Best Kickboxing Gloves for Beginners: The Essential Starter Kit

Kickboxing is an exhilarating martial art that blends elements of boxing, karate, and Muay Thai into a high-energy workout. It's an amazing choice for boosting your fitness, mastering self-defense skills, and, of course, having a blast! 

If you're just stepping into this vibrant world, you might be curious about the essential gear to kickstart your journey. A top priority on your list should be a quality pair of kickboxing gloves. In this friendly guide, we're excited to walk you through selecting the perfect kickboxing gloves for beginners and share our top picks with you!

Before we get into our top Kickboxing gloves for beginners, there are several factors to consider. Here are some key features to look out for:

Size: Kickboxing gloves typically range from 8 to 16 ounces. For beginners, a 10oz or 12 oz pair of boxing gloves is often a good choice. They offer a balance of speed and protection, making them suitable for both bag work and sparring.

Material: The material of kickboxing gloves can range from genuine leathers like Premium and Thai Leather, known for their durability and comfort, to more cost-effective alternatives like Synthetic Leather. While genuine leather gloves often come with a higher price tag, they offer a snug fit that adapts to your hand over time. Synthetic Leather kickboxing gloves, on the other hand, provide good durability and comfort at a more affordable price, making them ideal for beginners.

Wrist Support: Good wrist support is essential in a kickboxing glove. It helps to prevent wrist injuries, which are common in kickboxing. Look for gloves with a secure Velcro closure or a lace-up design for the best support.

Padding: The gloves should have sufficient foam padding to protect your hands and wrists from the impact of your punches. The padding should be evenly distributed across the glove, with extra padding around the knuckles.

Brand: The brand of the gloves can also be an important factor. Some brands are known for their high-quality gloves, like Fumetsu, Top Ten, Venum, Hayabusa T3 and others for their value for money. It's worth doing some research to find a brand that suits your needs and budget.

Now, let's dive into the exciting part you've been waiting for! Here are some of our favourite picks for beginner kickboxing gloves:

Now that we've covered the basics of what to look for in kickboxing gloves and why they're important, let's take a closer look at some specific models that are ideal for beginners:

Kicking off our list of top kickboxing gloves for beginners, we're excited to introduce a brand that's not just a big name in MMA, but also shines in kickboxing, Muay Thai, and other combat sports. 

Meet the Venum Elite Boxing Gloves! These are a fantastic pick for anyone starting out in kickboxing. What makes them stand out? They're handmade in Thailand, a place renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail in sports gear. 

Yes, they might be on the pricier side compared to others on our list, but there's a good reason for that. These gloves boast a premium semi-leather construction, making them both durable and comfortable. A worthy investment for any budding kickboxing enthusiast! 

Up next on our  list, let's talk about the Top Ten Fight Gloves! Whether you're just dipping your toes into the world of kickboxing or you're a seasoned pro, chances are you've come across the name Top Ten. 

These gloves are a kickboxer's dream, tailored specifically for the sport. They come with a legacy, being AIBA-certified, a testament to their trust and reliability in global kickboxing competitions. Designed with both comfort and durability in mind, they feature a secure Velcro closure that provides excellent wrist support. 

Plus, they're lightweight, which is fantastic for anyone looking to improve their speed and technique. A great choice for kickboxing enthusiasts of all levels!

Let's give a warm welcome to the 8 Weapons Unlimited Boxing Gloves - the perfect partner for your combat sports journey! Whether you're passionate about Muay Thai or kickboxing!

Made with premium synthetic leather, they're built to withstand the rigors of intense training sessions. Plus, they come with a safely sewn thumb feature, which significantly lowers the risk of injury during your workouts.

Next up at number 4 on our list, we've got something special! We're totally smitten with the Bytomic Performer Carbon Evo Gloves, not just for their sleek construction and design, but also for the impressive range of sizes they offer – from a tiny 4oz all the way up to a hefty 16oz, which is quite a rare find! 

