At GYM NASTY, every blog post is crafted by our founder, drawing on years of hands-on Muay Thai training and real-world gym experience.
Our content is written for fellow Muay Thai enthusiasts by someone who lives and breathes the sport, ensuring you get practical tips and authentic perspectives you won’t find in AI-generated articles.
🥊 Finding the Perfect Pair
In Muay Thai, your gloves are so much more than just training gear — they protect two of your most vital weapons and form the foundation of your defence.
❗️Your gloves matter (more than you think!)
No two fighters are the same - Your training is unique to you, and the gear you train and fight in should be the same - tailored to your specific needs, preferences and goals.
The gloves you wear are a reflection of your individual style, characteristics, and personality!
📚 So, in this comprehensive guide we’re going to:
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Reveal the best Muay Thai gloves in 2025
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Help you decide which gloves are best for you, your style, and your goals
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Simplify the whole process, so you can focus on training in style
…plus provide bonus tips on how to get the most out of your gear, and increase the lifespan of your gloves, so you can break them in without breaking the bank!
🏅 Heavy Hitters: The Best Muay Thai Gloves at a Glance
🥊 Fairtex BGV1
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pros: Durable leather, balanced padding
Best For: All-round use
Price Range: 💰💰
🥊 Twins Special BGVL3
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pros: Long cuff, soft padding, old-school fit
Best For: Traditional clinch-heavy fighters
Price Range: 💰💰
🥊 Primo Emblem 2.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pros: Sleek look, advanced wrist support
Best For: Modern style & performance
Price Range: 💰💰💰
🥊 Venum Challenger 3.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pros: Budget-friendly, decent comfort
Best For: Beginners & hobbyists
Price Range: 💰
🥊 Yokkao Matrix
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pros: Luxury leather, stylish and pro-built
Best For: Premium feel & performance
Price Range: 💰💰💰
🏆 Choosing the Best Muay Thai Gloves For YOUR Needs (and Why This Matters!)
Let’s be real…
There’s nothing like sliding on a fresh pair and landing that perfect crack on pads (or your sparring partner 😏).
...But choosing the right gloves can get overwhelming fast.
As the sport evolves, new emerging brands and old-school stadium favourites are dropping fresh fight gear faster than you can throw a switch kick…
All with seemingly endless variations in size, fit, material, and style, etc…
😬 Rocking the wrong pair doesn't just feel off…
It can wreck your performance/technique, slow your progress, and even risk injury, setting you back when you should be levelling up.
Let's dive in, so you can find the best gloves, elevate your skills in the gym, and outperform your opponents in the ring (and of course, look sharp and stylish whilst doing so!)
🔍 What Makes a Great Muay Thai Glove?
Let's explore what aspects actually make a great Muay Thai glove.
There’s a few variables you need to consider when finding the right pair (aside from all the cool colours and flashy designs!)
🇹🇭 Traditional Thai Gloves vs 🇺🇸 Western Boxing Gloves - Does it Matter?
In short, no - it doesn’t really matter that much!
Traditional Thai style gloves, and western style boxing gloves are both viable options for Muay Thai, and each have their own benefits and advantages, depending on your fight style.
Here are some of the key differences you should consider👇🏼
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🇹🇭Traditional Thai Gloves |
🇺🇸Western Boxing Gloves |
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✅Pros: |
Spacious, roomier, more open hand compartment, ideal for clinching Typically more balanced padding distribution Versatile, all-round design |
Snug, compact fit for precise punches Longer wrist cuff, sturdier/more rigid wrist support Optimised for boxing-style movement |
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❌Cons: |
May feel loose for some fighters Less wrist support compared to western boxing gloves |
Limited wrist flexibility during clinching Tighter fit may feel restrictive for some fighters |
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🌟Best for: |
Fighters that favour a traditional Muay Thai style, clinch work, catches/sweeps and flexibility |
Fighters with a boxing-heavy, muay mat style - for those looking for a tighter, snug fit and sturdier wrist support |
📏 Muay Thai Glove Size & Weight Guide: Choosing the right size gloves
It’s important that you purchase the right size gloves to suit your particular training needs.
