Updated March 2026 | By UNDRGROUND ATHLETICS — Canada’s Premier Boxing Equipment Retailer Buying the wrong size boxing gloves is one of the most common mistakes new fighters make — and it’s one of the most dangerous. Gloves that are too small don’t protect your hands properly. Gloves that are too big shift on impact and can cause wrist injuries. Getting the size right matters. This guide covers everything you need to know about boxing glove sizing in Canada, including how ounces work, what size you need for your weight class, and how to measure your hand for the perfect fit. Table of Contents How Boxing Glove Ounces Work Size Chart by Body Weight Size by Use: Training vs. Sparring vs. Competition How to Measure Your Hand Do Hand Wraps Affect Sizing? Sizing Differences Between Brands Kids Boxing Glove Sizing Common Sizing Mistakes to Avoid Frequently Asked Questions How Boxing Glove Ounces Work Boxing gloves are measured in ounces (oz), which refers to the weight of the glove — not the size of the hand compartment. More ounces means more padding, which means more protection for your hands and your training partner. Here’s what each common size is typically used for: Size Weight Primary Use Who It’s For 8oz ~227g Professional competition Pro fighters under 147 lbs 10oz ~283g Competition, light bag work Amateur/pro fighters, smaller adults 12oz ~340g Bag work, pad work, fitness boxing Women, lighter men, fitness boxers 14oz ~397g Training, light sparring Most women, lighter men (under 150 lbs) 16oz ~454g Sparring, heavy bag work Most adult men, standard gym size 18oz ~510g Heavy sparring Heavyweights (200+ lbs) 20oz ~567g Extra-padded sparring Super heavyweights, extra protection Key takeaway: The higher the ounce, the more padding. More padding = more protection but less speed. Most Canadian gyms require 16oz gloves for sparring as a minimum standard. Recommended Boxing Glove Size by Body Weight Your body weight is the most reliable indicator of what size boxing glove you need. Heavier fighters generate more force, so they need more padding to protect their hands and their training partners. Men’s Boxing Glove Size Chart Body Weight Bag Work / Pads Sparring Competition Under 120 lbs (54 kg) 10oz–12oz 14oz–16oz 10oz 120–140 lbs (54–64 kg) 12oz 14oz–16oz 10oz 140–160 lbs (64–73 kg) 14oz 16oz 10oz 160–180 lbs (73–82 kg) 14oz–16oz 16oz 10oz 180–200 lbs (82–91 kg) 16oz 16oz–18oz 10oz Over 200 lbs (91+ kg) 16oz 18oz–20oz 10oz Women’s Boxing Glove Size Chart Body Weight Bag Work / Pads Sparring Competition Under 100 lbs (45 kg) 8oz–10oz 12oz–14oz 8oz–10oz 100–125 lbs (45–57 kg) 10oz–12oz 14oz 10oz 125–150 lbs (57–68 kg) 12oz 14oz–16oz 10oz 150–175 lbs (68–79 kg) 12oz–14oz 16oz 10oz Over 175 lbs (79+ kg) 14oz 16oz 10oz Size by Use: Training vs. Sparring vs. Competition Training Gloves (Bag Work & Pads) For hitting the heavy bag, focus mitts, and Thai pads, you want gloves that are heavy enough to protect your hands but light enough to build speed. Most Canadian fighters use 14oz or 16oz for training. Our recommendation: The Hayabusa T3 in 14oz or 16oz is the gold standard for all-around training gloves in Canada. Sparring Gloves Sparring gloves need to be heavier and softer to protect your training partner. Most Canadian boxing gyms mandate a minimum of 16oz for sparring. Some gyms require 18oz for heavyweights. Important: Never use your bag gloves for sparring. Bag gloves are designed to be firmer and more compact, which means they transfer more impact to your partner. This is a safety issue — most Canadian gyms will not allow it. Our recommendation: The Rival RS1 Ultra in 16oz is our top pick for dedicated sparring gloves. Competition Gloves Competition glove sizes are regulated by the sanctioning body. In Canada, most amateur boxing competitions follow Boxing Canada rules: Amateur boxing: 10oz for all weight classes (Boxing Canada standard) Professional boxing: 8oz for welterweight and below, 10oz for above welterweight Muay Thai: Varies by organization, typically 8oz or 10oz Competition gloves must be approved by the relevant sanctioning body. Always check with your promoter or commission before purchasing competition gloves. How to Measure Your Hand for Boxing Gloves While body weight is the primary sizing factor, your hand circumference determines how the glove fits around your hand. Here’s how to measure: Wrap a flexible measuring tape around your dominant hand, just below the knuckles (excluding the thumb) Make a loose fist and note the measurement Use the chart below to determine your hand size Hand Circumference Hand Size Recommended Glove Fit 6”–7” (15–18 cm) Small Snug fit in standard gloves; consider women’s-specific models 