This article will be all about Muay Thai glove sizes. It’ll provide you with all the knowledge you’ll need to wisely select which size Muay Thai glove you should get. If you’re interested in optimizing that detail in your training, this article is precisely what you currently need.
Muay Thai is one of the most dangerous sports globally, and let’s face it, it’s why you and I love it so much. But we don’t want to ignore the fact that it’s dangerous and face the consequences. Rather, we want to address this fact by understanding how we can utilize the protective gear we need to wear to step out of the Muay Thai gym injury-free.
This is why I’ve decided to write this article, as I see many Muay Thai fighters using improper Muay Thai glove sizes. Eventually, what ends up happening is that they either get injured or stop training because they’re not comfortable.
So without further ado, let’s dive into the different sizes of Muay Thai gloves and understand which one you want to learn to ensure you’re as well-off to kick off your Muay Thai journey.
So let’s dive into the first part of this article.
What Size Muay Thai Glove Should I Get?
The first part of this article (this now) will review the different sizes and compare their pros and cons. If you’re interested in getting a new pair of Muay Thai gloves, it’s most important to under for which purpose you want them.
I wrote a complete guide to selecting the perfect Muay Thai gloves for your specific situation and need. Definitely give it a read if you’re interested in doing so.
What we’ll do now is dive into each size between 6-16oz and review what’s it good for. For instance, what you’ll see is that in competitions, lighter-weight gloves are mandatory. Naturally then, if you’re interested in competing, getting your hands on a lighter-weight glove will be what you should do. I’m getting too far ahead in the future; more on that later on.
For now, let’s start with the first size: 6oz.
6OZ
| Weight | What It’s Suitable For |
|---|---|
| 6OZ | Competitions |
The first size of Muay Thai gloves we’ll review is 6oz. This is the lightest we’ll go, so pay close attention to what purpose you want to get it for.
6oz Muay Thai gloves are typically used by professional fighters for competitions. They provide less padding and are designed for skilled fighters with smaller hands. Unless you’re a professional or have specific training needs, it’s best to avoid these sizes.
The main difference between 6oz and 8oz Muay Thai gloves is the amount of padding and protection they offer. Smaller 6oz gloves are lighter, allowing for faster hand speed and more precise strikes, but they provide less padding and are generally used by experienced fighters.
Generally speaking, if your interest is competing, you want to go with either the 6oz or 8oz gloves. The best way to know which one to get is to look at your local competition rules and see which one you need to bring. Or, sometimes, the tournaments (especially the bigger ones) will provide you with all the equipment you need, including shorts.
If you’re interested in what protective gear you must buy to start doing Muay Thai, follow the link to read a complete gear guide to Muay Thai I wrote.
For now, let’s move on to the next size.
8OZ
| Weight | What It’s Suitable For |
|---|---|
| 8OZ | Competitions |
Next up, we’ll review the 8oz size, which is the next up on the list. As you can imagine, the heavier the Muay Thai glove is, the more padding it includes. However, this size is considered lightweight as well. Therefore, it won’t be as widely used for sparring and heavy bag training.
Think about it, the more padding you have, the less likely you are to bruise your opponent. Of course, knockouts are still viable. However, causing lacerations or face bruises will be less common. As a result, when you use 8oz Muay Thai gloves, you’ll be more likely to cause bruises and cuts to your opponent. That’s why it’s mostly used in competitions.
8oz gloves have more padding and are recommended for individuals with larger hands or those who prioritize protection during training and sparring sessions. It’s important to prioritize safety and choose a glove size that suits your experience level, hand size, and training needs.
These size gloves aren’t suitable for heavy bag work as well. The more padding you have, the less impact your hand feels. And the less impact your hand feels, the less likely you are to injure it. When working the heavy bag then, you want to wear heavier gloves, the most commonly used is the 16oz.
10OZ
| Weight | What It’s Suitable For |
|---|---|
| 10OZ | Competitions Heavy Bag Training Pad Work |
In my experience, the 10oz Muay Thai gloves have one purpose. You can mostly use them in competitions if you’re participating in one of the lighter-weight divisions. It’s the middle size, which means that it’s not as suitable for competitions and not as suitable for training the heavy bag.
In fact, I would say that the best use for the 10oz Muay Thai gloves is pad work.
This size is commonly used for competition among lighter weight classes, such as featherweight and lightweight. This might be suitable if you’re participating in professional bouts or intend to compete.
