Updated 7th January 2021: Whether you are new to Muay Thai or a seasoned old hand, you will need a pair of the best Muay Thai gloves for training. BUT! There are sooooo many glove models available that it can result in analysis paralysis!
We all want to make the best purchase possible and make each purchase count. One of my earlier pairs of gloves brought me a good deal of agony (wrist injuries) due to the inadequate wrist support so I know fully well the importance of having the right gloves for Muay Thai training.
Through my own experience, mistakes and research, as well as advice handed to me from my Thai trainers and gym mates, I have found what works, what to look for when it comes to buying gloves.
What are the best Muay Thai gloves?
TL;DR The Best Muay Thai gloves have a few important qualities that you should look out for including premium leather construction, reinforced stitching, multilayered foam padding, adequate wrist support, comfortable fit and reasonable price tag.
Without a doubt, Thailand brands like Fairtex, Twins Special, Yokkao, Top King and Windy have produced the best Muay Thai gloves over the years at affordable prices.
Not everyone is the same so I recommend reading the whole article for detailed reviews of each model to find the pair that would suit you best:
In a hurry? Check out my top picks of the best Muay Thai gloves in 2020 below.
How to Choose the Best Gloves for Muay Thai Training
Your very first purchase when you start Muay Thai, will be a pair of training gloves. While many gyms allow their members to loan their on-site gloves to use for free, they usually stink after so much punching mileage over time. The padding would have thinned out too and may not offer enough protection for your hands.
You will eventually own a second, third, or even more pairs of gloves as you travel down this path. Be it for sparring, amassing your gloves collection, an alternate pair for rotation or simply to match your workout attire.
But as your very first pair of gloves training this pugilistic sport, it is worth investing a little time to pick the right pair. Here are some essential factors to take note of when it comes to choosing your first pair of training gloves:
Right Size
Punching gloves sizing are measured in terms of weight and for general-purpose training, they typically run from 4 to 18 oz. The heavier the gloves, the thicker the padding and theoretically speaking, the better the protection.
Generally speaking, 10 to 14 oz are the norm for training and are acceptable so long as they fit right and provide adequate padding for protection. If you are on the heavyweight scale, you can also consider a heavier 16-18 oz.
Here’s a training gloves general (not definitive) size chart -based on body weight- for a quick reference:
| Body Weight | Recommended Gloves Size |
| 100lbs & below | 8oz – 10oz |
| 100lbs – 125lbs | 8oz – 12oz |
| 125lbs – 150lbs | 10oz – 14oz |
| 150lbs – 180lbs | 10oz – 14oz |
| 180lbs & above | 12oz – 16oz |
Size matters. Some believe that training with heavy gloves (16 or 18 oz) is good for conditioning but the drawback is that it can also retard your movements and hence techniques.
However, when you eventually progress to sparring, heavier gloves (14 to 18 oz) are actually mandatory. The reason for using heavier gloves is because gloves of these weights offers more padding which protects your hands and partner by minimizing the impact when it lands on your sparring partner.
For non-sparring training -which is what you will go through when you start out-, I personally use 12 oz as they allow me to focus on perfecting my techniques and flow while providing adequate protection for my hands. Many fighters use 10oz gloves for training. Anything lighter and you can really feel the raw impact of your punches.
My gym and trainers recommend beginners to start with heavier 12oz-14oz for proper protection and to let your still-tender hands and wrists get conditioned to the sport.
Reasonable Cost
The budget-conscious will be happy to know that punching gloves are priced relatively affordable.
Good quality, made-in-Thailand, pure leather gloves can be had for around $70-$100 online from Amazon or Thailand-based online shops. The price tag will be on the lower end of the price range if you have contacts to buy them directly in Thailand.
High-Quality Materials
Muay Thai is a high impact sports and right from the start, you will be hitting a lot of tough pads and dense heavy bags. If you want them to last, you are going to need reasonably durable gloves with good padding to withstand the constant and regular punishment.
As for the exterior, genuine leather lasts longer and has always been favored over the comparably stiffer synthetic leather. However, the quality of synthetic material has improved tremendously over the years.
Just like real leather, there are varying quality of synthetic leather with high quality ones rivaling some genuine leather. Microfiber leather is becoming a popular and great alternative to real leather.
