The gloves that top MMA fighters use have some common features, such as being made of durable material and having an open palm design. But there are a lot of gloves in a wide range of prices, so what are the best MMA gloves for sparring?
Among other factors, you’ll want MMA training gloves to provide wrist support and have an open palm design and extra padding so that you’ll be super comfortable as you show your sparring partner a thing or two.
By the way, you can’t use boxing gloves for MMA during your training sessions.
Why? They are designed for different purposes. Boxing gloves would make it extremely hard, if not impossible, for you to grapple.
Not to worry. In the next few paragraphs, you’ll discover 19 awesome MMA gloves that martial artists of all kinds use. I outlined their key features, pros, and cons so you’ll have no trouble making the best choice.
And I don’t only list the most expensive. Many of these are great value while still being high quality.
Let’s dive right in. At the bottom, I’ll also give you my #1 pick from these options both overall and best budget option.
Best MMA Gloves for Sparring and Training
Hayabusa T3 MMA Gloves – Under $100
Hayabusa T3 MMA Gloves employ a pre-curved design that helps reduce hand fatigue and a Dual-X closure that makes your hands and wrists stable.
The quality of the material is top-notch, and there is no chaffing or skin irritation once you break them in.
It is arguably one of the best pair of MMA gloves out there.
Pros:
- It is extremely strong
- It lasts several years and remains in great condition
- Its Dual-X tech protects hands and wrists
- It is available in various colors
Cons:
- It takes a long time before the gloves break-in
- It is stiff
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
Venum Challenger MMA Gloves – Under $60
Venum Challenger MMA gloves employ layered foam to ensure better protection and shock absorption.
It uses an exclusive Velcro strap system to protect your wrists.
Pros:
- It is strong
- Its layered foam makes it comfortable and protective
- Its fingers and thumb openings are reinforced
- It is available in several colors
- Its Velcro strap system offers great wrist support
Cons:
- It offers inadequate palm protection
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
RDX MMA Gloves – Under $30
RDX MMA Gloves are made of MAYA hide leather to ensure resilience and longevity.
They employ a double hook and loop system that offers great wrist support.
Pros:
- It is relatively affordable
- It employs an open palm design
- It is stylish
- Its “Eva-lution” sheet provides added comfort
- Its “SpongeX” padding enhances its durability
- It has a shock dispersion sheet that spreads the force of strikes
- Its wrist wraps are secure and supportive
Cons:
- It takes some time to break-in
- It is not breathable
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
Everlast Pro Style MMA Gloves – Under $50
Everlast MMA Gloves is an Amazon choice product, and that’s saying a lot since it shows that many buyers (based on Amazon data) bought it and were satisfied with it.
It’s made with premium synthetic leather, and its full wrist wrap strap provides great wrist support.
Its articulated finger ridges make for easier movement.
Pros:
- It employs closed cell foam technology for enhanced hand protection
- It uses antimicrobial treatment prevents odors and keeps it fresh
- Its “Everdri” technology keeps it cool and dry even after long sparring sessions
- It has an adjustable hook and loop strap that fits it around the wrists and makes it a breeze to take off
- It is highly affordable
Cons:
- It is not durable
- It has a relatively short warranty period
- Just two colors to choose from
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
Combat Sports Max Strike MMA Gloves – Under $80
Combat Sports Max Strike is an excellent pair of hybrid gloves.
Hybrid gloves?
Yes. These are gloves that combine different materials, using them in the specific parts where they give you an edge.
Pros:
- It is very strong
- It has extra padding that makes it comfortable
- It has a relatively soft front face
- It offers great protection
- It allows for an ergonomic fit
- Its wrap-around wrist wrap offers better lockdown wrist support
- There are several colors to choose from
Cons:
- It is not as durable
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
You probably know that some MMA fighters have a background in Muay Thai or employ it as one of their foundational martial arts, and you’re keen to know if it’s effective.
You’re in luck because I got into it in a recent article I published.
In it, I explained why Muay Thai is so effective in MMA and how many MMA fighters know Muay Thai. Then, I looked at whether Muay Thai is the best martial art for MMA, and I even touched on the elephant in the room: Is Muay Thai effective in a street fight?
Just click the link to read it on my site.
Sanabul Essential 7 MMA Glove – Under $30
Sanabul Essential 7 MMA Glove is designed to endure and enables you to transition seamlessly from grappling to striking, so it’s great for sparring and training.
And it can be easily cleaned and maintained.
It’s been tested by pros such as Michael Bisping (a UFC champ) and legendary BJJ coach John Danaher.
Pros:
- You can use hand wraps underneath
- Its open palm design makes your hands free for grappling
- It is comfortable and protective because of its extra-soft foam
- It comes in a variety of colors and sizes
- Highly affordable price
- It is easy to clean and maintain
Cons:
- It may take some time to break-in
- It is not durable
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
Fairtex FGV15 MMA Gloves – Under $100
Fairtex FGV15 MMA Sparring Gloves use extra-thick pre-curved latex foam for impact absorption and protection from injuries.
It has an open palm design.
