Boxing is a high-intensity workout that results in a lot of sweat. When left unattended, these sweat deposits can breed bad bacteria that cause gloves to smell.
Cleaning your boxing gloves regularly can help prevent this. Using a rag dampened with soapy water, wipe both the inside and outside of your gloves.
How Often Should I Replace My Boxing Gloves?
Boxing gloves are one of the most important pieces of equipment a fighter has. They protect your hands from injury during training and sparring sessions, as well as allowing you to develop proper form and technique with minimal discomfort. Recognizing when your gloves are showing signs of wear and tear can help you avoid injuries and get the most out of your training time.
How long a pair of boxing gloves lasts depends on many factors, including glove quality and training intensity. Investing in above-average gloves and following proper maintenance techniques, such as airing them out after every session and using glove deodorizers, can significantly reduce how frequently you need to replace your gloves.
The length of time your boxing gloves last will also depend on the type of training you do, with heavier bag and mitt work requiring gloves with denser padding to absorb impact and cushion blows to the hands. Sparring and speed bag training, on the other hand, can use lighter gloves designed to enhance precision and accuracy with punches.
Another factor is how often you train and whether you do so casually or as part of a regular training regimen. Typically, if you train 2-3 times a week, your gloves can last up to a year. This is less than you might expect if you have a hobby or are just starting out in Muay Thai, but it’s also better than you can expect from a cheap pair of gloves.
The most obvious sign that your boxing gloves are getting worn out is when the padding is visibly flattened and no longer offers adequate protection or comfort for your hands. This is especially true if you’re using your boxing gloves for sparring, as the extra force of hitting and blocking in your partner’s face can cause your gloves to wear out more quickly than when you just train on the bag or with a coach.
The Gloves Are Visibly Worn Out
There are many different factors that affect the longevity of a pair of boxing gloves. These include the quality of the materials, the wearer’s weight and power, training frequency, maintenance, and other environmental and storage conditions. By regularly inspecting your boxing gloves and identifying when they’re worn out, you can maximize the time between purchases and keep yourself safe while training.
The most obvious sign it’s time to replace your boxing gloves is a visible loss of their shape. Over time, the spongy padding inside of your gloves will lose its elasticity and flatten out. As this happens, the gloves will no longer offer a good amount of impact absorption with each punch and could potentially cause injury to your hands or wrists.
You should also look for any signs of tears in the glove exterior and interior. Tears can happen naturally during training, but they also indicate that your gloves are worn out and no longer provide adequate protection for you during sparring or bag training.
If you notice any holes in your boxing gloves, it’s best to discard them immediately. Even small holes in your gloves can compromise the structure and integrity of your equipment, and they may cause you to bleed during training. If the holes are located in areas of your glove that make contact with other people during sparring or bag training, they can lead to injuries such as sprains and cuts. Investing in high-quality gloves like Revgear boxing gloves can ensure maximum protection and performance, helping you get the most out of every session.
In addition to examining your boxing gloves for signs of wear, it’s also important to perform routine cleaning and maintenance. Wipe your gloves down on the outside and inside shortly after each training session to remove sweat and dirt. This will prevent bacterial growth, which can cause unpleasant odors. You should also avoid storing your gloves in extreme temperatures, as this can damage the leather and padding. In addition, you can use glove deodorizers or cedar inserts to combat odors and absorb moisture between sessions.
You should also never wash your gloves in a washing machine, as this can damage the padding and leather. The heat and agitation of a washing machine can cause small dings in the leather and weaken seams. Additionally, putting your gloves in the dryer can result in a hole in the gloves or make them too loose to fit on your hands.
The Gloves Have a Persistent Odor
Boxing gloves can become quite a breeding ground for bacteria, especially when they are kept in constant contact with sweaty hands. This can lead to a pretty foul smell, so it’s important to clean them regularly with a combination of soap and water. The best way to do this is simply to take a cloth and wipe both the inside and outside of the gloves. This will remove any moisture that has accumulated and kill any odor-causing bacteria.
It’s also a good idea to make sure that the boxing gloves are completely dry before zipping them back into your gym bag. This will help prevent any mold from forming, which can also create a foul smell. Another simple but effective tip for getting rid of odor is to use a dryer sheet. These are great for getting that musty odor out of clothes, but they will also work well on your boxing gloves.
Keeping your boxing gloves clean is one of the most important things you can do to extend their lifespan and ensure that they continue to perform well. This can be done by cleaning them with a cloth after every use and making sure they are completely dry before storing them away. A regular deep clean with a combination of soap and water will also help to keep them in great condition. If your gloves are starting to look a little worse for wear, it’s definitely time to start thinking about replacing them.
If you’re a serious Muay Thai player, then it’s recommended that you replace your boxing gloves at least every three to eight months. This will allow them to retain their shape and shock absorbency for longer and will also help to avoid any injuries during sparring. However, this can depend on the quality of your gloves, as well as how often you train, so be sure to check them out regularly and replace them when they start to get worn out. For those who are more casual about their training, a good pair of gloves should last you at least a year, providing they are properly cared for.
The Gloves Have Deteriorated Padding
While some brands of boxing gloves are better quality than others and offer a longer lifespan, they will all deteriorate at some point. As the padding becomes flattened it will lose its cushioning and reduce impact absorption, potentially putting you or your training partner at risk of injury.
The natural sweating that occurs inside of boxing gloves creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Over time this can lead to unpleasant odors that cleaning might not be able to fully eliminate. Moreover, it can cause skin irritations and increase the risk of infection in your hands and wrists. If this happens, it is definitely time to get a new pair of boxing gloves.
Sparring gloves need denser and thicker padding than bag gloves to provide protection against the repeated impact of punches and kicks on your knuckles, but all gloves will eventually start to deteriorate over time. Even high-quality, genuine leather boxing gloves will only last about 1-3 years depending on how often they are used and the intensity of training sessions.
If you notice that your gloves are starting to feel thinner and that you can clearly feel the knuckles through the padding it is definitely time to purchase a new pair. This is particularly important for sparring, where you will be protecting your partner against the consequences of your hard hits.
Ideally, you should check your gloves after every training session and inspect them for any signs of wear and tear. This will help to extend the lifespan of your gloves as you can address any issues early on before they turn into more serious problems.
Taking good care of your boxing gear will extend its lifespan and help you get the most out of it. Proper maintenance involves regularly washing and drying your gloves after training, storing them in a dedicated boxing glove bag and using recommended cleaning products to protect your equipment from damage. Choosing the right boxing gloves for your training activities also helps to minimize wear and tear and maximize performance. Sparring gloves need thicker, more durable padding while speed bag work is best done with lighter 12-16 oz gloves to promote quickness and precision.