The ethically-inclined will also favor animal-free synthetics over real leather. Whichever your preference is, you will be able to find good hardy gloves in either material.
Sweaty Hands? If you have sweaty hands, go for genuine leather and/or mesh panels on the palms that I recommend in my article about breathable gloves. |
Lace-up vs Velcro
Punching gloves come in either lace-up or hook-and-loop (velcro) versions. Lace-ups offer a secure fit and will not shift easily when tightly laced. However, they inconveniently require assistance from another person to tighten up which is impractical for gym training.
In a typical training session, there will be a myriad of exercises done with or without gloves. So straight up, no competition, velcros are the way to go since they can be taken on/off easily by yourself.
Muay Thai vs Boxing Gloves
For general Muay Thai training involving bagwork and padwork, you can use either Muay Thai or pure boxing gloves. There are subtle differences in the aerodynamics construct but won’t affect the casual fighter/martial arts student.
Boxing gloves tend to have more padding around the knuckle area since there is more focus on hands. Muay Thai gloves are more uniformly padded around to allow for blocking of kicks.
They are also more flexible to allow you to open your hands more easily, unlike the more rigid construct of boxing gloves. This feature is made to allow for clinching.
If you aren’t expecting to do any serious clinching with your gloves on during training, both types of gloves will work equally well. Otherwise, it is best to go with a Muay Thai brand.
To learn more about their differences, check out “Muay Thai Gloves vs Boxing Gloves“.
Best Muay Thai Gloves in 2020
There is a good selection of affordable, high quality gloves available in the market most people tend to stick with the main 3 Thai brands (which I discuss in this comparison article here).
But if you are looking for something beyond the usual , there are many decent options available too. You will find my top recommendations below for your consideration:
| Buying Gloves from Online Stores Due to heavier operating costs, brick and mortar stores tend to price their gloves higher than the online stores. The price difference can be quite considerable and so many people make their purchase off the web. There are several options available when it comes to shopping Muay Thai goods online (which I review in my article, “Best Muay Thai Online Stores“), a few of these are based in Thailand and they often offer the best prices even with the shipping costs factored in. However, I personally recommend buying from Amazon for a few reasons. Firstly, depending on the shipping method, Thai web stores are typically slow in shipping their goods. It’s not unusual to wait a month or longer to have something shipped over unless you pay more for premium couriers like DHL. Second, customer service can be lacking due to language. Thirdly, Amazon has a great return policy with no questions asked and ships fast. For me, the choice is clear. Go with Amazon. This list is created with that in mind and features gloves that you can purchase easily from Amazon. |
Fairtex Muay Thai Boxing Gloves BGV-1
First up in the hierachy of Muay Thai brands is the top-of-the-line Fairtex. This is definitely the most popular and best-selling option outside of Thailand, and especially in USA. This may be due in part to the brand’s successful publicity campaign back in the 90s, but Fairtex gloves are favored for more practical reasons.
Among its many selling points, these real leather gloves are made with the intention to last. The padding and leather are of high quality, and they boast a streamlined design, making them look smaller and less pillowy than other Thai brands.
Fairtex gloves feel less soft compared to Twins or Top King, but the knuckle protection is still adequate for most people. The BGV1 is also produced in so many colors and printed designs, you will surely find a pair that catches your eyes.
What’s there to be said about the quality of Fairtex gloves that hasn’t already been said? As your very first Muay Thai gloves, these will live up to all expectations.
This top Thai brand prides itself on producing top quality products. Serious testings are conducted regularly for quality control and if you look around on the web, this is the brand which you will hardly ever find any complains on.
Even as users report a drop in standard with other brands over the years, Fairtex has held up strong, producing top-notch martial arts gear to fighters and gyms all around the world.
| User Feedback |
| – “I’m in love with these gloves! They’re less bulky feeling than others I’ve tried.“ – “They provide ample wrist support and keep a smaller profile than a lot of other gloves, which is perfect for muay thai.“ |
>> Click here to purchase Fairtex BGV-1 at Amazon Now <<
| Read “10 Reasons to/Not to Buy Fairtex BGV-1” to see what other users and reviewers have to say about the Fairtex BGV-1. |
Yokkao Matrix Muay Thai Gloves
- New YOKKAO Muay Thai Boxing Gloves collection release - High quality premium cowhide leather🥊
- Long lasting Muay Thai glove with shock-absorbing foam
- Handcrafted Muay Thai Boxing Glove by Thai professionals in Thailand
In a short amount of time since the brand started in 2010, Yokkao has made immense improvements in the designs and quality of the products. The Matrix Boxing gloves are the brand’s solid color basic line released in 2017 and priced at a more affordable range.
