Boxing Gloves for Kids – What You Need to Know | Tips for Buying
When kid and young people have discovered their enthusiasm for boxing, the only thing missing in addition to suitable training is the right protective equipment. This includes the boxing gloves, which we write about in this article. We explain to you what to look for when buying and introduce you to some models.
Which boxing gloves for kids?
Not only for adults, but also for kid, it is essential to wear boxing gloves kids during training. Kid’s hands are more flexible and therefore more sensitive than those of adults. Well-fitting gloves ensure good protection, which is additionally reinforced by boxing bandages through better stabilization, especially of the wrists. This means that boxing gloves are an essential part of boxing equipment for kid too.
When boxing, the thumb can quickly be injured – regardless of whether sparring or training on the punching bag is on the training plan. Therefore, most boxing gloves provide better thumb protection, with a sewn-on thumb or a thumb strap.
A thumb strap allows a certain freedom of movement, but only to the extent that it cannot be overstretched.
The advantage of the thumb strap over the sewn-on thumb is that gloves with a thumb strap are easier to put on and take off. Kid can put on and take off their gloves themselves without having to do a lot.
Boxing is well suited for kid for several reasons. It promotes coordination, strength, endurance, and the ability to react and is therefore an ideal whole-body workout for the little ones. In addition, boxing has a strengthening effect on self-confidence, discipline, and the ability to work in a team.
Contrary to some existing prejudices, it has nothing to do with wild brawls, but rather with learning specific techniques.
On the one hand, boxing can be a suitable valve for kid with a quick-tempered character to let out their strength and, on the other hand, boxing can offer the more reserved kid the opportunity to feel their strength better.
Kid under 10 years of age is only allowed to take part in technical training. According to DBV guidelines, kid is only allowed to take part in sparring fights from the age of 10 and at least half a year of basic training.
The fights are accompanied by referees and the kid fight in different classes depending on their age and weight. In addition, prescribed protective equipment must be worn, which consists of a head protection, face mask and groin guard.
Head protection is especially important. Since in boxing, the blows apply only to the upper body and especially the head, head protection should not be dispensed with when sparring. The developing brain of adolescents needs special protection.
An important question that we want to clarify in this article is which boxing glove is best for kid.
What size and how many ounces of kid’s boxing gloves?
Boxing gloves differ in their number of ounces, i.e., in their weight and not in a certain size. One ounce is approximately 28.35 grams. Adults often train with 12-14 oz while for kid, depending on their age, boxing gloves weighing 6-10 ounces are best.
As a rule, the little one’s train with 6-8 ounces, also on a punching bag or standing punching bag. If they are older than 10 years and are allowed to participate in sparring, gloves with 10 oz are most often used.
What material should boxing gloves for kid be made of?
As with adults, there are models made of artificial leather or real leather for kid.
Real leather usually lasts longer. It is more durable and therefore more durable.
But the blows of the kid cannot be compared with those of the adults. The force behind it is significantly lower and accordingly the material is also not exposed to such heavy loads. Therefore, boxing gloves made of synthetic leather are usually also a good choice for kid.
Whether artificial leather or real leather – in both cases you should take good care of the gloves to keep them longer and to prevent bad smells. It is best to place the gloves in a well-ventilated place to dry after each workout, but not to place them directly on the heater.
Above all, kid and adults should wear boxing bandages under their gloves. These not only protect the wrists and hands, but also absorb sweat and ensure that it does not get into the boxing gloves.
Better boxing gloves with Velcro than lace-up gloves
There are boxing gloves with Velcro, with laces and even with zippers, although the latter are less common.
For kid, however, boxing gloves with Velcro are most useful and adults usually only wear gloves with Velcro during training. This is mainly since gloves with Velcro are easy to put on and take off. Always tying the gloves on and off takes too much time in training and kid cannot do this on their own. Therefore, gloves with Velcro are better suited.
Boxing gloves with laces, on the other hand, are mainly worn in competition and professional areas, as they can be laced even tighter, and the pressure is better distributed through the lacing.
Which manufacturers of kid’s boxing gloves are recommended?
Almost all well-known manufacturers such as Everlast, Adidas, Twins, Benlee or Greenhill also have models for kid in their range.
However, the brand alone is not decisive as to whether the glove also fits the child’s hand. Therefore, one should pay attention to the following points:
- Good fit.
- Good feeling.
- Good (Velcro) fastener.
- Good workmanship and material quality.