How to choose boxing gloves?

Proper equipment significantly reduces the likelihood of injury and increases the likelihood of a successful fight. Saving on boxing gloves or buying them at random is not recommended. For safety reasons, you should approach the issue extremely responsibly and study in advance the main characteristics of the accessory and the requirements put forward for it.

Which type of gloves is best?

Existing types of boxing gloves:

• amateur;
• training;
• combat;
• professional;
• projectile;
• for aerobics.

The types differ from each other not only in name, but also in design, level of safety and scope of application.. So, in an amateur pair, the thumb runs parallel to the hand. His position does not allow him to hit hard. If, in spite of everything, you deliver a rough blow, this will most likely lead to injury - a fracture or displacement. In addition, with this type, the weight of half a glove is equal to the weight of the leather used to make a whole glove.

Often the first gloves are training gloves. The reason for this lies in their versatility. They can be used:

• in sparring;
• on shells;
• while practicing strikes and combinations.

Training ones are also valued because of their high safety. In this regard, it is difficult for them to find a replacement. They absorb impacts well due to the impact surface area and weight. It means that neither the athlete nor his opponent is at risk of serious injury if both exercise with this type of gloves. The accessory is also useful during protection. Its width and height allow you to hide your face and take the main force of the attack to your hands.

Important! Sooner or later, the boxer comes to the idea of ​​​​the need to expand his arsenal. Although training gloves are considered universal, at a certain stage of an athlete’s development he needs to have on hand combat and equipment gloves that work more adequately in specific situations.

Subtleties of choosing boxing gloves

The subject has several key parameters and guidelines:

• weight;
• size;
• form;
• clasp;
• filler;
• ventilation;
• external material;
• antibacterial impregnation.

In addition, close attention is required focus on the wrist area. How and by what means this part is reinforced can be found out from the seller.

How to choose the right size?

There are 3 main options:

• small;
• average;
• big.

In the standard size chart they are designated by the letters M, L, XL, but manufacturers have the right to use other designations. Because You need to try on a pair before purchasing.

To get your bearings at the initial stage and roughly understand what size is required, you should find out the girth of the hand around the knuckles. The measurement is taken using a measuring tape.It is placed between the base of the thumb and the point opposite it at the end of the palm. Moreover, the measurement should be made precisely along the line of the knuckles. Not higher and not lower.

Important! Do not wrap the tape around your thumb, exclude it.

Next, the results obtained are simply compared with the table.

Which material is better?

The products are made from genuine leather, leatherette and at the same time from 2 materials. You should choose from existing options based on your level and sporting goals.. If you are not sure that boxing is a vocation or hobby for a long time, then you should take gloves made of affordable, but less durable artificial leather. Well, those starting a boxing career are better off turning to products made from natural raw materials. In them, your hands sweat much less, and they also retain their shape longer.

Important! Boxing gloves made of cowhide have proven themselves well.

Products combined in composition try to balance the qualities inherent in models made from artificial and real materials. Some are better at this than others. There's a lot here depends on the manufacturer and price category. In general, it makes sense to try to purchase such a solution. Especially if the impact part of the gloves is sewn from durable, high-quality genuine leather, and the joints with artificial fiber seem reliable.

Filler, which is a priority

Products are offered that contain the following materials inside:

• foam;
• foam filler;
• cotton wool;
• tow.

Of the listed types foam filler is preferable, but in fact this word hides a huge variety of options, and not just one material. Almost every manufacturer uses its own type of foam.Some of them are worthy of attention, others are not.

Definitely good solutions:

1. Powerlock (multi-layer pre-formed foam filler; instantly restores shape, elastic and rigid);
2. Tri-Slab (layers of foam alternate with IMT gel; the glove is durable and has an optimal balance of elasticity/stiffness);
3. IMF foam (molded impact-absorbing 3-layer foam; highest level of shock absorption and protection).

The options listed are solutions that meet the equipment requirements of professional athletes. The rights to produce such fillers belong to specific brands that produce the most expensive gloves on the market. However, smaller companies copy technologies and often their imitation is not much worse than the original. If it is not possible to purchase products from a large well-known manufacturer, then it is worth finding out which companies are engaged in imitation and buying the product from one of them.

Important! We are not talking about Chinese counterfeits, but products produced by smaller and more well-known manufacturers.

The design of original and non-original products can be supplemented and reinforced with air or gel layers, as well as polyurethane foam inserts. The latter protect the hand and dampen the kickback. However, their effectiveness is not so high. It is an order of magnitude lower than that of modern synthetic fillers.

Important! At best, economy class gloves are equipped with polyurethane foam inserts. If you have a choice between buying an inexpensive pair without such an element or with it, then it is better to overpay a little and purchase a model equipped with earbuds.

The choice between gel and air layers is much more difficult to make.Both options have good softening, dampening and protective properties. However most popular brands have switched to gel. This is partly due to the fact that in air it is simply impossible to knock out an opponent with one precise blow.

What should the weight of the glove be?

Unit of measurement: ounce (1 ounce = 28.35 g). In writing it is designated as “oz”. A pair of gloves can weigh from 4 to 20 oz. Moreover, the values ​​are always even, since the product description indicates the mass of 2 products at once.

Important! The heavier the glove, the softer it is. That is why training accessories of greater weight are often used during training. They cause less harm due to their design, degree of rigidity, and size.

When choosing an accessory according to this criterion, you need to start not so much from the age or professional level of the athlete, but from his body weight. The more it weighs, the heavier the sports equipment should be. This is due to the consumption of material. A large hand requires a large boxing glove, the sewing of which requires a lot of leather/leatherette and accessories.