These are my second pair of gloves from the Bangkok-based company. My first pair was a synthetic that lasted well over a year (still usable) but I decided to get an upgrade earlier this year. The Matrix was my choice and they exceeded all expectations.
First off, the fit of Yokkao gloves suited my hands perfectly. I could make a proper fist in the gloves which is something that is overlooked by many beginners.
The padding is standard Thai-style with foam well-distributed to protect the knuckles to the back of the hands and through to the wrists. The wrist support is better than most brands I have tried and offers a lot of stability but just enough that it doesn’t hinder clinching.
The leather feel is great, breathable and you can tell it’s high-grade real leather. Note that it will take a couple of sessions to break into the gloves but there on, they are perfect.
If you want gloves that look great, Yokkao gloves are unmatched. Their collections are also updated every season with fresh stylish gear. The brand’s Italian connections translates into trendy and stylish creations that would make the fashion capital proud.
Overall, I would rank these among the top 3.
| User Feedback |
| – “The fit to these gloves are amazing. No air pockets between my knuckles and the inside layer. They needed minimal break in time. Overall an awesome Product from Thailand.“ |
>> Click here to purchase Yokkao Matrix at Amazon Now <<
| Read my article “YOKKAO Boxing Muay Thai Gloves Review” if you want to know my personal experience with the YOKKAO Matrix Boxing gloves. |
Twins Special Muay Thai Gloves BGVL-3
- Twins Boxing Gloves with special design hook-and-loop wrist strap for full security, ideal for quick wear and take off.
- Handcraft from premium 100% leather.
- Available in 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz, 14 oz, 16 oz, and 18 oz.
Twins Special is arguably the most popular Muay Thai brand right now in Thailand. These premium cowhide leather gloves are favored by everyone from casual gym goers to trainers to professional fighters alike.
As a high impact sport, you want gloves that can give you good wrist support and provide sufficient protection for your knuckles and Twins gloves will offer that.
The great overall padding -from the knuckles to the back of the hand- offers ideal protection while you work on your techniques and strengthen your hands to withstand the impact of your punches.
Very soft, very easy on the hands while offering adequate protection and wrist support. Definitely the best choice of gear for any beginner to the sport.
The hand compartments are slightly roomy than snug compared to the other Thai brands, making them a favored choice for Western hands. Good quality leather gloves giving you good mileage, this is a real workhorse.
The designs for the flagship BGVL-3 are basic, no-frills single-colored, so if you want something a littler fancier, you can consider the Twins FBGV for fancier looks.
Twins Special has increased their prices over the last year and even in Thailand, they cost about the same as Fairtex. They are no longer the working class hero I previously dubbed them.
For the purpose of Muay Thai training, I would rank these among the top.
| User Feedback |
| – “they have more cushioning than other gloves I have used for Muay Thai and I highly recommend getting them.“ – “Comfy gloves for punching people in the face. Training partners almost enjoy getting hit as much as hit them, just kidding“ |
>> Click here to purchase Twins BGVL-3 at Amazon now<<
| Read my article “Twins Special Boxing Muay Thai Gloves Review” as I share my experience in a comprehensive review of the Twins gloves. |
Top King Boxing Gloves
- TOP KING Boxing Gloves Ultimate ultilize a multi-layed molded shock absorbent foam for the highest levels of workouts.
- Extra foam padding inserted on wrist to help protects against injury.
Another popular Muay Thai choice that you will see often in the gym is Top King. Offering comparative protection to Twins gloves, it is interesting to note that the 2 brands are actually owned by 2 brothers.
One reason why they are well-liked is the bold and distinct aesthetics of their gear and they are certainly one of my personal favorites. For cool looking Muay Thai gloves, the quality of the craftsmanship and the cowhide leather used is commendable. They probably took some of the Twins experience over.