If you’re interested in Muay Thai gloves for sparring and general training, you’ll find the best ones in the following sections.
12OZ
| Weight | What It’s Suitable For |
|---|---|
| 12OZ | Heavy Bag Training Pad Work Sparring |
The next size we’ll review steps out of the equation for competing. It’s much more suitable for training purposes, such as sparring, pad work, and working the heavy bag. The 12oz is the next size we’ll review.
This is the most common size for training and sparring among those with smaller body frames, such as teenagers and women. It offers decent protection while allowing for faster hand speed.
However, it can also be suitable for adult Muay Thai trainees. In fact, many Muay Thai disciples will argue that it’s the most comfortable and suitable size both for sparring and general training. So while it might be more suitable for people with smaller body frames, it can also fit people with larger frames who are looking for speed rather than protection.
Indeed, because it’s more suitable for those looking for less protection and more speed, it’s not as suitable for beginners as much as for more advanced trainees. So if you’re a beginner, look no further than the following sections.
14OZ
| Weight | What It’s Suitable For |
|---|---|
| 14OZ | Heavy Bag Training Pad Work Sparring |
The next size we’ll review is 14oz. This one is already more suitable for beginners Muay Thai disciples, as it’s highly forgiving. If you throw an improper punch, it’s unlikely you’ll hurt your hand or wrist, as there’s a lot of padding compared to the lighter-weight Muay Thai gloves.
14oz Muay Thai gloves are a good choice for average-sized individuals for general training and sparring purposes. It provides a balance between protection and mobility.
I believe this is the most suitable size for most people doing Muay Thai. If you’re currently a beginner, you, on the one hand, need forgiving gloves, and on the other hand, need to be relatively quick on your feet. The 14oz Muay Thai gloves provide the perfect balance between mobility and protection, which is a solid reason to buy them.
So whether you’re a beginner or someone who has already sparred a few times in your life, getting your hands on the 14oz Muay Thai gloves—is a wise choice you’ll make.
One last point, the 14oz gloves aren’t suitable for competitions since they’re too paddy. It simply doesn’t provide as much entertainment value as less protective gloves. This is just the way it works in the Muay Thai and Boxing competitive scene.
16OZ
| Weight | What It’s Suitable For |
|---|---|
| 16OZ | Heavy Bag Training Pad Work Sparring Typically Used by People of Larger Frame |
We’ve already reached the end of the first part of this article. What we’re about to cover is the heaviest Muay Thai glove I would recommend you buy. I wouldn’t even advise beginners to buy it unless they meet a specific condition that we’ll review now.
These gloves are recommended for larger individuals, such as those with heavy body frames or those who need extra padding due to their sparring partner’s strength. They offer more protection for both the wearer and the training partner.
16oz Muay Thai gloves are much more suitable for highly advanced individuals. What I mean by highly advanced is disciples who compete regularly and mostly fight as their job. For these individuals, it’ll be worth investing more in long-term protection since that’s everything they do.
They also need to keep their hands healthy in the long term, as they need to constantly perform. Therefore, heavier gloves, sometimes even 18-20oz gloves are going to be most suitable.
Furthermore, I would recommend buying 16oz Muay Thai gloves if you’re of a larger frame. In that case, you need to have your glove fit you as best as possible, which is likely larger than average.
How do you know which size Muay Thai gloves to get?
To know which size Muay Thai gloves you should get, we want to review a few key points that’ll help you figure it out. Eventually, it all depends on your purpose. What do you want to do with the gloves? Do you want to compete, spar, or train? Your answer will dictate which one you should get.
- Body Weight: Your body weight is often a good starting point for selecting glove size. As a general rule, lighter individuals typically opt for smaller sizes, while heavier individuals choose larger sizes. However, this is just a rough guideline and should be combined with other considerations.
- Purpose: Determine the primary purpose for using the gloves. Are you planning to compete in professional bouts, engage in heavy bag training, or participate in sparring sessions? Different purposes may require different glove sizes for optimal performance and protection. If your primary purpose is competing, you want to stick with lighter-weight gloves.
- Hand Size: Consider the size of your hands, including the length and width. It’s important to choose gloves that fit properly and comfortably to ensure effective strikes and minimize the risk of injury. If possible, try on different sizes or consult with a trainer or experienced practitioner to get a better idea of your ideal glove size.
