More women are getting into boxing, and rightly so. The combat sport offers immense value for the body and mind. From improving your bone density to helping relieve stress, boxing training can be your full package for a healthier you. It also helps you to pick up a few self-defense skills that could help you protect yourself in precarious situations. With the right gear and training efforts, boxing can be both fun and friendly. If you are looking to take up boxing, you will need at least a great pair of gloves to get you started. But what should you look for in women’s boxing gloves? What size boxing gloves should a woman get? Does a larger weight mean more protection? Will your gloves offer value for your hands? We explore everything you need to know about boxing gloves for women.
How do women’s boxing gloves differ from men’s gloves?
Boxing gloves tend to look the same, with a similar anatomy across the board. How will you know by looking at the ballooned top segment or padded wrist cuff that a glove is designed for women? How can you tell apart gloves that are designed for women, men, kids, amateurs and professional fighters? If you ignore the common stereotypes, such as the expectation that pink gloves are made for women, you may be able to note a few subtle differences. Here are the three most prevalent differences between women’s and men’s boxing gloves.
- Style and finish-Boxing gloves for women will feature a feminine aesthetic, but this is not necessarily always the case. You need to look beyond the aesthetic to find a good pair of gloves, but you can pinpoint certain boxing gloves for women by their finish.
- Hand compartment size-Women have slightly smaller hands than men on average, which means that men’s boxing gloves might tend to slip when used by women. Women’s gloves make up for this by featuring a smaller hand compartment, which makes them better fitting.
- Weight and size of glove-While women’s gloves are designed to accommodate slimmer hands, they are available in the same weight groups as men’s gloves. They will tend to feel lighter, even though this is not by a significant difference.
What should women look for in the best gloves for their needs?
These are the key features that women should consider when buying boxing gloves for training and sparring.
Size
The sizing of gloves is pretty straightforward, with both men’s and women’s gloves available in the basic classes. We recommend 12 oz gloves for women as these are very comfortably padded without being too heavy to handle. Remember that your glove will loosen as you throw your first few punches, which means you may need to consider a snug fit. That said, hand wraps will offer great value even if your gloves do expand.
Style
The style of your gloves will dictate the level of protection offered when taking up your desired boxing training. Style in this sense looks into the way the gloves are built and the main purpose they are designed for. You can choose from all-purpose training gloves, professional fight night gloves, sparring gloves and MMA style gloves depending on the type of exercises you will take up during training.
Materials and build
As we have expressed before, heavier gloves will mean thicker padding. These gloves may be better suited for very heavy duty exercise, with the thick padding enduring comprehensive impact protection. Leading padding choices include multilayered foam, IMF, gel and rubber padding. You should also consider the durability of the exterior, as well as aspects of design that work to enhance comfort levels when using your gloves.
Is it safe to share equipment at the gym?
While more women are taking up boxing training at their gyms of choice, not all of them have the right gear. Some gyms provide for this shortfall by making certain gear communal, which allows you to engage in training without making a financial commitment just yet. If you are interested in boxing and have already started visiting a gym but do not have the right gear, you may have been wondering whether or not the gear provided would be safe for your use.
Dedicated boxing gear such as gloves and headgear may be offered communally by your gym, as well as a few other common accompaniments to you training such as water bottles and towels. Many people are reluctant to share out of concern for the safety of the equipment. If you are a member in a gym with such a communal arrangement, you might be already paying for the use of the gear. Should you go in head first and ensure value for money?
Towels, water bottles and other sensitive equipment can be too risky. We recommend carrying your own to avoid having to go communal or being faced to sit in your sweat all the way home. You could make sure you steer clear by packing and checking your bag before heading to the gym. Headgear and gloves will not be as problematic. Unless they have a distinct odor, they will likely be okay to use. Headgear and gloves are generally breathable, utilizing anti-wicking technology to remain dry and cool. If they are maintained regularly after use, they should be safe for communal action. If you are interested in boxing training, you could explore the best budget gloves on the market or look through some of the best options for beginners to find a value pick that you will not have to share.
Final word
So, what size boxing gloves should a woman get? As a result of the slight difference in the build of men and women’s hands, the best boxing gloves for one group will not necessarily offer value for the other. Of course some factors, such as the quality of build and the level of padding featured in a glove, will remain consistent across both options. However, you have to accommodate for women’s slightly smaller hands and better fashion sense than men when it comes to boxing gloves. The best boxing gloves for women will be very durable and made with high quality materials, feature an attractive aesthetic and provide sufficient protection against impact. We recommend 12 oz boxing gloves for women, as these are just the right size for smaller hands. Remember to look into the comfort, ventilation and fit of your gloves, especially if you will use them for consistently rigorous application over time.
