yet. If you’re not sure what boxing gloves to pick, we recommend talking to your coach or instructor. They’ll be able to help you figure out what weight will work best for you and your training goals.
How To Measure Yourself For Boxing Gloves Sizing
Once you’ve assembled the above information, there’s one more data point you’ll need to help you determine the proper boxing glove fit for you: hand size. Measure the distance across the lowest knuckles (the ones you punch with) of your four upper fingers. Then consult the appropriate sizing chart for your glove make and model to choose the proper glove.
Here are the sizing charts for ProForce Original Leather Boxing Gloves and ProForce Leatherette Boxing Gloves to get you started:
