How to Choose the Right Size Boxing Gloves?

As a boxer, you know how important it is to have the right gear for the task. Ensuring you choose the right glove is vital, but choosing the correct size is also just as important. While you likely know your shoe size, you probably don’t know your glove size. So how do you go about finding the right size gloves for your hands?

In this guide, we’ll show you how to choose exactly the right size, ensuring the ones you pick fit like a glove, quite literally.

Understanding Glove Sizes

The sizing of your glove depends on the type of glove you’re buying. For bag gloves, you’ll usually find sizes ranging from Small to XXL. Sparring gloves come in various weights, ranging from 12oz up to 18oz. Professional fight gloves also come in two weights, either 8oz or 10oz.

Choosing the correct size or weight varies for each type of glove, and that’s what we’ll explain next.

Sizing For Bag Gloves

Training makes you a better boxer, so be sure to pick gloves that pack a punch. Ensuring you have the right size and fit for training is just as important as it is for fighting in the ring.

Bag gloves are generally designed with high density protective padding so sizing focuses on ensuring a correct fit. For most bag gloves, such as our XRT-220S Ultimate Bag Gloves, the size you choose will depend upon the measurements of your hand. Using a tape measure, record the circumference of your hand by measuring your knuckles around the widest part of your dominant hand, without any hand wraps worn. 

Next, you’ll need to record your hand length. The best way to get an accurate measurement is to apply the tape measure from your fingertip to the base of your wrist, as can be seen in the image above. With these measurements, you can match up your hand circumference with the manufacturer's size chart, which will look similar to the table below.

If your measurements fall in between sizes or one is bigger than the other then we’d recommend going for the larger glove size. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to select a glove that will help you raise your training game.

Sizing For Sparring Gloves

As you elevate your training into the ring, having the right gloves becomes even more important. When training with a sparring partner, safety is your number one priority, and having gloves that  fit properly and are sufficiently padded is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your partner.

To ensure the appropriate level of protection, sparring glove sizing is based on the weight of the boxer so you should measure your weight and check the manufacturer’s size chart.  Sometimes other measurements will be given too but these should only be used to ensure fitting in case you need to size up.  If you are a heavy hitter and near a weight boundary, you may want to err on the side of caution and go with the heavier, more protective size.

Sparring gloves start at 12oz, increasing in increments of two, up to 18oz, with 16oz being the most common.

Phenom sparring gloves are ergonomically designed with a compact hand compartment providing an almost custom feeling fit and excellent wrist support. 

Sizing For Fight Gloves

Fight gloves come in two different sizes, 8oz and 10oz, and the size you require is governed by the sanctioning body based on your body weight.  If your body weight is up to 67kg, or 147lbs (welterweight), then an 8oz fight glove is for you. If your body weight is over 67kg, or 147lbs, then a 10oz fight glove is the one you need.

When you’re fighting competitively, it’s even more important to find gloves that provide the perfect fit, as incorrectly fitting gloves that pinch or jam the thumb could cause discomfort or even injury during the fight.

Phenom fight gloves are ergonomically designed with a deep finger compartment and specially tapered thumb, which allows for a more natural fist position.

Sizing For Success

Ensuring you have the correct size gloves can make the difference between a win or a loss in the ring, as well as keeping you safe and protected wherever you’re throwing your punches. Following these simple tips will help choose the right glove size for you, whatever the boxing task you’re attempting to tackle.