Vegan Boxing Gloves: The Best Pairs

The Vegan Society defines veganism as avoiding animal exploitation "for food, clothing or any other purpose." For a boxer, that rules out leather gloves.

But...

You don't have to settle for bad gloves. Many boxers still see non-leather gloves as cheap, and the top-tier choices are limited, but good synthetic options exist.

If you need a rundown on making a more informed purchase, carry on reading after the vegan boxing glove review section and take a good look at my personal favorite, the Hayabusa T3.

Product	Details
1. Hayabusa T3 Tokushu Boxing Gloves	1. Hayabusa T3 Tokushu Boxing Gloves Editor's Choice	Ultimate Performance - Stylish - Greath Cushioning - Double Wrist Strap - Sweat Wicking Suede Thumb - Vylar Shell	Check Current Price
2. Sanabul Essentials Gel Boxing Gloves	2. Sanabul Essentials Gel Boxing Gloves Best Budget Buy	Great For Noobs - Super Blow Cushioning - Comfortable - Velcro Closure On Wrist - Decent Wrist Support - Depletes On Heavy Use	Check Current Price
3. Fairtex BGV11 F-Day Boxing Gloves	3. Fairtex BGV11 F-Day Boxing Gloves Best For Sparring	Impressive Material - Made From Syntek Microfiber - Longer Wrists - Breathes Well - Soft Padding On Knuckles	Check Current Price
4. Hayabusa S4 Boxing Gloves	4. Hayabusa S4 Boxing Gloves Best For Heavy Bag Training	Affordable - Snug Fit At First - Decent Knuckle Protection - Sweat Wicking Thumb - Not Breathable	Check Current Price
5. Ringside Apex Boxing Gloves	5. Ringside Apex Boxing Gloves Budget Alternative	Classic Impression - Secure Wrist Support - Great Aesthetics - Lasts Long - Inner Lining Wears Off Fast	Check Current Price

5 Best Vegan Boxing Gloves Review

1. Hayabusa T3 Tokushu Boxing Gloves - Best Overall

You can use them for both bag work and sparring without a drop in performance. The shell is Vylar, Hayabusa's synthetic engineered leather.

Before you buy, check the current product listing to confirm the materials, since glove versions change. With proper care, a quality synthetic glove can last for years.

The Hayabusa T3 particularly stands out if you like stylish gear. It's not just looks, though: it performs.

Their "Intelligence" foam padding does a great job of cushioning blows, and your spar partner won't hate you. But it’s stiff right off the bat. It could take another three weeks of constant use to break in. Also, it gives an odd "thud" when your punches connect with the bag.

The idea of a double wrist strap works in theory. It no doubt gives a secure fit. But it kills the point of wearing a hook and loop closure (Velcro strap), which is the ease of taking it on and off. They'd, no doubt, sit well with you if wrist support is your priority.

The icing on the cake of the T3 is its sweat-wicking suede thumb. It's unique to Hayabusa and does come in handy during sessions.

Pros

• Leather-quality Vylar shell
• Sweat-wiping attached thumb
• Impeccable customer service
• Striking design with a variety of colorways
• Secure wrist support

Cons

• Takes a while to break-in
• Dual wrist wraps might force a learning curve.

Takeaway

The Hayabusa T3 is arguably the best non-leather, high-quality gloves on the market. It's what you need for multiple intense training sessions week in and out.

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2. Sanabul Essentials Gel Boxing Gloves - Best Budget Buy

These are popular beginner gloves, and they happen to be made of synthetic leather.

The Sanabul Essentials Gel Boxing Gloves are easily a top-notch option for vegans. Most complaints from beginners is that they wished they were made of real leather. They can become unbearable when you train hard for over an hour.

The mesh palm doesn't do much about getting air in the gloves. That is one advantage you'd find in real leather types of high-quality boxing gloves.

