Menu
Training is essential when it comes to getting better at MMA. Whether you are a starter in the scene or a veteran – training is necessary! However, training might require you to wear gloves that are different from the pair you usually use in performing with another athlete.
Enter, MMA gloves for training. Gloves that you use for training can have more padding and wraps than those that you use for competition. There is nothing wrong with that extra protection when agility is not an issue in training! Without further ado, let us start our list of the best MMA gloves for training!
A buying guide is important when looking for the best MMA gloves for training. Here is a shortlist of the few things you should be concerned with when you are buying a pair of them. Some things will vary from user to user, however.
Weight is a little complex to comprehend completely when it comes to gloves. For practice or training, you want gloves that are a bit heavier and padded. Assuming that you will be training your shots with extra force, this will be needed.
7-10 ounces is the standard weight that you should go for. Sparring or striking gloves can be good for training sessions as well.
Size is crucial when it comes to comfort. Without a doubt, if you pick a pair of gloves that are not able to fit your hands, you will have a hard time. This applies to both training gloves and competition gloves. You need the right size to make sure you perform your best.
The easiest way you can tell what the perfect size for you is by using your palm’s circumference. These sizes will vary slightly from hand to hand, but it is a good estimation. Fortunately, wherever you are shopping for the gloves, you will see that their sizes are specifically mentioned, with their measurements. It is mandatory.
Namely, there are four sizes in the most standard cases. They are small, medium, large, and extra-large. For training purposes, you would want gloves that fit your hands perfectly, so you can get a pair for the competition of the same size later.
The next two points make sure your hands stay protected in practice. Wrapping your gloves with extra wraps can go a long way when you practice. If you are not very experienced with gloves, it is a primary piece of advice that you use them.
They are easy to maintain and put on, and the support they provide can go a long way. For a sport like MMA, gloves are just not enough sometimes for protection. A misplaced punch of hook can cause injuries far too severe for the context.
So instead of taking the risk, check well for how you can apply wraps for your gloves or for your hands, and what size you should get after those wraps have been applied. Comfort is key, remember that.
Unless you are a beginner in MMA, you probably know how important padding is in order to prevent injuries. In general, 2 centimeters of padding might just be all that you need. Sometimes, however, that may not be enough at all.
While you don’t need a lot of padding, no padding is just too risky in this sport, especially when training. Padding is able to reduce the shock and absorb it on impact. The amount of force you will apply to your target will essentially be sent back at you.
For grappling, sparring, or striking practice, the Hayabusa T3 is a great choice. This pair tends to be perfect for athletes of all weight classes. There is a pre-curved design, which can be helpful in order to reduce hand stress and fatigue.
The multi-purpose attribute also helps it to be on this list. It comes available in three different sizes: small, medium, and large. There is an excellent wrist support which makes sure that you can keep a stable grip.
Even though gripping is not the most essential part of training, little freedom can help you go a long way. In addition, the premium leather used for constructing these gloves helps them remain durable and increases their longevity.
Pros:
Cons:
Affordable and amazing in quality, the Venum Challenger is a great pick for practicing MMA. These are straight from Thailand, made of leather, and multi-purpose from construction. They fit easily and provide great support and comfort.
Do you care about Velcro? If you are concerned about fitting and adjustment, then you surely do! The Velcro strip prevents risks of a wrist injury. The heavy-duty foam makes sure that your gloves are able to protect your hands further.
The PU leather is implemented in these gloves, and this ends up being a trademark of MMA gloves by Venum nowadays. For shock absorption, the added foam and the stitching are able to handle impact properly.
Pros:
Cons:
The RDX MMA gloves are great, not only for practice but for heavy bag training too. Shock impact is absorbed perfectly with extra thick, triple-layered padding. The shock-absorbent foam is able to cover the knuckle area well, while the padded block is installed in the wrist-joint area.
Price-wise, this is a pretty affordable one and returns great quality. The most notable feature of these gloves is the cowhide leather construction. It adds to the already existing shock resistance.
Velcro straps make sure that the gloves are just the right fit for you, while also having mesh-type cooling for ventilation. Able to suit other types of martial arts too, the RDX MMA Gloves is a pretty great deal for you.
