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Boxing gear rules and glove sizes for clubs and gyms
In sanctioned USA Boxing bouts, boxers wear 10, 12 or 16 oz (ounces) gloves from USA Boxing's certified list, and the event supplies them. For training, pick the weight by body weight and use. Published size charts put sparring gloves at 14 to 18 oz for most adults.
- As of November 2026
- Boxing, MMA (mixed martial arts) and Muay Thai
- Gloves, headgear, wraps and guards
The rules at a glance
The main gear rules at each level, as of November 2026. College rules come from USIBA (the United States Intercollegiate Boxing Association). Muay Thai rules come from IFMA (the International Federation of Muaythai Associations).
| Level | Gloves | Headgear | Hand wraps | Other guards | Who approves the gear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA Boxing | 10 oz at 143 lb (pounds) or less, 12 or 16 oz above it, 16 oz for Masters. The organizer supplies them | Worn at all local competitions, from the certified list | Not covered here | Not covered here | USA Boxing's certified list |
| World Boxing | 10 oz for all women, boys under 17 and lighter men, 12 oz for heavier men. Red or blue, hook-and-loop only | Not covered here | Not covered here | Not covered here | World Boxing licenses gloves and headgear after lab tests |
| College (USIBA) | 12 oz, USA Boxing approved, provided by the organizer | USA Boxing approved, brought by each boxer | Not covered here | Men wear a groin protector | USA Boxing's list |
| Pro boxing | Mostly 8 and 10 oz, of a brand and weight the state commission approves | Not covered here | Soft gauze and tape, in set lengths | A groin guard for men in some states, such as South Dakota | The state athletic commission |
| Pro MMA | At least 4 oz, and no more than 8 oz in Ohio. The promoter supplies them | Not covered here | Gauze and tape, in set lengths | Not covered here | The state athletic commission |
| Muay Thai (IFMA) | 10 oz, IFMA-approved, red or blue | IFMA-approved | Not covered here | Shin and elbow guards, IFMA-approved, and a groin guard for all | IFMA |
USA Boxing in detail
USA Boxing runs amateur boxing in the US. These lines come from its rule book, in force since January 1, 2026.
- Weights: boxers of 143 lb or less may wear 10 oz gloves. Boxers over 143 lb may wear 12 or 16 oz. Masters boxers wear 16 oz.
- Some tournaments: some 2026 amateur tournaments still use 139 lb as the 10 oz line, so check your event.
- The certified list: only gloves on USA Boxing's certified equipment memo may be used, each with a USA Boxing or international federation label.
- Who supplies them: the event organizer supplies the gloves. Boxers may not bring their own.
- Colors: red and blue gloves are recommended.
- Headgear: it must be worn at all local USA Boxing competitions, and it must be on the certified list too.
- The memo: the certified equipment memo of September 21, 2026 lists about ten makers for gloves and for headgear.
Glove weights for training
Published size charts from two large glove brands pick the weight by body weight and use. They are a guide only.
| Body weight | Bag and pad work | Sparring |
|---|---|---|
| 100 to 150 lb | 10 to 12 oz | 14 to 16 oz |
| 150 to 175 lb | 12 to 14 oz | 16 oz |
| Over 175 lb | 14 to 16 oz | 16 to 18 oz |
Picking the weight
More ounces means more padding. Fewer ounces means a faster hand.
- Your coach or event: choose the weight they ask for.
- Hand size: the charts also measure the hand around the knuckles, without the thumb.
- Our gloves: boxing gloves from 8 to 18 oz, and MMA gloves from 4 to 8 oz.
- Mixed weights: one design's 12 pairs can mix weights and sizes.
Headgear: three styles
Headgear comes in three styles. Bouts allow only some of them.
- Open face: no cheek panels. Some amateur tournaments require open-face headgear with no cheek protectors.
- Cheek protector: panels at the cheeks, for training and sparring.
- Full face: a padded bar across the front, for sparring.
- In bouts: sanctioned USA Boxing bouts use headgear from the certified list.
- Sizes: by head circumference, measured about an inch above the eyebrows.
Hand wraps
Wrap rules differ by rule book and event.
- Lengths: published guides name 120 and 180 inch wraps as the common lengths.
- USA Boxing: its rule book has its own wrap rule. Check the current book before a bout.
- Amateur tournaments: some allow training hand wraps.
- Pro bouts: wraps are soft gauze and tape, in set lengths.
Groin and shin guards: who must wear them
Some rule books require them.
- College boxing: men wear a groin protector under USIBA's 2026 tournament rules.
- Pro boxing: state rules, such as South Dakota's, require a groin guard for men.
- Muay Thai: IFMA requires IFMA-approved head guards, shin guards and elbow guards.
