Boxing is a sport where every little bit counts – landing a punch a second earlier or a smidge harder can make a world of difference. To become the best boxer you possibly can, you need to be aware of the different kinds of boxing equipment. One example of that is the difference between boxing gloves vs bag mitts.
Each type of glove has a unique set of strengths and weaknesses. It may not seem like a big deal for a layperson, but having the right kind for every occasion is key to getting the most out of your training. There’s a lot of information to process if you’re a relative beginner, but we’re here to streamline the process for you!
Ready to dive in? Let’s break down what sets boxing gloves and bag mitts apart.
What are boxing gloves?
Boxing gloves are what most people probably think of when it comes to boxing equipment. These gloves feature extra padding, offering optimal protection for your fingers, thumbs included.
Advantages
The biggest selling point for boxing gloves is their versatility. There are lots of different kinds of boxing gloves, but the very best ones are suitable for bag training, sparring matches, and everything in between.
You can find boxing gloves with varying amounts of padding, with different ones being differently suited for bags and sparring. If you buy a couple of different pairs and keep them clean and healthy, they can get you through months or even years of intense workouts.
Disadvantages
The hardest thing about using boxing gloves is finding the ideal pair for you. Sizing charts (more on that below) can be a little tough to navigate, so you need to do your research to get the perfect amount of punching power without compromising on speed and padding protection.
If you want to get around this, there’s always the possibility of buying training gloves. These are a kind of middle ground between fight and bag gloves, giving you the ideal balance between speed and protection. Bear in mind you’ll still need a separate pair of professional gloves if you decide to go competitive.
Sizing
There are a lot of factors that go into this – for a more comprehensive look, check out our boxing glove size and weight guide. In short, you should consider your hand circumference and your body weight to determine the best size for your boxing gloves. On top of that, sizing depends on whether you want to use the gloves for sparring or bag training.
Glove sizes are measured in ounces, and they can go up to 20 oz (approximately 560 grams). Gloves of up to 12 ounces are ideal for speed bags and light workouts, but if you intend on sparring, you’ll want to go 16 ounces or above in the interest of safety.
Measuring your hand circumference is also a relatively simple process if you use fabric tape. More often than not, if you’re shopping online, you can find a comprehensive table on any reputable website on which glove works best for your hand circumference.
What are bag mitts?
As the name suggests, the difference between boxing gloves vs bag mitts is that the latter works best for bag training. These tend to be overlooked by a lot of boxers, but their utility is not to be underestimated.
Advantages
Boxing mitts forego typical glove padding in favour of a denser, shock-absorbing foam design. This grants you a lot more speed, meaning they can do wonders for your technique and fluency of motion.
As you get more advanced, you can use these to optimize your combination attacks. This leads us to the biggest advantage – since they’re less bulky, they aren’t as cardio-intensive, so you should be able to get a longer workout in without getting tired.
To maximize the effectiveness of bag mitts, it’s advisable to use them on speed bags or less heavy bags. You can get a pretty good idea of the impact your hit has without running the risk of hurting your hand.
Disadvantages
If you’re looking for sparring equipment, this is the wrong pick for you. The intended use for these is to get you to practice specific moves, such as jabs and uppercuts, but they don’t offer the same kind of protection for you or your sparring partner as regular boxing gloves.
To get a better clue of how you’ll perform in the ring, it might be good to grab a buddy with strike shields and practice on those. This should give you a decent idea of the stagger and knockback your punches are packing.
Sizing
When we talk about the differences between boxing gloves and bag mitts, getting the size right can be a lot easier with mitts. Although boxing gloves do this too, it’s more common to find mitts with more conventional sizing nomenclature, ranging from Small to Extra Large.
In the event these sizing charts aren’t available, you can follow the same guidelines as you would with regular boxing gloves.
FAQs on boxing gloves vs bag mitts
Is there a price difference between boxing gloves and bag mitts?
Because of their composition, entry-level and intermediate boxing gloves might be a bit pricier than mitts in the same category. At the same time, this comes down to the quality of the product – the more professional the equipment, the more the price differences between gloves and mitts fizzle out.
Whatever the case, you shouldn’t treat mitts as a “budget glove” under any circumstances. They both fulfil different functions and having a pair of each will give you the best results.
Should I use boxing gloves for bag training?
This depends on the type of glove – you can learn more about the different kinds of boxing gloves here. Different boxing gloves may offer varying levels of knuckle and hand protection, and many of these are designed with bag training in mind.
Still, it’s important to remember that gloves tend to be a lot more tiring to use than mitts. You’ll be dealing with a bit more weight, so you’ll often find yourself feeling sluggish at inconvenient times. If you’re practising on lighter bags, heavy boxing gloves might be a bit overkill, so take your gym’s equipment into account too.
Should I use bag mitts for sparring?
No, bag mitts are not suitable for sparring, and even less so for competitive boxing. When training with another boxer, the goal is to practice without the risk of injury. With their lack of padding, mitts just don’t offer the kind of safety you need in the ring.
Actually, most gyms won’t even allow you to spar if you walk in with a pair of bag mitts. It’s best to think of them as an accompaniment to your primary boxing gloves, not a substitute.
What are the best materials for boxing gloves and bag mitts?
More often than not, you’ll find that the best gloves and mitts are made of leather. One thing to keep in mind is that there’s a lot of variance when it comes to natural leather. For example, cowhide leather gloves are significantly more durable, but they tend to cost a lot more.
If you’re just getting started, PU (synthetic) leather tends to be the better pick. It doesn’t cost as much, and it’s less prone to cracks than a lot of goat skin gloves on the market today. All in all, try to buy your equipment from more reputable brands to ensure longevity.
How can I maintain my boxing gloves and bag mitts?
Despite the key structural differences, the process of caring for your gloves and mitts is roughly the same. You can use anything from sanitizing wipes and spray to liquid soap and warm water. Whatever you wind up using, just make sure you give your gear some time to dry off before using it again.
Conclusion
The usefulness of boxing gloves vs bag mitts depends on the situation, but we’ve helped shed some light on the key differences. The main thing to keep in mind is that mitts offer more lightness, making them great for speed training. On the other hand, gloves are all-rounders that sacrifice a bit of movement speed for protection.
At the end of the day, if you stick with boxing, your glove rack will eventually start to house all different kinds of gloves. Do yourself a favour and try everything out if you can.
Every fighter’s journey starts with choosing their first piece of serious gear. Let us guide you. Our collection of buyer’s guides is here to help you start on the right foot. Find your first essential kit here.