Pros:
Cons:
These Everlast MMA gloves can give you a premium synthetic leather experience. The excellent glove construction that this comes with will provide you with long-lasting durability, longevity, and functionality.
The most attractive aspect of these gloves is the EverDri technology. What this does is it keeps the gloves dry and cool even after hours of continuous training sessions.
These are great for grappling, however, will be unable to provide much support for your palms. If you want to start training with these, they can be a great choice. Additionally, they are also a great value for beginners.
Pros:
Cons:
The Combat Sports MMA gloves are actually great for competition as well as training. That is actually one of the key elements for its popularity. They are 5 ounces in weight and have enough padding for the safety of your hands.
An open palm design is created for grappling, and lets you keep a firm grip. If you are worried about longevity, worry no more with these. They are made of synthetic leather, guaranteeing durability for long life.
For beginners who want to train, these gloves are a great choice for MMA-style gloves. Furthermore, they are also fit for some light heavy bag training.
Pros:
Cons:
The look says it all. With a construction that ergonomically improves 30% of the pre-curved design, and is still able to feature the Dual-X wrist closure system, they are great. These gloves will provide you with protection and power.
The inside is constructed using anti-microbial lining for the highest comfort. Additionally, the Tokushu Regenesis MMA gloves are installed with the Hayabusa exclusive, AG inner fabric.
X-Static XT2 is featured in these gloves, which is a technology that adds anti-odor features. This addition and the open palm design make the Tokushu Regenesis keep your hands dry, cool, and comfortable at all times.
Pros:
Cons:
For beginners who seek the perfect MMA gloves for training, this is a great option. They are resilient and have a Maya-Hide construction, making them long-lasting. Unfortunately, they may not be as durable as other RDX models.
So why do we suggest these? Simple – affordability. These gloves are one of the most affordable items on this list. Additionally, the polymax padding is able to curve over the knuckles to provide more shock-impact protection.
The insides are lined with a moisture-wicking micro-fabric, which takes away moisture and provides breathability.
Pros:
Cons:
These gloves are great for MMA training, sparring, or heavy bag practice. You can transition between grappling and striking seamlessly, without the necessity of changing gloves. This is an achievement of the Sanabul Battle Forged MMA gloves.
Bacteria and fungi will stay away, as the anti-microbial premium lining makes sure of that. It also ensures that moisture does not collect too much and make your hands uncomfortable and sweaty.
For fitting and adjustment, a Velcro strap is installed to let you put it on easily. Additionally, the Velcro strap also provides a locking mechanism to make sure your hands stay extra safe during training.
Pros:
Cons:
Sheepskin, deerskin, and cowhide are said to be the best types of leather in glove construction. However, pigskin and goatskin leathers have also proved to be very decent in practice.
The main reason why leathers of this type are said to be the best is because the animal skin themselves is very tough. Adding to the toughness is the leather technology applied to them.
For a pair of training gloves on a budget, you should look for gloves that range under $50. Increasing your budget is a good idea if you want even better gloves, but you can get a decent pair of gloves in this budget.
It’s not easy to say what the best brand is for the best MMA gloves for training, however, it seems that three brands come up with the best reviews. Venum, Hayabusa, and Everlast seem to be the most recurring brands in the scene of MMA gloves.
The gloves in this list are all good in quality and reviewed well in the MMA community widely. If you are starting out in MMA, these gloves are the perfect way to start out your journey. It is highly essential that you choose the one that is able to give you the most comfort.
MMA is just made easier with a good pair of training gloves. We hope this article has answered your questions properly.
Share
I'm Timmy and I'm the chief-editor and co-founder of Jiu-Jitsu Street. You'll usually find me on the mats and also cross-training Muay Thai. Besides martial arts I'm also into functional fitness and all things health. Jiu-Jitsu Street was created to provide useful information for BJJ beginners and seasoned practitioners alike to help you on your journey and love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Oss!
Jiu-Jitsu Street is a community of fun loving and hard rolling BJJ enthusiasts. Born out of our passion for the gentle art, we have decided to create this blog and help you on your journey. Let’s grow and learn together on this never-ending journey. Oss!
Jiu-Jitsu Street is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to our Affiliate Partner companies.
