What Oz Gloves for Muay Thai? UK Glove Size Guide

Updated 2026-09-28 · 10 min read

This guide may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.

Quick answer: which oz to buy

If you only buy one pair and you plan to spar, buy 16oz. That is the weight most UK Muay Thai gyms ask for in sparring, and it is heavy enough for pads and bag work too. If you are well over 90kg, many coaches will ask you to go up to 18oz. If you only ever hit pads and bags, 12oz or 14oz is common.

These are rules of thumb, not regulations. If your gym sets a glove weight, follow the gym. Ask before your first sparring class; it costs nothing and saves you buying twice.

Use the glove size calculator

Our glove size calculator asks three things: what you'll use the gloves for, your body weight in kilograms, and whether your gym already sets a rule. It then gives you a weight in ounces and a one-line reason. It follows the same guidance as this article, so treat it as a starting point and check with your coach if you're between sizes.

What "oz" actually measures

Glove weight in ounces describes the weight of the glove, most of which is padding. It is not a hand size. A 16oz glove is not "for big hands" and a 10oz glove is not "for small hands".

More padding does two things:

• It protects your training partner. In sparring, the extra foam spreads the force of a punch. That is the main reason gyms insist on heavier gloves for sparring.
• It slows your hands slightly. Lighter gloves feel faster on the bag, which is why people like 10–12oz for bag and pad work.

The rules for amateur competition show the same logic in reverse. The IFMA (the international federation for amateur Muaythai) specifies that competition gloves weigh 10 ounces, with at least half of that weight made up of padding, and athletes must use IFMA-approved gloves supplied by the organiser. WAKO's K-1 style kickboxing rules also list 10oz gloves for contact bouts. Competition is a different setting from gym sparring, where you're working with the same partners several times a week.

Bag work vs pads vs sparring

Bag work. You're hitting a heavy object hundreds of times. You want wrist support and enough padding over the knuckles to protect your hands. 12–14oz covers most adults; lighter people often go 10–12oz.

Pads. Holding Thai pads is hard work for your partner or coach, but the glove weight matters less for them than it does in sparring. The same 12–14oz range is typical. If you're in all-round classes where you switch from pads to partner drills, a 16oz pair does both jobs.

Sparring. This is where the weight matters. Most UK gyms ask for 16oz regardless of body weight, and some ask larger members for 18oz. Some brands say the same thing on their product pages: the UK distributor's listing for the Twins BGVL3 suggests 10–12oz for pads and bags and 14–16oz for sparring.

Can you use the same pair for everything? Yes, if it's 16oz. You can't safely go the other way and spar in 10oz bag gloves.

What UK gyms ask for in sparring

Every gym sets its own rules, but you'll hear the same few things in most UK Muay Thai clubs:

• 16oz gloves for sparring, often 18oz for heavier members.
• Hook-and-loop (Velcro) gloves rather than lace-ups, so you can get them on and off without help.
• Hand wraps under the gloves, every session.
• A gum shield for any sparring, and often shin guards too. See our shin guard guide.
• No sparring until the coach says so. Beginners usually spend their first weeks on technique, pads and light drills. Our beginner's guide explains what a first class looks like.

If you're choosing a gym, the timetable and class descriptions often say when sparring starts and what kit is needed. Search the UK gym directory and check before you buy.

Hand size and fit (with wraps on)

Glove weight sets the padding; fit is a separate question. Always try gloves on with your hand wraps on, because wraps add bulk around the knuckles and wrist.

A good fit usually means:

• Your fingertips reach the top of the glove without being squashed.
• You can make a comfortable fist around the grip bar (if the glove has one).
• The wrist strap closes firmly without you having to force it.
• There's no big empty space around your knuckles when you make a fist.

Thai-made gloves such as Fairtex and Twins are often described as "breaking in" over time. The UK listing for the Twins BGVL3, for example, says the leather moulds to your hand once broken in. Fairtex describes the BGV1 as having a contoured, tight-fit hand compartment. If you have wide hands, try a few brands in person where you can, or order from a retailer with an easy returns policy.

