One of the most frustrating beginner mistakes is buying gloves that just don’t feel right. Too tight and your hands ache. Too loose and you risk injury. Here’s how to determine if your boxing gloves fit properly, allowing you to train with comfort and confidence.
Why glove fit matters
As explained by England Boxing, boxing gloves protect your hands and wrists from impact. A poor fit reduces this protection and can lead to injuries or poor technique. Boxing gloves have evolved over centuries to provide the best protection for you and your opponent. Gloves that don’t fit can cause long-term issues with your hands.
Beginners often choose gloves based solely on size or brand, but comfort and security are equally important. The right fit keeps your hands supported, allowing you to focus on your boxing.
How to tell if your boxing gloves fit properly
- Snug but not painful: Your fingers should reach near the top of the glove without feeling cramped.
- Room for wraps: Gloves are designed to be worn with hand wraps. If the glove feels perfect without wraps it will be too tight once you add them.
- Secure wrist support: The strap or laces should hold your wrist firmly without cutting into your skin.
- Easy to make a fist: You should be able to close your hand naturally. If you feel resistance or strain the glove may be the wrong shape.
- Even padding: The padding should sit comfortably across your knuckles without leaving gaps or pressure points.
Common mistakes beginners make
- Choosing gloves based only on weight without checking the fit inside. While the boxing glove size is essential, ensuring your hand will fit inside comfortably is just as crucial to maximise your boxing output.
- Wearing them without wraps makes the fit feel looser than it really is. Gloves should always be worn with hand wraps; they are critical pieces of kit that protect your wrist from damage.
- Ignoring wrist support and focusing only on knuckle padding. Padding distribution is crucial for protecting your opponents. We cover gloves with excellent padding distribution in our beginner boxing glove guide.
- Keeping gloves that feel uncomfortable, hoping they will improve with time. While breaking them in might make them feel a bit better, if you are having problems for over a month, it might be worth swapping them out.
How to tell if your boxing gloves fit properly at home
- Put on a clean pair of hand wraps
- Slide your hand into the glove and close it fully
- Make a fist and see if the glove feels snug without pinching
- Shake your hand lightly. The glove should not slide around
- Throw a few light punches into the air or on a bag. Check for rubbing or pressure points
If your gloves pass these simple checks, they fit correctly and are ready for training. Confidence is key in boxing; if you aren’t confident with your gear, then how can you be confident in the ring?
When to change gloves
Even if your gloves once fit well, they will wear down with time. If the padding feels flat or the wrist support weak, it may be time to replace them. Beginners often notice this after six months to a year, depending on the frequency of their training. Gloves, unfortunately, don’t last forever. While removing a bit of padding from the gloves in the short term is fine, if large amounts of padding start to fall away, it’s time to replace them.
Final thoughts
Knowing how to tell if your boxing gloves fit properly will save you pain and frustration in training. The right fit keeps your hands protected, your wrists secure, and your punching technique sharp. If you are still searching for your first pair and don’t want to break the bank, have a look at our guide to the best boxing gloves for beginners under £50 for reliable recommendations.
