The Philippines has an intimate relationship with boxing as a spectator sport. It has produced world-class athletes such as Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire, and Onyok Velasco. With such stars at the forefront of Philippine boxing, it is only natural that Filipinos take up boxing either professionally or as a way to get fit.
If you just started dabbling with boxing, you will notice that investing in boxing gloves is a necessity in the sport. Since there is a myriad of boxing gloves types available with different sizing and materials, we broke down all the things you need to take into account when choosing a pair. After that, a top 10 list is provided to help you in your search for the best one!
Boxing started in 688 B.C. in the Olympics. Back then, they used oxhide leather which was softened with oil as boxing gloves. As the years progressed, they used a cestus, which is the early form of boxing gloves.
Real padding came about in the 1800s. Padding was only used for training but slowly gained acceptance in professional sport as more rules to make it safer were implemented. Today, boxing gloves undergo a lot of scrutiny due to sports regulations.
The weight, padding, type of material, and design are all submitted to sporting commissions and referees for approval prior to usage. It now focuses on making sure that both fighters return safe and without major injuries, which is very different from when the sport was founded.
As safety is a concern when it comes to boxing or any martial art, you need to properly select your boxing gloves to ensure just that. They should be appropriate to the sport that you aim to join and fit you well. Looking good is also something to consider, as this has mental benefits that can heighten your performance on and off the ring.
Boxing consists of many training regimens. You need to train in the bags to improve power or spar with a partner to improve your reflex and critical thinking skills during tough situations. There may be instances where you want to try other combat sports which require different gloves. Know how to select the best type of boxing gloves for you below.
Training gloves are the most common type of boxing gloves in the market. These gloves are meant to be used on boxing bags or pads; however, you can still utilize them for any type of training.
If you are just starting out, this type of boxing gloves will usually be the first thing that you acquire as it is readily available and translates well to many training programs.
Once you have garnered enough training under your belt, you may want to opt for a sparring session with one of your co-trainees. Sparring aims to pit boxers to test their skills while ensuring a safe and respectful environment.
Any type of boxing gloves can be used during sparring, but some companies offer specific sparring gloves that are optimized for this particular training session. Sparring gloves take on a much softer padding, making them better at dissipating force during impact.
With the blows softened, these gloves prevent any accidental injuries and knockouts, thanks to their construction and material. They are often sold in different weight classifications, so remember to check them out depending on your body weight.
Training more than the average boxer? You may want to take your talents further by registering for professional fights. For those competitions, professional gloves are needed as they are highly regulated and should conform to certain sporting standards.
These boxing gloves are built for maximum power, sacrificing any comfort on your fists while delivering optimal damage to your opponent. They have firmer padding and are made smaller for faster punches. They also need to conform to a certain weight limit, depending on the competition requirements.
Since professional boxing gloves are laced, it is impossible for anyone to put dangerous paraphernalia before the fight. These gloves aren’t suited for everyday training due to their padding and are a bit costlier than your usual training gloves.
Even though Muay Thai shares some similarities with boxing, it is a completely different sport altogether. Since it uses leg kicks, the gloves need to cater to a variety of moves that kickboxers use. What makes Muay Thai gloves different is their distributed padding all over the gloves, as the hands are used to block kicks.
You can also find some additional padding on the palm area for the same reason. Additionally, Muay Thai gloves are much more flexible, making it possible to use the hands to grab the back of the head for a knee or to catch oncoming kicks to set up a counter-attack.
These gloves are developed specifically for use in mixed martial arts. They aren’t technically boxing gloves but are used to throw punches; thus, there are padded areas in the knuckles.
MMA gloves also have an open finger setup that contains a very flexible material in the palm area. This is due to the amount of grappling and holds that entail mixed martial arts.
To make the sport accessible to many people, boxing gloves are manufactured using different materials to cover different boxing commitments. There are inexpensive materials available to beginners while there are top-end materials that are used by the pros which can last a long time.
Affordable gloves are usually made with vinyl. If you are unsure whether you’ll be doing boxing for a long time or you only do it occasionally, going for vinyl gloves will serve you well.
Although they are resilient, they can degrade over time. Frequent usage of vinyl gloves will result in the material developing cracks, either from stress or exposure to sweat. Odor can also build up, so remember to clean them well after use.
Another popular material used for entry-level gloves is Polyurethane, also known as synthetic leather. Since this lab-made material is commercially produced, it is relatively inexpensive.
It has the same problems as the vinyl gloves in that it cracks over time and develops odor from improper storage and cleaning. But if you will use them infrequently, these gloves will last you a while.
