I’ve been hitting the gym lately, and boxing has become my new favorite thing. But I realized pretty quickly that having the right gear makes a huge difference. So, I started looking into boxing gloves, specifically trying to figure out what ounce boxing gloves I should get.
I started by just using the gloves they had at the gym. They were okay, but some were super worn out, and I wasn’t sure if they were the right size for me. I started noticing that my hands would hurt after a while, and my punches didn’t feel as powerful as they should. So I dived into researching online. It was a mess. So much unclear info!

First, I measured my hands. I wrapped a tape measure around my palm, just below the knuckles, to get the circumference. Then, I checked a bunch of size charts online. Most of them suggested different sizes based on your hand size and weight, and also what you’ll be using the gloves for, like sparring, bag work, or just general training.
I went to a local sports store to try on different gloves. It was kind of embarrassing because I didn’t really know what I was doing, but the guy there was helpful. He showed me how to put them on properly and how they should fit. They should be snug but not too tight, and your fingertips should just barely touch the end of the glove.
I tried on a few different sizes: 12 oz, 14 oz, and 16 oz. The 12 oz gloves felt light and fast, but I was worried they wouldn’t offer enough protection, especially since I’m just starting. The 16 oz gloves felt really bulky and slowed me down. The 14 oz gloves seemed like a good middle ground. They felt protective but not too heavy.
I ended up buying a pair of 14 oz gloves. I’ve been using them for a few weeks now, and they feel great! My hands don’t hurt anymore, and I feel like my punches are more powerful and controlled. I’ve mostly been using them for bag work and some light sparring.
- 12 oz: These felt too light for me, but they might be good for someone with smaller hands or someone who wants to focus on speed.
- 14 oz: These were the sweet spot for me. They offer good protection and are versatile enough for different types of training.
- 16 oz: These felt too heavy for what I’m doing right now, but I can see how they’d be good for heavier sparring or for bigger folks.
So, after all that, I think I made the right choice with the 14 oz gloves. It was a bit of a process, but it was definitely worth it to find the right ones. My hands feel good, my punches feel stronger, and I’m enjoying boxing even more now.