- Training Level: Your training level and experience can influence the glove size you choose. Beginners or individuals who are new to Muay Thai may benefit from larger gloves with more padding for added protection during the learning process. Experienced fighters who have developed good technique and control may prefer smaller gloves for increased speed and accuracy.
- Personal Preference: Lastly, personal preference plays a role. Some individuals may have specific preferences for glove size based on their comfort, mobility, and style of fighting. If you have previous experience with certain glove sizes and found them to be suitable, you can factor that into your decision as well.
If you want to learn Muay Thai at home, I wrote an article that explains how you can do that effectively and without any significant cost. Follow the link to read the beginner’s guide to Muay Thai training at home!
Competitions, weight divisions, and glove sizes
If you’re competing in Muay Thai, you want to familiarize yourself with the different weight divisions and how they influence glove sizes. This is what we’ll cover in this section, so pay close attention to the following table that explains it all.
| Weight Divison | Glove Size |
|---|---|
| Featherweight (126 lbs/57 kg) | 8oz |
| Lightweight (130-135 lbs/59-61 kg) | 8oz |
| Welterweight (140-147 lbs/63-67 kg) | 10oz |
| Middleweight (154-160 lbs/70-72 kg) | 10oz |
| Light Heavyweight (168 lbs/76 kg) | 10-12oz |
| Cruiserweight (200 lbs/90.7 kg) | 12-14oz |
| Heavyweight (over 200 lbs/90.7 kg) | 12-16oz |
These guidelines are based on common practices and regulations but can vary depending on the specific rules and regulations of the organization or promotion. It’s always advisable to consult the rules and guidelines of the specific event or organization you are participating in to ensure compliance with their requirements.
Can you use 12oz gloves for sparring?
It’s not recommended to use 12oz gloves for sparring, especially for full-contact sparring, such as in Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Boxing, and MMA. That said, some martial art gyms will allow the use of 12oz gloves for sparring, as they provide sufficient padding and protection for both parties, assuming they’re not beginners.
Can you use 10oz gloves for sparring?
Using 10oz gloves for sparring is generally not recommended, especially for full-contact sparring, as these gloves are commonly used in professional competitions but may not provide sufficient padding and protection for the intensity and duration of sparring sessions.
What’s the best size glove for sparring?
It’s generally recommended to use 14-16oz gloves for sparring in any contact combative martial art, such as Muay Thai, MMA, Kickboxing, and Boxing. The 14-16oz gloves provide sufficient protection for both parties while lowering the likelihood of face lacerations and bruises being caused.
What’s the best size glove for competing?
8-12oz gloves are the best for competitions in most combative sports, such as Boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, and Kickboxing. However, some combative sports, such as the UFC, use lighter-weight gloves, which provide more entertainment value, as they include less padding and provide less protection.
What’s the best size glove for heavy bag training?
If you’re someone who works the heavy bag quite often, you must ensure to pair yourself with optimally-sized gloves. What they’ll do is ensure you’re capable of practicing while protecting your hands, which are your weapon in many combative sports. And as you do to a real weapon, you want to keep it as unharmed as possible, which is what gloves do.
So here are the best glove sizes for heavy bag training:
- 12oz Gloves: This size is commonly used for heavy bag training by individuals with smaller body frames or those who prefer a lighter glove. 12oz gloves provide a good balance between mobility and protection, allowing for faster hand speed and more precise strikes.
- 14oz Gloves: This size is a popular choice for heavy bag training. It offers slightly more padding and protection compared to 12oz gloves, making it suitable for individuals of average body size. 14oz gloves provide additional impact absorption for heavier punches and help minimize the risk of hand injuries.
- 16oz Gloves: These gloves are recommended for heavy bag training, particularly for individuals with larger body frames or those who desire extra padding and protection. 16oz gloves provide more cushioning and help reduce the impact on your hands, making them suitable for intense training sessions.
Final Words
This has been the complete size guide for Muay Thai gloves. My goal was to help you find and buy the most suitable gloves for your current situation.
As you saw, you want to buy a different pair of Muay Thai gloves if you’re a beginner than if you’re an advanced trainee. Also, you want to buy different sizes if you’re intention is to compete or to spar. Therefore, knowing these details is critical for buying the most suitable pair of Muay Thai gloves for your specific situation.
If you enjoyed reading this article and want specific recommendations for Muay Thai gloves and brands that are simply the best in the market, you can read one of the articles below.