It depends on what you're doing with them. Not what you weigh.
The 30-Second Answer
The Deep Dive
12 oz: Bag Work and Pad Specialists
Thinner padding. Lighter weight. Your hand feels closer to the target.
Best for:
- Dedicated bag rounds
- Pad work with a coach
- Speed drills
- Fighters who own multiple pairs and want a dedicated "hitting" glove
Not for:
- Sparring (too light, not enough protection for your partner)
- Beginners who only own one pair (get 14oz or 16oz instead)
What our customers say: 17% of glove buyers choose 12oz. Almost all of them own a second pair for sparring.
Our picks for 12oz:
14 oz: The All-Purpose Size
Enough padding to protect your partner during light contact. Light enough to move fast on the bag.
Best for:
- Fighters who own one pair and need it to do everything
- Gyms that allow 14oz for controlled sparring
- Technical sparring (touch/flow rounds)
- Intermediate fighters who want versatility
Not for:
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Hard sparring at gyms that require 16oz minimum (check your gym's rules)
What our customers say: 24% of glove buyers choose 14oz. These are typically fighters who train 3-4x per week and don't want to bring two pairs to the gym.
Our picks for 14oz:
16 oz: The Sparring Standard
This is what most gyms require. More padding protects your partner and your hands.
Best for:
- Sparring (most gyms require 16oz minimum)
- Heavy hitters who want extra hand protection
- Fighters preparing for competition (spar in 16oz, fight in 8-10oz)
- Anyone whose coach has said "get 16s"
Not for:
-
Pure bag work (heavier than necessary, slower feedback)
What our customers say: 48% of glove buyers choose 16oz. Nearly half. Because 66% of our customers use their gloves for sparring.
Our picks for 16oz:
8-10 oz: Competition Only
These are fight gloves. Your promotion determines the oz based on your weight class.
Typical rules:
- Under 147 lbs: 8oz
- Over 147 lbs: 10oz
- (Varies by promotion. Always check with your sanctioning body.)
Best for:
- Sanctioned amateur or professional fights
- Fighters who need to break in their competition gloves before fight night
Not for:
- Training. The reduced padding increases injury risk for you and your partner.
- Beginners. Start with 14oz or 16oz.
What our customers say: 5% of glove buyers choose 8oz. These are active competitors.
Our picks for 8-10oz:
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1: Picking oz by body weight
Most online gides tell you to match oz to your weight. This leads to 180 lb fighters buying 14oz for sparring and getting sent home by their coach.
Your weight determines your competition oz (8 vs 10). For training, pick by use case.
Mistake #2: Buying too light for sparring
If your gym requires 16oz, 14oz won't cut it. Your coach will notice. Your sparring partners will definitely notice.
When in doubt, ask your coach. Or just get 16oz.
Mistake #3: Training in competition gloves
8oz and 10oz gloves have less padding. Training in them wears them out faster and increases the chance of hand injuries during bag work. Save them for fight week.
Mistake #4: Buying one pair for everything
If you train 4+ times a week, consider two pairs: 16oz for sparring days, 12oz or 14oz for bag/pad days. Your gloves last longer and you get better feedback on the bag.
Gym Requirements
Most gyms have a minimum oz for sparring. Here's what's typical:
Pro tip: If you're new to a gym, ask about their glove policy on day one. Showing up with the wrong oz is a fast way to sit out sparring.
Still Not Sure?
Three options:
-
Reply to our email. Tell us what you train, how often, and whether you spar. We'll rcommend the right oz and the right glove.
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Use this shortcut:
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- "I spar" -> 16oz
- "I don't spar" -> 14oz
- "I only hit bags" -> 12oz
- "I have a fight coming up" -> Ask your promotion for the required oz