When you’re jumping into sparring, either as a beginner or more advanced fighter, you’ll want to make sure you get the right gloves for this use-case.
Because not all gloves are perfect for each training style, so in this article, I’ll tell you my pick of the best boxing gloves for sparring right now.
My top choice for the boxing glove for sparring is the Fairtex BGV1 because it offers dense sponge-like padding over the knuckles that protect your hands and your opponent. Plus, it’s excellent value considering the price and durability of Fairtex products.
Close runner-ups are the Ringside Apex Flash, as it’s an excellent budget option for a second pair, and the Hayabusa T3 because of the stellar wrist support, and it’s one of my favorite gloves on the market.
But there are more options out there, which you can find below by scrolling.
The key features we’re looking for are an acceptable glove size/weight, a decent level of knuckle padding that’s durable, and enough reliable wrist protection – all in one.
Let’s crack on with the top options!
Table of Contents
Top options of boxing gloves for sparring
In no particular order, these are my picks of gloves that are suitable for regular sparring.
It’s a lot to do with choosing an option that keeps your sparring partner safe, which ensures a respectful training environment that enables everyone to keep coming back for more sessions.
Here’s a quick list of my top choices:
- Well-Padded: Fairtex BGV1
- Cheapest: Ringside Apex Flash
- Kickboxers: Anthem Athletics Stormbringer II
- Wrist Support & Beginners: Hayabusa T3
- Stylish: Fairtex BGV6
- Heavyweights: Ring To Cage Sparring Gloves
- Pro/Premium: ONX X-4
And keep scrolling to check out more detail for each glove option.
Fairtex BGV1
I love the BGV1 glove for sparring because Fairtex is a brand that produces very reliable gloves that last a long time.
On top of that, the BGV1 is specifically great for sparring as it has a ton of dense padding around the knuckles and back of the hand, making it useful to protect your opponent and yourself.
The main downfall with this glove is that it’s another option best suited for kickboxers and Thai boxers.
Fairtex specializes in Muay Thai products, so their gloves often have a bit of bend at the wrist to make them suitable for grabbing body parts.
That being said, the wrist strap is always firm, and the level of classic padding offers a lot.
And having some flexibility in the wrist is desired for many fighters for mixed martial arts, anyway.
And with it being priced comfortably under the $100 mark, I think it will give the best bang for your buck for most sparring fighters.
Ringside Apex Flash
Ringside shows up as one of my regular picks because of its perfect balance between value and quality.
They may be the cheapest glove on this list, but that doesn’t take away from how reliable they are for most.
Especially since the Apex Flash gloves offer a great level of padding over the knuckles and are available in both 16 and 18 oz sizes, making them great for sparring.
You’ll also get a solid level of support around the wrist as the hook and loop velcro lock in tightly.
It can be a little too snug for those with longer fingers and cause discomfort if you’re wearing them for hard or long sessions.
But, considering sparring sessions are usually only a few minutes per round, this should still make them a decent option as a second glove.
With the price being so affordable, you could definitely consider owning a second pair like these just for sparring.
Anthem Athletics Stormbringer II
I’ve added the Stormbringer II to this list since I tried on these gloves, and I like that they have very dense padding over the whole hand area.
The padding is dense and multi-layered that is designed to absorb a lot of impact.
So the glove is a good option for absorbing impact for your opponent’s safety in sparring and for absorbing shock if used on a heavy bag.
But one thing to note is that this glove is mainly designed for kickboxers and Muay Thai-style fighters.
The glove bends at the wrist a bit, and the palm opens more easily than some gloves, making it ideal for catching kicks and getting involved in the clinch.
If you’re a beginner, I might not suggest these gloves because of that wrist-bending ability, as it can lead to too many newbie injuries in the wrist — I’ve been there!
Otherwise, I really like these gloves for their matte style, buffalo leather, and dense padding that still feels lightweight.
Hayabusa T3
Hayabusa’s T3 boxing glove drops into this list, as it does on many of our reviews, because it’s simply one of the best boxing gloves on the market, largely down to its incredible wrist support.
It’s also available in those bigger sizes like 16 oz and 18 oz, which makes it suitable for almost any big or heavy fighter.
The T3 will give the most reliable stability to your wrist by maintaining perfect hand alignment when throwing your punches, dramatically reducing injuries.
It’s also good for sparring because it has five layers of foam padding on the inside, absorbing a ton of shockwaves for you and giving necessary safety to your opponent’s face or body.
I love the
Fairtex BGV6
If you want to step into the sparring class looking like the most stylish fighter in the room, then the Fairtex BGV6 is bound to be your top choice.
You’ll be getting the same Fairtex quality and durability but in a much more angular and stylized package.
It’s designed to be a glove that can aid in keeping a stable wrist-to-hand positioning which prevents stress on your wrist joint.
But it also has great coverage of sponge padding over the knuckles, and the 16 oz size gives a great overall package for sparring proficiency.
It’s going to be more structured in the wrist and stable, rather than slightly bendable like the BGV1, which might be better for you if keeping your wrists safe is important.
The downsides are that these can feel a bit stiff and tight at first, as the size runs a bit smaller, so it likely isn’t any good for big-handed fighters.