Leather as a boxing glove is a match made in heaven. Since it is made from animal hide, it's very comfortable and conforms well to the hands. It also regulates moisture and odor well, ideal for those who box often.
Most professional boxing gloves utilize either cowhide or buffalo leather. Cowhide is the most expensive as it stretches very well to the contours of the gloves. When taken care of the right way, leather gloves can last a lifetime.
Gloves come in different sizes. When selecting a size, what's important is that the gloves feel comfortable and are the right fit. Beginners usually use training gloves in the 12-14 oz range for better padding and protection. These sizes also make it easier for novices to gain strength to throw punches with that much weight.
You don’t need to consider much about the sizing if you are just starting out, but when you become a professional, it’ll be an important factor. If you plan on sparring with a partner, 14-16 oz sparring gloves are recommended.
For professional matches, lighter gloves are used due to the reduced padding and smaller form factor. They typically weigh around 8-10 oz, depending on the competition rules.
Two materials are used to increase the shock absorption qualities of boxing gloves, mainly horsehair and latex foam. Horsehair padding is firmer and packs more punch; thus, it is commonly found in professional boxing gloves.
Although this material offers little protection for your fists, it can give you maximum power output in every punch. On the other hand, latex foam is commonly found in entry-level and training boxing gloves to lessen the impact and prevent fatigue.
Again, the distinction between a beginner and a professional is apparent in the straps of the boxing gloves. For those who are new to boxing, it is best to use Velcro straps, as you can put the gloves in and remove them on your own.
For the pros, laces are the way to go since they offer a tighter fit and are much more secure. The downside is that you cannot take them out on your own, so you will need to have a coach or someone else to do it for you.
Although there is no perceived performance improvement in choosing the design you want, having gloves that you like to wear can amp up your game. From plain boxing gloves to more elaborate designs, there's surely a pair for every kind of boxer.
Choosing your preferred design can make you proud wearing them, letting you enjoy training and feel good about it. They can also make you look cool in the eyes of others once you post the pictures and videos of your training on social media!
Itching to throw a punch? After reading our buying guide, you are now well-equipped to find the perfect gloves for your blazing fists. But just in case you need help, below are the top contenders for the best boxing gloves you can purchase in the Philippines. Judge them individually and see which one gets the belt for you.
**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**
From ₱6,999
Type | Training/Sparring Gloves |
---|---|
Material | Vylar®-2 Engineered Leather |
Padding | Crush Zone™ Multilayer Foam |
Weight | 10oz, 12oz |
Strap System | Velcro Dual-X™ Closure System |
Colors/Designs | Black/Grey |
Blue
From ₱3,200
Type | Training/Sparring Gloves |
---|---|
Material | 100% Genuine Leather |
Padding | Latex |
Weight | 8oz, 14oz |
Strap System | Velcro |
Colors/Designs | Blue |
Black/White/Gold
From ₱3,086
Type | Training/Sparring Gloves |
---|---|
Material | High Quality Semi-Leather |
Padding | High-Density Injected Foam |
Weight | 10oz, 12oz, 14oz, 16oz |
Strap System | Velcro |
Colors/Designs | Black/White/Gold |
Blue
From ₱2,639
Type | Training/Sparring/Competition Gloves |
---|---|
Material | Cowhide Leather |
Padding | Layered Foam |
Weight | 8oz, 12oz, 14oz, 16oz |
Strap System | Velcro |
Colors/Designs | Blue |
From ₱3,038
Type | Training/Sparring Gloves |
---|---|
Material | Polyurethane |
Padding | Injection Molded Foam |
Weight | 12oz, 14oz, 16oz |
Strap System | Velcro |
Colors/Designs | Blue, Wine, Red, Clay, Black, Teal |
From ₱3,200
Type | Muay Thai Gloves |
---|---|
Material | 100% Genuine Leather |
Padding | Multilayered Foam |
Weight | 8oz, 10oz |
Strap System | Lace |
Colors/Designs | White/Blue |
From ₱1,520
Type | Training Gloves |
---|---|
Material | Vinyl |
Padding | Polyurethane Foam |
Weight | 10oz, 12oz, 14oz |
Strap System | Velcro |
Colors/Designs | Black |
From ₱956.25
Type | Training/Sparring Gloves |
---|---|
