Best Bag Gloves (20+ Boxing Gloves Reviewed)

Like many on the search for the best bag gloves for boxingtraining, I started with a pair of overly padded gloves from Everlast and quickly began pounding away at a small heavy bag in my parent’s basement.

While my teenage boxing years are long behind me, I now train at a boxing gym and have bought and trained in almost a dozen different pairs of boxing gloves so hopefully I can help you find your next pair for heavy bag work.

For beginners looking for their first pair of boxing gloves to use with heavy bag training check out our infographic above and further info in the next section.

Best Bag Gloves (for Heavy Bag Training) – Top Recommedations

• Some of our top boxing glove recommendations for heavy bag training include:
  • Byakko (good beginner option*)
  • Hayabusa T3 (best wrist support*)
  • Ringside Apex (tighter fitting*)
  • Cleto Reyes (nice feedback*)
  • Venum (nice feedback/snug fit*)
    
• If you are a beginner, I strongly recommend buying a heavier glove that offers solid wrist support – sticking to the 12 oz-16 oz range
  
• However, there is no standard size for heavy bag/training gloves instead focus on comfort and fit
  
• Heavier gloves will offer more protection and help with conditioning while smaller gloves offer better fist ergonomics
  
• Finally, I also recommend protecting your hands using wraps whenever hitting the heavy bag

Best Bag Gloves

1. Byakko Boxing Gloves

When I was reviewing and testing out gloves for my other post on the Overall Best Boxing Gloves, I decided to give a pair of the Byakko gloves a chance.

They are newer and aren’t as popular as higher end gloves like Cleto Reyes or Winning, but man, was I impressed with their quality and fit.

They had just enough padding and my fingers felt snug and protected. For beginners who are doing some basic heavy bag training, these are my go to affordable recommendation.

2. Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves

If you are a beginner in terms of boxing and heavy bag training you want a glove that fits well and protects your hands and wrists as much as possible – especially while you are still developing your technique.

I can’t tell you how may times I hit the bag at a weird angle or banged my thumb. The Hayabusa T3’s for my money offer the best wrist support out there (while it should be noted that lace up gloves generally offer more protection – if you’re going velcro and want your wrists protected go with these 100%.)

The dual strap system offers unbeatable wrist support, which is why its one of the most popular choices for beginners.

Overall, the T3 gloves offer similar protection to Winning gloves, but due to being made with synthetic leather, Hayabusa is more affordable price without compromising on durability or protection.

Is Hayabusa better than Fairtex?

A lot of people like to compare Hayabusa and Fairtex gloves.

• First, it should be noted that Fairtex gloves are made specifically for Muay Thai
  • In general, gloves made for Muay thai may be more roomy, a bit stiff, and with less focus on wrist support
• Next, in terms of wrist support, I’d have to vote for the Hayabusa (while if you prefer the roomy fit of Fairtex gloves, you can always go for their lace up models)

For beginners, who want more wrist protection and less room inside the glove I’d go Hayabusa.

3. Cleto Reyes Hook+Loop

Now we get into more pricier gloves, if you’ve got the money to spend I always recommend going with Cleto Reyes or Winning boxing gloves. Both are top of the line and extremely popular brands for both heavy bag training and sparring.

I would strongly recommend these gloves for training and heavy bag work, but I would definitely avoid sparring with these. I’ve been tagged by sparring partners wearing Cleto Reyes gloves before, and I definitely felt it.

For beginners, you may prefer a glove with more padding since again these will have quite a bit of feedback especially in the knuckle area compared to your average glove.

Finally, if you’re looking for a comparable glove at a more affordable price I’d recommend checking out the Rival RB11’s mentioned a bit further down.

4. Cleto Reyes Mitts

I wanted to wait a bit further down into this list before mentioning boxing mitts.

Toward the bottom of this post I further break down different types of boxing gloves, but for now you should know that boxing mitts offer much less protection when compared to your regular training gloves.

The positive with bag mitts is that due to the limited padding they often will feel better in terms of hand ergonomics (meaning you can make a proper fist comfortably without padding getting in the way).

I don’t usually recommend boxing mitts for beginners, but I thought I should mention them in case you find boxing gloves putting your fist in an unnatural position and want to do some light heavy bag work.

So if you’re going with boxing mitts you can’t beat these ones from Cleto Reyes.

5. Xmartial

Xmartial boxing gloves are definitely affordable and have some slick designs.

I’d compare there quality and fit to those similar options from Sanabul and Byakko.

While not as popular as other gloves, these are a decent option for beginners who are looking to do some heavy bag training, and they have some decent wrist support with a hook-and-loop design.

6. RDX Boxing Gloves

RDX are one of the most affordable boxing gloves that we’ve mentioned so far on this list. These gloves are actually specifically made for Muay Thai but still work great for heavy bag training.

If you’re looking for very affordable gloves, I would definitely choose these RDX gloves over similar options from Everlast and Sanabul.

While Fairtex gloves are, of course, the better option for a Muay Thai style glove if you’d rather avoid the higher price point, you can always go with RDX gloves to start with.

