Muay Thai Gloves Vs Boxing Gloves – 12 Differences

Which would you prefer: Muay Thai gloves VS boxing gloves? Many martial arts and combat sports enthusiasts may find themselves pondering this question.

While the two gloves may be similar, certain aspects make them unique.

Muay Thai Gloves Vs. Boxing Gloves

Some people may think that Muay Thai and boxing gloves are the same. But that isn’t the case at all.

They both have different uses and can protect fighters from injury differently. Let’s discuss the qualities and features that separate Muay Thai from boxing gloves.

1. Material:

Muay Thai gloves are often made from leather and synthetic materials. It provides fighters with more impact protection than traditional boxing gloves.

Also, Muay Thai gloves cover less of the fighter’s hand. As a result, it allows for increased mobility and range of motion.

On the other hand, boxing gloves are usually made from vinyl or leather. The padding inside the glove disperses the shock from strikes.

It means less force will be transferred to your hands when contacting your opponent.

Also, boxing gloves typically have a longer cuff. It wraps around the wrist and provides extra support.

Thus, in terms of material and design, there is a distinct difference between the both.

Muay Thai gloves are for more impact absorption. And boxing gloves are for more shock dispersal and wrist support.

2. Size:

Muay Thai gloves are larger and heavier than boxing gloves. The extra weight helps you generate more power when striking.

And it also provides added protection for your hands and wrists. The additional size of Muay Thai gloves also gives fighters more surface area.

They can contact others during strikes, leading to more powerful blows.

Boxing gloves are much smaller and lighter in comparison to Muay Thai gloves. Unfortunately, it makes them unsuitable for power punching.

The smaller size also allows boxers to move faster while they punch and defend.

Regarding wrist support, Muay Thai gloves provide greater stability and protection. That is because they are heavier.

And lastly, the way Muay Thai gloves allow you to clinch your opponent. The added bulk of the glove helps fighters maintain a secure gripe.

3. Padding:

Muay Thai gloves have more padding and protection than boxing gloves. That is because they absorb more punishment.

Boxing gloves, on the other hand, are not as heavily padded. The less padding of the gloves allows boxers to maintain better accuracy at a punch.

Padding is important for fighters, as it cushions the shock of a strike and prevents injury.

Also, when it comes to training, Muay Thai gloves are softer. They provide better hand protection.

With less padding, boxing gloves are more suitable for sparring. However, some prefer them for heavy bag work as well.

Also, padding-wise, Muay Thai gloves are often better for beginners.

Muay Thai gloves also have a closed-fist design with a thumb attachment. It keeps your thumb from getting hyperextended.

Boxing gloves, however, have an open palm. As a result, they provide a different level of protection for your thumb.

4. Weight:

Muay Thai gloves are usually much heavier than boxing gloves. They range from 10 to 16 ounces. This is due to the increased padding. It offers extra protection for the fighter’s hands and wrists.

Boxing gloves are typically available in 8, 10, 12, and 16 ounces. The heavier the glove, the more padding it has.

And some people prefer a lighter glove, as it allows them to move faster and have more control.

Weight is an important factor for both Muay Thai and boxing. You should choose a glove weight that feels comfortable and allows you to perform at your best.

Also, some promoters specify a glove weight that fighters must use when competing.

5. Cost:

When it comes to cost, both Muay Thai and boxing gloves are available at a variety of price points.

The brand usually determines the glove’s cost, quality, and durability. You can expect to pay more for a higher-quality glove.

So it’s important to research and find the best glove for your budget. You’ll need to decide what factors are most important when choosing a glove.

Typically, boxing gloves range from $20 to $200. And Muay Thai gloves range from $30 to $150.

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, Muay Thai gloves are the ideal choice.

6. Wrist Support:

The level of wrist support is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a glove.

Muay Thai gloves offer more wrist support than boxing gloves. This is because Muay Thai gloves have an attached thumb.

It helps provide additional stability to the wrist. Boxing gloves, however, have a separate thumb and wrist design.

This allows for more freedom of movement in the glove but less support for the wrist.

