Best Boxing Gloves for Beginners (2026 Guide)

England Boxing's equipment standards for affiliated clubs specify minimum glove weights for sparring (typically 16oz) and competition purposes. RDX Sports' glove selection guide covers the practical differences between bag gloves, sparring gloves, and competition gloves.

Buying your first pair of boxing gloves is exciting. It is also confusing. Walk into any sports shop and you will find a wall of gloves in every colour, price point, and weight. Most beginners grab whatever looks cool or whatever's cheapest. Both approaches usually end in regret.

I have watched hundreds of new boxers come through our gym doors over the years. The ones who buy quality gloves from day one tend to stick with the sport longer. Their hands hurt less. Their technique develops faster. And they are not back in the shop after three months looking for replacements.

This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know. No fluff. Just honest recommendations based on what actually works.

What Weight Gloves Should a Beginner Buy?

Before we talk brands, let us sort out sizing. Boxing gloves are measured in ounces (oz), and the weight you need depends on what you are doing and how big you are.

• Under 65kg body weight: 12oz or 14oz
• 65-80kg body weight: 14oz or 16oz
• Over 80kg body weight: 16oz

• Most gyms require 16oz minimum
• Some require 18oz for heavyweights
• Check with your gym before buying sparring gloves

Here is my advice for beginners: buy 16oz gloves. They work for everything. Bags, pads, sparring. You can train with 16oz gloves for years without needing anything else. Yes, they feel heavy at first. That is the point. Your shoulders will thank you later.

Budget Gloves: Under £30

Let us be realistic. Not everyone wants to spend £100+ on gloves for a hobby they might quit after two months. Fair enough. Here is what to buy if you are testing the waters.

RDX F7 Ego - £25-30

The RDX F7 is the best budget glove on the market right now. Full stop.

• Maya Hide leather feels better than the price suggests
• Decent wrist support with double velcro
• Good padding distribution
• Available everywhere in the UK
• Loads of colour options

• Padding compresses faster than premium gloves
• Stitching can fray after 6-12 months of heavy use
• Velcro wears out eventually
• Not suitable for hard sparring

• Where to buy. Amazon UK, Sports Direct, RDX website direct
• Verdict. Perfect starter glove. If you train 2-3 times per week, these will last you a solid year. By then you will know if boxing is for you and can upgrade accordingly.

Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves - £20-25

Everlast is the name everyone knows. Your dad probably had a pair. The Pro Style is their entry-level offering.

What is good:

• Cheap and available everywhere
• Full mesh palm keeps hands cool
• ThumbLok feature prevents thumb injuries
• Classic look

• Padding feels thin compared to RDX
• Synthetic leather peels after a few months
• Wrist support is mediocre
• Feel a bit "cheap" in hand

• Where to buy. Argos, Sports Direct, Amazon UK, Decathlon
• Verdict. Acceptable for absolute beginners on a tight budget. The RDX F7 is worth the extra fiver though.

Mid-Range Gloves: £30-60

This is the sweet spot for most beginners who are reasonably sure they will stick with boxing. You get noticeably better quality without breaking the bank.

Venum Contender 2.0 - £40-50

Venum has dominated MMA for years and their boxing gear has caught up. The Contender 2.0 is their mid-range bestseller.

• Triple density foam absorbs impact well
• Premium PU leather is durable
• Wide velcro strap locks the wrist properly
• Sleek design that does not scream "beginner"
• Good for light sparring as well as bag work

• Runs slightly small - consider sizing up
• Break-in period is longer than RDX
• Some find the thumb positioning awkward
• Limited colour options in UK stores

• Where to buy. Amazon UK, Venum official store, Combat Sports UK
• Verdict. Excellent all-rounder. If you are buying one pair of gloves to do everything, this is probably it.

Rival RB1 Ultra Bag Gloves - £45-55

Rival is a Canadian brand favoured by serious amateurs and professionals. The RB1 is designed specifically for bag work, not sparring.

