Vladimir VladisavljevicSparring is a critical aspect of the game when it comes to competitions. You must spar and change partners from time to time if you want to prepare well for your upcoming bout. You might have the greatest gas tank in the world, but the technically better opponent will outwork you.
The best sparring gloves depend on many factors: your training level, your aspirations, fighting style, the number of days left until the upcoming competition, etc. But before we start, it is important to point out the differences between few types of sparring sessions. Sellers will not be able to confuse you with marketing tips and tricks ever again!
Types of Sparring
You can spar twice a day and successfully stay away from injuries. You wonder how? Well, there are many types of sparring sessions. All of them are highly beneficial if an expert controls your training process.
Hard (Competitive) Sparring
Hard sparring simulates realistic matches, competition. Only 16+ oz gloves are recommended cause your goal is to throw and defend heavy strikes without hurting your opponent.
Technical Sparring
Sometimes you need to work on fixing your technique. The best option here would be taking gloves for competition and trying to deliver the technically correct strike. Unfortunately, boxing has a stiff rule set. If your strike is incorrect, the judges might not score it.
Clinch Sparring
This is another word for “dirty boxing” or Muay Thai clinching. Thinner gloves (8-10 oz) are your best friend here, you must hold your opponent from time to time and attack weak spots in his guard.
Conditional Sparring
Frankly, this is a synonym for “training combinations”. You throw 2-3 strikes, then the opponent fires back with his combo. The coach explains strikes and defensive maneuvers before the fight.
These are the best boxing gloves for sparring:
1. Everlast Pro Style
Clinching is a very important aspect of sparring. You might have a hard time when an offensive fighter marches forward and constantly attempts to fight you inside the pocket. The Everlast Pro Style glove is here to help you deal with those types of fighters.
Boxing and Muay Thai are known for extensive clinch games, and this 8 oz glove will let you boost your clinch skills to the next level. Premium synthetic leather construction leads to good quality and enhanced durability in extreme conditions. You can train longer in hot areas, hand sweating is reduced to a minimum due to breathable mesh palms.
This is a comfortable pair of boxing gloves for sparring that let you switch between Muay Thai plum, single-collar clinch, and crossface defense in the split of a second.
- Breathable pair.
- Anti-odor and anti-microbial features.
- Curved anatomical grip.
- Durable model.
- You can use them for technical sparring sessions too.
- Not good for hard sparring sessions.
Quick strikers will love it too. This glove is designed to turn you into a lightning-fast close-range fighter. Intermediate fighters will love it as this lightweight model lets you swing and change levels quickly.
2. Everlast Elite Hook & Loop
Everlast Elite Hook & Loop is another choice of pro fighters. Made of microfiber, this is one of the best sparring boxing gloves when it comes to simulating realistic match conditions. You can hit hard without fear – this model protects you and your opponent!
These gloves are equipped with an anatomical shaped shell, which allows a natural range of motion and additional fist and wrist protection during heavy strikes.
- All kinds of sparring are possible, the glove behaves well inside the pocket too.
- Maximized hand/wrist protection.
- Fair choice of sizes and designs.
- Wonderful durability.
- Critical breathability.
- Expensive.
Heavyweight war machines – Wilder, Gorman, Fury, Pulev, or Joshua would probably praise Everlast Elite Hook & Loop gloves and call them the best boxing gloves for sparring. Knockout artists Dalton Smith and Lee Appleyard would love this model too.
If you’re looking for a durable model that tolerates throwing bombs every single day, this is a great pick for you.
3. Ringside Bullet
Ringside Bullet is designed to protect your hands during weird strikes and combos. If you’re already known for an unorthodox fighting style, you might enjoy this pair in your training sessions. IMF Tech injection molded foam padding offers good protection during weaving overhands or Celtic crosses.
This glove is easy to put on and off thanks to the hook & loop wrap-around closure, which saves your time in the training session. You can quickly switch from spars to strength and conditioning or shadowboxing, which is outstanding for training efficacy.
Here’s another lovely feature – this model keeps your hands dry for a prolonged time.
- Fair price.
- Moisture-wicking inner liner leads to less sweat on the inside of your gloves.
- Excellent ventilation.
- Good level of hand protection.
- Good choice of designs and sizes.
- Not good for long-range fighters and clinch specialists.
These are by far the best sparring gloves for fighters who tend to base their game plan on unorthodox wide strikes – hooks, overhands, and modified punches. Manny Pacquiao copycats should enjoy it. This model is definitely recommended for professionals. Oh, this is also a good pick for intermediate fighters who lean towards weird strikes and techniques.
4. Venum Elite
Venum Elite is a top-notch all-around pair of boxing gloves for sparring. We recently mentioned four types of spars, this model lets you train every single area of sparring. A huge variety of designs and sizes helps you boost clinching skills, combos, and one-punch knockout ability, depending on the model you pick.
