MarkWhat is so special about women’s boxing gloves?
No, it’s not the color!
It is true that many women’s boxing gloves are designed with bold bright colors and patterns, and while all of that is part of the fun, there are actual physical features that make for the best boxing gloves for women.
I am here to discuss those differences, explain the nuances of various types of gloves, point out features on different gloves along with their pros and cons, and give my review of 16 top-rated women’s boxing gloves.
What Sets Women’s Boxing Gloves Apart
Fit
When they say “float like a butterfly” they were not talking about how your hands should fit in the gloves!
If you want to “Sting like a bee” your gloves should fit snug to your hand.
This is a problem for many women because they naturally have smaller hands and more slender wrists than men and end up floating around even in best boxing gloves made for men.
Making a Fist
Women’s boxing gloves are sometimes made with softer material or with a greater angle at the knuckles.
Why?
Softer material, flexible padding or a more contoured angle help you to make a stronger fist which translates to better and safer punches.
If you can not make a proper fist in the glove you risk damaging the delicate joints of the fist and can cause damage to your hand. This happens to men too, but the cause many times is a poor fitting glove.
Glove Shape
Several of the women’s boxing gloves below are shaped differently from standard gloves. They are cone or “V” shaped, made much narrower at the wrist than men’s gloves.
The wrist size is important!
Even most tall women have wrists that are significantly more slender than a man’s wrist and this means women need a glove that fits well at the wrist.
The wrist of the glove is what supports the wrist and prevents injury, and if it fits poorly or is too large you risk injury.
Boxing Glove Features – How to Decide What You Want
Velcro close or lace up?
Here is the deal.
Unless you like to ask for help every time you put on and take off your gloves, then Velcro is probably the right choice for you.
Pros of Velcro
- You can put the gloves on and off by yourself.
- They are quick and easy to remove.
Pros of Lace up Style
- You can often get lace up styles tighter and therefore they support the wrist better. This is important if you are hitting hard or are in a real boxing match.
- They look old school and authentic.
Leather or synthetic?
This is a tough one for me. I prefer leather but there are so many really good gloves out there made from synthetic, plus many people object to wearing real leather.
Pros of leather
- Usually superior at inhibiting odor- leather “breathes” better.
- Usually more durable.
Pros of Synthetic material
- Usually far less expensive.
- No maintenance required (you must clean and treat real leather if you want gloves to last).
- May be more washable- one pair listed below can be machine washed!
What weight should I get?
Gloves come in several different weights and a common question is “what weigh should I get”?
10 oz, 12 oz, 14 oz, 16 oz and even 18 oz gloves.
Rule of thumb: The larger the weight, the more padded the glove.
16 oz gloves are most common in amateur boxing during real matches.
For most women, 18 oz gloves are simply too heavy to even be comfortable, and they are unnecessary. 18 oz gloves are for seriously heavy hitters, usually men.
14 oz is a pretty standard size, and the majority of gloves reviewed below are available in 14oz. 14 oz gloves may be padded enough to use with heavy bags and for sparring. Many all purpose training gloves are this weight.
12 oz and 10 oz gloves for women are not quite as padded as heavier weights, but are good for speed and agility drills, mitt work, and are common in fitness boxing or cardio kickboxing style classes.
These weights are more comfortable and streamlined, but do not have the protection needed for sparring and real boxing matches.
If you are a “no contact” boxer and use the gloves for fitness boxing, these weights can perfect for you.
These are the best women’s boxing gloves to buy in 2022:
1. Twins Special Boxing Gloves
Twins offer one of the best boxing gloves for small hands. If you’re a tiny woman, we highly recommend this model.
- Velcro strap, very easy to put on or off.
- It won’t fly off during the intense punching sessions.
- Great padding.
- Handmade of 100% leather in Thailand.
- Excellent choice of sizes and designs.
- Mid-to-high price range.
- Some users find this model too stiff, break-in time might be too long.
A very good pair of women’s gloves, you can use them for Muay Thai/kickboxing sessions too. If you’re atomweight/strawweight fighter (Claudia Gadelha, Kay Hansen, Lindsey VanZandt, Stamp Fairtex, etc.), try this model out!
2. Ring to Cage Japanese Style
This model costs more, but the quality justifies the price, as you may choose between 21 lovely pairs and four sizes. Even the most complicated buyer will find a perfect match.
- Made of genuine high-grade cowhide leather for enhanced durability.
- Great padding, even better wrist and knuckle support, you can land clean strikes from different angles.
- One of the best women’s boxing gloves for small hands.
- Comfortable.
- Best training gloves for women, good for heavy bag sessions. You can even punch the wall, Amanda Nunes and Cris Cyborg would love this model for sure.
- Stylish.