Use this guide to help you figure out which size you need to get the most out of your training👇🏼
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⚖️Size/Weight: |
🌟Best For: |
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8–10 oz |
Best for pro fights & competitions — lighter gloves for speed, impact. (Typically used only in professional bouts.) |
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10–12 oz |
Best for heavy bag work & pad work — lighter gloves suited for precision, power, and hand conditioning. |
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14–16 oz |
Best for sparring — heavier gloves offer better protection for you and your training partners. (16oz gloves are standard for safe sparring.) |
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18 oz+ |
Best for bigger fighters/heavyweights, especially when sparring — provides extra protection and resistance, great for heavier builds or for improving endurance. |
💡Quick Tip:
Always check your gyms rules - most Muay Thai gyms will have mandatory sparring glove weights (usually 16oz minimum) to minimise risk and keep everyone safe.
🧤Fit & Closure: Velcro vs Lace-Up Gloves
Another option to think about is the closure on your gloves. Gloves are either fastened around the wrists with velcro, or laces.
Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between velcro, and lace-up Muay Thai Gloves, and the best use cases for each one 👇🏼
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Velcro Muay Thai Gloves: |
Lace-up Muay Thai Gloves: |
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✅Pro’s: Fast and easy to put on and take off. Don’t require help to put on. Ideal for bag work/training alone. |
✅Pro’s: More snug, secure, personalised fit. Enhanced wrist support/protection. Won’t cause scratches/scrapes during the clinch. |
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❌Cons: Less snug/secure fit compared to lace-up gloves. Velcro wears out after use over time. Velcro can scrape you/your training partners in the clinch. |
❌Cons: Time consuming to put on/take off. Require a partner to tie them properly. Typically a bit more expensive than velcro. |
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🌟 Best for: Day to day usage, training alone, and quickly switching between activities like hitting/holding pads - situations where speed and efficiency is key. |
🌟 Best for: Fights, competition, sparring, and clinching - situations where a more personalised fit is beneficial. |
🛡Padding & Protection
When selecting your ideal gloves, pay attention to the padding. The foam on the inside of your gloves is just as important as the exterior material, and will affect the feel and performance of the gloves.
The amount, quality, and placement of the padding can vary a lot between brands and styles of glove 👇🏼
📌 Amount of padding:
You need enough shock absorption to protect your hands and wrists when striking, however excessive, or misplaced padding can reduce the feel, and control - which may result in a loss of haptic feedback.
📌 Quality of padding:
To ensure you receive the best protection look for gloves made with high quality layered foam padding. This will help to greatly reduce the risk of any injuries.
It’s also wise to consider where the padding is situated on the glove.
📌 Placement of padding:
Some gloves will feature an even, balanced padding across the surface area for balanced, well rounded protection, and other pairs are designed to provide enhanced protection to specific areas of the hands - such as the knuckles, or wrists.
📌 Density of padding:
The density of the padded foam can also vary between different gloves. Some gloves will feature a softer, lighter, pillowy feeling padding, whereas others will feel more dense, and compact.
🤚🏼Leather vs Synthetic Muay Thai Gloves
When it comes to the material of your gloves you’ve got two options - leather gloves, and synthetic gloves.
Both are fantastic options, but you’ll want to take a look at some of the differences before deciding which kind of glove is the best match for you👇🏼
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Leather Muay Thai Gloves: |
Synthetic Muay Thai Gloves: |
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✅ Pros: Typically a lot more durable than synthetic alternatives Usually feel better after breaking them in Feel more premium/higher quality than other materials |
✅ Pros: Cheaper alternative to leather gloves Sustainable, vegan friendly option Easier to maintain/require less upkeep than leather |
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❌ Cons: More expensive than synthetic gloves Leather requires maintenance/care to keep them in good condition |
❌ Cons: Not as durable/long lasting as leather gloves Lack the premium/luxury feel of leather |
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🌟 Best for: Fighters looking for a hard-wearing, comfortable, and premium feeling pair of gloves. |
🌟 Best for: Fighters looking for a more affordable, sustainable, low-maintenance pair of gloves. |
🥇Our Top Muay Thai Glove Picks
🥊 Fairtex BGV1 - Best All-Round Gloves
👕 Wear this to your next training session
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✅ Pros: |
❌ Cons: |
🌟 Best for: |
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Built from high quality, long lasting thai leather |
Short wrist cuff, limited wrist support |
Fighters looking for a durable, all-round glove |
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Balanced foam padding for bag work, pad work, and sparring |
Not as breathable as some other gloves |
Perfect for athletes who need versatility and long-lasting performance |
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Loved by beginners, and elite pro fighters |
May take a little bit longer to break in |
🗣 Fighter Feedback: "I have been doing Muay Thai for a few years now and finally upgraded to Fairtex. This is a very high quality brand that performs very well!"