This model offers decent wrist support and excellent padding that protects your fists during straight punches (jabs, crosses, and Supermans). Unfortunately, this model is not breathable, so you’ll have to deal with smelly gloves. Yet, it is easy to clean and take on and off thanks to the Velcro strap.
Thumb attachment and 3 layers of natural foam lead to better hand protection, which might be great for beginners with irregular techniques. This is also good when you fight a defensive expert, as you’ll have smaller chances of hurting yourself.
- Universal sparring glove.
- Lightweight.
- Excellent hand protection.
- Hand-stitched in Thailand with reinforced seams for high quality.
- Poor breathability.
Venum Elite is an awesome pick for a beginner or an intermediate fighter who switches a lot between fighting styles and sparring sessions. Are you preparing for a tournament full of different opponents? Give this pair a shot!
5. Ultimatum Gen3Pro Snow Storm
Ultimatum Boxing Gen3Pro Snow Storm is the real choice of the professional fighter, fully committed to the boxer’s functional performance and durability. This model is carefully handcrafted for pro’s hands, which makes it one of the best boxing sparring gloves in the market. Yes, it costs a bit more, but it’s worth every cent.
The protection is outstanding thanks to InnerForceG-Nano proprietary formula polymer foam combination, which also adds speed and power into your strikes, and makes this model suitable for quick violent exchanges in the pocket. The glove padding will not bottom out as time goes by.
The closed-cell foam doesn’t soak water and dries out quickly, which lets you train for a prolonged time. This model also allows unrestrained thumb positioning – awesome for injury prevention. Very comfortable and lightweight pair.
- World-class wrist fixation.
- Superb level of hand protection.
- Durable model.
- Easy to take on and off.
- Recommended for hard (competitive) sparring sessions.
- Not good for dirty boxing.
- Expensive.
Ultimatum Boxing Gen3Pro Snow Storm is designed for serious professionals with fighting styles (for example, defensive expert, peekaboo fighter, …). Very good pick for hard hitters, toe-to-toe fighters, and one-punch knockout artists. Deontay Wilder copycats will enjoy it for sure.
6. Ring To Cage Deluxe
Ring To Cage Deluxe is number one rank on Sherdog, one of the best martial arts websites in the world, for a good reason. Special 2.5″ of MiM Foam Technology provides a very strong layer of protection for your wrists and knuckles.
You can land ten Mike Tyson’s punches in a row, hit the wall or concrete, and the chances of injury are still less than 1%. This is the only glove on the market with both an elastic strap and a leather strap Velcro closure system.
- Superb level of hand/wrist protection.
- Additional padding on your thumb.
- Made of cowhide leather.
- Durable.
- Good ventilation, quick-drying model.
- Easy to take on and off.
- You’ll hardly hurt your opponent during competitive spars.
- Expensive.
- Heavy.
These are the best boxing gloves for sparring when it comes to protection. Oh, a top-notch level of protection for your opponent is guaranteed too! Maximum protection on both sides is invaluable!
7. Title Gel Suspense
Title Boxing Gel Suspense is a great solution for beginners who haven’t brought the technique to perfection. If you’re doing a lot of technical sparring and work on your punching technique, this model will help you on your journey.
There are only two designs, but the choice between four sizes (12-18 oz) enables all kinds of sparring sessions. You can even learn some basic clinch techniques and fighting inside the pocket. This leather-made product helps you work on the perfect trajectory of your hit.
- Durable.
- Good breathability, the mesh allows great airflow.
- This model offers good padding and balance plus decent wrist protection – your knuckles won’t hurt.
- Multi-functional.
- Heavier model, not good for lightning-fast combos.
- Expensive.
You’ll have to spend a bit more money, but Title Boxing is easy to take on and off plus the glove helps you work on your technique a lot. Even if you land a very powerful strike, your hand remains protected all the time.
Conclusion
Each pair of boxing gloves for sparring has good and bad sides. One-punch knockout artists who prefer a top-notch level of protection should stick to Ring To Cage Deluxe. If you’re a professional fighter, Ultimatum Gen3Pro Snow Storm and Everlast Elite Hook & Loop could be perfect picks for you. Durability rocks, just as wrist/punch/thumb protection.
Title Gel Suspense and Venum Elite are good picks for beginners, especially if you’re having a hard time learning striking techniques.
Ringside Bullet is excellent for professionals with weird strikes and unorthodox fighting style, while Everlast Pro Style is the choice of intermediate all-around fighters and clinching/close range experts.
For more information and reviews, make sure to check out our picks of the best boxing gloves for training and competition, the best women’s boxing gloves, the best boxing gloves for heavy bags, and the best cheap boxing gloves for beginners.
