How to Choose Muay Thai Fighting Gloves

A Muay Thai boxer, whether new or seasoned, must get a good pair of Muay Thai gloves to train effectively. Landing effective punches is the primary task you learn in this ancient discipline, and you'll need appropriate fist protection to train well. For this reason, one of the first pieces of gear that instructors generally recommend to their fighters is a good pair of gloves. You can find many Muay Thai gloves online, but not all are up to par. To pick the proper glove, you must thoroughly examine the glove's size, weight, material, style, and color. Learn to distinguish boxing gloves versus Muay Thai gloves with this list of essential factors to help you make the best decision. Muay Thai and boxing gloves may appear to have a lot in common; however, a closer look reveals characteristics that separate them from each other. For example, both types of gloves use the palm. In boxing, you use your palm to dodge the opponent's attacks; however, in Muay Thai, you need the ability to grab, clinch, catch, and hold kicks with your hands. As a result, Muay Thai gloves are far more flexible, allowing you to open your hands for a greater grip and grab. Consequently, boxing gloves are stiff and rounded at the fingers to aid in the formation of a more natural fist. Six factors to consider when choosing the best Muay Thai gloves include:

Size

The fighter's weight determines the size of a Muay Thai glove, usually measured in ounces (OZ). You should get 12-14 ounce gloves if you're a novice doing pad training, sparring, and heavily loaded bag work. Young children should use a lighter weight of 6-8 ounces, whereas heavier people should use 16 ounces. Theoretically, heavier gloves provide more protection because they have more padding. Sparring necessitates thicker gloves, and most gyms prefer 16 ounces for safety. Thinner and smaller persons can wear 14 ounce sparring gloves. Most people have at least two pairs of gloves, one for regular training and the other for sparring.

Fit

Gloves should not be too tight since they may block blood circulation, nor should they be overly loose because they will not provide appropriate support. You should try on a few different brands and check reviews and ratings to feel for them. Although some gloves may feel snug upon purchase, they will gradually feel more comfortable after a few training sessions.

Leather

Real or synthetic leather can comprise boxing gloves such as PVC or PU. Generally, real leather is a viable choice over synthetic leather since it is more durable, breathable, and glides smoothly; but it is also more expensive. There's also microfiber leather, which is more durable than standard synthetic leather but less expensive than genuine leather gloves.

Closure

Velcro or lace-up closures are available on boxing gloves. It might be easier to attach velcro straps, but lace-ups require the assistance of another person. Velcro gloves are excellent for training, whereas lace-ups are better for competitions.

Style

Style is as essential to some people as function. Solid colors now less popular, and the industry is saturated with a wide variety of design options. Traditional tribal patterns are still popular, and more contemporary motifs have been developed in recent years.

Quality

Gloves of superior quality are also essential. Before you go out and buy a pair, ensure they're worth the money. The long-lasting, robust, and comfortable gloves are good value for your money. While cheaper brands are available, they are often built with inferior materials that may not last. Since premium materials are used in top-tier Thai companies, they tend to be more expensive, correlating superior quality. It's worth investing a little more for overall comfort, protection, and longevity.

You want a pair of boxing gloves that can give adequate protection and support for your hands while also being relatively robust regardless of whether you are shadow boxing or actually sparring. In addition, you may need to purchase and try on many pairs before you get the one that fits you perfectly. Use the information and suggestions here to quickly pick a suitable pair of gloves to get you started on your Muay Thai journey.