If you train regularly, you’ll notice that your gloves have softer padding and aren’t as sharp as they used to be.
So how long can you expect a pair of good quality boxing gloves to last after buying them?
This article will discuss how long boxing gloves can last, signs you should replace them, and ways you can make them last longer.
How Long Do Boxing Gloves Last?
You can expect your boxing gloves to last anywhere from 6 months to 3 years.
Their life expectancy depends on how often and how hard you use them. If you use one pair of boxing gloves for everything, you can expect your pair to fall apart faster.
Some boxers have multiple pairs of gloves for different purposes, so their sparring gloves and heavy bag gloves will last longer.
Since competition gloves aren’t used very often, you can keep those for a number of years.
Signs You Should Replace Your Boxing Gloves
You should replace your boxing gloves when you notice:
- Your Gloves Are Beginning To Tear
- Your Gloves Are Beginning To Smell Bad
- Your Gloves’ Wrists Are Bending
- Your Gloves’ Foam Padding Is Worn Down
If your gloves have only one of these signs, then you can continue using them and extend their life with the tips below.
If you notice two or more of these signs, it’s definitely time to get a new pair of boxing gloves.
The longer you use a worn-down pair of gloves, the greater your chance of suffering a hand or wrist injury.
If it’s time to replace your pair, see our choices for the best boxing gloves available on the market!
Your Gloves Are Beginning To Tear
First, you should replace your boxing gloves when the material of your gloves is starting to tear.
This happens easily with low quality gloves, though it can also happen to higher quality gloves made with synthetic leather and other materials.
In our experience, we’ve found that this happens more to the inside lining of the gloves rather than the exterior.
If you notice that the torn material is beginning to alter the fit of your gloves, you should get a new pair to protect your hands.
Your Gloves Are Beginning To Smell Bad
Next, you should replace your gloves when the inside of your glove is beginning to smell bad.
Most of the time this is reversible if you sanitize and air dry them after every workout.
If you neglect them for too long, the bacteria from your hands settle deep inside boxing gloves and the smell will never go away.
Your Gloves’ Wrists Are Bending
Next, you should replace your gloves when the wrists start bending.
Your gloves provide you with optimal wrist support so that you can throw with full power without having to worry about injury.
However, all gloves begin to bend and crease after time and use. This happens especially with wrist-strapped gloves, since the Velcro loses its effectiveness.
To prolong the life of their gloves, sometimes boxers put duct tape around their boxing gloves’ wrists while training to provide that extra layer of protection.
Your Gloves’ Foam Padding Is Worn Down
Lastly, you should replace your gloves when the foam padding is wearing down.
With a new pair of gloves, the foam padding should be firm and give resistance when pressed.
If you can press into the gloves’ knuckles with your hand easily, then the foam padding isn’t effective anymore.
Your gloves’ foam padding is essential to protecting your hands and also to protecting your sparring partner from punches.
Even with good quality padding, repeated wear and use will wear them down.
How To Make Your Boxing Gloves Last Longer
To make your boxing gloves last longer:
- Wipe Down Your Gloves
- Let Your Gloves Air Dry
- Store Them In A Dry Place
Of course, these have to do more with the interior of your gloves than the exterior or their structure.
How long your gloves last ultimately depend on their initial quality and how often you use them.
Regardless, proper care is important especially if you have high quality leather gloves or expensive boxing gloves.
By following these instructions, you can add a few months of life to your gloves by reducing the chances of bacteria growing inside them.
Wipe Down Your Gloves
First, wipe down your gloves after training sessions.
Do it with a damp cloth or a paper towel, preferably with disinfectant, and then dry them down with a soft cotton cloth.
If you don’t have a towel available, you can also use a natural cleaning spray on your gloves.
Let Your Gloves Air Dry
Next, let your gloves air dry along with your hand wraps.
Don’t let them sit in your gym bag all damp and sweaty after a training session.
This encourages bacteria growth which will cause the inside of your gloves to smell bad.
Store Your Gloves In A Dry Place
Lastly, store your gloves in a dry place.
After you let your gloves air dry, you can store them in your gym bag if it has good ventilation.
This will reduce moisture and discourage bacteria growth inside the gloves.
Conclusion
After reading this article, now you can take steps to make your gloves last longer.
Take care of your training gear and it’ll take care of you.
How long your gloves last comes down to your training frequency. If you’re training regularly, they won’t last long if you use them for sparring sessions, heavy bag work, and pad work.
It’s best to start with high quality boxing gloves and take care of them to make them last.
It’s also important to remember that good gloves tend to be expensive gloves, so choose wisely and view them as an investment in your own health.
If you’re having trouble deciding what boxing equipment to get, check out these articles: