Best Boxing Mitts (2024): Coach’s Top Picks

Pad work is crucial to boxing and striking combat sports for all levels. Those who do boxing for fitness hit pads, weakened warriors hit pads, amateur boxers hit pads, and world champions hit pads daily.

Focus mitts are used for the best punching experience, and if you are a coach or need mitts to use with a training partner, there are a few things you must consider when choosing the right pair.

I have tried some of the best boxing mitts on the market and have compiled a list that will cater to people with different needs and budgets. 

Best Boxing Mitts

Hit N Move Turtle Mitts

The Hit N Move Turtle mitts offer a combination of unique designs not used by any other brand and supreme quality, which is why I have chosen them as the best boxing mitts.

The unique thing about these mitts is the feature they are named after, and it's the turtle back side of the mitts.

This design solves a big use with all mitts, which are body shots. With all other models, the coach must either twist their hands in awkward angles or present the unprotected back of their hand for body shots.

With the Tuttle mitts, this is solved by having a uniquely patterned padding so you can take shots on both sides of the mitts equally.

The mitts have a depressed pocket at the center, giving you a nice pop when you hit it and substituting a curve.

Material-wise, the Turtle mitts, like all other Hit n Move products, are of premium quality. The leather is high-grade, genuine leather with smell, feel, and durability to match.

There aren't any wrist straps, but the pads fit nicely on the hands, and you have full control over them. A small piece of padding on the wrist further helps with stability.

The overall size is relatively small, and the mitts are light and comfortable. Their best use is for technical and precise punching, and the design makes them perfect for fluid combinations and counterattack work.

They take a punch quite well, but if you need something to take full-power punches from big guys, there are better solutions than the Turtle.

Best Runner-Up Boxing Mitts

Fairtex FMV9 Focus Mitts

I love the traditional curved pear-shaped boxing mitts design, and the Fairtex FMV9 is one the best versions on the market.

The Fairtex Ultimate contoured mitts are super light and comfortable for the wearer. They look relatively thin but have a surprising amount of shock absorption, which is my favorite feature.

The padding is quite hard, but it disperses the impact significantly. On the puncher's side, these are among the best feeling mitts I've hit.

The Fairtex FMV9 are made from genuine leather and constructed masterfully, which means they will last through countless pad-holding rounds. The visuals are also outstanding.

If you need high-quality curved boxing mitts, a few options are as good as the Fairtex FM9. They are light, precise, comfortable, and cost around $100, an excellent price for genuine leather mitts.

Best Budget Boxing Mitts

RDX Curved Boxing Mitts

Both previous models on the list are great but also quite pricey, and if you are someone who wants to hold pads with a friend at the park once or twice a month, the investment may not be worth it. This is where products like the RDX boxing mitts come in.

For 30 bucks, you get real boxing pads, so there isn't much to complain about. The RDX boxing mitts are made from leather and have a wrist strap and finger protection.

They are light and comfortable thanks to the ultra-light foam they use, but the trade-off for this is that the impact absorption is inferior to many other models.

These pads are not for the full-time coach, but if you need a cheap pair of mitts that will do an excellent job for the occasional session, the RDX boxing mitts are the best option.

Best Air Mitts

Revgear Air Mitts

I've put the Revgear Air Mitts as the best in the category of air mitts, which is not entirely true. The all-time greatest air mitts must be the Winning CM-50, which many elite boxing and MMA coaches use, but they go around for around $400.

At the same time, the Revgear product offers comparable performance for a fraction of the price, and the immense investment for the WInning is likely not worth it for most people who will be reading this roundup.

The most significant benefit of air mitts is shock absorption, and if you are a coach who holds for some heavy hitters, this may be the most protective choice you can make.

The Revgear Air Mitts have a snug hand compartment and are very comfortable, further enhanced by the firm wrist grip provided by the strap.

This model reduces hand, elbow, and shoulder strain, and the large air pocket and absorption foam do a great job. The mitts are relatively lightweight for air pads and are excellently constructed.

All in all, if you are in the market for air mitts to use with heavy punchers, the Revgear Air Mitts offer excellent value for your money and tick all the right boxes.

Best Micro Focus Mitts

Ringside Micro Focus Mitts

The smallest boxing mitts are called micro mitts, the lightest and most portable. A great micro mitts model is made from Ringside.

