In this article, I will cover 8 of the best mitts for boxing based on what I used during my client training and training at the boxing gym.
Whether you are a professional boxer, small-time boxing coach, amateur fighter or a fan of Mike Tyson who wants to work out during the weekends, having the right equipment is essential.
Focus mitts, or focus pads, stand out as a crucial element for honing your striking abilities.
It is precisely the focus mitts that allow you and your coach to practice your aim, precision, speed, power, and timing and push your cardio to the next level.
In this comprehensive guide, I bring you an in-depth review of the top 8 focus mitts for boxing based on what I have personally used previously in my boxing training.
From the latest innovations to trusted classics, I’ll examine each mitt’s design, durability, comfort, and overall performance.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what to look for in a pair of focus mitts and which ones stand out as the cream of the crop.
If you just want the list of the boxing focus mitts, then here you go.
8 Best Boxing Mitts
The 8 Best boxing mitts
#1: Cleto Reyes Boxing Punching Mitts
- Great Quality Leather
- Very Durable
- Great Comfort
- Great Wrist Support
- Good Shock Absorption
- Relatively Expensive
When my coach learned about my article, he said that I should not even think of fitting the number one location with anything other than Cleto Reyes.
He is right. As simple as that, Cleto Reyes creates the best boxing mitts available on the market.
Cleto Reyes is a boxing legacy. Their mitts are classic and old-school legends and anything that comes out of Cleto Reyes is manufactured under the strictest quality conditions.
Classic style, leather material, well-stitched, hand-made in Mexico and durable beasts. Best way to describe them.
I’ve used them several times and they have perfect grip, smooth shape easy to glide on, and individual finger compartments with breathable air holes that keep the trainer cooler and drier during intense training.
The same coach I mentioned earlier got them about 8 years ago. He still uses them to this day.
Their advanced moisture lining prevents sweat from entering the padding, making the mitts super long-lasting.
One thing I absolutely love about them is the leather smell. Yes, it wears out over time, but especially brand new, they’re great!
In short, mitts you can trust.
#2: Venum Elite Mini Punch Mitts
- Lightweight
- Good Comfort
- Good Protection
- Good Breathability
- Relatively Expensive
- Shock absorption not as great as heavier pads
Probably one of the best mitts available on the market, and the best mitt product made by Venum.
Elite mini punch mitts are an amazing quality product. Personally speaking, if they cost 200$ I would still say that they are worth the price.
What stands out about them is that they are ultra-lightweight, meaning they can be used for speed and movement, but at the same time super safe, well-padded, and provide protection.
A combination of those two features is everything you want in your mitts.
Those hand-made mitts are very comfortable, and the rounded design improves the grip.
Due to their small size, your hand takes over a huge part of the mitt allowing you to have a huge control.
The holes for fingers also make them very breathable and provide great ventilation.
The stitching and material are of the highest quality.
Lastly… as much as looks should not be the most important thing you should base your decision on, those mitts look slick.
I don’t think there is anything I would change in them.
Simply good.
#3: Venum Cellular 2.0 Boxing Mitts
- Good Foam Padding
- Good Comfort
- Good Protection
- Good Shock Absorption
- Good Structure & Stitching
- Relatively Expensive
- Mediocre Breathability
It wouldn’t be possible to have this list without speaking about Venum Cellular 2.0.
Those are not only the best mitts I had the pleasure to have, but one of the best boxing products I had the chance to own.
Good stuff.
Firstly, great quality foam material that makes your hand fit the mitt perfectly.
Secondly, great curved angular design that allows you to catch punches perfectly.
Thirdly, mitts are big but at the same time very light, allowing you to work on two crucial aspects—speed and power.
What I also love about them is the extra padding that allows you to take a punch from the biggest and heaviest guys in the gym.
The innovative cellular tech system absorbs shock well and huge punches feel like delicate jabs.
Besides the fact that your hand sweats in the foam, I don’t think there is any minus that I noticed regarding those mitts.