These sturdy gloves are well construct and have good foam padding to protect the knuckles and wrists. One thing to note is that the cuffs extend almost halfway up your forearms and would make very support for your wrists.
Top King gloves have a really snug hand compartment and so if you have small- or medium-sized hands, you will love them. With such great qualities, you might not be switching brands ever after.
| User Feedback |
| – “Been using these for a year. No signs of damage. Great gloves.“ – “They’re durable as a train.” |
>> Click here to purchase Top King gloves at Amazon now<<
Windy Muay Thai Gloves BGVH
- durable leather construction
- attached thumbs
- convenient hook & loop closures
One of the pioneers in Thai boxing gear, Windy has humbly served the Muay Thai community since 1951. For the past decades, the brand’s flagship Muay Thai gloves BGVH model has remain a favorite among long-time fans and aficionados.
It’s a boomer brand but has picked up many young followers along the way who discovered its old school simplicity and quality.
First impressions, the padding is very well-balanced as the foam extends all around the gloves. In terms of the fit, these are very similar to fan-favorite, Twins Special BGVL-3 model. They feel comfortably snug but the best part was that they were primed for action on day one without having to break into them.
While every other brand is glamming up their gloves with fancy designs, Windy stuck to their game all these years. For great-quality genuine leather, solid workmanship and all-round comfort in training, I give these Windy BGVH gloves the thumb of approval.
>> Click here to purchase Windy gloves at Amazon now<<
Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves
- A REVOLUTIONIZED TRAINING GLOVE: You need a glove that checks all of the boxes, from protection and comfort to durability and fit. T3 Boxing Gloves do just that, with a decade of sports science &...
- BUILT FOR COMFORT WITH A TAILORED FIT: Interior fabric feels smooth and cool on your hands and helps to regulate your hand temperature. Two interlocking velcro wrist straps adjust to fit your hands...
- WORLD RENOWNED WRIST SUPPORT: Dual wrist straps and splinting system work together to keep your wrists aligned with each punch. It locks your wrists in place when you strap up, preventing risky and...
If you are in the mood to splurge a bit more for your first gloves, you can consider the T3 boxing gloves from this top MMA brand.
Like many recommendations on the list, the T3 is the brand’s flagship model. Hayabusa prides themselves on extensive research and innovation in the design of their products. The T3 boasts a number of pretty nifty features other than an updated look from its earlier form.
The really outstanding feature of these gloves is the dual wrist wrap that was brought forward from the previous model. The additional wrap locking system firmly secures the gloves on your wrist to provide a support like lace-ups but without the inconvenience.
A very unique feature is the “wipe-away sweat thumb”, made with moisture-absorbent fabric allowing wearer to wipe the sweat off the face during training. Not exactly a deal-maker but nice gesture from the design team and appreciated.
Another notable feature is the anti-microbial technology. The cool part about this is that it delivers anti-odor properties, improved ventilation, enhanced breathability and thermo-regulating properties. What that means, is that they will keep your hands cool and will dry up fast, a boon for sweaty hands.
The one tiny glitch to these gloves is that they don’t open up quite as well as traditional Muay Thai gloves for clinching. But other than that, these are the perfect training gloves and hardly any breaking in is required – they fit great from the start.
Hayabusa has remedied some of the issues reported by users of the (previous model) Tokushu Regenesis for the upgraded T3. While these are not pure Muay Thai gloves, the combination of high quality materials, good protection and wrist support, and little touches makes them a definite contender for a top spot on this list.
If I had to nitpick, putting on the T3 does take a little getting used to due to the dual-strap system. They are also priced significantly more than the Thai brands, considering that Hayabusa gloves are likely made in China or Pakistan.
| User Feedback |
| – “ I spent a long time going through reviews and looking at higher end gloves before taking the leap on the T3s, and I couldn’t be happier.“ – “They have great wrist support, aren’t too hot, and fit my hands well. They also don’t retain the smell from the inevitable sweat that comes when using proper boxing gloves. Very happy with these.” |
>> Click here to purchase Hayabusa T3 at Amazon now<<
| Looking for cheaper options? If you are on a budget, no worries. I got everyone covered in this article. Here are 5 of the best value-for-money gloves that you can have for under $50 (or there abouts): |
Venum Challenger 2.0 Boxing Gloves
- Breathable interior mesh , large velcro enclosure with elastic for a perfectly safe customized fit
- 100% fully attached thumb
- Designed in Thailand
The Challenger is Venum’s best selling punching gloves catering to the entry-level market. Made of synthetic leather, these gloves have firm padding with good shock absorption and thick wide cuffs for secured fastening.