🥊 Primo Emblem 2.0 - Best Modern Muay Thai Gloves
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✅ Pros |
❌ Cons |
🌟 Best for: |
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Modern, stylish design |
Slightly stiffer at first compared to some other gloves |
Fighters who want a sleek, modern look and feel. |
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Available in leather, and synthetic material |
Less mobility in the clinch |
Ideal for competition training and those looking for high performance |
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Advanced wrist support for a secure fit |
🗣 Fighter Feedback: "The wrist support is pretty good. It's kind of a cross between a boxing glove and a muay thai glove I'd say. It still allows you to move your hand to clinch but I'm still completely comfortable using these for boxing."
🥊 Twins Special BGVL3 - Best Old School Muay Thai Gloves
👕 Muay Thai outfit inspiration
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✅ Pros: |
❌ Cons: |
🌟 Best for: |
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Amazing for clinching |
Might feel too loose for some fighters |
Fighters who utilise traditional Muay Thai style and clinching |
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Sturdy wrist support with a longer cuff |
Padding may feel too soft, or pillowy for hard hitters |
Ideal for fighters who use a lot of clinching, catches, and sweeps |
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Durable and well-constructed |
Less versatile for boxing-style fighters |
🗣 Fighter Feedback: "Very well made and literally fit like a glove - you can't go wrong!!"
🥊 Venum Challenger 3.0 - Best Budget Muay Thai Gloves
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✅ Pros |
❌ Cons: |
🌟 Best for: |
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Affordable, budget friendly price |
Not as long lasting as higher-end gloves |
Beginners and people just starting in Muay Thai/hobbyists |
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Decent padding for comfort |
Might feel tight on larger hands |
Great for those who need a budget-friendly option for general all-around use |
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Good wrist support and fit |
May wear out faster than other gloves |
🗣 Fighter Feedback: "Good quality for money."
🥊 Yokkao Matrix - Best Premium Muay Thai Gloves
👕 Show up to sparring in style
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✅ Pros: |
❌ Cons: |
🌟 Best for: |
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Premium leather and high-quality build |
Expensive compared to other options |
Fighters looking to make a statement with premium gear |
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Great for training, sparring, and competition |
May take a while to break in |
Best for Muay Thai practitioners looking for a sleek and stylish glove |
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Exceptional comfort and durability |
🗣 Fighter Feedback: "The craftsmanship is impeccable, and they feel as good as they look—luxurious and high-quality."
💡Quick Tip: Looking for more incredible Muay Thai gear options?... You won’t want to miss out on these 👉🏼 Best Muay Thai Brands
📈 Don’t Ruin Your New Gloves - Prolong the Life & Improve the Performance of Your Muay Thai Gear!
Even the best pair of premium Muay Thai gloves won’t last long if they’re left soaking in sweat and gym germs after every use.
Proper glove hygiene will protect your hands, your training partners, and most importantly prolong the lifespan of your beloved (and sometimes pricey) gear!
🦠 Bacteria & Sweat Build-Up
Every training session leaves your gloves damp with sweat, dead skin cells, and moisture. This is the perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to thrive, and If left untreated, this can lead to nasty smells, material breakdown, and even skin infections like staph or ringworm.