This makes grappling a breeze and a double wrist wrap hook and loop for wrist support and a secure fit.
Pros:
- It is smooth, so it is ideal for grappling and striking
- Its small size enables you to easily fit it in tight spaces
- It is durable
Cons:
- It can take some time to break-in
- A protruding seam from the padding can make it uncomfortable
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
ZooBoo MMA Gloves – Under $20
ZooBoo MMA Gloves are made with breathable material, ensuring that your hands are dry and cool as you slug it out with your sparring partner.
It employs a half-finger design.
Coupled with the breathable material, you’ll also have a better grip.
Its got solid wrist support to protect your wrists in the heat of MMA action.
Pros:
- It has 3 layers of padding to prevent injury and improve comfort
- It offers a better grip as the thumb is uncovered
- It is available in 6 colors
- It has an adjustable Velcro wristband
- It is made of breathable material to reduce hand sweating
Cons:
- It is not washable
- It doesn’t fit everyone
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
Brace Master MMA Gloves – Under $30
Brace Master is well-padded and made of premium quality leather which makes it durable.
It employs an open palm design to enable airflow, and the padding helps with shock protection.
Pros:
- It has an open palm design which allows for airflow
- It’s great for shock protection because it’s well-padded
- It is available in several colors
Cons:
- It might be rough on knuckles
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
UFC MMA Gloves – Under $150
UFC MMA Gloves is a lightweight glove that’s comfortable and strong.
Its pre-curved finger design makes grappling easier, and its extra padding over the knuckles protects your hand when you spar and train.
The open palm design ensures that your hand does not become overly sweaty.
Additionally, its adjustable, secure wrap-around hook and loop closure supports your wrist.
Pros:
- It is made of synthetic leather
- Its pre-curved impact dispensing gel protects knuckles
- It is very light (weighs a little over 3 ounces)
- Its open palm design ensures dryness
Cons:
- It’s expensive
- It’s only available in black
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
Hayabusa T3 LX MMA Glove – Under $150
Hayabusa T3 LX MMA Glove is made with the finest luxurious, high-quality leather, and it employs high-performance foam for extra knuckle protection.
The dual X-Closure system locks your wrist in place.
So, there’s no need to wear hand wraps while you train.
Pros:
- It is strong and durable (made with the finest Italian leather)
- It is sexy and available in brown
- It absorbs heavy impacts
- Its Y-Volar palm design ensures that it fits and won’t shift as you train
- The design also keeps your hand cool
- Its multi-layered padding makes it highly comfortable
- It’s available in 4 different sizes
Cons:
- It may take some time before you break it in
- It’s a tad expensive
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
Suppose a kickboxer was to challenge you, an MMA fighter. Do you think you’ll win? You’ll find a recent article I published riveting because, in it, I compared both fighting styles.
I looked at whether Kickboxing is effective in MMA and street fights.
I also looked at whether MMA is effective in street fights and the martial arts most often used in MMA. And I revealed which one is easier to learn: Kickboxing or MMA.
Just click the link to read it on my site.
Revgear Premier MMA Training Gloves – Under $30
Revgear Premier MMA Training Gloves have a contoured fit that makes it easy to make a fist, and it fits snugly, so there’s no grip loss while you are grappling or sparring.
It also has a pre-curved shape that reduces the break-in period so you can hit the ground running.
They are also great for entry-level MMA fighters.
Pros:
- It has an ultra-lock hook and loop closure for effective wrist support
- It’s well-padded, making it comfortable and protective
- It’s got generous Velcro straps at the wrists, so it fits snugly
- The pre-curved shape reduces the break-in period
- It’s light
Cons:
- Not as durable as more expensive ones
- Some reviews claimed sizes were not true to size
- Wide wrist band can conflict with BJJ/ground work
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
Venum Undisputed 2.0 MMA Gloves – Up to $110
Venum Undisputed 2.0 MMA Gloves have a curved shape that gives you a better fit so that your grip and strikes can be a lot better. Its multi-layered foam construction makes it highly comfortable as you try to crush your training partner.
Pros:
- Made from real Nappa leather
- Its layered foam makes it comfortable and protective
- Its foam lasts; it doesn’t deform over time
- It has an open palm design
- Its fingers and thumb openings are reinforced
- It is durable
Cons:
- It offers inadequate palm protection
- It is expensive
- It is available in black
- It may feel a tad bulky
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
Jayefo Glorious MMA Gloves – Under $20
Jayefo Glorious MMA Gloves are hand-made to maximize gripping capabilities and comfort.
Pros:
- It is strong as it is made from quality material
- Its inside has high impact gel to reduce injury and make it comfortable and protective
- It has thumb lock to prevent thumb injuries
- It is durable
- It is inexpensive
- Dual-strap Velcro lock for wrist support
- It is handmade
Cons:
- It may not fit everyone (the size chart may be wrong according to some purchasers)
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
Combat Sports Pro Style MMA Gloves – Under $40
Combat Sports Pro Style MMA Gloves are made with quality material that ensures comfort and longevity.
It has multiple layers of foam that make it comfortable and a long strap that secures your wrists.
