Boxing gloves come in a wide range of sizes and weights measured in ounces. The weight of boxing gloves is a crucial factor that affects performance, protection, and regulation. Professional boxers use heavier, 10-16 ounce gloves for training and competition. Amateur boxers often use 12-14 oz gloves. Lighter, 8-10 oz training gloves are common for mitt work, speed bags, and beginners.
Typical Boxing Glove Weights
Here are some typical boxing glove weights:
| Glove Type | Weight Range |
| Heavy bag gloves | 12-16 oz |
| Sparring gloves | 16 oz |
| Training gloves | 8-12 oz |
| Amateur competition gloves | 12-14 oz |
| Professional competition gloves | 10-12 oz |
Heavy bags and sparring require thicker padding for protection, so heavier gloves from 12-16 oz are used. Training gloves for pads and speed bags can be lighter from 8-12 oz since more wrist speed is desired.
Let’s take a closer look at boxing glove weights for different uses.
Heavy Bag Gloves
Heavy bag gloves are designed to protect your hands during heavy bag training. Heavier gloves absorb more shock when hitting a heavy bag repeatedly at full force.
Most heavy bag gloves weigh between 12-16 ounces, with 14-16 ounces being the most common. Heavier 16 oz gloves provide the most cushioning during lengthy heavy bag sessions.
Here are some top choices for heavy bag gloves by weight:
| Heavy Bag Gloves | Weight |
| Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves | 14 oz |
| Venum Elite Boxing Gloves | 16 oz |
| Ringside Apex Flash Sparring Gloves | 14-16 oz |
| Cleto Reyes Traditional Training Gloves | 14-16 oz |
| Title Pro Style Leather Training Gloves | 16 oz |
As you can see, most quality heavy bag gloves are in the 14-16 oz range for optimal protection and shock absorption.
Sparring Gloves
Sparring gloves are designed to protect both fighters during sparring practice. Sparring gloves need to balance protection against bulkiness and weight.
The standard weight for sparring gloves is 16 oz. This weight class provides sufficient padding to protect hands and head during sparring matches. Some brands offer sparring gloves in 14-18 oz.
Here are some top sparring glove options:
| Sparring Gloves | Weight |
| Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves | 16 oz |
| Ringside IMF Tech Sparring Gloves | 16 oz |
| Cleto Reyes Traditional Training Gloves | 16 oz |
| Title Classic Pro Style Training Gloves | 16 oz |
| Everlast Powerlock Training Gloves | 16 oz |
The vast majority of sparring gloves weigh 16 oz since this provides a balanced level of protection for both fighters during training.
Training Gloves
Training gloves are used for mitt work, focus pads, and speed bags. Since these activities require more mobility and speed, lighter gloves from 8-12 oz are commonly used.
Here are some top-rated training gloves by weight:
| Training Gloves | Weight |
| Venum Challenger 2.0 Boxing Gloves | 8, 10, 12 oz |
| Ringside Apex Flash Boxing Gloves | 10, 12, 14 oz |
| Cleto Reyes Hook and Loop Training Gloves | 8, 10, 12 oz |
| Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves | 12, 14 oz |
| Title Classic Boxing Gloves | 8-12 oz |
Most training gloves range between 8-12 oz. Very light 8-10 oz gloves help maximize speed and mobility. Heavier 12 oz gloves offer more padding for beginners.
Amateur Competition Gloves
Amateur boxers typically wear 12 or 14 oz gloves for competition. Heavier gloves are mandated to provide protection for amateurs with less experience and conditioning.
USA Boxing, the national governing body for Olympic-style amateur boxing, requires the use of 12 oz gloves in most weight classes. The only exceptions are heavyweight men, who wear 10 oz gloves, and junior weight classes, which use 10-12 oz gloves depending on age and weight.
Here are examples of approved amateur competition gloves at 12 and 14 oz:
| Amateur Competition Gloves | Weight |
| Ringside Apex Flash IMR Sparring Gloves | 12, 14 oz |
| Ringside IMF Tech Sparring Gloves | 12, 14 oz |
| Cleto Reyes Extra Padding Gloves | 12, 14 oz |
| Title Pro Style Training Gloves | 12, 14 oz |
| Everlast Elite Competition Gloves | 12, 14 oz |
Nearly all amateur boxing organizations mandate the use of 12 or 14 oz gloves. Heavier padding protects developing young fighters.
Professional Competition Gloves
Professional boxers wear lighter, 10 oz gloves for competition. Smaller gloves allow heavyweights to knockout opponents, while protecting fighter’s hands.
The weight for pro boxing gloves is mandated by sanctioning organizations. For example, the IBF and WBC require boxers 165 lbs and above to wear 10 oz gloves. Below 165 lbs, they may wear 8 oz gloves. The WBA mandates 10 oz gloves for all male fighters regardless of weight.
Here are examples of approved pro fight gloves at 10 and 12 oz:
| Pro Competition Gloves | Weight |
| Cleto Reyes Official Fight Gloves | 10 oz |
| Ringside IMF Tech Pro Fight Gloves | 10 oz |
| Grant Pro Fight Gloves | 10, 12 oz |
| Everlast Pro Fight Gloves | 10, 12 oz |
| Title Pro Fight Gloves | 10, 12 oz |
While some brands offer pro fight gloves at 12 oz, the majority are 10 oz to meet professional boxing regulations.
