The best boxing gloves for beginners
Start 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.
As a beginner, your best choice is a glove of 12 or 14 oz with a velcro closure, an attached thumb and firm padding over the knuckles. A synthetic entry-level model like the Booster BT Starter is fine for discovering the sport; if you know you'll stick with it, go straight for a leather glove like the Booster BGL or the Twins BGVL.
What a beginner's glove needs to deliver
Your first glove doesn't have to be the most expensive, but it does have to be a good one. Look out for these points:
- Enough padding: at least 12 oz, preferably 14 oz so you can also join in with light sparring.
- Attached thumb: the thumb is fixed to the fist, so it can't catch on a pad or an arm.
- Velcro: on and off by yourself, no help needed.
- Firm cuff: the glove should close snugly around your wrist and not flap about.
- Honest materials: the brand clearly states whether it's leather or synthetic.
Avoid the very cheapest gloves from the supermarket or a sports chain. They often have too little and too soft padding, so after a few bag sessions your knuckles start to hurt. That's the fastest way to be put off the sport.
Which size as a beginner?
You choose the oz size by weight: 10 oz up to 60 kg, 12 oz up to 75 kg, 14 oz up to 90 kg and 16 oz above that. As a beginner we recommend going one size heavier than the chart suggests. In the beginning you punch with less control and more force than necessary, and the extra padding absorbs that.
On top of that, chances are you'll be allowed to spar within a few months, and 14 or 16 oz is mandatory for that. With a 14 oz glove you cover everything as a beginner: bag, pads, partner drills and light sparring. If you weigh more than 80 kg, go straight for 16 oz.
Entry-level models: Booster BT Starter and similar
The Booster BT Starter has been a dependable first glove for years. It's made of synthetic leather, has a sturdy velcro cuff and enough padding for bag and pads. It's relatively cheap, so you risk little if the sport turns out not to be for you. One downside is lifespan: with intensive use, synthetic doesn't last as long as leather.
King Pro Boxing and UFC also have synthetic entry-level models with similar features. Choose by fit and by what you like the look of; the quality differences in this class are small. In our shop all entry-level models are grouped together, with the material and the oz sizes listed.
Straight to a leather glove: Booster BGL or Twins BGVL
If you know you'll keep training, for example because you already have a membership or are doing a series of pad sessions with Billy, going straight for leather is the smarter move. A leather glove lasts for years and moulds to your hand.
The Booster BGL series is an all-rounder with a Thai fist shape and a long velcro cuff. The Twins BGVL3 is the classic from Thailand: handmade, roomy fit, lots of padding and an excellent reputation for sparring. Both will serve you for years without worry. If you have narrow hands, the Booster usually fits better; with wide hands, the Twins. You pay more, but you won't be buying again within a year.
What you need alongside it right away
You never use a glove without hand wraps. They protect your knuckles and wrist and keep the inside of the glove clean. Choose wraps of 4.5 metres with a bit of stretch, as those are the easiest to wrap. Also handy: a glove dryer or deodorising spray for gloves, so they don't start to smell.
If you're going into kickboxing, shin guards and a mouthguard will soon follow. It doesn't all have to happen on day one, but keep it in mind. The guide on the beginner's kit tells you what you need and when. Many beginners start with gloves and wraps and buy the rest once they start sparring.
Mistakes beginners often make
The first mistake is buying on colour and looks instead of fit and padding. The second is buying too light (8 or 10 oz) because those gloves look sleek. The third is not trying them on with hand wraps, so the glove pinches during training.
Another common mistake is leaving the gloves in your bag after training. Within a few weeks they'll smell so bad you'd rather throw them away. Take them out, open them up and let them dry. That way you easily double the lifespan of a beginner's glove.
| Situation | Advice |
|---|---|
| First try, limited budget | Synthetic entry-level model, 12 or 14 oz |
| You know you'll keep going | Leather, Booster BGL or Twins BGVL, 14 oz |
| Over 80 kg | 16 oz, whichever model |
| Narrow hands | Booster or King Pro Boxing |
| Wide hands | Twins Special |
| Sparring soon | At least 14 oz, preferably 16 oz |
Ordering from anywhere in the EU
PadsByBilly ships from the Netherlands to every EU country: Belgium €7.95, Germany €9.95, other EU countries €14.95, free from €75. No customs or import fees inside the EU; prices include VAT. Delivery usually takes 2–5 working days and you have a 14-day right of withdrawal.
Running a gym or fight school and need boxing gloves for the whole team? From €500 order value we make a custom quote with a bigger discount.
Frequently asked questions
How many oz should a beginner get?
Usually 12 or 14 oz, depending on your weight. Over 80 kg, go straight for 16 oz. If in doubt, the heavier size.
Is the Booster BT Starter good enough?
Yes, for bag, pads and technique. If you plan to train for a long time, a leather model like the BGL works out cheaper in the long run.
Do I need to buy hand wraps with my first gloves?
Yes, always. Without wraps the glove sits too loose and your knuckles and wrist aren't properly protected.
Can I keep using the gym's loaner gloves?
Fine for the first trial sessions, but not after that. Loaner gloves are often worn out and shared by lots of people.
Which brand is best for beginners?
Booster, Twins Special and King Pro Boxing all make good beginner models. Choose by fit and material, not by brand name.
