Recently my son Ari has taken up boxing. He goes to boxing classes a few times a week. And so I am learning everything there is to know about boxing gloves versus Muay Thai gloves.
With this in mind, I decided to put together this helpful buying guide for Muay Thai Gloves to help others in the same position.
When my son first told me he wanted to purchase Muay Thai gloves, I quickly discovered that there are a lot of choices.
So I gathered together information – to get a more clear understanding of needs, glove sizing, and glove construction – so as to make an informed decision.
I’m writing this article because I’m bestselling personal development author and research geek (with 2 million books and course sold).
I created the Tweak a Week Online Course – to help people make small, positive changes in their habits that lead to big results.
In general I love to help people to live their best lives making their best choices. And that’s why I put together this comprehensive buying guide to walk you through the top factors to consider when buying Muay Thai gloves.
Read on…
Gloves are sized by weight. Heavier gloves offer more protection. Lighter gloves offer increased speed, but less protection. Therefore, identifying the specific purpose and training scenario for your gloves is a significant factor in your choice.
Ask yourself:
Different glove types are designed to cater to specific needs, such as lighter gloves for competition or heavier gloves with extra padding for sparring. Knowing your purpose will narrow down your options and help you choose the most suitable gloves.
The reason that glove purpose and glove weight are important factors is that you’ll be balancing protection and speed. And your needs will change in different scenarios. In fact, most Muay Thai practitioners own multiple pairs of gloves to fit these different scenarios.
When doing bag work or pad work, many Muay Thai athletes opt for a medium or lightweight glove in order to prioritize speed. Competition gloves are generally lighter and provide minimal padding for speed and precision. Assess your training needs. Prioritize hand protection. And choose gloves with adequate padding accordingly.
As mentioned, Muay Thai gloves are sized by weight. Choosing the right glove weight is crucial for performance and safety. Most brands offer gloves in various weights, typically measured in ounces (oz) and ranging from 8 oz. to 16 oz. Keep in mind that the sizing options may vary depending on the brand. Refer to the brand’s size chart and instructions on what weight gloves to get for Muay Thai. You’ll primarily be considering your body weight for sizing. Plus you will want to consider different training scenarios as covered above.
As far as hand fit, most gloves have adjustable closures, allowing for a custom fit that accommodates most hand sizes. This means that glove weight will be the primary, or only, sizing metric to consider.
The material and construction of the gloves impact their durability, comfort, and overall performance. Full Grain leather gloves are known for their longevity and superior quality, while genuine leather gloves are more affordable. Consider your budget, preferences, and the level of durability you need when selecting between the two options, but whenever possible, opt for the highest quality option you can afford. Quality is especially important in Muay Thai due to the intensity of the training and the level of protection needed to prevent injury. It is typically not worth sacrificing quality in this sport.
In addition to genuine vs. synthetic leather, you should consider the padding construction and other materials used as well. Muay Thai glove padding is made up of multiple layers of different types of foam, and typically this is a proprietary blend unique to each brand. Quality Muay Thai glove padding is crafted to balance protection and speed, and each brand uses its own layer and material combinations to accomplish this.
Other materials and design qualities to pay attention to in glove construction include thread construction, glove liner material, and breathability via vented designs.
Proper wrist support is essential for injury prevention and stability during training, but contrary to what most people think, the gloves themselves are not the only source of wrist support. In Muay Thai specifically, athletes use hand wraps for additional wrist support because they don’t want the glove to be too stiff or rigid. A glove that is too rigid will restrict the movement needed for Muay Thai.
Consider the reputation and track record of the brand you are considering. Look for established brands known for their quality craftsmanship, customer satisfaction, and experience in manufacturing Muay Thai gloves. Brands like Fairtex, Twins Special, Top King, Yokkao, and Venum have earned the trust and respect of the Muay Thai community through their consistent delivery of reliable products. New and merging, high-quality brands such as CORBETTI are quickly making a name for themselves as well.
At the end of the day, take your time to research, read reviews, and try on gloves if possible. Remember, finding the perfect pair of gloves that meet your specific needs and preferences will enhance your performance, protect your hands, and contribute to a rewarding Muay Thai training experience.
If you’re struggling to get started with making small need changes, consider enrolling in my online program Tweak A Week. This course is designed to make it fun and easy to add in new small tweaks to your habits each week.
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