- Expensive.
If you’re willing to spend extra money to maximize protection, go for it! This model saves your money because surgeries and doctors cost way more!
3. Cleto Reyes Hook & Loop
Cleto Reyes is an awesome pick for all kinds of training sessions, from sparring to a heavy bag.
- The superb thumb safety, great knuckle, and wrist protection.
- Wonderful choices of sizes, colors, and designs.
- Made of goatskin leather with water-repellent lining, your hands remain dry even during the most intense training sessions.
- Very comfortable.
- Hook & loop closure, easy to take on/off.
- Slick model.
- Expensive.
- You might have a hard time if you have longer and wider fingers.
These are the best women’s boxing gloves for bag work. You can improve quickness, hitting power, reaction time, movement, striking inside the pocket and a lot more. Cleto Reyes offers 12-18 oz models, so it’s easy to discover your new best friend, isn’t it?
4. Trideer Pro Grade
Trideer Pro Grade is a price/quality emperor, no doubt. Everyone can afford this model, and it is built to last.
- Very cheap.
- This model offers good wrist stability during combos and striking inside the pocket.
- Durable.
- Good choice for many martial arts.
- Multi-density foam for good shock absorption.
- Great comfort due to pre-curved anatomic hand design.
- Wrap your arms or forget about heavy bag sessions.
- Weird sizing chart.
It is a good pick for advanced fighters who want to work on quick strikes and counters. Very good pick for focus mitts training sessions (you can put internal link).
5. Venum Contender
Venum Contender offers a high-quality pair of boxing gloves for lovely sparring sessions.
- Affordable.
- Good choice of sizes and designs.
- Velcro enclosure increases safety and improves wrist stability.
- Comfortable.
- Wonderful padding and knuckle protection.
- Not good for one-punch knockout artists and heavy bag sessions.
- Thumb stitch on the inside might create blisters.
It is a great model for quickness, movement, ducking, and quick strikes too.
6. Hawk Sports Boxing Gloves
Superb price/quality ratio, awesome fist, and knuckle protection because of Gel Injected & Multi-Layered V-Impact Foam plus.
- Durable.
- Great ventilation because of anti-perspiration holes, wonderful anti-bacterial features, and no odor.
- Made of leather.
- All-around model, one of the best women’s boxing gloves for beginners.
- Easy to put on and off due to Hook & Loop Velcro wrist strap.
- Great sizing chart.
- You can land hard shots.
- The stitch on the above your fingers inside of the glove might make this model uncomfortable during the first two weeks.
7. Everlast Women’s Pro
One of the best women’s boxing gloves for competition, you will look like a professional, but it won’t kill your budget!
- Cheap.
- Excellent durability.
- Great knuckle protection, the model is made of premium synthetic leather.
- Breathable, your hands will not sweat much.
- Hook-and-loop closure keeps this model steady throughout the game.
- The closure is not adjustable, so pay attention.
- Interior tearing if you use this pair too often, this pair is designed for sparring and competition, but please, stay away from a heavy bag.
You can look like a boxing champ for a fair price. It’s an offer you can’t refuse, isn’t it?
8. RDX Women Boxing Gloves
This model is among the best women’s kickboxing gloves for two reasons – you can strike hard and fast like Holly Holm and everybody will notice you!
- Lovely and unique, eye-catching design.
- Double-stitched seams.
- Affordable.
- Anti-sweating features, your palm remains dry during training sessions.
- Comfortable.
- Excellent padding due to the combination of EVA Lution sheet and Supremo Shock foam, the glove is good for hard strikes and a heavy bag too.
- The cushioning inside absorbs hand-to-hand strikes, which means you’ll not hurt yourself much.
- The design is printed, not embroidered, and it might fade after a few months.
If you buy this model, you’ll probably get noticed, but you’ll also enjoy every aspect of punching. Lovely pick!
9. Kakoa Sports Boxing Gloves
Kakoa offers a cheap pair of gloves with hand wraps, so it means a great price/quality ratio too.
- Excellent fit.
- Velcro strap.
- These gloves are great for many martial arts.
- This pair is among the best women’s boxing gloves for a heavy bag.
- Good padding and knuckle/wrist protection.
- Durable.
- A great pick for heavy uppercuts and hooks.
- Made of synthetic leather.
- You might feel you’re wearing a rock on your hands.
This multifunctional pair of gloves is one of the best fits for small hands.
10. Kaiwende Boxing Gloves
Kaiwende offers one of the best women’s kickboxing gloves, widened wrist-wrap design means it is easy to take them on or off, plus this model reduces the chances of an injury because of an irregular punching technique.
- Cheap.
- Made of PU leather.
- Breathable and sweat-absorbent pair of gloves.