• Outstanding padding for the price
• Genuine leather option available
• Compact fist feel improves technique
• Built to last years of heavy bag punishment
• Used by actual fighters, not just marketed to them

• NOT for sparring - padding is too firm
• Heavier than similar sized gloves

• Less widely stocked in UK
• Plain styling

• Where to buy. Fight Store Pro, Made4Fighters, Rival Boxing website
• Verdict. Best dedicated bag glove under £60. If you have already got sparring gloves and want something for solo training, this is the one.

Premium Gloves: £60+

Ready to invest? These gloves will last years and genuinely improve your training experience. They are what you will find on the hands of serious competitors.

Twins BGVL3 - £80-100

Twins Special is Thailand's most respected boxing brand. The BGVL3 is the industry standard for Muay Thai and boxing training worldwide.

• Genuine leather from day one
• Hand-made in Thailand with decades of expertise
• Perfect weight distribution
• Comfortable from first use - minimal break-in
• Will literally last 5+ years with proper care
• Excellent wrist support
• Available in about 50 colour combinations

• Import shipping can take 2-3 weeks
• Sizing runs different to Western brands
• Some fakes on the market - buy from reputable sellers
• Velcro version not as secure as lace-up

• Where to buy. Super Export Shop (Thailand - direct), Made4Fighters, Muay Thai Factory
• Verdict. The best training glove you can buy under £100. Period. These are what I personally use and recommend to anyone serious about the sport. Buy once, cry once.

Cleto Reyes Training Gloves - £150-200

Mexican hand-made gloves with a cult following among professionals. These are the real deal.

• Crafted from premium goatskin leather
• Legendary durability - some pairs last 10+ years
• Firm padding that serious boxers prefer
• Makes you actually feel your punches land
• Status symbol in boxing gyms

• Very expensive for beginners
• Minimal padding compared to Thai gloves
• Long break-in period
• Not ideal for heavy bag work
• Overkill for someone who might not stick with boxing

• Where to buy. Geezers Boxing, Boxing Emporium
• Verdict. Beautiful gloves but honestly not what I'd recommend for beginners. These are for people who already know they are boxers. File them under "future upgrade."

RDX vs Everlast: The Verdict

This comparison comes up constantly. New boxers see both brands everywhere and do not know which way to go.

• Better padding density for the price
• More consistent quality control
• Superior wrist support in budget range
• Better value overall

• Brand recognition (matters to some people)
• Wider retail availability
• More heritage and history
• Better premium options (PowerLock series)

My recommendation: At budget level, buy RDX. At premium level, skip both and get Twins or Rival.

What About Lonsdale?

Lonsdale gloves are everywhere in the UK thanks to Sports Direct. They are cheap. They look the part.

Honestly? They are fine for your first few sessions if money is genuinely tight. The padding is basic, the leather is synthetic, and they will not last long under regular use. But they will not injure you either.

If someone gave me £25 and told me to buy gloves from Sports Direct right now, I'd still pick the RDX F7 over Lonsdale. The quality difference is noticeable.

Velcro or Lace-Up?

Beginners should buy velcro. Every time.

Lace-up gloves provide better wrist support and a tighter fit. Professional boxers use them exclusively. But you need someone else to lace you up and unlace you for every session. That is not practical in a regular gym environment.

Velcro lets you gear up independently, adjust mid-session, and get your wraps off quickly. Save the lace-ups for when you are competing or have a dedicated training partner.

The Quick Recommendation

Skipped to the end? Here is the summary:

• Tight budget: RDX F7 Ego (£25-30)
• Best value: Venum Contender 2.0 (£40-50)
• Best overall: Twins BGVL3 (£80-100)
• Dedicated bag glove: Rival RB1 (£45-55)

Buy 16oz. Buy velcro. Learn to wrap your hands properly. Replace your gloves when the padding goes flat.

One More Thing

Good gloves make a difference. But they will not make you a boxer. The only thing that does that is showing up, putting in the work, and learning from people who know what they are doing.

We run beginner sessions every week where you can try different equipment and figure out what works for you. Come down, hit some pads, and we will point you in the right direction.

Claim a free trial session at Honour and Glory Boxing Club.