I rate them very highly. In my opinion, they were worth every single penny.
#4: Fairtex FMV9 Mitts
- Good Breathability
- Great Comfort
- Great Stitching
- Good Shock Absorption
- Good Leather
- Relatively Expensive
- Somewhat Heavy
Slight jump (quality and price wise) on our list, but I could not make a list of boxing mitts without speaking about Fairtex FMV9.
Made out of real leather, Fairtex mitts are made of the best quality, breathing material.
What stands out about them is that they are stitched so precisely and well that you can barely see the stitching!
I had a chance to use them only twice, but it’s like driving a car. You drive a better-quality car, and you cannot name what is it, but everything feels better. That’s the story of those mitts. Everything felt better in them.
One thing I noticed straight away, is that they fit perfectly on your hand. Even though they are not huge, your hands are very well protected, and you can barely feel the punches coming.
That’s a huge advantage when padding heavier guys, and this advantage is due to multilayer foam padding that provides comfort, safety, and durability.
Personally speaking, I don’t have any criticism towards that product, besides the fact that the mitts could be lighter.
Knowing their size, I think they are a bit heavy. But again, I think the lightness of mitts is my personal preference.
The only thing is that when I bought a pair a year ago, it took a long time to arrive. Not sure if this is the norm or if it’s still the case, but I’ve heard some people online mentioning about it as well.
Besides that and the weight, I think those mitts are worth the price, and something I can certainly recommend.
#5: Hayabusa PTS 3 Focus Pads
- Good Durability
- Great Construction & Stitching
- Great Shock Absorption
- Great Comfort
- Good Fit
- Relatively Expensive
- Somewhat Heavy
- Mediocre Breathability
Hayabusa is a solid boxing brand that rarely disappoints.
The same applies to their PT3 Focus mitts.
What stands out about those mitts is their solid design and good-quality material. They are well-stitched, durable, and long-lasting.
If you are looking for the fanciest technology (like in the case of Venum mentioned below) you won’t find it here. But if you are looking for very good quality boxing mitts—this model from Hayabusa should be your choice.
If I were to describe those mitts in one sentence, I would say the following – a traditional design that is done well.
They are a bit too heavy for my taste, but their heaviness makes them very useful for both training drills, striking exercises and shock absorption.
Also because of their size, you can use them for kickboxing, muay thai and other sports if you are into that!
In my opinion, the con of those mitts is their price. I think people pay more for a cool design and the brand than for actual mitts.
I find them slightly overpriced. I think 50-65 would be a more realistic range.
Though at the end of the day, I doubt you would say that you wasted money buying these.
#6: Ringside 10.5 Curved Mitt
- Good Durability
- Big Yet Lightweight
- Good Grip
- Affordable
- Mediocre Material
- Low-quality hook and loop closure
At number 6 of the list, I put the 10.5″ curved mitts from Ringside.
I think they’re a very underrated product.
I have used multiple curved mitts, but those are truly shaped perfectly.
As advertised, their angular design and very lightweight make them feel like an extension of your hand.
Those mitts are made of synthetic leather, which in my eyes at the end of the day is always a minus. But hey, I washed them with wet wipes frequently and they don’t rot…
Good durability.
What I do not like about them is the hook and loop closure, which I felt could have worked better.
After a few hits it was losing up and I had to correct it. Not sure if this is a feature of all the products or if I had one with a defect, but it had to be mentioned in this honest review.
But that’s the only big defect I noticed about that product.
Solid, yet affordable mitts that I would recommend to everyone. Your typical good, solid product.
#7: FIGHTR Premium Punching Mitts
- Decent Durability
- Good Value-for-money
- Decent Comfortability
- Decent Breathability
- Mediocre Material
- Mediocre Stiching
At number 7 we have a recent product from FIGHTR.
I had a chance to use those mitts for 3 months after moving from England to Poland. I have to say I was positively surprised by them.