7. Ringside Apex Training Gloves

Another really popular glove for beginners that I’ve seen mentioned quite a bit are these Ringside Apex Training Gloves.

The biggest con is probably the stiffness and break in period – you’re hands may hurt for the first couple weeks, but I’ve found that they definitely loosen up over time especially the wrist cuff (which I found very stiff when first using them).

Aside from that these are great starter gloves for the heavy bag if you prefer tighter fitting gloves.

8. Venum Impact Boxing Gloves

If you’re going to go Venum, I strongly recommend buying this Impact Gloves as they are the best bet for under $100.

When comparing them to the Venum Elite Gloves…

Even though the Venum Elite gloves are comparable (and a slightly more expensive), I’ve found them a bit less protective that the Impacts. I also felt that the Venum Impact gloves a bit better feedback, and fit my hands a bit better.

However, if you do have larger/thicker hands the Venum Elite gloves may be a better option.

If you are looking to upgrade to a similar glove in terms of quality and price, I’d recommend going with gloves from Fairtex like the Fairtex BGV1.

9. Winning Training Boxing Gloves

Winning Training Boxing Gloves are arguably the king in the boxing glove realm…with a high price point to match. These are ideal for training with superior protection when hitting a heavy bag.

With horsehair padding and top of the line genuine leather, you really can’t get better than Winning.

However, the price point is very high which is why I don’t necessarily recommend these gloves for beginners.

For more seasoned boxers who know they are going to be boxing for a while, I’m sure you already have a pair of Winning gloves (or you’re current saving up for them).

If you want to buy a more affordable boxing glove is comparable to these gloves from Winning, I’d check out the Ring to Cage C17 gloves which we mention a bit further down this list.

10.Rival RB11

Another pair of excellent bag gloves are these Rival RB11’s. These are my top recommended pair from Rival specifically for heavy bag training.

These are more compact fit and definitely shouldn’t be used for sparring (there are plastics rings around the wrist which could definitely injure your sparring partner.

I’d also probably consider these pretty comparable to those from Cleto Reyes at a bit cheaper price.

If you want another glove from them with softer foam, you can also check out the Rival RS11v boxing glove.

RB10s from Rival come a little more broken in initialy, but the RB11’s are definitely one of the more protect gloves for heavy bag training.

11. Title Gel Boxing Gloves

Heavier, gel gloves will definitely give your arms a good workout. So if you’re looking for conditioning, I’d recommend going with a pair of these 16 oz gloves to burn you up pretty good. However, since these are gel the weight of the gloves may feel a bit off for some.

I would rank these gloves as definitely better than Everlast and similar to Hayabusa.

For other comparable options, you can check out Rival, TopBoxer, or even Muay Thai gloves like those from Fairtex (I’d probably consider all of these a step above these Title gloves).

In my personal opinion, Title makes some awesome boxing gear (like headgear and groin guards), but I wouldn’t rank their boxing gloves very high in general.

12. Phenom

Phenom is a leading brand from the UK. They make a bit more expensive gloves around the $200 range.

When testing these gloves I found them pretty solid, while not as “bouncy” as Cleto Reyes gloves and not as tight as other brands like Hayabusa.

If you’re going to go with Phenom, I’d probably recommend the sg210 gloves – I’ve worn their 12 oz gloves for training and heavy bag work. While they seemed a bit stiff they will probably better form to my hands over a couple sessions.

13. Ring to Cage

So first off let me just say I’m a big fan of the Ring to Cage C17 gloves, and for their price point (~$150) I think they are some of the best gloves out there.

Like I mentioned earlier, these were meant to be a more affordable version of Winning boxing gloves, and I think they’ve pretty much nailed it.

The only con is that these are a bit harder to air and clean out after training when compared to other gloves.

Overall, these are a very solid option for mid range heavy bag gloves for beginners and more experienced boxers.

14. Everlast

Let me just say I’m not the biggest fan of Everlast gloves – I find them to be ill-fitting, bulky, lacking support, and just generally uncomfortable.

However, if you are going to go with Everlast, I would definitely avoid their lower end models and try to stick to the more expensive ones. I’ve heard good things about their MX Professional Fight gloves but cannot attest to their quality personally.

If you are in the market for affordable gloves, I think that those from Byakko, Ringside, RDX, and Title are much better options.

15. Fairtex BGV9

If you’re going to go with Muay Thai style gloves for the heavy bag, you really can’t beat the Fairtex BG9’s.

Among all the popular Fairtex gloves I feel like the BGV9’s offer the most padding and wrist support which is perfect for heavy bag training.

If you truly prefer Muay Thai style gloves, Fairtex, Top King, and Twins are all great options.

However, if you plan to do any sparring at all I strongly recommend the Fairtex BGV1 gloves instead.

16. Sanabul

These Sanabul boxing gloves are some of the most affordable on this list so they are quite popular for beginners.

What you usually pay for with more expensive gloves is comfort and durability so I would always keep that in mind when going with more affordable options.