7”–8” (18–20 cm) Medium Standard fit in most brands 8”–9” (20–23 cm) Large Standard fit; may need to size up in brands that run small 9”+ (23+ cm) X-Large Size up in most brands; consider XL-specific models Do Hand Wraps Affect Sizing? Yes — always try gloves on with your hand wraps. Standard 180” (4.5m) hand wraps add approximately half an inch of bulk around your hand. If you buy gloves without wraps and they fit perfectly, they’ll be too tight once you add wraps. In Canada, most boxing gyms require hand wraps for all training. The standard is 180” (4.5m) cotton or semi-elastic wraps. Mexican-style wraps are slightly thinner and stretchier, which can affect fit. Our recommendation: Rival Mexican Handwraps or Hayabusa Perfect Stretch Hand Wraps are our top sellers for Canadian fighters. Sizing Differences Between Brands Not all 16oz gloves fit the same. Here’s how the major brands available at UNDRGROUND ATHLETICS compare in terms of fit: Brand Fit Tendency Hand Compartment Recommendation Hayabusa Runs slightly tight Snug, pre-curved Size up if between sizes Rival True to size Roomy, traditional Order your standard size Fly Sports UK True to size Tailored, premium fit Order your standard size YOKKAO Runs small Compact, tight Size up one size UNIQ True to size Modern, comfortable Order your standard size Kids Boxing Glove Sizing For young fighters in Canada, sizing is based on age and weight: Age Weight Recommended Size 4–6 years Under 50 lbs 4oz–6oz 7–9 years 50–70 lbs 6oz–8oz 10–12 years 70–100 lbs 8oz–10oz 13–15 years 100–130 lbs 10oz–12oz Important: Children should always train with proper supervision and age-appropriate equipment. Many Canadian boxing gyms offer youth programs — check with your local gym for their specific glove requirements. Common Sizing Mistakes to Avoid 1. Buying Gloves Without Hand Wraps We see this constantly. Someone tries on gloves at the store without wraps, buys them, then can’t get their wrapped hands inside. Always bring your wraps when trying on gloves. 2. Using the Same Gloves for Everything Your 12oz bag gloves should not be your sparring gloves. Different activities require different levels of padding. At minimum, have one pair for bag/pad work and one pair for sparring. 3. Choosing Size Based on Brand Loyalty Alone A 16oz Hayabusa fits differently than a 16oz YOKKAO. Always check brand-specific sizing guides and, if possible, try before you buy. Our Vancouver store offers in-person fittings. 4. Ignoring Wrist Size If you have thin wrists, velcro closures may not tighten enough. Consider lace-up gloves or brands with adjustable wrist straps like the Hayabusa T3 with its DUAL-X system. 5. Going Too Light for Sparring Using 12oz or 14oz gloves for sparring with a heavier partner is dangerous. Most Canadian gyms require 16oz minimum for sparring — respect the rule. It protects both you and your partner. Frequently Asked Questions What size boxing gloves do I need for a boxing class in Canada? Most Canadian boxing gyms recommend 14oz or 16oz gloves for general classes. If the class includes sparring, 16oz is typically required. Check with your gym — many have specific requirements. Can I use MMA gloves for boxing? No. MMA gloves (4oz–6oz) do not provide enough padding for boxing training. They’re designed for grappling and ground work. For boxing, you need proper boxing gloves with adequate padding. What’s the difference between 14oz and 16oz gloves? 16oz gloves have approximately 2oz more padding than 14oz gloves. This means more protection but slightly less speed. For most adult men, 16oz is the standard training size. For women and lighter men, 14oz is often more comfortable for bag work. Should I buy leather or synthetic boxing gloves? Genuine leather gloves last longer, breathe better, and mould to your hand over time. Synthetic gloves are more affordable and easier to clean. For serious training (3+ times per week), invest in leather. For casual fitness boxing, synthetic is fine. How tight should boxing gloves fit? With hand wraps on, your gloves should fit snugly but not painfully tight. You should be able to make a full fist without restriction. There should be no excess space at the fingertips, and the wrist closure should sit flat against your wrist without gaps. Find Your Perfect Fit at UNDRGROUND ATHLETICS Still not sure what size to get? Browse our complete boxing gloves collection — every product page includes detailed sizing information. Or visit our Vancouver store for an in-person fitting. Need help? Contact us at info@undrgroundathletics.com — our team of fighters and trainers will help you find the perfect glove for your training. UNDRGROUND ATHLETICS — Gear Up. Step In. Stand Out.