A highlight is the clever use of thermal-regulating mesh which helps to improve the breathability and comfort.
These gloves fit great for most average hand sizes and they are very soft so no breaking-in is really required. The low price point is certainly one of the most attractive features, as is the sharp aesthetic design.
The main compromise made on this low-cost model is the use of a less durable PU leather compared to the more premium synthetic Skintex leather use on their Elite model.
I find the wrist support somewhat lacking as they seem to feel a little too flimsy. Good for clinching as they are really flexible around the wrists but also means less stability for support.
I suppose you can’t have it all, especially at this price point. But if you are looking for affordable beginner gloves that looks good, this will be an ideal choice.
Venum updated the Challenger range with more colors so there’s a greater chance of finding something you like. For those with a bigger budget, the made-in-Thailand Elite series is a better option but you are better off going with the Thai gloves above.
| User Feedback |
| – “I get so many compliments on my gloves, it’s insane.“ – “Highly recommended. I can’t believe I have spent all these years without them.“ |
>> Click here to purchase Venum Challenger at Amazon now <<
| Read my article “Venum Boxing Gloves Review” as I share my experience in a comprehensive review of the Venum Challenger & Elite gloves. |
Title Pro Style Boxing Gloves
- An exciting re-creation of our famous signature Leather Pro-Style Training Gloves with even more added features and benefits!
- Genuine full-grain leather cover is super tough and durable
- Multi-layer shock absorbing high and low density foams
For a pair of genuine leather gloves at under $50, these are a real steal. You will find it a real challenge to find another pure leather gloves at this price point.
These gloves have firm padding, and are durable enough to hold up to the stress of regular bag punching. The velcro straps are also really wide and will provide a nice secure fit that won’t shift much when you train.
As far as I am aware of, the only complaint is that the colors bleed a little when you start using them. The aesthetics are simple and maybe a little dull for some. But if you are looking for durable gloves that can give you good mileage and protection, these boxing gloves are the best that money can buy at this price range.
Real leather gloves do breathe better than synthetics so you may want to take that into consideration too.
| User Feedback |
| – “ they’re protecting my hands very well. I’ve sustained no injuries with these gloves (and wraps) on.“ – “I’ve had them for almost 8 months and they show very little wear and still offer the same protection as day one.“ |
>> Click here to purchase TITLE Pro Style at Amazon now <<
Elite Sports Training Gloves
- ✅ KEEP YOUR FOCUS – These lightweight boxing gloves are made from the best quality PU leather. You will be very comfortable wearing our kickboxing gloves as they have Pre-curved anatomic hand...
- ✅ INCREASED PERFORMANCE W/ ADDED PROTECTION – These Training Gloves triple-density gel and impact foam added on the area of impact of our men boxing gloves offers great protection you need to...
- ✅ SUPERIOR COMFORT – These 12 oz boxing gloves are very lightweight and super durable which is the key to fast precise punches, long training, and focused mind. Our Heavy bag gloves for boxing for...
Elite Sports is an American-based (California) mma brand with a wide range of gear and equipment offering. The brand first caught my attention with their 5-star rated gym bag. These training gloves are among the most affordable options on the list.
Plus points first. 2 things really stand out for these training gloves other than their affordability: there’s the mesh palm ventilation along with anti-microbial lining that helps to reduce odour build-up, and a stretchable wrist wrap that really secures the gloves.
Nice roomy compartment for average to bigger hands, easy to put on and take off even with handwraps on.
One thing to note about these gloves is that they are built with a heavy top similar to boxing gloves. That’s to say that the padding is concentrated mainly over the knuckles area which makes them ideal gloves for hand-heavy fighters.