I used this pair of Sanabul gloves a handful of times before giving them to my younger brother.

The biggest thing I would note is that these don’t have the pop or feedback like other gloves, but overall, these are pretty well-padded for beginners.

For beginners, I don’t see an issue recommend these for heavy bag training if you are concerned with budget.

However, if you have the money and want to upgrade to a better, more comfortable glove I’d recommend checking out Byakko, Twins Special, and Ring to Cage C17s which I’ve also review on this list.

17. Twins Special BGVL3

Twins Special are gloves made for Muay Thai, but many use them for boxing as well.

I would probably put these up there with Winning in terms of craftsmanship (with obviously a different style since it’s made for Muay Thai).

Other Heavy Bag Training Gloves to Be Aware of:

Fly Boxing Gloves

Fly is another popular brand based out of the UK that you can definitely use for heavy bag training. These are about mid range in terms of price.

They have some stiffer foam when compared to other gloves like those from Winnnig. Also I’ve found the hand compartment to be a bit more narrow than other gloves, but longer room for fingers.

Finally, I’d say that they offer some solid wrist support.

TopBoxer

TopBoxer is another pretty popular brand that offers some decent bag gloves at a reasonable price.

There most popular glove is the Win1 glove, but I wanted to highlight their heavy bag gloves (shown above).

Many people compare these to Winning gloves (at a more affordable price), but I would say they are different since I found them to be a bit more bulky.

I’d probably rank these on the same level as the Hayabusa and Ring to Cage gloves since they are comparable in terms of quality and price.

Grant Boxing Gloves

Grant boxing gloves are a high end glove that you may have seen some pros wear like Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Most of their glove are “fight gloves” or sparring gloves. I would not recommend them for beginners or those simple looking for a heavy bag or training glove.

If you want to spend more money on a premium glove, I’d definitely recommend Winning over Grant especially for heavy bag.

R-6 Jayefo

Another very popular boxing glove on Amazon likely due to its very affordable price, these Jayefo may be an option for some beginners.

These make some decent bag gloves but likely won’t have the durability as other gloves that are a bit more expensive like Byakko and Ring to Cage.

The big cons I’d mention is that the fist may fit a little awkward in this glove, and they definitely have a longer break in period.

Liberlupus

Liberlupus gloves are another very popular brand on Amazon so I wanted to include a review of them in this post. These are good for bag work especially if you’re looking to eventually get into Muay Thai.

For the price point, they are pretty solid. They have a shorter/stockier build to it, and they seem like they are designed similar to a Muay Thai style glove.

Stitching is okay, but you’re not going to get the highest quality of materials – especially by in the thumb area they don’t see very high quality.

These gloves also came on over an ounce under weight so they definitely come in lighter.

Best Budget Boxing Gloves for Heavy Bag Training

If we’re talking about the best budget boxing gloves for heavy bag training here are some of our recommendations:

• Byakko
• Ringside Apex
• Title
• Venum

Again, always wrap your hands for heavy bag work and if you’re a beginner I’d recommend sticking with a heavier glove for better protection and opting for a glove with some solid wrist protection.

I’d also avoid using boxing mitts with heavy bag training especially if you are newer to boxing – while the fist feel in these can be great you’re going to want the extra padding found in heavier training gloves.

What Size Boxing Gloves Should You Use for Heavy Bag Training?

For heavy bag training while protection should always be a major factor as you become more experienced the size of glove you use will come down to preference.

In general, you should train with 10 oz-14 oz gloves for heavy bag training and use heavier gloves for sparring like 14 oz-16 oz

Some of my training partners prefer smaller gloves like 10 oz-12 oz while I tend to stick to the 12 oz-14 oz range.

If you want more conditioning, you can go with heavier gloves, but you want your punches to be faster and snapper can go with a smaller glove.

There is no correct size for a perfect heavy bag glove. I would instead try to think about comfort and what has the best ergonomic position for your fist.

Our Ranking and Review Process for This Post

I have been boxing now for over four years. It was actually the first martial art I ever tried.

Like many my first gloves were a pair of pillowy gloves by Everlast. Soon after I upgraded to a pair of Ring to Cage C17’s and then later to a pair of Cleto Reyes.

While I haven’t training in all of these gloves, I have trained in a lot of them.

Over the course of 25+ hours, I have combined my own experience with these gloves with reviews from martial art forums, amazon, reddit, youtube, and manufacturer sites to come up with the most detail and unbiased reviews as possible.

If you think we should add a glove or if we missed anything please feel free to drop us a line at: info@heavybjj.com

Thanks for reading – Zack

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Best Bag Gloves for Heavy Bag Training?

The best bag gloves for boxing training are Byakko, Hayabusa T3, Ringside Apex, Cleto Reyes, and Venum.

Zack Nicholas

Zack is an avid jiu jitsu practitioner and martial arts nerd. He currently holds a brown belt in BJJ. When not on the mats or in the gym, he can be found going for walks with his wife, attempting (and often failing) to train his dog, and frequently obsessing over a specific hobby only to forget about it a week later.