Boxing gloves and hand wraps: what the oz means and how to wrap your hands

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Gloves and wraps are the first kit most boxers buy, and the choices can be confusing. What do 12 oz and 16 oz actually mean? Do you really need wraps under gloves? And why does your gym bag smell like that? Here is a plain guide.

What the oz means

The number on a boxing glove is its weight in ounces. A heavier glove generally carries more padding, which protects both your hand and whoever you are hitting. Common sizes run from about 8 oz up to 16 oz and beyond.

Lighter gloves feel faster and are often used for bag or pad work by smaller people, and in competition.
Heavier gloves are standard for sparring, because the extra padding softens each punch. Many gyms ask for 14 or 16 oz for sparring, and some expect heavier for larger boxers.
Bag gloves may be more compact and firmer.

Your weight and hand size matter as well as the activity. The simplest approach is to ask your coach which weight the gym expects, especially for sparring, as rules differ from club to club.

Fit and closure

A glove should feel snug with wraps on, with your fingers reaching close to the end and able to make a comfortable fist.
Hook-and-loop (Velcro) closures let you put gloves on alone and are the practical choice for most people.
Lace-up gloves give a closer fit but need someone to tie them.
Try gloves on with your wraps on if you can.

Why wear hand wraps

Wraps sit under your gloves and support the many small bones in the hand and the wrist joint. They hold everything together so the impact spreads out, and they keep the wrist straighter when you hit. They also soak up sweat, which helps your gloves last. Adult wraps are commonly around 180 inches (about 4.5 metres) long, which is enough to cover wrist, knuckles and thumb. Shorter wraps exist for smaller hands. Semi-elastic wraps mould to the hand more easily than stiff cotton ones.

How to wrap your hands

There are many methods and your coach may prefer one. This is a simple, common version.

Spread your fingers wide. Hook the thumb loop over your thumb, with the wrap running across the back of the hand.
Wrap around your wrist three or four times, firm but not tight.
Go across the back of your hand and around the knuckles three or four times, keeping your fingers spread.
Return to the wrist, then weave the wrap between the fingers: across the back of the hand, between little and ring finger, back around the wrist, then between ring and middle, then middle and index.
Wrap once around the thumb and back to the wrist to lock it.
Finish with a few more turns around the knuckles and wrist, and fasten the end at the wrist.

Make a fist. It should feel supported and even, with no wrinkles digging in. If your fingers tingle, go numb or turn pale, the wrap is too tight: take it off and start again.

Hygiene

Gloves are warm, dark and damp, which is exactly what bacteria and fungi like.

Wash wraps after every session. Use a mesh laundry bag to stop them tangling.
Air gloves out straight away. Open them up and let them dry; do not leave them zipped in a bag.
Wipe the inside and outside regularly with a suitable cleaner.
Do not share gloves where you can avoid it. Loan gloves are fine for a trial but get your own soon.
Cover any cuts or broken skin, and keep nails short.
If your skin is itchy, red or sore where the gloves sit, see a pharmacist or doctor rather than training through it.

When to replace

Replace gloves when the padding has gone flat or lumpy, the inner lining tears, or the wrist support no longer feels firm. Worn-out gloves are a safety issue for you and for your sparring partners. What gloves and wrapping method do you use? Share your experience or questions in the comments below.