The Ringside Micro Mitts are made from genuine leather and suede and have an excellent construction. Despite their small size, the gel padding dampens the impact quite a bit, and if you are a good pad holder, you should have no issues with injuries.

The pads have no straps or unnecessary features and are as sleek as possible. If you need to hold pads for fast boxers or want something you can easily carry around and quickly put on and off, the Ringside micro mitts may be just what you need.

How To Choose The Best Boxing Mitts

Focus Mitts vs. Thai Pads

This article only deals with boxing mitts, also called focus mitts, but it's good to know what options are available, and the other main type of hitting pads are Thai pads.

Focus mitts are designed for punching only and are either circular or pear-shaped and curved.

They are small, light, and easy to carry around. The curve allows for taking punches better and makes them safer both for the holder and the puncher. The size allows for quick punching combinations and technical work.

Thai pads, on the other hand, are significantly bigger and bulkier because they are designed to be kicked.

Of course, you also use them for punches, but it's usually single strikes rather than the fluid combinations done on focus mitts.

Other downsides of Thai pads include their large size, making them less portable and harder to put on and off.

But if you train in Muay Thai, kickboxing, MMA, or generally any combat sport with kicks, you will also need Thai pads, because boxing mitts are not good at taking kicks. 

Shape

There are two main shapes of focus mitts - circular or pear-shaped. They serve the same function, but the round ones require more focus from both the pad holder and the puncher.

The pear shape comes from adding more padding and material on the wrist portion on the top of the main hitting area.

This extra padding protects from barely missed punches and offers additional wrist protection.

The downside of this extra protection is that elongated mitts are a bit heavier and take up more space.

In contrast, the small circular ones like the Hit N Move Turtle and similar models are lighter, more comfortable, and easier to carry around.

Padding

The padding in focus mitts also varies, and you need to choose according to personal preferences and how hard you can and want to hit. Most mitts have a dense foam or gel padding, which absorbs impact.

Some mitts, however, also have an air pocket in the center of the pad, which acts as additional shock absorption.

In general, air mitts have a lot more cushioning for the coach but are also heavier, bulkier in size, and aren't curved, which is a downside for some people.

Materials and Price

As with all fight gear, genuine leather reigns supreme as the best possible material. It's the most durable, best-feeling material and is usually the most expensive because of its qualities.

Synthetic leather options are also good but last less than genuine leather boxing mitts.

Stitching and overall construction also matter a lot in how durable a pair of focus mitts will be, and more expensive products usually have a stronger construction and are generally better made.

With that said, after a certain price point, you no longer get better quality, only more premium features and feel.

More expensive does not always mean better quality, but you almost always get something extra for your money.

Wrist and Hand Support

Wrist and hand support is crucial for a coach. If you hold pads now and then with a friend and take turns, it's not a big deal, but dealing with hand and arm fatigue and injuries is crucial for someone who needs to take heavy punches daily.

It's hard to recommend a specific type because different people have particular preferences, so it's better to try a few pairs before choosing.

But in general, circular micro mitts offer less protection than pear-shaped mitts, which offer less absorption than air mitts.

Frequently Asked Boxing Mitt Questions

Can You Use Boxing Mitts For Kicks?

Boxing or focus mitts are designed only for punching. You can do the occasional kick, but it must be with low power because it can easily hurt the hands of the pad holder and drastically shorten the life of the mitts.

What Is The Difference Between Curved and Flat Focus Mitts?

Curved boxing mitts allow the holder to catch punches more easily and feel better for them and the puncher. On the other hand, flat-focus mitts usually have a larger striking area, making them easier to use for inexperienced practitioners.

Air mitts, which have a pocket of air in the middle for more impact reduction, are also almost always flat.

How Do You Hold Focus Mitts For Body Shots?

With all focus mitts except the Hit N Move Turtle, you have to raise your elbow and rotate your forearm of the same side arm or hold the far side mitt by crossing your arms.

Both of these options put the arms of the holder in vulnerable positions. The third option is to take the punch on the backside of the hand.

With the Hit N Move Turtle, you will use the third option, but unlike with other mitts, the hand will be protected on both sides thanks to the innovative design of the Turtle.

Summary

Because of the combination of innovative and practical design and high-quality manufacturing, the Hit N Move Turtle mitts hold our first place as the best boxing mitts.

If you need something on a budget, the RDX curved boxing mitts are a perfect choice. It is easy on the wallet, and if you need to hold pads for heavy hitters, the Revgear Air Mitts will provide the most protection.