Pros:
- It is strong as it is made from quality material
- Its layered foam makes it comfortable and protective
- It has an open palm design that increases gripping capabilities
- It is durable
- It is inexpensive
Cons:
- It may not fit everyone (the size chart may be wrong)
- It is available only in black
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
YMX MMA Gloves – Under $40
YMX MMA Gloves are made with premium quality PU leather and are breathable and durable.
It employs an open palm design and offers thumb protection.
Pros:
- It is well-padded to prevent injury and improve comfort
- It’s made of premium quality PU leather
- It offers a better grip as the thumb is uncovered
- It’s easy to take on and off
- Open palm design and thumb protection
- Long hook and loop closure strap
- It is made of breathable material to reduce hand sweating
Cons:
- It doesn’t fit everyone
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
It’s great you’re making progress in MMA. A lot of people are convinced that MMA is the height. But some skeptics think a Krav Maga guy would trounce an MMA fella. What do you think?
Interestingly, this is what I explored in a recent article I published.
I started by sharing info on whether you could use Krav Maga in MMA and the main martial arts in MMA.
Then, I explored which one is better: Krav Maga or BJJ. But I even revealed the answer to a question most fighters argue about: Is Krav Maga the deadliest martial art?
Just click the link to read it on my site.
Fightr MMA Gloves – Under $30
Fightr MMA Gloves are made of sturdy, high-quality PU leather to ensure durability.
Its ergonomic design and extra padding make it comfortable.
It’s engineered with precision in Germany.
Pros:
- It is strong as it is made from high-quality PU leather
- It is comfortable and protective
- It stabilizes the user’s wrist
- It is durable
Cons:
- It offers inadequate palm protection
- It is inexpensive
- It comes in black
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
Sanabul Core Series MMA Gloves – Under $30
Sanabul Core Series MMA Gloves are designed so that you can seamlessly transition between grappling and striking.
It is made of high-quality material that is durable and easy to clean.
Perfect for heavy bag work and a good option for those with versatile training needs.
Pros:
- It is durable
- It can be easily maintained
- It is inexpensive
- Open palm design makes grips easier and hands dry
- Long over strap ensures a secure fit
Cons:
- Could be tight for some folks when worn with hand straps
- The size and fit could be better
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
Overall Best MMA Gloves
Liberplus MMA Gloves – Under $40
Liberplus MMA Gloves is an Amazon choice product. It is made of PU leather and makes generous use of EVA foam, so the padding is great.
And its open palm design means you’ll be able to grapple better while having no worries about sweaty palms.
Pros:
- It is durable because it is made of PU synthetic leather
- Its use of EVA foam makes it comfortable
- It’s made of breathable material to combat sweating
- It can be easily cleaned
- It is inexpensive
- It is the #1 best-seller in Amazon’s selection of MMA gloves
Cons:
- It comes in only black & 2 sizes
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
Overall Best MMA Sparring Gloves:
Hayabusa T3 LX MMA Glove – Under $130
Hayabusa T3 LX MMA Glove is made with the finest luxurious, high-quality leather, and it employs high-performance foam for extra knuckle protection.
The dual X-Closure system locks your wrist in place.
So, there’s no need to wear hand wraps while you train.
Pros:
- It is strong and durable (made with the finest Italian leather)
- It is sexy and available in brown
- It absorbs heavy impacts
- Its Y-Volar palm design ensures that it fits and won’t shift as you train
- The design also keeps your hand cool
- Its multi-layered padding makes it highly comfortable
- It’s available in 4 different sizes
Cons:
- It may take some time before you break it in
- It’s a tad expensive
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
Overall Best Budget MMA Sparring Gloves:
Everlast Pro Style MMA Gloves – Under $50
Everlast MMA Gloves is an Amazon choice product, and that’s saying a lot since it shows that many buyers (based on Amazon data) bought it and were satisfied with it.
It’s made with premium synthetic leather, and its full wrist wrap strap provides great wrist support.
Its articulated finger ridges make for easier movement.
Pros:
- It employs closed cell foam technology for enhanced hand protection
- It uses antimicrobial treatment prevents odors and keeps it fresh
- Its “Everdri” technology keeps it cool and dry even after long sparring sessions
- It has an adjustable hook and loop strap that fits it around the wrists and makes it a breeze to take off
- It is highly affordable
Cons:
- It is not durable
- It has a relatively short warranty period
- Just two colors to choose from
CLICK HERE to see the current price on Amazon.
Conclusion
In the article, we reviewed 19 different MMA gloves that are ideal for MMA sparring and training.
We explored their key features, pros, and cons. Most of them offer similar value and come in a variety of colors and sizes. Some are made of genuine leather, while others are made of synthetic materials.
Most also offer protection for bare knuckles.
Naturally, some are more expensive than others, but what’s nice is that there’s something for every budget.
Some of the top brands we reviewed include Hayabusa, Venum, Revgear, Combat Sports, RDX, Everlast, Liberplus, and Sanabul. All offer a great pair of gloves at a great price.
On the whole, virtually all of the ones we selected are good, a few cons notwithstanding.
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay
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