Reminder for those going to the store:

• lightweight models (4 ounces) are intended for athletes who have not yet turned 7 years old;
• at the age of 7 to 9 years, wear products weighing 6 oz;
• glove weight for women: 8–10 oz;
• teenage boys 11–13 years old also require accessories weighing 8–10 oz;
• 20 ounces - a similar thing is used by professional heavyweight boxers.

The most difficult thing is to choose an option for an adult man. He will have to rely on his own weight; there are no other clues or guidelines. Depending on the weighing results, a glove weighing between 12 and 18 ounces will be selected.

Lace or other closure

The glove can be secured using lacing or Velcro(s). The first option ensures that the equipment fits perfectly to the hand, which reduces the likelihood of injury and limb slippage. The second one is easy to use, but less reliable. Especially after prolonged use of a pair and the accompanying wear and tear of gloves.

Important! Any leather, even the best and most carefully crafted, stretches. The more often a glove is worn, the more hand and finger movements are made in it, the faster wear occurs.

You need to choose between existing types of fasteners based on your own feelings and age.. Velcro gloves are recommended for very young athletes. Only their guys can take them off and put them on themselves. Professionals and those who want to learn to feel the glove and become familiar with it should purchase a lace-up product. Ideally, the arsenal should be represented by both options. When you have at hand a sports attribute that is ideal for a particular occasion, the results are higher.

Important! There are boxing gloves with elastic, but they have a very narrow range of use - they are projectile gloves. And more often they are used by girls and children.

Are bandages necessary?

No type of gloves can be used without bandages. On the one hand, they fix joints and bones. This reduces the likelihood of injury. On the other hand, bandages absorb natural skin secretions. This in turn:

• eliminates slipping typical of wet hands;
• allows you to avoid allergies to the lining;
• ensures a high level of hygiene;
• extends the service life of gloves.

Thanks to bandages, the sports attribute absorbs less odors and secretions.Due to this, it does not become a habitat for pathogenic organisms. This is especially important since the fighter often wears gloves for a long time. If they begin to spoil the skin or cause suppuration of scratches that have not had time to heal, the boxer will not be able to train or compete.

Important! You need to learn how to bandage your hand correctly. Incorrect winding is a guarantee of injury.

There is no adequate replacement for bandages, so manufacturers are trying their best to make the process of using them easier. For example, they introduce divisions by length and age. For very young athletes, bandages up to 3 meters are provided. Adults need to purchase a product with a length of 3 to 4.5 m.

Important! You need to bandage the entire palm, but not the fingers. They are left practically unused. The only exceptions are grounds. The space in between should be carefully and carefully secured with bandages. The closest attention is paid to the pad and place of growth of the thumb.

What are the best gloves for punching bags?

Specially for projectiles, equipment of the same name is sold. They weigh little, since when using them there is no need to protect or care for the sparring partner. There is a very dense filler inside them. Major brands use bubble-free, airless foam.

Some people prefer to use training gloves when working with a punching bag and bag. This solution has its pros and cons. Because You should choose between accessories based on the intensity of your activities and your performance.. The higher both criteria are, the more reasons there are to switch to projectile ones - they will simply last longer.

An example of choosing boxing gloves

Step-by-step instruction:

1. find out the girth of the hand and your own weight;
2. determined by the tasks and type of training;
3. we go to the store and select several options, based on the description of the goods (avoid products made from leatherette, which looks or feels like film);
4. wrap bandages (Without them, you won’t be able to understand how the glove will fit in a real training session.);
5. try on;
6. visually inspect the glove;
7. check the cuff and fixing element (if it is Velcro, then you need to check for slipping) on the tightness of fit to the wrist;
8. we make sure that the thumb compartment allows you to give the finger an anatomically correct position relative to the clenched fist without effort or discomfort;
9. we ask the seller to tell you whether there are reinforced elements - the wrist or the striking part;
10. We ask the seller to describe in more detail the properties of the foam filler.

Brands you need to pay attention to

• Hayabusa. The manufacturer focuses on the strength and wear resistance of the outer material, as well as comfort of use. Each pair produced under this brand has nylon linings, as well as a “container” for collecting moisture. The last trick regulates humidity levels and ensures the highest level of hygiene even during frequent, long and intense workouts. Among the undeniable advantages is the cuff. Its original three-point design provides reliable fixation that does not weaken over time. A high level of protection is combined with ease of handling. Even a teenager can handle the fastener without assistance.
• Twins. The leader among manufacturers of paraphernalia for sparring fights. Strengths: strength and fixation. The qualities have been raised to the maximum level, so you don’t have to be afraid of harming yourself or the glove when making powerful blows.The external finishing is always made of genuine and very high quality leather. The material does not allow reducing the cost of products. Things of this brand are expensive, the economy segment is not represented at all by options.
• Winning. The oldest brand offers handcrafted products. Due to the painstaking and careful approach to the manufacturing process, gloves last for a record number of years. Average service life: 5 years. Then the worn-out item is not thrown away, but is used as a backup option for certain types of training.
• Everlast. Perhaps the most popular and sought-after market participant, and all because of the refusal to rely on only 1 or 2 product characteristics. The manufacturer studies every property of its products and produces gloves at different prices. Technological features and advantages of the brand’s gloves: the presence of a moisture-absorbing lining, a well-thought-out skin ventilation system (the type depends on the cost), a reliable wrist lock.
• Title Boxing. The company pays close attention security issues, allocates funds for research. Scientific developments made it possible to create an original concept for the design of gloves. The padding consists of several layers, each of which dampens a certain type of recoil from actions of varying power and intensity. The glove perfectly absorbs impact and reduces the return impulse.