Boxing Glove Weights Explained: Which Oz Do You Need?

How to choose your glove weight in five steps

1. Ask your gym what it requires for sparring. That rule comes first.
2. Find your body weight in the table above.
3. Choose by what you do most: sparring, bag work, or competition.
4. Put on your hand wraps and test the fit.
5. If you do both bag work and sparring every week, plan for a second pair.

What if you are between two weights?

If you are close to a line in the table, such as 64kg or 66kg, choose by what you do most. If you spar every week, go to the heavier option. If you mostly hit the bag and pads, the lighter option is fine as long as the fit is right. If you are still unsure, ask your coach.

Glove weight and training goals

Lighter gloves let your hands move faster, which suits speed and technique work. Heavier gloves add resistance and build stamina in your shoulders. Use your goal to choose between weights that are already safe for your type of training, and not to override your gym's sparring rule.

Which oz for sparring?

Choose 16oz for sparring unless your coach tells you otherwise. Many UK gyms ask for it, because the extra padding protects your hands and your partner. A lighter boxer may be allowed 14oz, but only with the coach's agreement. Your gym's rule comes first. If you are new to sparring, start with 16oz even if you are light, because it gives the most protection while you learn. Sparring also needs a headguard.

Sparring gloves are built for this job. Our sparring gloves have a pre-curved shape and a moisture-wicking lining. Heavier boxers should start with 16oz and ask the gym if they want more.

Which oz for bag work and pads?

For most adults, 12oz or 14oz works well on the bag and the pads. If you are new to boxing, 14oz is the safer choice because the padding is thicker. Experienced boxers who want more feel on the bag sometimes move to 10oz or 12oz. Lighter gloves are quicker, and heavier gloves tire your shoulders more over a long session.

Bag work puts a lot of force through your hands, so wear hand wraps and gloves with firm wrist support. Our training gloves use dual-density foam, with a denser inner layer and a softer outer layer.

Pad work is a little different from the heavy bag. Your partner holds the pads and you throw combinations at pace, so a glove that is not too heavy keeps your hands quick. For most adults, 12oz to 14oz still works well, as long as the wrist support is firm.

12oz or 14oz: which should you buy?

Choose 14oz if you are new to boxing, weigh over 65kg, or mix bag work with some light sparring. Choose 12oz if you are lighter, mostly hit the bag and pads, and want a little more speed. If your gym asks for 16oz in sparring, neither weight will do for that part of your training, so plan for a second pair.

Which oz for amateur competition?

England Boxing sets glove weights for its amateur events. Under its 2026 rules, boxers at 65kg and under wear 10oz gloves, and boxers over 65kg wear 12oz. If a boxer at 65kg or under meets a boxer over 65kg, both wear 12oz.

Weights can differ between organisations, so ask your club which rules apply to your event. Our competition gloves are lace-up and come in 8oz and 10oz, so check the rules of your event first.

Does a heavier glove hit harder?

Not in a way that should decide your choice. The extra weight in a heavier glove is mostly padding. It spreads the impact over a larger area, which is why sparring uses heavier gloves. A knockout is still possible with any glove weight. Heavier gloves do make your arms work harder, so some boxers use them on the bag to build stamina.

Boxing glove weights for children

Children have smaller hands and less punching force, so they need lighter gloves. Our kids boxing gloves come in 4oz and 6oz. Check that the glove fits the child's hand and that the hook and loop strap holds the wrist firmly. For teenagers with adult-sized hands, ask the coach before moving to adult gloves.

How to check the fit

The right weight in the wrong fit is still the wrong glove. Put on your hand wraps first, then the glove. Your hand should feel snug, with no pinching, and it should not slide when you make a fist. The strap should hold your wrist firmly. Wraps add bulk, so always test the fit with them on. Our inner gloves and hand wraps include boxing bandages in 2.5m, 3.5m and 4.5m lengths.

Glove weight depends on your body weight and your training, not on your gender. Women and men use the same chart, and most of our gloves are unisex.

Common mistakes when choosing glove weight

The most common mistake is buying a glove that is too light for sparring. Others are ignoring your gym's rules, buying on colour alone, and expecting one pair to do every job. If you train on the bag and spar every week, two pairs will last longer and protect you better than one.