These gloves are a product of precise craftsmanship from the United Kingdom, capturing the essence of a champion's spirit. They come with a handy hook & loop closure that ensures a snug fit without any hassle, letting you concentrate fully on your technique. This makes them an ideal choice for kickboxing gloves for beginners. 

And finally, but certainly not the least, let's shine the spotlight on the Pro-Box Sparring Gloves. 

What's great about these gloves is how they manage to be friendly on the wallet while still offering a solid level of protection – a real win-win! 

They are perfect for those just stepping into the kickboxing  world or for clubs looking for quality gear that meets budget needs. Plus, these gloves feature a Taffeta waterproof lining, which is great for keeping them fresh and dry, ensuring a hygienic training experience every time. 

There are several types of kickboxing gloves, each designed for a specific purpose. Here's a quick rundown:

1. Bag Gloves: These are designed for bag work. They're typically lighter and less padded than other types of gloves, allowing you to work on your speed and technique.
2. Training Gloves: These are all-purpose gloves that you can use for bag work, pad work, and light sparring. They're a great option if you're just starting out and want a pair of gloves that can do it all.
3. Sparring Gloves: These are designed for sparring. They're heavier and more padded than other types of gloves to protect both you and your sparring partner.
4. Competition Gloves: These are used in professional fights. They're typically lighter and less padded than sparring gloves to increase the impact of punches.

When choosing the best kickboxing gloves for beginners, a good pair of training gloves is often the best option. They offer the versatility you need as a beginner, allowing you to try out different aspects of kickboxing without needing to invest in multiple pairs of gloves.

Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Or in this case, a single punch.

Entry-level boxing gloves are designed for beginners who are just starting their journey in boxing or kickboxing. They are typically made from synthetic leather or hide leather, which offers good durability and comfort at a more affordable price. These gloves often have ample padding, especially around the knuckles, to provide protection as beginners learn proper punching technique.

The size of boxing gloves is usually determined by the weight of the glove, not the gender of the user. For kickboxing, women typically use gloves ranging from 10 to 14 oz. The right size for you depends on your body weight and the type of training you're doing. For instance, heavier gloves (14 oz and up) are generally used for sparring to provide more protection, while lighter gloves (10-12 oz) are used for bag work to improve speed and technique.

The number of gloves you should own depends on the variety of your training. If you're doing both bag work and sparring, it's a good idea to have a pair of bag gloves and a pair of sparring gloves. Bag gloves are lighter and less padded, allowing you to work on your speed and technique, while sparring gloves are heavier and more padded to protect both you and your sparring partner.

Kickboxing gloves typically range from 10 to 16 oz. Beginners usually start with 12 to 14 oz gloves, which provide a good balance of speed and protection. As you gain experience and start sparring, you might want to switch to heavier gloves (16 oz) for added protection.

A well-fitting glove will snugly encase your fingers and thumb, without any excess space at the tips. The back of the glove should align with your wrist, not extending too far up your forearm. When you make a fist, the glove should feel secure but not too tight, and your fingertips should not be pressing against the padding.

To start kickboxing, you'll need a pair of boxing gloves, hand wraps to protect your hands and wrists, and comfortable workout clothes. If you plan to spar, you'll also need a groin guard, mouthguard, headgear, and shin guards. A heavy bag and focus mitts can be useful for practicing your punches and kicks.

No, you don't have to be in shape to start kickboxing. Kickboxing is a great way to get in shape, as it provides a full-body workout that improves strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. As with any new exercise regimen, it's a good idea to start slow and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts as your fitness improves.

Absolutely not! You're never too old to start kickboxing. It's a great way to stay active and improve your fitness at any age especially knowing how to defend yourself. Just make sure to start slow, listen to your body, and consider working with a trainer who can help you learn proper technique and avoid injury.

The time it takes to learn kickboxing can vary widely depending on how often you train, your physical fitness, and your ability to learn new movements. Most people can learn the basics of kickboxing—basic punches, kicks, and defensive movements—in a few months of regular training. However, becoming proficient in kickboxing is a longer journey that involves learning more complex techniques and strategies, improving your fitness and flexibility, and gaining experience through sparring.