The padding over the back of the hand is lacking so I would not recommend them as Muay Thai sparring gloves (light sparring would be fine). For the price, I would not expect them to last as long the top-tiered gloves recommended above. But these would be good starters for anyone just getting into Muay Thai or doing the sport on a more casual basis.
| User Feedback |
| – “ Anyone looking to get great gloves without breaking the bank, I highly recommend these..“ – “ My favorite features are the Maya fabric and the antimicrobial lining which keep my gloves smell free. no more stinking training bag.“ |
>> Click here to purchase Elite Sports Training Gloves at Amazon now <<
| Read my article “Elite Sports: MMA Muay Thai Gear Review” for a comprehensive review of the Elite Sports gear. |
RDX Ego Series Maya Hide Leather Training Gloves
- Maya Hide leather construction makes RDX boxing gloves stubbornly durable and long-lasting. Ego gloves stands undisputed victor of the all-inclusive, hard-hitting, training and working out. Material...
- Extra thick padding protects your hands and attached thumb. Highly dense padding is implacable for athletes indulged into Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and contact sports.
- Extra-long Quick EZ Hook-and-Loop offers superior wrist-support and a comfortable fit. The strap allows for a bit more wrist movement, and keeps your wrists aligned while striking.
RDX is a renowned fight gear company from the UK. They are used by both professionals and amateurs, and in boxing, muay thai to MMA arenas. For gloves that retail below $50 (as of writing), these RDXs pack decent quality from good padding, comfort to wrist support. There’s also moisture-wicking inner fabric to keep your hands cool and dry while you work up a sweat.
In case you were wondering, Maya hide leather is a fully synthetic leather with reasonable durability and resilience. It’s more breathable compared to vinyl and are softer too. I see this as a good alternative to Ringside Apex if you are looking for gloves at the same price point.
| User Feedback |
| – ” Fit good and can’t feel anything when you punch plenty of cushion“ – “the comfort is top notch considering how sturdy they are and how solid the wrist support/hand protection is“ |
>> Click here to purchase RDX Ego Series at Amazon now <<
| Read my article “RDX Boxing Gloves Review” for a comprehensive review of the RDX Ego gloves. |
Sanabul Essential Gel Training Gloves
- Performance engineered leather construction. High quality and durable material is easier to clean and maintain
- Gel impact protection foam. Gel Infused foam provides superb protection and softness to help prevent injury to your hands while training
- Longitudinal arch design. Constructed to fit the natural curvature of the hand for proper fist closure while striking
I will come out and say that I do not own a pair of these nor have I tried them on before. The reason I have picked these for the list is that they are really cheap and seem to have gotten a lot of positive reviews from actual users (over 3000 in fact).
Sanabul is a mma brand that also offers the whole shebang of mma-related training gear and equipment for BJJ to Muay Thai and more. The Essential Gel gloves is one of their bestsellers and actually one of the top selling training gloves on Amazon. The number one reason is of course the affordability.
The use of synthetic leather is expected at this price tag and frankly, these certainly aren’t the most durable gloves. But they hold up reasonably well and offer better breathability over many other gloves via the mesh panels. The use of gel padding seem to be rather effective in terms of shock absorption compared to the more traditional foam padding.
If you have plans to take Muay Thai more seriously, this will not be not the best option. But as the cheapest gloves on the list, these will work as beginner’s gloves especially if you train casually (e.g. once a week).
If you looking for something hardier, consider the other options on the list or Sanabul’s higher-tier but also affordable BattleForged Muay Thai Gloves.
| User Feedback |
| – “For the price, you can’t beat it. Nice material in and out“ – “ I do muay thai and go hard 4 days a week and they are holding up well.“ |
>> Click here to purchase Sanabul Essential at Amazon now <<
Conclusion
When choosing a new pair of gloves, you want a pair that is able to provide appropriate support and protection for your hands while being reasonably durable. In terms of fit, you may have to buy and try out a few pairs before you eventually find a pair that fits you exactly the way you like.
As your first pair of Muay Thai training gloves, the recommendations here are some of the best and most popular options. With the information and recommendations that is presented here, I hope you can soon find the right pair of gloves to get you going on your Muay Thai journey. Keep fighting and as always,
Chok Dee!
Hello! Can I ask you where can custom gloves and shorts!
Hi, if you meant online, you can try Muay Thai Factory.