- Groin guards in Muay Thai: IFMA requires one for everyone, with a metal or hard plastic cup for men.
World Boxing and the IBA
World Boxing and the IBA (International Boxing Association) are the two international amateur bodies. Each sets its own gear rules.
- World Boxing gloves: red or blue by corner. 10 oz for all women, boys under 17 and lighter men, and 12 oz for heavier men.
- World Boxing closures: hook-and-loop only, covered with tape.
- World Boxing licenses: it licenses gloves and headgear after lab tests, for four years.
- Its events: in October 2024 it said unlicensed gear will not be permitted at major events under its rules. It gave no start date.
- The IBA: it approves gear in two levels, after lab tests and field trials. Only licensed makers may use its logos.
What Sharknits makes for clubs
We make training gear and team kit, not certified bout gear.
- Training gear: gloves, headgear, mitts, pads, guards, wraps and bags, made for training, sparring, pad and bag work.
- Team kit: trunks, robes and team jackets in your club's colors.
- Bout gear: our gloves and headgear are not on USA Boxing's certified list.
- Your event: check its rules before you order.
Where these rules come from
Read the rules themselves, and check your event's notes before you order. All were read on November 1, 2026.
- USA Boxing. The National Rule Book, in force since January 1, 2026 (Rules 9.3, 29 and 36). USA Boxing: National Rule Book, January 1, 2026
- The certified list. USA Boxing's certified equipment memo, as of September 21, 2026. USA Boxing: Certified Equipment Memo, September 21, 2026
- World Boxing. The Competition Rules in force from March 2026 (Rules 13.1.1 to 13.1.9). World Boxing: Competition Rules, March 2026
- World Boxing licenses. World Boxing's equipment license program, October 18, 2024. World Boxing: equipment license program
- The IBA. The IBA's guidelines for the approval of boxing equipment. IBA: Guidelines for the Approval of Boxing Equipment
- New York. The state's list of gloves for pro boxing and MMA, updated July 8, 2025. New York Department of State: Approved Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Gloves
- California. The state athletic commission's glove list, effective July 1, 2026. California State Athletic Commission: approved boxing gloves
- Pro MMA. The report of the ABC (Association of Boxing Commissions) on unified rules for MMA, July 30, 2009. ABC: Committee Report on Unified Rules for MMA
- Ohio. Rule 3773-7-09 of the Ohio Administrative Code, on glove weights. Ohio Administrative Code: Rule 3773-7-09
- South Dakota. The state's boxing rules, Chapter 20:81:04, in the file of May 9, 2025. South Dakota: boxing rules, Chapter 20:81:04
- Muay Thai. IFMA's guide for coaches and managers, last changed February 8, 2024. IFMA: A Coach and Manager's Guide
- College boxing. USIBA's 2026 national tournament rules. USIBA: 2026 National Tournament Rules
- Amateur tournaments. Two 2026 amateur tournament fact sheets.
- Training weights. Published size charts from two large glove brands.
- Headgear styles and wrap lengths. Glove makers' published guides.
Sharknits is not affiliated with USA Boxing, World Boxing, the IBA, IFMA or any athletic commission.
Questions buyers ask
What size boxing gloves should I get?
Published size charts pick the weight by body weight and use. For most adults, they put bag and pad work at 10 to 16 oz (ounces) and sparring at 14 to 18 oz. Choose the weight your coach or event asks for.
What oz gloves are used in USA Boxing?
Boxers of 143 lb (pounds) or less may wear 10 oz gloves. Boxers over 143 lb may wear 12 or 16 oz, and Masters boxers wear 16 oz. The gloves come from USA Boxing's certified list, and the organizer supplies them.
Can we bring our own gloves to a USA Boxing bout?
No. The event organizer supplies the gloves, from USA Boxing's certified list. Boxers may not bring their own.
Is headgear required in amateur boxing?
Yes, at all local USA Boxing competitions, and it must be on USA Boxing's certified list. Some amateur tournaments also require open-face headgear with no cheek protectors.
What weight are MMA gloves?
Pro MMA (mixed martial arts) fight gloves weigh at least 4 oz, under the unified rules report the ABC adopted in 2009. Ohio caps them at 8 oz. The commission approves them, and the promoter supplies them.
What weight are Muay Thai gloves in bouts?
Muay Thai bouts under IFMA use IFMA-approved 10 oz gloves, in red or blue.
Are Sharknits gloves allowed in USA Boxing bouts?
No. Our gloves and headgear are made for training, sparring and bag work. They are not on USA Boxing's certified list.
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contact@sharknits.com · +1 647 501 5424
Sharknits is a custom clothing manufacturer for brands in the US, with factories in Lahore and Sialkot and a US corporate office near Chicago.