For wraps, a 4.5m length is common for adults; RDX lists its 4.5m elasticated wraps for boxing, MMA and Muay Thai. Browse options in our wraps section.

Kids' and women's sizing

Kids. Children usually use lighter gloves, but "lighter" depends on age, size and what the club allows. RDX's product page for the F7 Ego recommends its 8oz and 10oz sizes for children up to 14. Many clubs set their own rule for junior sparring, so ask the coach first. Kids' gloves are also sold as dedicated ranges, such as RDX's 1U Demo kids' gloves at £17.99 at the time of writing (September 2026).

In amateur competition, IFMA's rules add restrictions for younger age groups: for example, its U14 division bans elbow and knee strikes to the head, and the youngest divisions ban head strikes altogether.

Women. The weight rules are the same: 16oz for sparring is still the usual ask. Some brands offer gloves with a narrower hand compartment or in more colours, but there's no rule that women need a lighter glove. If a 16oz glove feels bulky, it's usually a fit issue rather than a weight one, so try other brands.

Muay Thai vs boxing glove shape

You'll see gloves sold as "Muay Thai gloves" and "boxing gloves". Both work for Muay Thai classes. The differences are small but real:

• Muay Thai gloves often have a flatter, more evenly spread palm and a slightly shorter cuff. That helps with catching kicks and working in the clinch, where you need to grab and control.
• Boxing gloves often put more padding over the knuckles and use a longer cuff for wrist support when punching.

Many popular "Muay Thai" gloves are actually sold as all-round boxing gloves. Fairtex calls the BGV1 a universal boxing glove. What matters most is the weight, the fit and whether your gym is happy with them.

Our picks at each weight (UK prices)

We haven't put these through a hands-on test. These are well-known gloves that are stocked in the UK at every weight you'd need; specs are from the brand or retailer listing and prices were checked on 28 September 2026 (at the time of writing, September 2026). For a fuller comparison see best Muay Thai gloves UK.

A few notes:

• Fairtex and Twins are sold in the UK through Muaythai-Boxing, which Fairtex lists as its UK distributor and which describes itself as the official UK distributor for Twins Special. Other UK shops stocking them are supplied through that route, which is why prices tend to be the same across retailers.
• YOKKAO is one of the few brands above that offers an 18oz size in this model, which helps if your gym asks heavier members to go up a weight.
• Prices change. Sales come and go, so check the retailer before you buy.

Want the shortlist? See our 16oz sparring gloves page, the beginner kit under £50 guide, or browse all gloves in the shop. Brand pages: Fairtex, Twins Special, RDX, YOKKAO, Venum, Top King.

FAQs

What oz boxing gloves should I get as a beginner?

16oz if you'll spar at any point, which most Muay Thai students do eventually. It's the safest single purchase. If you're sure you'll only do bag and pad work, 12–14oz is fine. Use the glove size calculator if you're unsure.

Are 12oz gloves OK for sparring?

Usually not in UK adult classes. Most gyms ask for 16oz in sparring, and some ask heavier members for 18oz. Some coaches allow lighter gloves for very light technical sparring or for smaller members, but ask first.

What oz gloves do pro fighters use?

Professional fight glove weights are set by the rules of each event, promoter or commission, so there's no single answer. For amateur Muaythai, IFMA's rules specify 10oz competition gloves. Fighters still train and spar in heavier gloves.

Do I need different gloves for bag work and sparring?

No, one 16oz pair does both. Some people buy a lighter pair for bag work later because it feels quicker, but that's a preference, not a requirement.

How do I know if gloves fit properly?

Try them with your wraps on. Your fingertips should reach the end without cramping, you should be able to make a fist, and the strap should close firmly. If there's a lot of empty space at the knuckles, try a different brand rather than a different weight.