It’s February, people, and if you’re looking to snag a pair of the best boxing gloves to get a better-late-than-never start on your 2025 fitness resolutions, you’ve come to the right place. Boxing was once a sport that conjured images of dingy, underground gyms; electric training montages; and black-eyed heroes slugging it out mano a mano under a spotlight. And, to a large extent, it still very much is—however, as combat sports have launched into the mainstream, countless boxing gyms aimed less at the Rocky crowd and more at folks interested in a high-intensity cardio workout sprung up everywhere. (In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find a commercial gym worth its salt that didn’t have a heavy bag kicking around somewhere in the back.)

That being said, whether you’re gearing up for a full-on fight, hoping to learn some self-defense, or just looking to sweat out the sins of the weekend, you’ll need the right equipment to get the job done. After snagging a gym outfit, some workout shoes, and a sturdy pair of wraps (there are a ton of solid, affordable options on retailers like Amazon), the next step is to invest in a pair of boxing gloves. That’s why we put together this list of the heavy hitters in each category, from ring-ready fight gloves to lightweight training joints. Ding ding.

The Best Boxing Gloves, at a Glance:

The Best Boxing Gloves Overall: Superare Supergel Pro Boxing Gloves

If you’re going to buy one pair of gloves, make it the Supergel Pro. Founded in 2011 with stores in New York and LA—and with a growing list of collabs—Superare is leading the charge of stylish martial arts gear. The Supergel Pro features a full-leather construction and a hook-and-loop closure. They use a proprietary gel padding that was the softest of all the gloves we tested. The wrist guard is long and kept my wrist feeling protected while hitting the bag and sparring, and the Velcro closure is thick and stays secured even through the toughest training sessions. These are a great universal pair of gloves that will serve you just as well in a cardio boxing class as they will sparring.

The Best Value Gloves: Everlast Powerlock2 Pro Laced Training Gloves

If you want to get into boxing—and want a glove that will last without breaking the bank—the Powerlock 2 is the move. The glove is made with a full-leather construction, and while we tested the laced option, Everlast also stocks a version with a hook-and-loop closure. These were a little tight on my hands at first and needed some time to break in, but for $99, they’re a glove that will last a lifetime and serve your needs as you get deeper into the sport. Bonus: They’re equally suitable for bag work, pad work, and sparring.

The Most Innovative Gloves: Adidas Tilt 350 Pro Training Gloves

Adidas is doing some interesting things when it comes to glove design. We tested their Tilt 350 Pro Training Gloves, which have a noticeably “tilted” angle—hence the name—along the outside edge of the hand. This is intended to mimic your hand’s natural alignment and help reduce injuries when punching. The Tilt 350s are also made from a sustainable cactus-based synthetic leather, and though I’m usually partial to a full genuine leather glove (as they tend to hold up better over time), these seem very durable and use a polyester sub-layer made of recycled water bottles to increase their longevity. Plus, they do feel very natural and snappy when hitting the bag. If you’re looking for a sustainable option with tech designed to protect you, this is it.

The Best Gloves for Sparring: Rival RFX-Guerrero-V Sparring Gloves P4P Edition

Rival makes some of the most innovative and highest-quality boxing gear on the market today. If you’re looking for a dedicated sparring glove, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than their RFX Guerrero V P4P edition. Sometimes in life, you really do get what you pay for, and I could tell the fairly hefty price tag on these bad boys was justified the moment I picked them up. The premium leather is beautiful; the layered foam keeps your hand feeling very protected; and the high-density EVA lamination gives them that signature snap when connecting properly, one of the hallmarks of a quality glove. If you want the best of the best when it comes to sparring gloves—and don’t mind shelling out a few extra bucks—check these out.

The Best Muay Thai Gloves: Fairtex Universal Gloves “Tight Fit” Design

Muay Thai is a stand-up striking martial art that originated in Thailand. Like boxing, it incorporates punches, but it also permits kicks, knees, elbows, and various clinching techniques. It’s been growing in popularity in the US both as a component to mixed martial arts training and a standalone pursuit. Muay Thai gloves are similar to boxing gloves, but generally have a shorter padded cuff and a more open-fist design. They would serve you equally well in most fitness-focused boxing classes—and if you think leg kicks are in your future, then it also might be worth investing. In my opinion, Fairtex makes some of the best Muay Thai gear in the game, and their Universal Gloves boast full-leather construction with an affordable price tag.

The Best Boxing Shoes: Adidas Box Hog 4

So you’ve signed up for a gym, you’ve bought your gloves, and now you need boxing shoes. Standard gym shoes are fine in the beginning, but dedicated boxing shoes are going to provide a lighter and tighter fit—as well as increased ankle protection. Our recommendation is the Adidas Box Hog 4, since they’re packed with modern boxing shoe tech, but still maintain that classic Adidas design. The shoes are extremely light, have a mesh upper to keep them breathable, and are built with 50% recycled materials. (And they really do look cool.) Adidas has been a top dog in the sneaker world for years, and their boxing shoes would make a great addition to anyone’s collection—even if you’re still stressing out about Sambas. Personally, I feel like Daniel Day Lewis in The Boxer when I wear these suckers.

What to Look for When Buying Boxing Gloves

Boxing gloves generally come in four different types:

• Bag Gloves: These are sometimes designed with a harder foam and used primarily to protect your hand while hitting focus pads or landing shots on the heavy bag.
• Sparring Gloves: These usually have the most padding, softer foam, and a streamlined design. They are designed to be used with a training partner, so you can hit them without inflicting so much damage that they no longer want to be your training partner.
• Hybrid/Training Gloves: These are usually on the heavier side with softer padding and useful for hitting bags and pads as well as sparring.
• Fight Gloves or Competition Gloves: These are designed to do damage in, you guessed it, a professional fight. They tend to be lighter in weigh and have less padding, which lets your opponent feel every blow.