Boxing gloves or MMA gloves: which to choose

Boxing gloves, MMA gloves with or without a thumb, hand wraps and shin guards: the Gorilla Wear combat line, which arrived in October, has all four. They look alike but do different jobs. This guide explains how each one is built and what kind of training it is meant for, based on what the manufacturer writes in the product pages.

What is the difference between boxing gloves and MMA gloves?

It comes down to the hand. A boxing glove closes it completely: fingers and thumb stay inside the padding, and the fist forms around a grip bar. An MMA glove leaves the fingers free, so the hand can open and grab during grappling. The padding sits on the knuckles.

Which boxing glove should you choose?

The three Gorilla Wear models come in ounces (oz), the unit used for the weight of the glove: within the same model, more ounces mean more padding.

• Mosby: IMF foam, padded palms, integrated thumb and grip bars, polyurethane leather outer. The manufacturer aims it at people learning the fundamentals, for bag work, pads and partner drills.
• Montello: leather and EVA foam with IMF padding, padded palms and mesh panels for airflow. Designed for intermediate boxers, for technique, bag work and sparring.
• Kodiak: polyurethane outer, cushioning padding and wrist support, for sessions with repeated punches: sparring, pads and heavy bag.

MMA gloves: with or without a thumb?

• Manton: padded thumb, open fingers and a full Velcro wrist strap. It adds protection around the thumb joint.
• Berea: thumbless, so the hand stays open for grips and pad work.
• Ely: open-finger, thumbless MMA sparring glove with high-density EVA foam on the striking area, for pads and heavy bag.

Hand wraps and shin guards

The cotton and nylon hand wraps go around hand, knuckles and wrist under the boxing or MMA glove: they add a layer of coverage and close with Velcro. They are sold as a pair.

If you kick, you need shin guards. The Jefferson are light, sock-style, with EVA foam on the shin and instep and an open heel: made for kickboxing and Muay Thai. The Mosby cover shin and foot with reinforced padding, two Velcro straps and an elastic strap under the foot, for MMA.

In short

• Punches only: boxing gloves. Mosby if you are starting with the fundamentals, Montello or Kodiak if you already spar.
• Punches and grappling: MMA gloves, with a padded thumb (Manton) or without (Berea, Ely).
• Under every glove: hand wraps.
• If there are kicks: Jefferson (kickboxing, Muay Thai) or Mosby (MMA) shin guards.

The whole line is on the Gorilla Wear brand page; available sizes are listed on each product page.