Should I Use 12 or 14 Oz Boxing Gloves?
Finding the most suitable boxing gloves is like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. You need to find a pair that is just right for you. There are several factors to consider when choosing the right pair, including your weight, intended use, material and fit.
Choosing the best boxing gloves for you can seem daunting, even for experienced boxers but especially for beginners, and finding the best gloves is personable and varies greatly. But what exactly are boxing gloves, and how should you decide which size is best for you? Understandably you’ve got questions, so here are some answers to your questions, including whether you should use 12oz or 14oz boxing gloves (the most popular amongst amateur boxers).
Rather than asking yourself what the best boxing gloves are for you, consider asking what the primary purpose of the gloves is. For example, will you use them for sparring, boxing or heavy bag work? Ask yourself this question, partnered with your weight and how the gloves feel, and you’ve got a formula for finding the perfect pair.
At Maxx Pro Boxing, we have a wide range of boxing gloves to choose from, including 12 and 14oz boxing gloves. After reading this post, head to our boxing gloves and choose your perfect pair.
Boxing glove information
Boxing dates back to Ancient Greece, except fighters used their bare knuckles to take down their opponent. In 1743 Jack Broughton invented boxing gloves to protect boxes and to make fights last longer. At first, they were only used in training, but they became popular in the 19th century amongst boxers in competitions too.
In the 20th century, boxing gloves changed into the shape and style that boxers use today. Boxing gloves are cushioned gloves worn over hand wraps to protect a boxer’s hands during matches and practices. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned fighter, using a pair of dependable, high-quality boxing gloves that fit just right and are fit for purpose is essential to your success and safety.
Boxing gloves don’t come in different sizes like shoes but in different weights. The amount of padding determines the weight. More padding means a heavier glove means more hand protection. Boxing gloves vary in weight from 1-20 oz, and every brand uses a different mould to create their gloves, so each fit slightly differently. A 12oz glove in one brand might fit you like a glove, but in another brand, you might need 14oz gloves.
There are different types of boxing gloves, with training gloves being the most popular as they’re a glove suitable for everyday use in the gym, bag gloves, sparring gloves and competition gloves, to name just a few. With the sport growing in popularity because of the benefits of boxing, the boxing glove industry has expanded too, meaning you can afford to be choosey when buying the right pair.
Boxing glove size guide
Typically, if you’re going to be sparring, 14-18oz gloves are recommended, depending on your weight. If you’re going to be training on a punching bag, then 12-14oz gloves will be fine. For amateur fighters, use 10-12 oz and for professional boxers use 8-10oz gloves, depending on the fighter’s weight.
Some boxers think heavier gloves hurt more, and although heavier gloves give more protection, they won’t hurt your opponent more during a fight. If your intended use for your gloves is to pack a powerful punch during a match, going heavier isn’t going to help you achieve this.
Professional boxers use 8 or 10oz boxing gloves as a general rule unless otherwise stated by the sanctioning body sponsoring the match. Older or heavyweight fighters use heavier 16oz gloves, and Tyson Fury famously wore 18oz gloves for sparring.
Use this 6-16oz guide to help you decide which gloves to choose for your weight class and intended purpose.
OZ (ounces) Boxer Weight Fit for
6oz Up to 100lbs/45kg Juniors
8oz Up to 110lbs/50kg fighting/competition/professional
10oz 100lbs + /45kg + pads/competition/professional
12oz 100lbs +/45kg + pads/bag work
14oz 151-175lbs/68-79kg All-round glove/sparring/bag work
16oz 80kg +/175lbs + Heavy sparring
It can be challenging to choose between the 12 and 14oz gloves as they’re close in weight and used for similar purposes, so here is a closer look at the 12 and 14oz boxing gloves so you can make the right decision.
12oz boxing gloves
If you’re unsure what to buy but want a good pair of gloves to start you off, the 12oz are a great place to start without the extra weight and padding of the 14oz. Or, if you intend to use your gloves for pad work, light sparring, or drilling with your partner, these gloves are an excellent choice.
14oz boxing gloves
These gloves are the perfect all-rounder for someone doing everything from heavier sparring and bag work to hitting pads. These gloves offer more protection than the 12oz boxing glove, therefore, can sustain more powerful hits, but they are also more weight. They are an excellent alternative to the 16oz, which carries more weight and can tire your arms when hitting pads.
What boxing gloves should I choose?
Ask yourself the following questions when choosing the best boxing gloves for you.
- What is your weight?
- What is your intended use?
- What is your budget?
- Do you want to lace up gloves or velcro?
- Do you want horsehair padding, foam or a mixture of both?
Use the boxing glove guide weight guide above when you have answered the first two questions so you can make a decision on the weight of gloves you need. The rest is up to you and personal preference.
If you decide to go with a velcro glove, these are easier to fasten on your own, whereas with lace-up you will need some help. Foam padding gloves give excellent protection with shock absorption, whereas horsehair is longer lasting but less protective.
So, ask yourself, should I use 12 or 14oz boxing gloves? Use 12oz boxing gloves if you weigh over 100lbs/45kg and intend to use them for pad, bag work or light sparring. Use 14oz boxing gloves if you weigh between 151lbs-175lbs/68-79kg and plan to use them for various activities such as sparring, glove and bag work, so you need good all-round gloves.
Once you have chosen your pair of gloves, try them on and ask yourself these questions to make sure they’re not too small, not too big, but just right, with other factors to consider too.
- Do they fit comfortably on your hands?
- Do they give you adequate support?
- Do they slip off?
- Do they feel too tight or restrictive?
- Are your hands in a natural position?
- Do the gloves feel too bulky?
Remember that boxing gloves are the most essential piece of equipment for boxers, and wearing the wrong pair can reduce the protection you need and make punches less accurate. The main aim of most boxers is to improve their punching power, and choosing smaller gloves can land harder punches, so this is another element to consider when selecting gloves for matches.
Whatever you need or preference for boxing gloves, we have the right ones for you.
About Maxx Pro Boxing
Maxx Pro Boxing offers the ultimate selection of boxing gloves and other sporting equipment. Our collection doesn’t stop at gloves; it spans the entire world of boxing, with some additional sporting accessories thrown into the mix. We stock boxing gloves for professional and amateur boxers for different weights and purposes, so we have the perfect pair of gloves to suit your needs.
We have been supplying professional boxing and sporting products for over seven years, so you can rest assured that by choosing us, you’re getting expertise and experience in our range and specially picked products.
Once you have chosen suitable boxing gloves, investing in the best punch bag should be the next thing on your list. Using a punching bag is an excellent form of cardio as it simultaneously works your arms, back, legs, chest and core, making it a great workout buddy. A punching bag, coupled with your boxing gloves, makes for a fun exercise activity or for serious boxers wanting to improve their power punch.
A final word
So, if you want a glove for pad and bag work and your weight hits the recommended range for this glove, the 12oz is perfect for you. If you want a good all-round glove for sparring, pad and bag work and your weight is within the range for this glove, choose the 14oz. Be like Goldilocks and try a few different gloves until you get the fit and feel just right.