Factors in Glove Weight
Several factors go into selecting the right glove weight:
- Activity – Heavy bags require 14-16 oz gloves. Pads and mitts are 8-12 oz. Sparring is typically 16 oz.
- Hand size – Larger hands may need heavier gloves for proper fit and protection.
- Weight class – Heavyweights use heavier gloves. Smaller fighters can use lighter gloves.
- Experience level – Beginners should start with 12-14 oz for training and sparring.
- Organization rules – Amateurs usually wear 12-14 oz gloves. Pros typically wear 10 oz gloves.
Consider all these factors, in addition to brand and model, when selecting the right glove weight for your needs.
Pros and Cons of Glove Weights
The weight of boxing gloves has both advantages and disadvantages:
Heavier Gloves:
- Pro: More protection for hands and head
- Pro: Last longer from thicker foam and padding
- Con: Less punch speed and precision
- Con: Less mobility
- Con: Increased fatigue on arms and shoulders
Lighter Gloves:
- Pro: Faster punch speed and combinations
- Pro: Enhanced precision
- Pro: Less tiring on arms
- Con: Less protection and wrist support
- Con: Higher injury risk to hands
The trade-off is lighter gloves improve performance but carry higher injury risk. Heavier gloves reduce injuries but slow punch speed and mobility.
How Glove Weight Affects Punch Force
Does wearing heavier gloves reduce punch force and impact?
Heavier gloves do not significantly reduce punch force. They simply spread the force over a larger area for protection. Studies show only a slight 5-10% force reduction moving from 10 to 16 oz gloves.
Instead, heavier gloves mainly help safeguard the hands against injury. Thicker foam absorbs more shock, reducing wrist hyperextension and metacarpal fractures in the hand.
While heavier gloves provide protection, they minimally affect punching power. Hard hitting punchers can knockout opponents even with larger 16 oz gloves.
Weight Classes and Glove Requirements
Boxing weight classes generally dictate the glove weights worn for competition. As fighters increase in size and weight, the glove weight decreases. Here are the typical glove weights by weight class:
| Weight Class | Glove Ounces |
| Strawweight: up to 105 lbs | 8-10 oz |
| Light Fly: up to 108 lbs | 8-10 oz |
| Flyweight: up to 112 lbs | 8-10 oz |
| Bantam: up to 118 lbs | 8-10 oz |
| Feather: up to 126 lbs | 10 oz |
| Light: up to 135 lbs | 10 oz |
| Welter: up to 147 lbs | 10 oz |
| Middle: up to 160 lbs | 10 oz |
| Light Heavy: up to 175 lbs | 10 oz |
| Cruiser: up to 200 lbs | 10 oz |
| Heavy: 200+ lbs | 10-12 oz |
The lighter weight classes can use 8-10 oz gloves which offer more speed and precision. Welterweights on up traditionally wear 10 oz gloves, while super heavyweights may opt for slightly more padding with 12 oz gloves.
Glove Weight by Age and Experience
Younger, amateur boxers typically use heavier 12-14 oz gloves for training and competition. More padding helps prevent injuries while their technique develops.
As boxers gain experience, they can begin using lighter pro-style gloves in the 10-12 oz range while training. However, most gyms still require 16 oz gloves for sparring matches.
Here are the usual glove weights by age and experience level:
| Experience Level | Glove Weight |
| Youth (8-12 years old) | 10-12 oz |
| Juniors (13-15 years old) | 12-14 oz |
| Amateur Boxers | 12-16 oz |
| Pro Fighters | 8-16 oz |
As boxers advance from amateurs to professionals, they gain the option of using lighter pro fight gloves. But most gyms still mandate 16 oz for sparring regardless of experience.
Women’s Glove Weights
Women’s boxing gloves are sized differently than men’s gloves. Due to smaller hands and lower punching power, women can use lighter gloves:
- Training gloves: 8-12 oz
- Sparring gloves: 12-14 oz
- Amateur competition: 10-12 oz
- Pro competition: 8-10 oz
Women use gloves about 2 oz lighter than men on average. More brands now offer pro fight gloves in smaller 8-10 oz sizes to accommodate women boxers.
Children’s Glove Sizes
Children and youth just starting out in boxing use lighter gloves matched to their smaller hands and age:
| Age | Glove Weight |
| 5-7 years old | 8 oz |
| 8-10 years old | 10 oz |
| 11-13 years old | 12 oz |
| 14-15 years old | 14-16 oz |
Once children advance to the junior and youth divisions around 13-15 years old, they typically wear standard 12-16 oz training gloves and are required to use 16 oz sparring gloves.
Conclusion
Boxing gloves range from 8 oz to 18 oz depending on intended use, experience level, weight class, and hand size. While pro boxers wear light 8-10 oz gloves for competition, beginners do better starting with 12-14 oz for training and 16 oz for sparring. Understanding glove weights and regulations helps select the right boxing gloves for your needs and experience level.
