Women's Boxing Gloves
Women's boxing gloves should fit the hand you actually have, not a scaled-down version of a man's. This collection is picked for narrower palms and slimmer wrists: 17 pairs covering fitness bag gloves from Rival and Ringside, training and sparring gloves from Adidas and Phenom, and contest gloves from Cleto Reyes, with Sting, Pro Box and Cimac alongside. Prices start from £13.99, and our team will help you get the fit right.
Choosing women's boxing gloves by training type
If you box for fitness, on pads and bags in a class, a bag glove like the Rival RB4 or RB7 Fitness Plus gives dense knuckle padding and a wrist strap you can fasten yourself. For a boxing gym where you will drill, bag and eventually spar, a training glove such as the Adidas Speed 50, Combat 50 or Hybrid 300X does everything in one pair. For sparring, look at the Phenom SG-222D or step up to 14oz or 16oz in a training glove so your partner is protected. Contest gloves from Cleto Reyes are for competition and serious pro-style sparring. The women's training and sparring gloves and women's bag mitts and gloves collections break this down further.
Sizing: ounces, hand size and wrist fit
Glove weight in ounces is about padding, not hand size. Most women use 10oz or 12oz for bag and pad work and 14oz or 16oz for sparring, depending on bodyweight and what the gym requires. Hand fit is separate: several brands cut a small size or a women's specific glove with a narrower hand compartment and shorter finger length, which stops your hand swimming and your wrist folding on impact. Always wear hand wraps: they fill the glove, support the wrist and keep the lining fresh.
Leather or synthetic?
Leather gloves from Cleto Reyes, Adidas and Rival mould to your hand over the first few weeks and last for years with a glove deodoriser and a dry kit bag. Synthetic and PU gloves from Ringside, Pro Box and Cimac are lighter on the budget and ideal for classes two or three times a week. Choose padding and fit first and colour second. Boxfit UK has fitted gloves in our Essex store since 2006, and plenty of the women we fit compete at club and national level; call or visit and we will find the pair for your hands. See the full women's boxing range for wraps, boots and protection, compare against the complete boxing gloves range, or find a bargain in women's clearance.
Frequently asked questions
What size boxing gloves should a woman buy?
For bag and pad work most women choose 10oz or 12oz; for sparring, 14oz for lighter boxers and 16oz if your gym requires it. Hand size is a separate choice, so check the brand's chart for hand circumference and pick the small or women's fit where one is offered.
Are women's boxing gloves different from men's?
The padding and ounce weights are the same; the difference is the hand compartment, which is narrower with a shorter finger length and a smaller wrist opening. That gives a snug fit and a straight wrist on impact, which is why a women's cut or small size is worth seeking out.
Can I use bag gloves for sparring?
No. Bag gloves have firm, dense padding built for hitting bags and pads, which is too hard for a training partner's face. For sparring you need a 14oz or 16oz glove with softer, thicker padding across the knuckles, and most gyms will send you out of the ring in anything else.
