Sparring gloves are made of thicker leather and provide more protection for the hands and the opponent. Whereas Bag gloves are made of a thinner leather, have less protection and should not be used for sparring or matches.
Training gloves are essentially sparring gloves that have been modified to have a closed hand design so they can be used when practicing punches and kicks. Training gloves are in the middle between sparring and bag gloves – which makes them suitable for most beginners who only want one pair of gloves.
Nowadays I carry both sparring and bag gloves in my bag because I already purchased them. If you are a beginner, getting a single pair of training gloves is enough.
In this article, I will go through in detail – the differences between sparring, training and bag gloves. I remembered spending quite some time researching the internet for different forums and articles because I still had unanswered questions. Hopefully this single article is detailed enough for all your needs!
Table of Contents
Sparring Gloves Vs Bag Gloves Vs Training Gloves
| Sparring Glove | Bag Glove | Training Glove | |
| Usage | Sparring | Bag work | Versatile |
| Fit | Fit | Looser | Fit |
| Padding | Thickest | Thinnest | Thick |
| Hardness | Hardest | Less Hard | Hard |
| Comfort | Most comfortable | Comfortable | Comfortable |
| Protection | Most protection | Least protection | Protected |
| Material | Soft foam | Harder cushion | Soft foam |
| Durability | Least durable | Most durable | Durable |
1. Usage: Sparring Vs Bag Vs Training Gloves
Sparring gloves are used when sparring – where you have to throw punches at an opponent. Whereas bag gloves are used when practicing against a punching bag. Training gloves are in the middle – where it can be used for both sparring and bag work.
It’s important to use the right boxing gloves for the occasion because each glove is designed specifically for a use case. When using incorrect gloves, you risk injury or damage to the gloves.
If you are a beginner, consider getting a training glove because they are more versatile and can be used for both sparring, mitt work and bag work. If you are a veteran and want the best experience, you should get a pair of sparring gloves and bag gloves.
2. Fit: Sparring Vs Bag Vs Training Gloves
Sparring gloves are designed to fit snugly and provide a good grip. They are not meant to be too tight, as this can cause injuries. Whereas bag gloves are a bit looser than sparring gloves – though they are still designed to fit. Training gloves fall in the middle – they are not as tight as sparring gloves, but definitely tighter than bag gloves.
Sparring gloves usually fit better than bag gloves and training gloves because they are not supposed to slip off during a bout. However, if you have larger hands or if you tend to sweat a lot, then you might find that sparring gloves are a bit too tight. This is normal at first because you need some time before the gloves break-in and feel comfortable.
When it comes to bag work, you want a glove that’s snug but not too tight – this makes sure you are comfortable and can focus more on techniques than how tight or hot the boxing glove is.
With sparring gloves, you want a snug fit so that the padding is protected and the glove doesn’t move around while you’re fighting.
3. Padding: Sparring Vs Bag Vs Training Gloves
Sparring gloves have the most padding over any other gloves. This extra protection can be helpful when you’re taking a beating, as it means you won’t feel as much pain when you get hit or when you hit. Bag gloves usually have the least padding – allowing you to feel more comfortable and accurate while practicing.
The padding of training gloves fall in the middle – where it’s not too thick or thin. The idea of training gloves is to be versatile enough for you to use for sparring and bag work.
When it comes to choosing the right type of glove for your needs, it’s important to consider what type of workout you’re doing. For example, if you’re looking for gloves that will protect your hands while sparring, then a sparring glove will be the best option for you. However, if you just want to use them for boxing workouts, then a training glove might be a better option.
Sparring gloves are the thickest – with most padding because they are meant to protect you and your opponent.
4. Hardness: Sparring Vs Bag Vs Training Gloves
Sparring gloves are harder than bag gloves and training gloves because they are made of a heavier and thicker material. They are also designed with an extra layer of protection around the knuckles and fingers. This means that they can absorb more impact – therefore protecting you against hard bones.
Sparring gloves being the hardest and heaviest is good for your hands – but they may not be as good for the opponent. This is why boxing is quite a dangerous sport when compared to other competitive sports like BJJ or Taekwondo.
Remember, sparring gloves will always be the thickest and have the most protection. This is because when sparring, you are more likely going to hit harder surfaces and need more protection.
Note: Sparring gloves are made of soft foams but they are high dense and thick – causing them to be the hardest glove.
