Beginner Boxing Gear: What You Need to Start

We could say that boxing is not a very expensive hobby to be part of, and it’s affordable for a wide variety of people—even those with lower incomes. Basically, putting in the work is what matters most—and a little bit of money.

In this blog, we’ll list the essential gear for those who plan to participate in the sport of boxing.

1. Boxing Gloves

Yeah, boxing gloves. You might get through your first few boxing sessions without them, where you’ll probably be taught some basic boxing movements—like stance, stepping forward, backward, to the side, and punches like jabs, straights, and hooks.

After that, if you find boxing interesting and want to keep practicing, you’ll need to get your own boxing gloves.

For regular training, smaller gloves (10oz–14oz) will do. In a few weeks or months, your trainer might suggest getting bigger ones for sparring (if the gym doesn’t provide their own). Some gyms prefer 16oz, but some even go for 20oz–22oz, which I totally support.

When you try new gloves, they usually feel very tight—but don’t get upset. After just a few sessions, they’ll loosen up and take the shape of your hand.

During my boxing journey, I haven’t heard of any glove brand that completely failed. It’s mostly a matter of personal preference, and you can’t really go wrong.

2. Hand Wraps

Besides gloves, hand wraps are another essential piece of gear. Wraps add an extra layer that helps absorb shock and reduce the risk of cuts, scrapes, and fractures. They also stabilize your wrist and keep it aligned during punches. And yeah, they have some hygiene benefits too.

In my experience, the longer the wraps, the better. Most wraps are 4–5 meters long (150-200 in), and I suggest going for at least 4.5 meters (175 in).

One bonus tip: Since you’ll be looking at them almost every day—and they’re a big part of your overall look—buying wraps in a color you like, or one that matches your other gear, will make you more satisfied.

3. Boxing Shoes

Boxing shoes are new on the list, and there’s a reason they’re at number three—some boxing gyms will let you train barefoot (yes, really!), and others may allow clean non-boxing shoes. But those are exceptions, not the rule.

If you’re unsure whether boxing is for you, you can try a few sessions barefoot or in clean shoes. But sooner or later, you’ll definitely need to get a proper pair of boxing shoes.

One of the main reasons coaches prefer them is because they’re gentle on the gym flooring. They can also protect your ankles and help you move faster, since they’re light.

One more thing— wearing boxing shoes shows respect for the gym and the sport. Want your coach to pay a little more attention to you? Spend a few more seconds showing you how to throw that hook? Start with your gear and how you present yourself. It shows you take it seriously.

4. Workout Clothes

Even tough it is not a gear "per se", it is a crucial part of every workout so it is good to mention.

This is the part where boxing is different from most sports. During most boxing activities—regular sessions, sparring, or even competitions—you don’t need to invest a lot in clothes. You can wear pretty much any kind of t-shirt, as long as it doesn’t have offensive stuff on it. Same goes for shorts and socks.

A lot of people in boxing gyms wear NBA jerseys, work shirts, IT conference shirts, or funny t-shirts they got for their birthday. I’ve already described it in other blogs that wearing a nice boxing t-shirt shows respect for the gym and the sport. It’s always nice to see. You can wear a t-shirt that represents your gym, city, your boxing style or quotes some boxing slogan.

Remember what I said above about boxing shoes? The message you send through your appearance matters. You feel better, more confident, more like part of the community. That’s why having a cool, funny, or just nice-looking boxing t-shirt is the way to go.

5. Additional Gear – Mouth Guard, Head Guard, Groin Guard

Even though additional gear isn’t the main topic of this post, it’s still worth mentioning. As their names suggest, this gear is for protection. It’s used during sparring and competitions, and sometimes in regular training when there’s a chance your partner might accidentally hit you.

The mouth guard is the one you’ll most likely need first, but the others might come later.

That said, you probably won’t need this gear in your first few weeks or months, so there’s no need to rush into buying it. We’ll cover more about it in some of our other blogs.