Knowing that the price is not shocking, I did not expect that they would be of such quality.
Even though the mitts are made of synthetic leather, they are very sturdy and are composed of hard-wearing inner material that makes them very durable.
I do not think they are the most comfortable mitts I wore, but they are solid.
What I like about them is their system of ventilation that makes your hand not sweat as much as it would have in many other mitts.
The big minus for me is the stitching. I think it’s weak and after two months of using them, there were strands of material coming out on the edges of the mitts.
Nonetheless, I used the mitts in difficult conditions–outside, in the rain, and sometimes left them in the humid garage for a night. That might explain it, being completely fair.
In general, I believe they are one of the best values for money in the market right now. It’s a very good and relatively cheap choice that I can recommend.
#8: Everlast Boxing Mitts
- Decent Durability
- Good Value-for-money
- Decent Comfort
- Decent Stitching
- Good for Precision Punching
- Mediocre Material
- Gets Smelly
- Mediocre Shock Aborption
These are the classic and original boxing mitts from Everlast!
While coaching at the University of Glasgow I had a chance to use this product, and I decided to place it at the 8th position of the list, as I was relatively happy with it!
What I loved the most about those mitts was their small size which allowed me to be very manoeuvrable and fast when I coached smaller and faster fighters.
What is also great about them is their mantis shape and well-padded wrist that allows them to catch punches without feeling their impact!
That and its small size also allows you to control the mitts very well as you have a good grip, and your hand covers a big surface area of the mitt.
On the other hand, the size of the mitts can also be the problem, as I remember the less experienced fighters were simply missing them.
The feature that stands out about this particular product is the decent stitching. Not the highest quality, but nevertheless well done.
Coaching at a place like the University of Glasgow means that every training you +- 100 people hitting the pads.
After a year of that, the stitching still holding up.
Because of the holes for fingers, gloves are also amazingly ventilated, nonetheless, I realized that because of the cheap material hands still sweat in those mitts.
The main minus of those mitts is indeed the material. Made out of 95% polyurethane and 5% polyester makes your hand sweat and smell a lot.
In general, I would recommend those mitts to everyone except heavy punchers.
If you are a very heavy puncher (e.g. a 90+ kg guy) or you are coaching a guy like that, those mitts might be too small and do not have enough protection.
They are good for delicate pads and speed training, but I would not recommend them for heavy punching.
Value-for-money is very good hence, I rate them as a good purchase.
What To Focus On Before Buying Boxing Mitts?
I would like to give you a brief outline regarding what you should focus on before buying your boxing mitts.
These are the qualities and criteria that I focused on in our review!
Below I will outline the most 5 most important aspects of mitts you should look at before making a purchase.
Padding
Adequate padding is essential to absorb the force of punches.
Safety first!
When buying mitts, look for mitts with thick, high-quality padding that acts as shock absorbers.
Proper padding not only protects the fighter but also the trainer’s hands, reducing the risk of injuries during training sessions.
Padding is without a doubt the most important element that you should consider before buying your mitts!
Material
The mitts’ material is critical for their durability and longevity.
If you do not want to change mitts every half a year, you better buy ones that are made from good quality material.
I recommend leather or high-quality foam.
Genuine leather mitts are known for their durability and comfort but tend to be more expensive.
But remember that high-quality synthetic leather can also offer good durability and comfort at a more affordable price.
Avoid low-quality synthetic materials as they may not last long and can cost more in the long run.
Also, as a coach with over 6 years of experience believe me—your hands sweat horribly when you use cheap synthetic mitts.
Don’t save on material!
Stitching and Construction
Stitching is something, that people with a lack of boxing experience never look for, but those who know their game always analyse.
Focus mitts with reinforced stitching are more durable and less likely to come apart during intense training sessions.
If you have a heavy boy who hits hard on your training sessions, you need solid stitching.
If you train outside, sometimes in the rain (like me in the UK) – stitching must be good.