☀️ Training in Hot/Humid Gyms
Humidity will accelerate the rot even further. This is worsened In tropical climates like Thailand, where gloves can’t dry properly between sessions.
This can lead to mold and foul odours. Gloves can become damp, heavy, and unhygienic fast.
🙏🏼 Gym Etiquette: Muay Thai is all about respect!
No one wants to clinch with someone whose gloves/hands reek - don’t be that guy in your gym!
Clean gear is a sign of respect - for your teammates, your coaches, and yourself. Take pride in your gear!
🧼 Why Glove Hygiene is important
Moisture doesn’t just cause bad smells - it can break down the glove’s inner foam and stitching, hindering performance in training, and ultimately shorten the lifespan of your gear.
Keeping them dry and fresh = longer use + better performance.
💡Quick Tip: Want a fast, effective, and low-effort way to keep your gloves fresh?
Try tossing in a pair of our Glove Bugs after training - they absorb sweat, destroy odours, and protect your gear, so you can make the most out of your gloves.
Check them out here:
❓Muay Thai Glove FAQs
Here are some quick, simple answers to some of the most common, frequently asked questions surrounding Muay Thai Gloves:
🗣Can I use boxing gloves for Muay Thai?
Yes, boxing gloves are a viable option for muay thai fighters - but you’ll want to compare the advantages and disadvantages of western boxing, and muay thai gloves to see which is the best match for your style/preferences.
🗣What size gloves do I need for sparring?
Most Muay Thai gyms will recommend 14oz, or 16oz gloves for sparring sessions (depending on your body weight and hand size). Always check with your coach/gym if you’re unsure!
🗣How do I stop my Muay Thai gloves from smelling bad?
Keep them clean and dry. Let your gloves air out, avoid leaving them in your gym bag after use, and use moisture-absorbing deodorisers like our boxing glove deodorisers to keep your gloves fresh, hygienic and performing at their best .
🗣How long do Muay Thai gloves last?
A quality pair of gloves should last at least a couple of years on average, depending on how often you train and how well you take care of them. Low quality or poorly maintained gloves may wear out in just a few months, but if you take good care of them they will continue to perform for a lot longer.
🗣What's the difference between Muay Thai and boxing gloves?
Muay Thai gloves are typically more flexible, more open, have shorter cuffs, and are designed to handle clinching and catching kicks. Boxing gloves are usually stiffer and focus more on protecting the knuckles from impact.
🗣Are leather or synthetic gloves better for Muay Thai?
Leather gloves are more durable and boast a premium feel, whereas synthetic gloves are typically more affordable, vegan-friendly, and lower maintenance. Both have pros and cons depending on your budget and values.
🗣How do I clean my Muay Thai gloves properly?
Wipe them down after every session, use glove deodorisers, and occasionally disinfect inside the hand compartment. Never soak or machine wash your gloves - it can ruin the padding, stitching, and exterior material.
🗣What’s the best type of glove for clinching in Muay Thai?
Look for Muay Thai gloves with a flexible wrist and a softer, flexible, pliable build. Gloves like the Twins Special BGVL3 or Fairtex BGV1 are ideal for clinch-heavy fighters, allowing better grip and control in the clinch.
🗣How many pairs of gloves do I need for Muay Thai training?
Ideally, you should have at least two pairs of gloves: one for bag/pad work and another larger pair for sparring. This will protect your sparring gloves from wear and keep your gear hygienic, especially if you’re training multiple times per week.
💭 Conclusion
In conclusion, it's important to remember that no glove is absolutely perfect — each pair has its own strengths, fit, and feel.
What matters most is finding the right pair for you - the right pair of gloves should match your fighting style, training routine, and personal preferences.
Whether you’re smashing pads, dominating the clinch, or stepping into the ring for the first time...
your gloves should support your technique, protect your tools, and feel like an extension of your fight style.
Take your time, explore your options, and trust your instincts…
and once you’ve found your perfect pair?
Take good care of them, to ensure that they go the distance👇🏼
👀 Check out our Glove Bugs:
Choose smart. Train nasty. Live fresh.
See you in the ring!🥊🇹🇭