Well… thank you! I don’t even remember what was I looking for (something about muay thai for sure xD) but you have such a great blog here so ended up reading a lot 🙂
Thank you for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed the articles here. Remember to subscribe. 😀
Hey Kay, currently i have a Fairtex BGV1 16oz but some of my friends said it’s better to get another pair of bag work glove for bag work only? Because heavy bag work will compressed its padding and reduce the effectiveness of on protecting my own hand and my sparring partner.
So i was wondering is it necessary to get a pair of bag work glove?
Hi William. I have a pair that I use for both pad and bag, plus a separate pair for sparring. Your friend is right. I know some people who don’t really care about this. Personally, I think it’s important because it doesn’t feel good to be hit in the face by a pair of gloves that have been wrecked on the heavy bags.
As a recommendation, you can use your current pair of Fairtex for bag and pad. Get a new pair for sparring. I think Twins or Yokkao are both ideal gloves for sparring. Hope that helps.
Thanks Kay!
Why not use faitex BVG1 gloves for sparring?
Thanks.
Hi Juan,
Fairtex BGV1 has harder padding compared to Twins, Top King, Yokkao. So it lands on your sparring partners, it gives a sting. I’ve seen lots of people using Fairtex for sparring and it’s not a rule but many people I have met agree that Fairtex are less kinder towards their partners.
Hi,
I’m about to start taking Muay Thai for the first time and I’ve been researching gloves. I see Anthem popping up in a lot of places. They have good reviews on Amazon and they’re priced around $60. Do you have any opinions on this brand?
Also, I’m trying to decide between 14 and 16 oz gloves. I’m 5’6″ and around 145lbs. Which would you recommend for a total novice?
Thanks.
Hi Sid, I have not personally use these so i can’t say much about them.
14oz gloves are appropriate for general training at your weight. 16oz are more for sparring. Hope that helps a bit.
HI, I just got to your Blog. good one!
my children are starting to do Muay Thai and I would like to get them some gloves that are reasonably priced, but over all that protect their hands. I live in Bangkok, can you please suggest a couple stores where I can go look for them and if possible brands that I can find here.
thank you!
Hi Sandra. In my experience, I find that Yokkao has very good gloves for young children (in terms of design and protection). You can get them from the shop in Sukhumvit soi 16. A more affordable option is Thai Battle which you can find at MBK on level 3 zone 3D soi6. Hope that helps!
Hi Kay. Great site and plenty of amazing info. My question is regarding glove size. I’m a beginner, I’m 6’3 and weigh just over 200 lbs. I always find that my fingers reach the end of the glove (is this normal?) so I was wondering which weight and brand you would recommend for general pad work?
Hi Gareth! thanks for your support.
For the first question, fingers do pretty much reach near or all the way to the end of the gloves. Unless you feel severe discomfort and numbness, it’s not a cause for worry. Many gloves take a few sessions (2 to 3) to break in and will feel quite comfortable after that.
For your weight and considering that your are a beginner, I would recommend 16oz for pad work. Remember to work on your techniques first. Twins is a always trusted brand for beginners. If possible, try out the fit at a shop or at your gym before committing to a purchase. Have fun!
Hey Kay,
Amazing article once again, is there a glove you would say has a similar fit to Yokkao’s?
The snug fit is something I’ve grown to love, but I was wondering if you’ve experienced that fit with other brands.
Thanks!
Hi Andy, I have found Booster Fight Gear to be very similar to Yokkao in terms of fit. You can check them out.
Hi, Out of the Fairtex and Yokkao which would you recommend out the two? Also would you recommend 14 or 16oz gloves for a beginner looking to do pad work and sparring or would you recommend getting two sets one for bags and one for sparring? Also do you have an article on gumshields that I may have missed? Help is appreciated – thanks
Hi there!
Fairtex and Yokkao gloves are built quite differently. For a beginner or sparring purpose, I definitely recommend Yokkao for the great all-around padding. Fairtex gloves are very durable and great to use for padwork. I always recommend 2 sets of gloves for bags and sparring for safety and hygiene reasons because your gloves will wear out from bagwork, and you are going to be punching faces.
I have an article on gymshields/mouthguards here: https://www.muaythaicitizen.com/protect-smile-best-mouthguard-muay-thai-boxing-mma/
Hope that helps!
Appreciate the reply.
As a beginner I wouldn’t be jumping straight into sparring so will stick with a glove only needed for padwork.