Look at the stitching. Always!
Durable construction ensures the mitts can withstand rigorous use.
Support For The Wrist and Grip
Training sessions put a lot of strain on the hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders.
Look for mitts with features like a curved shape, a secure closure system for the wrists, adequate padding, and cushioning to protect the hands and wrists.
When buying mitts, always make sure to try them and see how they feel. A secure and comfortable grip is essential for effective training.
Also, there is nothing more annoying than a mitt that is too big or too small for you.
Look for mitts with designs that ensure they stay in place during use, preventing slipping and enhancing accuracy.
Focus mitts with a ball grip or ergonomic design can improve your grip and technique.
Price
Let’s be frank, no one likes to pay good money for a bad product or buy something completely useless.
Price is an important consideration, but it’s essential not to sacrifice quality and safety for cost savings.
Don’t look for cheap! Look for good value for money!
High-quality focus mitts may come at a higher initial cost but offer a great return on investment due to their durability and safety features.
Throughout my coaching career, I spent way more money buying cheap mitts than I would have if I had bought good quality mitts once.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
We get quite a bit of questions regarding boxing focus pads, so here are the answers to some of your questions!
Q1: How to choose the right size of boxing mitts?
The size of boxing mitts depends on your hand size and the type of training you’ll be doing.
Smaller mitts are typically used for precision work, while larger mitts offer more surface area for power punches and conditioning.
It’s important to choose mitts that fit comfortably and securely.
Mitts should not be too loose or strict.
You should be able to delicately move your fingers around in the mitt, but the mitt cannot fall out of your hand when you have your hand down.
Q2: How should I properly hold boxing mitts?
Holding mitts correctly is crucial to ensure safety and effective training.
Typically, the holder should extend their arms, create a target, and communicate with the puncher to ensure the right punches are thrown.
The holder might also tap the pad before the punch arrives.
Look below for how to hold the pads properly.
Q3: How do I take care of my boxing mitts to make them last longer?
To extend the life of your boxing mitts, regularly clean them, avoid exposure to extreme heat or direct sunlight, and store them in a cool, dry place.
Using hand wraps or inner gloves can also help prevent sweat and odours from permeating the mitts.
Below we are attaching a list of things you can do to extend the life of your mitts:
- Clean After Each Use: Wipe down your mitts with a clean, damp cloth or disinfectant wipes after each training session.
- Allow Them to Air Dry: After cleaning, let your mitts air dry completely. No leaving them in a closed bag or damp environment.
- Use Hand Wraps or Inner Gloves: Wear hand wraps or inner gloves under your boxing mitts—this prevents sweat from soaking the mitts.
- Rotate Mitts: If you use multiple pairs of mitts, rotate them regularly to give each pair time to air out and dry properly.
- Avoid Excessive Force: While it’s important to practice powerful punches and strikes, avoid hitting the mitts with excessive force, especially if they are designed for precision work. Hitting too hard will lead to premature wear and tear!
- Store Properly: Store your mitts in a cool, dry place. No storing them under direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.
Q4: Can boxing mitts be used for self-defence training?
Yes, boxing mitts can be used for self-defence training to improve your striking skills and technique.
They are used not only in boxing but in many other sports, as well as in self-defence classes.
Let’s not go on a tangent—absolutely yes.
Q5: Do I need boxing mitts if I'm not a boxing coach
Boxing mitts can be beneficial for anyone interested in improving their fitness and striking skills.
Just holding boxing focus pads for people is a great exercise for burning calories. Plus, great for hand-eye coordination!
Wrapping Up
And that was the top 8 of the best mitts for boxing that I had the chance to try out throughout my boxing training career.
Some might be in the higher budget range or more affordable.
But remember—don’t go for the cheapest because you’ll save up more in the long run if you’re dedicated to boxing!
If you want to go into boxing training, I suggest looking into our guide on how to train for a boxing fight.
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