Ring To Cage Sparring Gloves
While the previous option isn’t much good for large hands, the Ring to Cage Deluxe Sparring glove absolutely is.
This is the best option I’ve seen that gives Heavyweights the size offerings they need to add appropriate padding protection around their fists and cushioning for their sparring partners.
They can size up as high as 24 oz (sometimes heavier, but harder to find), which gives the Derrick Lewis and Deontay Wilder’s of the world the proper weighted gear for fight training.
A glove with a unique strapping system keeps the gloves locked in place, but it can be a bit fiddly to get on and off — so it’s certainly a glove for committed sessions.
I’d recommend this glove over most other options for any fighter that is heavy or particularly big.
You have way too much power in your hands and weight to throw around, so wrap them boys up and keep your training partners safe.
ONX Sports X-4
Finishing off my selection of the best gloves for sparring with this premium option from ONX Sports.
It’s the brand that is the brainchild of Trevor Wittman, renowned boxing and MMA coach that has created several champions across both combat sports.
They are one of the few gloves on the market that tries to advance the technology behind training gloves, particularly in stabilizing the wrist with the hand.
The other option being the
The X-4 gloves have diagonal strapping that pulls the glove’s materials between the knuckles and the wrist together, creating a “lock” that stabilizes them.
It’ll ensure that you can’t bend your wrist in an unnatural position and causes fewer fractures and other problems with the small ligaments and bones in the hands or wrist.
They come in both 16 oz and 18 oz sizes so that they can be a great sparring option for most weight classes.
But they are insanely expensive, largely because of how limited their production line is. I would choose them if you want one of the top gloves and have the budget for it.
As they are so pricey, I’d take extra care to keep them clean by wiping them down and allowing them to air dry after every use — the materials will maintain much better.
Considerations for sparring gloves
If you’re trying to pick out a pair of gloves specifically for sparring, there are a few key things to know to make the right choice.
Let me answer those for you below.
Choosing the right size for sparring
The first key thing to know is that most reputable gyms will have a requirement to wear a minimum of 16 oz gloves for any kind of sparring.
And fighters in the size range of Light Heavyweight or Heavyweight should probably be wearing 18 oz gloves or higher.
The “bigger” the size of boxing gloves, the heavier the weight in ounces (oz).
And with more size and weight in a glove, it usually means more padding added to the knuckles.
The point of extra padding in gloves for sparring is to protect your sparring partner.
When you make contact with your opponent, more padding helps spread the impact and reduces superficial cuts, bruises, and swelling.
But it also helps you, too, as having more padding gives you a larger surface area to protect your head — which is really important, especially if you’re still learning how to protect yourself as a beginner or intermediate.
Boxing glove sizing chart for sparring
To help you pick out the right size for sparring, check out this table I’ve put together that makes it simple for most training needs:
| Bodyweight | Glove Size | Glove Size (Sparring) |
|---|---|---|
| 110-140 lbs | 8-12 oz | 16 oz |
| 140-165 lbs | 10-12 oz | 16 oz |
| 165-190 lbs | 10-14 oz | 16 oz |
| 190-215 lbs | 12-14 oz | 16 oz |
| 215-240 lbs | 12-16 oz | 16 oz |
| 240-270 lbs | 14-16 oz | 18 oz |
| 270 lbs + | 16-24 oz | 18-24 oz |
I would only recommend considering a glove size lower than 16 oz for sparring if you and your partner are both advanced and have a specific purpose behind using a smaller size.
You’d also want to have an agreement with your training partners to engage in lower glove-weight sparring.
You might use a smaller glove size if you are in a fight training camp and looking to sharpen your skills to an elite level and get ready for the upcoming matchup.
But, for most situations, you should be wearing at least 16 oz gloves, and that’s the same for almost all smaller sizes between 110-240 lbs.
Once you are above the 240 lbs body weight, then you probably should upgrade to 18 oz or heavier.
Owning more than one pair of gloves
Since sparring usually requires a glove size of 16 oz or more, it likely means you will need two different-sized gloves, depending on your own body weight.
While 16 oz gloves are ideal for sparring, gloves you train in to develop technical skills, like on pads with a coach, might be better in a smaller size.
So if you weigh between 110-215 lbs, you likely want a glove size between 8-14 oz to use for other training like on the heavy bag or on pad/mitts work.
If you weigh between 215-270 lbs, then you might be fine with just one pair of 16 oz gloves to use for all purposes.
I still don’t recommend you do that because you’ll wear down your gloves on the heavy bag (most commonly) and end up with frayed skin over the knuckles, which can cut or scrape your opponent’s skin more often.
If you weigh more than 270 lbs, then you likely need 18 oz gloves for nearly all training and multiple pairs to avoid wearing any one glove down too quickly.
So, the TL;DR is: get more than one pair of gloves. One pair for general training and one pair for sparring.
Final word on sparring gloves
So if you want to get a good glove for sparring purposes, you should choose a 16 oz glove with plenty of knuckle padding and, ideally, decent wrist protection to keep you injury free.
If you have the budget to spend, consider getting a regular size for general practice and a second larger (16/18 oz) sized pair for sparring.
That will ensure you are maximizing your training sessions without wearing down your gloves too fast.
Choosing from the list I’ve put together in this article should help you have the ideal live sparring experiences and upgrade your skillset.