Remember that the purpose of boxing gloves and hand wraps are to protect your hands and to protect your opponent (if you have one). If you buy gloves at the sporting goods store, it may feel like you are saving money, but you probably are not, since you will have to replace them more often.

When you pick your gloves you should consider what type of activity you will be doing:

• If you are doing a martial art where you need use of your hands, you will want a more flexible glove (like Muay Thai).
• For MMA or grappling, you will need open-fingered grappling gloves.
• If you are hitting heavy bags and mitts you will want protection on the front end of the glove – you will need thicker padding.
• If you are training to get in the ring, you will want a heavier glove.
• If you are competing in the ring you will want a lighter glove.
• If you are hitting speed bags, double end bags or something lighter you can buy bag gloves just for that purpose and may find boxing gloves too cumbersome.