Material | Polyurethane |
Padding | Multi Layer Rubber Mold Padding |
Weight | 10oz, 12oz, 14oz, 16oz |
Strap System | Velcro |
Colors/Designs | Red |
From ₱2,089
Type | MMA Gloves |
---|---|
Material | Synthetic Leather |
Padding | Layered Foam |
Weight | 6oz |
Strap System | Velcro |
Colors/Designs | Black/Red |
From ₱860
Type | Muay Thai Gloves |
---|---|
Material | Vinyl |
Padding | Layered Foam |
Weight | 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, 12oz |
Strap System | Velcro |
Colors/Designs | Black, Blue, Red |
Image | 1 ![]() Hayabusa | 2 ![]() Twins Special | 3 Venum | 4 ![]() Excalibur | 5 ![]() Hayabusa | 6 ![]() Twins Special | 7 ![]() Reebok | 8 Titans | 9 ![]() UFC | 10 Everlast |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | T3 Boxing Gloves | BGVLA2 Airflow Boxing Gloves | Contender 2.0 Boxing Gloves | Prime X Cowhide Gloves | S4 Boxing Gloves Kit | Lace-Up Pro Boxing Gloves | Fitness Boxing Gloves | Fight Gloves | MMA Bag Gloves | Muay Thai Boxing Gloves |
Features | Offers the Best Support That Will Leave Your Competition to the Dust | Make Your Opponents See Double When You Land a Punch | These Gloves Will Help You Deliver Knockout Combos | Premium Quality for the World Class Fighter in You | Start Your Boxing Career With a Powerful Punch | A Tight Grip to Help You Last Longer in the Ring | Land Solid Blows on the Punching Bag With These Gloves | Budget-Friendly Gloves That Will Make You Feel Like a Professional | Knock Any Challenger to the Mat With Specialized MMA Gloves | Keep Your Training Sessions Last Longer Than Ever |
Price Starts at | ₱6,999 | ₱3,200 | ₱3,086 | ₱2,639 | ₱3,038 | ₱3,200 | ₱1,520 | ₱956.25 | ₱2,089 | ₱860 |
Type | Training/Sparring Gloves | Training/Sparring Gloves | Training/Sparring Gloves | Training/Sparring/Competition Gloves | Training/Sparring Gloves | Muay Thai Gloves | Training Gloves | Training/Sparring Gloves | MMA Gloves | Muay Thai Gloves |
Material | Vylar®-2 Engineered Leather | 100% Genuine Leather | High Quality Semi-Leather | Cowhide Leather | Polyurethane | 100% Genuine Leather | Vinyl | Polyurethane | Synthetic Leather | Vinyl |
Padding | Crush Zone™ Multilayer Foam | Latex | High-Density Injected Foam | Layered Foam | Injection Molded Foam | Multilayered Foam | Polyurethane Foam | Multi Layer Rubber Mold Padding | Layered Foam | Layered Foam |
Weight | 10oz, 12oz | 8oz, 14oz | 10oz, 12oz, 14oz, 16oz | 8oz, 12oz, 14oz, 16oz | 12oz, 14oz, 16oz | 8oz, 10oz | 10oz, 12oz, 14oz | 10oz, 12oz, 14oz, 16oz | 6oz | 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, 12oz |
Strap System | Velcro Dual-X™ Closure System | Velcro | Velcro | Velcro | Velcro | Lace | Velcro | Velcro | Velcro | Velcro |
Colors/Designs | Black/Grey | Blue | Black/White/Gold | Blue | Blue, Wine, Red, Clay, Black, Teal | White/Blue | Black | Red | Black/Red | Black, Blue, Red |
Link |
Adding to your arsenal of powerful punches, a straight right is the second part of a one-two combo, often thrown quickly following the jab. Unlike the quick and stunning hit of a jab, a straight right utilizes a full extension of the body, creating a debilitating blow to your opponent if hit square on! Below is a guide from Gloveworx on how to throw the best right hand straight with proper form.
Bend your knees a bit with your front foot flat and your back foot slightly raised at the heel, ready to pounce. Remember to distribute your weight evenly between each foot. Also, keep your fists in a defensive position to protect your face.
As it lands, follow through with the movement of your body for the full brunt of the blow. Remember to use your left hand to protect your head just in case your opponent decides to throw a punch!
In order to survive the demands of the sport, one must improve their cardiovascular endurance. Running helps increase your stamina in the ring. Doing jump rope exercises is also essential in building rhythm and footwork for lightning-quick feet. Below are some recommendations that can help you elevate your boxing prowess.
Boxing is a demanding but exhilarating sport. The feeling of pushing your body to the limit as you hear the snappiness of your punches is truly rewarding. Equipped with the right boxing gloves, your progression as a boxer, whether recreationally or professionally, will come in leaps and bounds. The next question is, are your opponents ready for you?
Author: Richard Martin
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