Also, when it comes to boxing gloves, the best ones often come with an integrated wrist strap. This offers more support and protection for the wrist.

Finally, Muay Thai gloves are heavier than boxing gloves. This is because they are made with more padding and material. As a result, it helps protect the fighter’s hands.

7. Breathability:

Muay Thai gloves provide better breathability than boxing gloves. This is because the gloves are often made with breathable materials such as nylon and mesh.

On the other hand, boxing gloves are generally made from leather or vinyl. This can make them much warmer and less breathable than Muay Thai gloves.

Also, Muay Thai gloves usually have more ventilation holes than boxing gloves. This helps keep the fighter’s hands cool and dry during a match.

Breathability is important for fighters. It helps keep their hands from becoming too sweaty and uncomfortable during a match.

8. Type Of Training:

Regarding the type of training, Muay Thai gloves and boxing gloves are both suitable.

However, there may be differences in your training with each. For example, Muay Thai gloves are more suitable for sparring, drilling, and clinching.

Boxing gloves are better for heavy bag work, focus mitts, and pad work. In terms of protection, Muay Thai gloves are more protective than boxing gloves.

Muay Thai gloves have extra padding. It helps protect the fighter’s wrists, knuckles, and forearms. This makes them ideal for sparring, where there are a lot of contacts.

On the other hand, boxing gloves are less padded, providing less protection. However, it makes them more suitable for pad and mitt work.

Regarding weight, Muay Thai gloves are usually heavier than boxing gloves. This gives them more impact in punches, kicks, and elbows.

It also gives the fighter a better grip on their opponent’s hands during clinching. This makes them much more suitable for sparring.

Boxing gloves, on the other hand, are for competition. They are lightweight and protect without hindering the fighter’s movement.

9. Appearance:

Regarding appearance, Muay Thai gloves have a much different look than boxing gloves.

Muay Thai has a more traditional look, with a hand-wrap design and a longer cuff.

Boxing gloves are more modern in their design, with split thumbs and thin foam padding.

Regarding protection, Muay Thai gloves provide less than boxing gloves. They have thinner padding and shorter cuffs.

It makes them better for blocking but less suitable for absorbing impacts. The extra wrist support of a longer cuff makes Muay Thai gloves better for clinching and defending against punches.

Still, boxing gloves protect the knuckles, particularly during competition. Overall, Muay Thai gloves offer less protection than boxing gloves.

But they provide a more realistic training experience.

10. Personal Preferences:

Some fighters may prefer Muay Thai gloves for traditional training. Others may prefer to use boxing gloves when hitting a heavy bag.

Others may like wrist support with boxing glove cuffs for sparring or competition.

Ultimately, it boils down to what works best for the individual. Trying out different types of gloves is helpful if you are starting. See which ones you prefer.

This way, you can find the style and brand that works best for your needs.

11. Safety:

Safety is important when choosing between Muay Thai gloves and boxing gloves. Boxing gloves offer more protection due to their padding and larger surface area.

Muay Thai gloves are designed to protect the fighter. But they are usually more padded than boxing gloves.

However, some Muay Thai gloves offer extra layers of foam and gel for extra protection.

It is important to understand that both gloves can be dangerous if not used properly. Wear the right protection when training with either glove, such as a mouthguard or headgear.

12. Durability:

When it comes to durability, boxing gloves usually outlast Muay Thai gloves. This is because boxing gloves are thicker leather and have more padding.

These factors help them last longer than Muay Thai gloves. However, if you take good care of your Muay Thai gloves and replace them when needed, they can last just as long.

Also, with the extra layers of foam and gel, Muay Thai gloves provide more shock absorption than boxing gloves.

Final Word:

Thus, which glove is better depends on your preference. Also, what type of martial arts or boxing do you plan to do?

Muay Thai gloves are the best choice if you want more protection.

But boxing gloves may be the way to go if you prefer less protection and greater durability.

In either case, having the right gear for your needs is important. Make sure you research and choose the gloves that best suit your fighting style.