Gear
Best Muay Thai gloves for beginners
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Every beginner makes the same two mistakes: buying gloves that are too light, and buying them too cheap. Light gloves (8–10oz) are competition gear — your gym will make you borrow their sweaty communal 16s the first time you spar. And a $35 pair from a general sports shop will have its liner in shreds before you learn to check a kick.
The fix is boring and cheap: one pair, 14oz or 16oz, from a Thai brand, $60–90. That single pair handles bagwork, pads, and sparring for your entire first year or three.
The three that make sense
| Glove | Price | Sizes | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairtex BGV1 | $70–90 | 8–16oz | All-round training — the default answer | Check price ↗ |
| Twins Special BGVL3 | $60–85 | 8–18oz | Sparring and heavier hands | Check price ↗ |
| Venum Elite | $50–70 | 8–16oz | Budget-conscious beginners outside Thailand | Check price ↗ |
- Default pick — Fairtex BGV1 (14 or 16oz). Compact, durable, universally respected. If you quit, it resells; if you don't, it lasts years.
- If you know you'll spar early — Twins BGVL3 (16oz). Softer foam, roomier fit. The classic "partner-friendly" glove.
- If $70 is genuinely too much — Venum Elite. Around $50, synthetic, fine for a trial year. Upgrade when it dies — it will.
What NOT to buy as a beginner
- 8–10oz gloves — competition weight, useless for class.
- "MMA gloves" — different sport, no wrist support for full punches.
- No-brand Amazon specials under $30 — the padding compresses within months and your wrists pay for it.
- Two pairs at once — you don't know your preferences yet. Buy one, learn, then specialize.
Not sure about sizing? Read what size Muay Thai gloves to buy, or go deeper with the full best Muay Thai gloves guide.
Frequently asked
- How much should a beginner spend on Muay Thai gloves?
- $60–90 gets you Thai leather (Fairtex or Twins) that survives years of training. Below $50 you're buying synthetic gloves you'll replace within a year — fine to test the waters, worse per year of use.
- Can I use boxing gloves for Muay Thai class?
- For your first weeks, yes — no coach will send you home. Thai gloves grip better for clinching and kick-catching, so switch when you buy your own pair.
- Do I need two pairs of gloves?
- Not at first. One 14–16oz pair covers bag, pads, and sparring as a beginner. A second lighter pair only makes sense once you train 4+ times a week.
Written by Gonçalo Traça — founder of MuayThang, where he maps the world's Muay Thai gyms and trains in the gear he writes about.
Buying gear for a trip? Compare Muay Thai camps in Thailand or find a gym near you on the map.