Introduction: Can One Pair of Gloves Work for Boxing and Muay Thai?
I know you've thought it, I've thought it too.
"Can I use these gloves for everything?"
We all want to save money where we can, and when I started Muay Thai I was exactly the same. I wanted one pair of gloves that I could use for every session. Now that I am a bit more seasoned and have tried a few different pairs of gloves I am here to answer that burning question for you. Can you use the same boxing/Muay Thai gloves for pad work, bag work and sparring?
Technically... yes, you can - and I myself did for a short while. But in reality it is not the optimal way to train, and certainly not for the long term.
In short, if you are serious about your training, you should use different pairs for different uses.
Throughout this article we will discuss:
- The difference between bag work, pad work, and sparring
- What each type of training does to your gloves
- Whether beginners really need multiple pairs
- When it makes sense to upgrade or rotate gloves
The short answer
Yes. You can use one pair of gloves for everything, especially as a beginner who is just starting out.
But if you train regularly and are taking it seriously then you should strongly consider using different gloves based on the training you are doing. This will ensure that your gloves last longer, you and your sparring partner are adequately safe, and so your sparring sessions are more controlled and respectful.
How different types of training affects your boxing gloves differently
Not all punches are equal, and neither is the damage and wear they cause your boxing gloves.
1. Bag work - hardest on gloves
Often, when hitting the heavy bag, we like to hit hard. Much harder than we will (should) hit in sparring and often harder than we will in pad work. And the bags can be dense and tough on your gloves. This means that every punch:
- Compresses the padding aggressively
- Breaks down the knuckle area faster
- Forces sweat deep into the glove
This cause the gloves to wear out the fastest and the padding to break down the fastest. This is more noticeable with bigger gloves that have more padding to break down - so certainly not ideal for gloves that are 14-16oz.
Ideally on the bag you would use 10 or 12oz gloves, or bag gloves, depending on the brand, ensuring to add extra protection by wrapping your hands.
Personally I use a pair of 10oz Fairtex BGV1 for bag work.
Recommendations:
- What I use - Fairtex BGV1 Muay Thai Gloves
- Beginner recommendation - Rival RB7 Bag Gloves
- Advanced Recommendation - Rival RB10 Bag Gloves
2. Pad work - controlled but repetitive
Pad work does less damage to glove that bag work, but certainly more than sparring. Pads are softer than bags usually and have some give in them as your pad holder will often react a bit more to the impact than the heavy bag will, causing less damage to the glove. However, they still:
- Involve repeated impact - often heavy
- Generate a lot of sweat - if we are training sufficiently hard
- Strain the glove in the seam and wrist, as well as the padding to a lesser degree than the bag
This means that while pad work is less damaging than bag work, it still causes significant wear, especially if you train frequently.
Many fighters will use the same gloves on the bag and pads, and I recommend and do the same. I use my 10oz Fairtex gloves, but seen as we have so many great gloves on offer, here are some more recommendations:
- Beginner - Rival RB4 Bag Gloves
- Intermediate - Twins Special BGVL4 Muay Thai Gloves
3. Sparring - safety first
Sparring is where your gloves will take the least damage as we are usually sparring in a controlled way and not throwing too hard. A lot of what we are looking for in a glove is dictated by the need to provide safety for our sparring partners.
Because sparring gloves need to be softer and more padded, it is very heavily recommended to use at least 14oz, but usually 16oz gloves - often gyms will have specific rules regarding this. Also, gloves that have been overly used for bag or pad work, the padding can be worn and no longer fit for purpose when it comes to sparring.
For these reasons, certain gyms may require you to have separate sparring gloves.
Recommendations:
- What I use - Primo Mamba Series Boxing Gloves
- Intermediate - Rival RS80V Sparring Boxing Gloves
- Advanced - Rival RS100 Professional Sparring Boxing Gloves
Can beginners use one pair for everything?
Yes, when starting out it is common to use on pair of gloves for everything. Especially if you:
- Train 1-2 times per week
- Are still learning basic technique
- Aren't sparring frequently
For these individuals I would recommend that if you only want to use 1 pair of gloves your get a good pair of 14 or 16oz gloves - 14oz if your gym will allow.
However, once you:
- Train 3-4+ times per week
- Start sparring regularly
- Notice gloves degrading
You should really look at buying another pair.
Ideal glove setup (as you progress)
As you start out, you can get by with 1 pair of gloves. but as you progress to a regular trainee, you should look at getting a separate pair of gloves for sparring and general training. This is ideal for longevity, hygiene and safety.
An advanced trainee who trains every day or almost everyday and has been doing for some time, it's may be worth having a pair of gloves for each type of training.
Does glove size matter?
YES.
As we have said earlier, sparring gloves MUST be at least 14oz and often 16oz is required. Heavier gloves will make your punches somewhat slower but increase protection for your sparring partner.
Bag and pad gloves are ideally lighter, 10 or 12oz. This will help you practice throwing punches at the speed you will in a fight with smaller gloves. This is important to have a good feel of how you will actually move in a fight for if you ever choose to compete.
Bonus: glove rotation makes everything last longer
Rotating gloves:
- Lets them dry properly
- Reduces bacteria buildup
- Keeps padding rebounding better
Even two pairs instead of one can double the usable lifespan of each pair.
Final thoughts
You don’t need to buy everything at once.
But understanding why fighters separate gloves helps you:
- Look after your gear
- Train more safely
- Upgrade at the right time
If you’re training more often and your gloves are starting to feel flat, stiff, or permanently damp, that’s usually your cue — not a failure of quality.