These gloves have decent wrist support. A reasonably padded cushion, although not much in the wrists. Anyways, they would be more than enough for a beginner finding his way into boxing.

If you’re not new to boxing or intend to use these gloves regularly, you may be better off looking elsewhere.

If you quit after a few months, you haven't spent much. If you stick with it, you can use them until you're ready to upgrade.

Pros

• Super affordable
• Would last considerably long for a beginner
• Would feel a lot more comfortable for a beginner
• Superb blow cushioning for a beginner
• Comfortable wrist support with Velcro closure

Cons

• Would quickly deplete under serious use
• Stinks after serious use

Takeaway

If you're testing the waters with boxing, these are the best starter gloves.

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3. Fairtex BGV11 F-Day Boxing Gloves - Best for Sparring

Fairtex is a reputable Thai brand. Their BGV11 F-Day caters to the vegan community looking for gloves that are above average.

These gloves are made from durable Syntek microfiber. They breathe fairly well and don't stink as easily as cheap synthetic gloves.

The BGV11 gloves stand out with their soft triple-layered foam padding. It's the perfect feel you'd want for sparring and would fare well for bag training.

They give that pop feedback on the bag that's praised in real leather gloves. And you'd feel your punches with these gloves if you like that.

Unfortunately, using them on the bag over time might cause faster depletion. I'd recommend getting cheaper training gloves for support.

Nonetheless, they provide adequate support for Muay Thai-style boxing gloves. Apparently, they’ve got longer wrists than most Fairtex models I've seen, so it helps.

All in all, they are worth the money. They are the kind of gloves you'd grow a bond with. Enough for you to try to pair them up with new ones later.

Pros

• Impressive Syntek microfiber leather
• Breathable
• Can hold up to regular training
• Soft padding on the knuckles for sparring
• Gives top-notch feedback on the bag

Cons

• It only has one color option.
• The padding might deplete quickly

Takeaway

The BGV11 is a top-quality non-leather option for sparring. They breathe well and have the soft padding your partner would thank you for.

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4. Hayabusa S4 - Best for Heavy Bag TrainingHayabusa S4 Boxing Gloves for Men and Women - Charcoal, 16 oz

These inexpensive S4 Boxing Gloves use a PU synthetic leather shell. They are one of Hayabusa's budget models, which explains why they skip the pricier Vylar.

A similar feature these gloves have with the premium T3 is their sweat-wicking thumb. They are made of suede-like synthetic materials you can use to wipe the sweat off your face.

Yet, although these S4 gloves have a mesh palm, they aren't so breathable. Agreed, it's an ingenious function. But with the lining underneath, it's not so functional. You won't need to bother if you are only training for about an hour, though.

Another thing is that the padding doesn't fill up in these gloves. It can be annoying sometimes to feel your hand at the edge of the foam. In retrospect, when you feel this, it only means you're due for an upgrade.

But it's not ineffective against punches. In fact, some beginners have said it helped with wrist and knuckle soreness they got from using cheaper gloves.

Also, the S4 gloves can be snug at first. And, for some, even without hand wraps on (always train with hand wraps). But give it a few weeks, and you should have broken them in.

Pros

• Long-lasting PU leather
• Decent knuckle protection on the padding
• Secure wrist support
• Multiple color options
• Affordable

Cons

• Snug fit
• Not breathable

Takeaway

For beginners who don't want bottom-of-barrel boxing gloves, the S4 is a nice option.

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5. Ringside Apex Boxing Gloves - Best Budget Alternative

The Ringside Apex has a classic impression at first sight of its gold and black colorway. But what it’s mainly known for is its impressive padding.

These gloves have thick injected molded foam padding. They hold up for both sparring and training. It's the fit you may find uncomfortable.

The Apex gloves are made with faux leather for vegans, but not tall ones. They have a compact hand compartment that feels like they'd crush big hands.