- Ergonomically designed pair.
- Great choice of colors and sizes.
- Excellent model for starters.
- Easy to take on or off.
- You should buy a pair of hand wraps if you intend to punch the heavy bag.
Kaiwende offers a lot of fantastic options for low price, a very good pick for fighters at the beginning of their fighting career.
11. Everlast Pro Style
Everlast is a superb pick for high-quality training sessions.
- Made of polyurethane and polyester.
- Comfortable.
- Excellent level of protection.
- Superb choice of sizes and colors.
- Naturally contoured to the shape of the fist and thumb.
- Excellent maneuverability.
- Wide wraparound Velcro strap for awesome adjustability.
- Price/quality ratio rocks.
- Not recommended for bigger guys and hard hitters.
Everlast is one of the best boxing gloves for a girl and smaller women.
12. Anthem Athletics Stormbringer II
If you’re a super-complicated buyer, go for this model, as it gives you the possibility to choose between 24 different designs, you’ll find your favorite color for sure!
- Classic pair of boxing gloves, made of high-quality full-grain buffalo leather.
- Unique combination of style, fit, and performance.
- High-impact foam, elite level of protection.
- Reinforced stitching for better durability.
- Breathable.
- Adjustable because of Velcro strap.
- Mid-to-high price range.
This model is worth every cent, and you’ll get what you pay for. It protects your fists even when if you land irregular punches over and over.
13. Ringside Apex
If you want a high-quality model and you’re willing to spend more money but you have smaller hands, go for Ringside Apex!
- Lovely choice of colors, designs, and sizes.
- Affordable.
- Breathable.
- Tapered wrap-around closure, the gloves won’t slip even the most intense training session.
- Easy to take on and off.
- Good ventilation and anti-microbial protection.
- Excellent protection of fists and knuckles, even during the hardest one-punch knockout strikes.
- Made of synthetic leather.
- Good for frequent sparring, teardrop, and uppercut bag sessions.
- Not recommended for beginners.
- Weird sizing chart.
This is a great model for fearsome strikers on an intermediate/advanced level.
14. Sanabul Funk Strike
Sanabul offers an eye-catching design, you’ll get noticed for sure, wherever you go. Inspired by undefeated UFC fighter Sean “Sugar” O’Malley.
- Good knuckle/wrist protection.
- Secured hook and loop closure system.
- You can land hard strikes at will.
- An ability to choose between 5 sizes.
- Affordable.
- Sweet tote bag as a bonus.
- Snug fit around fingers.
- Bad ventilation.
Sanabul Funk is one of the prettiest pairs of boxing gloves in the market, plus it’s a high-quality pick.
15. Gritletic Boxing Gloves
If you want to throw lightning-fast punches like Manny Pacquiao or Vinny Pazienza, and boost your double-end bag skills to the next level, Gritletic is a fabulous pick for you!
- Excellent gloves for double-end bag and sparring.
- Very cheap.
- Sturdy wrist construction for better injury protection.
- Made of highly durable faux leather and reinforced with double stitching.
- Wonderful shock absorption, especially when the opponent attacks your guard with a flurry of punches.
- Ventilation on the palm area keeps your hands dry.
- Good for the uppercut bag, too.
- Stiff pair of gloves requires some time to break in.
Another price/quality emperor on our list.
16. Elite Sports Star Series
Elite Sports is the first-placed on the list of breathable women’s kickboxing gloves. If you want dry hands during the most intense training session, it’s your perfect pick.
- Made of high-quality PU leather.
- Pre-curved anatomical hand-design leads to better comfort during hard punches.
- Excellent knuckle/wrist protection.
- Affordable.
- Very durable.
- Ultra-lightweight model.
- Easy to clean and maintain.
- Velcro closure with a stretchable wrist strap is excellent, so the gloves won’t fly off.
- Great ventilation keeps your hands dry.
- Sizing chart is kinda weird.
- You’ll need hand wraps for one-punch knockout blows.
Elite Sports is an awesome model for kickboxers of all levels–beginners, intermediates, even experts.
Conclusion
Women usually tend to have smaller hands, so the best picks for this criterion are Twins, Japanese Style Ringside and Kakoa.
Cleto Reyes covers many bag sessions, from speed bag to free-standing heavy bag. But if you want to put some real power in your strikes, we recommend you to choose RDX.
Trideer Pro Grade, Hawk, and Gritletic offer a lot of great features for a very low price, while Kaiwende and Ringside Apex offer superb antimicrobial features and ventilation.
But if you want to get spotted, you’ll enjoy Sanabul Funk and Anthem Athletics Stormbringer II because of their lovely eye-catching designs.
We guided you through the world of the best women’s boxing gloves. Now it’s your time to choose the most suitable model.