5. Comfort: Sparring Vs Bag Vs Training Gloves
Sparring gloves are usually the most comfortable type of glove to wear (when compared to bag gloves and training gloves). They’re made with soft materials that allow for more mobility and flexibility while you’re hitting the gym or ring. Bag gloves provide more protection than sparring gloves, but they can be less comfortable because they have thicker padding.
Bag gloves and training gloves are designed to be as light as possible while still providing adequate protection. They often have a thin layer of padding on top of the hand that’s made from soft materials like cotton or synthetic fibres. This helps to keep your hand lightweight and flexible, which is beneficial when you’re trying to improve your speed and agility in workouts or during training sessions.
6. Protection: Sparring Vs Bag Vs Training Gloves
Sparring gloves offer the most protection for your hands (when compared to bag gloves and training gloves). In contrast, bag gloves are generally not meant to provide protection from injury. This means that if you’re using them for training purposes, you should take precautions to protect your hands, such as wearing wraps or bracing.
Training gloves are (again) placed in the middle between sparring and bag gloves. They provide adequate protection – allowing you to use them for sparring. However, keep in mind that sparring gloves always offer the most protection with extra padding, softer materials.
Bag gloves are the thinnest – which makes them comfortable and accurate when punching the bags. Do not use these for sparring.
7. Material: Sparring Vs Bag Vs Training Gloves
Sparring and training gloves are typically made from softer foam materials that offer more protection against bone-to-bone contact. Whereas, bag gloves are typically made from harder materials that offer less protection because they are meant for bag work.
8. Durability: Sparring Vs Bag Vs Training Gloves
Bag gloves will last longer than sparring or training gloves if properly taken care of. However, all three types of gloves should be treated with respect – do not use them excessively or hit hard without wearing them properly. In general, bag gloves are the most durable type of glove, followed by training gloves, and then sparring gloves.
While sparring, bag work, and training gloves are all used for training purposes, they come with different levels of durability. Sparring gloves are typically made from softer materials that can be damaged easily. In contrast, bag gloves are made from more durable materials that can withstand more punishment.
But again, manufacturers also play a big role in quality and durability. A better quality bag gloves will always be more durable than a poor quality sparring gloves. You shouldn’t buy gloves just because of durability. Instead, buy them depending on your usage!
Remember, when buying gloves, keep in mind that leather is the most durable material and will last you a long time. Leather will even break-in and feels better the longer you use it.
When taken care of properly, all types of gloves can last a long time. I personally have used my bag gloves for 4 years and still don’t need to change it.
Training gloves are in the middle of sparring and bag gloves. They are versatile and can be used for both bag and sparring.
When to Use Which Type of Boxing Gloves?
You should use sparring gloves strictly for sparring because they are designed with soft materials to protect your hands. Use bag gloves strictly for bag work because they are made of harder material and offer less protection. Bag gloves can take more beating than sparring gloves and thus, should last longer.
You could use training gloves for both sparring and bag work. They are the most versatile option and best suited for beginners who don’t want to carry 2 pairs of gloves all the time.
Can You Use Sparring Gloves For Bag Work?
You could use sparring gloves for bag work as it provides even more level of protection than bag gloves.
However, this is not recommended because sparring gloves are more fragile, made of softer materials and can break up if used continuously for bag or mitt work.
If you regularly workout with a punching bag, then it’s a good idea to invest in a bag gloves. They are generally cheaper than sparring gloves and can last a really long time – they are designed to take a beating after all.
Can You Use Bag Gloves For Sparring?
Do not use bag gloves for sparring. They do not have enough padding, wrist supports and overall protection for sparring. Using bag gloves for sparring can risk injury on your knuckles, wrists and also cuts on your opponent.
If you regularly workout with a punching bag and also sparring, then you should get a pair of training gloves. They offer enough protection for your hands during sparring and are durable enough to be used for bag work.
Can You Use Gym Training Gloves For Boxing?
Gym gloves are not designed to protect the hands during boxing training. They may provide some protective benefits and wrist supports – but definitely not enough for boxing.
Gym gloves lack the padding around the knuckles and are definitely not thick enough to protect your hands nor your opponents. Please avoid using gym gloves for boxing!
Gym gloves are not meant for boxing at all because they have no padding and offer no protection for your knuckles.
How Many Boxing Gloves Do You Need?
Beginner boxers should have at least 1 training glove that they could use for both sparring and bag work. Once you learn more about boxing, then consider having at least 2 gloves – one sparring glove and another bag glove.
You could of course have more than just 2 gloves because each glove is built differently and will be different. I personally only have 2 gloves (one sparring and another bag glove).
