Boxing gloves and Muay Thai Gloves have distinctly different purposes and are made for two different sports. Boxing gloves are made more specifically for punching opponents in the ring, while Muay Thai Gloves are used for a wider array of moves such as clinching and blocking kicks. Both Boxing and Muay Thai gloves have padding in the knuckles for protection and are designed to help deliver more powerful (and protected) punches. But, Muay Thai Gloves padding is more evenly distributed and designed to provide greater flexibility and range of motion.
In this article, we’ll talk about some of the main differences between boxing gloves and Muay Thai gloves.
Summary of the Differences Between Boxing and Muay Thai Gloves
The biggest differences between boxing gloves and Muay Thai gloves are the length and rigidity of the wrist and the padding. Boxing gloves are more protective – around the wrist – but less flexible, and Muay Thai gloves are, shorter, but more flexible which lends them to being able to better perform Muay Thai moves like blocking kicks and grabbing and holding onto strikes & clinching.
Boxing gloves are padded heavily, especially around the thumbs which are also more tucked in, providing more protection but less flexibility. According to the Sweet Science of Fighting, the extra knuckle padding in boxing gloves is the most notable difference.
It’s important to remember that in both sports, the padding not only protects you but also protects your opponent or training partner. However, if you’re going to be training in Muay Thai, you’ll want a certain degree of flexibility to execute all of the Muay Thai-specific moves.
Differences in Wrist Support
Muay Thai gloves have shorter cuffs and therefore provide a bit less wrist support than boxing gloves. However, this is preferred for Muay Thai because of the need for flexibility, especially for clinching. Clinching requires a certain degree of grip strength and flexibility that would be hindered by too much wrist support.
The extra cuff length of the boxing glove offers more protection during a move or strike, which is important for preventing injury but takes away from your ability to compete in Muay Thai because of the more varied moves involved in Muay Thai.
Differences in Padding
Muay Thai gloves have more distributed padding and more padding on the backside of the glove, which is preferred since you’ll be blocking kicks in Muay Thai. Boxing gloves offer more knuckle padding which allows for more protection and power in the punch, however, boxing gloves are not designed for blocking kicks, knees, or elbows.
Overall, a Muay Thai glove is designed more for flexibility and agility while boxing gloves are designed for greater protection in your hands when punching. Although you may be able to get away with some interchangeability between the two sports, it’s recommended to choose the appropriate type of glove for the sport you’re training in.
Similarities in Weight/Sizing
In terms of the weight and size of the glove (typically sized from 8oz to 16oz for both sports), Muay Thai and Boxing Gloves will be sized similarly. In both sports, gloves are sized by your body weight and application (i.e. fighting vs. training with opponents).
The size you choose depends on your body weight and the activity you’re engaging in and your personal preference. For sparring, it’s recommended that you use heavier gloves for more protection (not only for yourself but your opponent). Speed work and competition in both sports will warrant lighter gloves to support better performance.
Can You Use Boxing Gloves for Muay Thai?
Yes, you could get away with using boxing gloves for Muay Thai to a certain point. However, the lack of flexibility can be a hindrance to your performance in Muay Thai.
Conversely, using Muay Thai gloves for boxing may be more likely to cause injury due to less wrist support and less padding in the fingers and knuckles.
It’s important to consider which sport and types of training you plan on using the glove for in order to pick the right pair. Some Muay Thai-specific glove brands include Fairtex, CORBETTI, and Twins.
In Summary
Muay Thai and Boxing gloves have some differences, but also some similarities. While there is certainly some crossover between these two sports, it is beneficial to use the appropriate glove for whichever sport you’re training in. Ultimately, finding the glove that best suits your needs will help you perform better and stay safe.
