Glove Sizing for Beginners

Starting a boxing class? One of the first pieces of gear you’ll want is a high-quality pair of boxing gloves. The right gloves will protect your hands, support your technique, and make your training sessions more effective and enjoyable.

But with so many styles, sizes, and features available, how do you know which gloves are right for you? This guide breaks down the main types of gloves, how to size them, and tips for beginners so you can shop confidently.

Glove Styles

There are two main styles of gloves. Each style has multiple variations, but here’s the overview.

Boxing Gloves

Features:

• Thick padding covers fingers and back of hand
• Separate thumb, but fingers contained together
• Thumb is connected
• May have a grip bar
• Palm area is covered (sometimes with mesh or ventilation holes)

As the name suggests, this is the style you’ll most likely want for a boxing class! Don’t worry, we’ll get into more details in a moment. But first, let’s introduce the second main glove style:

MMA Gloves

Features:

• Individual finger channels
• Open finger design
• Padding covers part of fingers and back of hand
• May have an open palm
• May have a grip bar
• Thumb is not connected

This style offers many benefits for MMA training but isn’t ideal for boxing. In fact, gyms that teach contact boxing or kickboxing with sparring may not allow these gloves. If your boxing class is strictly cardio-focused, you may be permitted to wear them – but unless you have a pronounced preference for this style, we don’t recommend it.

Sizing

The rest of this article focuses on boxing gloves, since (hopefully) that’s what you’ve realized you should be buying for your boxing class!

Boxing gloves are sized differently than the standard small-medium-large scale—they’re measured in ounces. The most common sizes are:

• 10 oz
• 12 oz
• 14 oz
• 16 oz
• 18 oz
• 20 oz

Gloves exist on both smaller and larger ends of that spectrum, but these six sizes will accommodate 99.9% of the population. The best way to pick the right size is to consider:

• Lighter gloves allow you to punch quicker
• Heavier gloves provide resistance for strength training
• Heavier gloves offer more padding and protection for your hands
• Smaller individuals should generally use smaller gloves
• The less experienced you are, the more likely you are to hurt your hands or wrists – more padding reduces that risk

Important: Larger gloves don’t make you punch harder—they slow you down and provide extra padding. If you plan to spar, check your class rules, as some gyms require a minimum glove weight for sparring.

Men’s vs. Women’s Gloves

The ounce size is the most important factor for fit. Standard boxing gloves are unisex (which, in most cases, means “made for men”). If you’re a woman or have smaller hands and wrists, look for gloves specifically sold as women’s boxing gloves.

Tip: If your gloves feel too loose, hand wraps help! They fill excess space, provide extra wrist support, and add another layer of padding to your hands.

If you have any questions about gloves, our site offers detailed descriptions of each pair! Explore different styles and find a pair that fits your hands and your training style.

Explore and Find Your Perfect Pair

Choosing the right glove size and style is the first step in your boxing journey, but there’s more to consider as you progress. From training, sparring, and bag work to fitness-focused sessions, different gloves serve different purposes.

To help you find the perfect pair for your training goals, check out our full guide: A Complete Guide to Boxing Gloves: Finding the Perfect Pair for You.