If you're wondering, the leather is durable; even if it's not real leather gloves. What isn't durable is the inner lining. Many folks have complained about it being the first thing that'd gives way when you wear these gloves.

Overall, these are impressive gloves for those who can wear them. They are protective and well-priced.

Pros

• Long-lasting construction
• Secure wrist support
• Easy to take on and off
• Striking aesthetics

Cons

• Tight
• Not suitable for tall boxers and heavy hitter
• Inner lining gives way too fast.

Takeaway

The perfect stepping stone if you want to have a feel of higher-grade boxing gloves. But not an option for guys with big hands.

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Choosing The Best Non-Leather Boxing Gloves

Many boxers consider top leather gloves the benchmark, which is why synthetic gloves are designed to imitate leather.

Leather gloves tend to last longer, give better feedback, and breathe better. But good synthetic gloves have closed much of the gap, and you can find durable, functional vegan gloves at most budgets.

The Details That Matter

Would you be training for two hours, four times a week? Do you go down the basement to fight your demons sporadically? Are you a heavy hitter?

Situations like these would tell what type of boxing gloves you can get or not. It helps so you don't waste money overspending or have to buy a new pair every month. Like if you're into boxing, get one that is designed for boxing, and if you're into Muay Thai, it will be best to take a pair of Muay Thai fighting gloves. That's a no-brainer, right there. 😉

A beginner can do fine with gloves under about $60 that offer basic wrist support.

If you spar often, invest in a softer, higher-quality pair. Some partners won't spar with you in hard, cheap gloves. A pair of 16 oz sparring gloves can also be used on the heavy bag, but the padding will wear out faster.

Check These Features Before You Buy

Leather

PU (polyurethane) leather, microfiber, faux or synthetic leather, and Vylar are some of the common ones.

Breathability is usually synthetic leather's weak point. I've had synthetic gloves that stank after just a few months, though top-of-the-line models handle it better.

Microfiber is the best option for a serious vegan boxer, more than the popularly cheaper synthetic leather. It's the material of literally every top-of-line artificial boxing glove I've seen used.

Size

Boxing gloves come in weights, usually from 8 to 16 oz. Most brands suggest choosing by your body weight using their size chart.

For sparring, 16 oz is the common choice for most adults because the extra padding protects both you and your partner. Many gyms require it.

Lighter gloves (12 to 14 oz) suit smaller boxers and bag work. Whatever the size, always wear hand wraps underneath.

Closure System

Worthy synthetic leather gloves almost always use a hook and loop closure or the so-called Velcro strap. It's the most convenient option, especially since many guys might be training alone. And the wrist support isn't way off, either.

Laced gloves provide the most secure wrist support, but you need someone to tie them. If you want extra wrist support while training alone, dual-strap gloves are a good middle ground.

Padding

Boxing gloves have foam paddings that cushion the impact of punches on your knuckles or an opponent's face. Yet, many boxers still suffer never-ending wrist issues and boxers’ knuckles.

Point is, your gloves need to be padded well enough if you’d be boxing regularly.

That said, you must have a pair of gloves with soft enough padding if you ever want to spar. The cheap gloves with stiff padding are better off for punching the heavy bag and for light hitters. They'd cushion blows on the pad but can be extremely painful if they hit your sparring partner's face.

The same padding rules apply if you're shopping for the best women's boxing gloves.

Here is a short clip on a newer vegan option, gloves made with cactus-based leather:

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Wrapping Up

Shopping for the best boxing gloves can be a hit or miss. But that’s only if you’re in the dark or just testing them out.

Any beginner would do well with any of the models above. If you train seriously, though, stick with the top-tier picks for better protection and durability.

I'll bank on the Hayabusa T3 boxing gloves to give the best performance. It’s made of long-lasting Vylar, has a stylish design, and has adequate padding.

Well, they may take some time to break in, but you’d be hard-pressed to find better artificial leather gloves.

Sources

• Definition of veganism, The Vegan Society