Which would you recommend fairtex or yokkao for a beginner looking to do padwork?
I’m pretty interested in the BGV14PT – any thoughts on these?
Thanks
Hi! Personally, I would recommend yokkao for beginners as they have far well-padded gloves than fairtex.
Fairtex BGV14PT are microfiber gloves which are synthetic leather gloves. They fare better than normal synthetic leather but as synthetic, these are very pricey. I would go for real leathers.
I would not recommend Yokkao gloves if you’re looking for a glove meant to last for a couple years. Without a doubt the least durable out of all the Thai Muay Thai brands. Would replace them with Windy’s BGVH in the list, as these last a long time! Just my opinion though 😉
Great article and resource for those looking for Muay Thai gloves…keep up the great work!!
Hi Sander, Thanks for the kind words!
My Yokkaos have been really going strong. Even my first pair of synthetics which I got in 2015 but they stink up more easily. My current real leather from Yokkao seems to be doing well after about 6-month regular usage.
I have been looking to try out Windys for a long time. When I do, the list may see some readjustments. 😀
Hi Kay just what are your opinions on the Raja Boxing and Thaismai both Thai brands, muaythai gloves for training? Would you think they’d be in this top ten list?
Hi Toan, I personally really like Raja gloves for its overall comfort and durability. The leather is great quality. It used to be on the top 10 but with many brands to content with, they have lost that spot. Still, I think they are great gloves especially if you can get them in Thailand.
As for Thaismai, I find them to be lower-end compared to the other premium Thai brands. Reasonable quality but not in the top ten for sure.
Hope that helps!
Hi there, any advice on glove aftercare? Got myself rdx gloves that i suspect were stored too long, that the red piping was peeling all over the white glpves when i took it out of the packaging. Felt sad looking at it. A friend suggested mink oil. Do you have a tried and tested suggestion? Nice entry though! I’m new to muay thai and i wish i read this and gotten twins instead for my big hands haha!
Hi Ali, sounds like might the gloves have dried excessively. Mink oil works for real leather but it’s worth a try.
Hi Kay, what do you think of Raja boxing gloves ? The différence with Twins ? Thanks from France !
Hi Bruce, in my personal experience, I would say that in terms of quality, Raja gloves are on par with Twins. Can’t go wrong with either brand.
Thanks!
No Windy?
Nope. Not that it’s bad but nothing particularly outstanding about it either.
Hi Kay, I’m starting up a fight gear brand called Ori that serves social objectives (explained on your website). I’m currently looking for a Thai gloves manufacturer with who we could collaborate for making our gloves. Do you know any factories that do that? Thanks in advance!
Hi Sander,
You can check out my article here:
https://www.muaythaicitizen.com/a-quick-guide-to-custom-muay-thai-gear/
Good luck
hey there, I have hands on the larger side(around 9.5in/24 or 25cm.) I am looking for a new pair of gloves and am wanting to get some with some good construction. I am currently living in Indonesia and don’t really have access to amazon. So, two questions; what glove at what size would you recommend for someone in my situation(I’m around 190lb/87kg,) and would you know any other sites or contacts for buying gloves over here? Thanks!
Hi Jason,
For general training, I would recommend 14oz. If you are sparring, Go with at least 16oz gloves.
I don’t know about shops in Indonesia but you can try bullsportsdirect.com or muaythaifactory.com which ship to Indonesia. They are both based in Thailand.
Good luck!
Thanks a bunch Kay. I will check those sites out!
Oh by the way, do you have a particular brand you would recommend for my hand size?
You can try Windy or Twins. Good luck!
Ok thanks!
Hi sir! Any word on Sanabul Battleforged line? Thanks!
Hi Arquimedes, the Sanabul Battle Forged gloves are great for the price. For this price range (around 50USD), I would rate these very highly for Muay Thai training. The only thing to note is that these are synthetic leather and you need to put a bit more care after training to make sure that they dry out. Synthetic leather is less breathable and so will retain moisture which leads to bacteria-causing odor.
Overall, with proper care, these are highly recommended.
Thanks for the reviews
Good gloves in Muay Thai are very important. If you practice well but do not spend time in finding the best glove for you then you won’t be able to get the most out of your practice. Thank you for your post. This is excellent information. It really gives me an insight.