Guides
How to choose, use and look after your gear. Written from the training floor, not from the brochure.
Boxing gloves
- What size boxing gloves do I need?Choose 10 oz up to 60 kg, 12 oz up to 75 kg, 14 oz up to 90 kg and 16 oz above that; for sparring always 14 or 16 oz.
- Boxing gloves size chart: all oz sizes at a glanceAdults: 10 oz up to 60 kg, 12 oz up to 75 kg, 14 oz up to 90 kg, 16 oz above that; competition 8 or 10 oz, kids 4 to 8 oz.
- What is the difference between kickboxing gloves and boxing gloves?Kickboxing gloves are more flexible with rounder padding for catching kicks; boxing gloves are more compact with a longer cuff for wrist support.
- Leather or synthetic boxing gloves: which is better?Leather lasts longer and breathes better; synthetic is cheaper and easy to clean. From two sessions a week, real leather pays off.
- Velcro or lace-up boxing gloves?Velcro for training (on and off by yourself), laces for competition and the tightest wrist support; most fighters choose velcro.
- The best boxing gloves for beginnersStart with 12 or 14 oz, velcro and an attached thumb; Booster BT Starter to get going, Booster BGL or Twins BGVL if you know you'll keep training.
- Boxing gloves for sparring or for bag work?Sparring: 14 or 16 oz with soft padding for your partner. Bag work: more compact, around your weight class. One pair for everything: 14 or 16 oz.
- Kickboxing starter kit: what do you need?Start with boxing gloves (12-14 oz), hand wraps and a mouthguard; add shin guards and a groin guard as soon as you work with a partner.
- Twins Special or Booster: which brand suits you?Twins: Thai, handmade, roomy, thick padding. Booster: Dutch, more compact, long cuff, entry-level to pro. Choose on hand shape and style.
- Fairtex x Booster: what is it and who is it for?Fairtex x Booster = Thai handmade production by Fairtex with Booster design; leather gloves, shin guards and pads for sparring and pad work.
- King Pro Boxing: what kind of brand is it and who is it for?King Pro Boxing: Dutch brand, Thai production, tight compact fist, long cuff, entry-level to pro; an alternative to Booster and Twins.
- Buying fight gear in the EU: how it worksShipping to Belgium €7.95, Germany €9.95, other EU countries €14.95, free from €75; delivery in 2–5 working days; no customs inside the EU; pay with PayPal, card or iDEAL; 14-day right of withdrawal.
- Fight gear size guide: gloves, shin guards, shorts and moreGloves: pick oz by body weight (10 oz up to 60 kg / 132 lb, 12 oz up to 75 kg / 165 lb, 14 oz up to 90 kg / 198 lb, 16 oz above or for sparring). Shin guards: by height. Shorts: by waist, Thai brands run one size small.
Glove care
Shin guards
- Choosing shin guards: which size and which type?Measure from below the knee to the ankle for the size (S-XL); choose leather with velcro for sparring and a lighter model or sock-style guard for technique and pads.
- Shin guards for kickboxing or muay thai: what is the difference?Muay thai models are wide and thick with a large instep piece for blocking and the clinch; kickboxing models are slimmer and lighter for speed.
Mouthguards
Headguards
Hand wraps
- How to wrap hand wraps: step by stepLoop around the thumb, three times around the wrist, three times over the knuckles, between the fingers, secure the thumb, finish off on the wrist.
- Hand wraps: which length and which type?Adults: 4.5 metres semi-elastic. Children and small hands: 2.5 metres. Cotton sits the firmest, elastic wraps the easiest.
Pads & mitts
- Pads or mitts: what is the difference?Mitts are small hand pads for punches and precision; Thai pads are large arm pads for kicks and knees. Boxing: mitts. Kickboxing: both.
- Choosing Thai pads: what to look forChoose Thai pads with thick firm padding, a curved shape, wide arm straps and leather; Twins KPL and Fairtex x Booster are the benchmark.
- Choosing focus mitts: what to look forChoose curved mitts with resilient padding, a padded inner glove and a sturdy wrist strap; Twins PML is the classic.
Shorts
MMA gloves
Ankle supports
Groin guards
Punching bags
Billy's choice
Gear he uses himself.
Pads, gloves and protection from Twins Special, Booster and Fairtex x Booster. Shipping across the EU, free from €75.