Quick answer: Most women should start with 10oz gloves. They suit bag work, pads and technique, and they’re the most versatile first pair. Go 8oz for light fitness boxing or if you have a smaller hand, 12oz for harder bag and pad sessions, and 16oz for sparring.
Boxing glove weight by training type
Choose your gloves based on how you train.
8oz: light and fast training
Best for fitness boxing, pad work and women with narrower hands and wrists.
10oz: general training
A great all-round choice for beginners, bag work, pads and technique training.
12oz: extra protection
Best for heavier bag work, harder pad sessions and controlled partner drills.
16oz: sparring
Provides extra cushioning to help protect you and your sparring partner. Always check your gym’s requirements before sparring.
Shop the gloves
HERfight Women’s Boxing Gloves
Made for women’s hands, in 8oz, 10oz, 12oz and 16oz. Free standard shipping in Australia, Afterpay, and 30-day returns on unused gloves.
How to measure your hand for boxing gloves
Measure around the knuckles of your dominant hand while keeping it relaxed. Then measure from your wrist crease to the tip of your middle finger.
| Weight | Hand circumference | Hand length |
|---|---|---|
| 8oz | 16–18.5 cm | 15.5–17 cm |
| 10oz | 18.6–20.5 cm | 17.1–18.5 cm |
| 12oz | 18.6–20.5 cm | 17.1–18.5 cm |
| 16oz | 18.6–20.5 cm | 17.1–18.5 cm |
If you are between 8oz and 10oz, choose 10oz for greater versatility and protection.
How should boxing gloves fit?
Put your hand wraps on first, because that’s how you’ll train. Then check:
- Fingertips: they reach the end of the glove without jamming against it.
- Fist: you can close a full fist comfortably, with no bunching in the palm.
- Thumb: it sits snugly in the thumb pocket, not floating.
- Wrist: the strap closes firmly with no gap, and your wrist feels supported, not squeezed.
- Overall: snug, not tight. New gloves soften and mould to your hand over the first few sessions.
If your hand slides around inside the glove, it’s too big. If your fingers are cramped or you can’t make a fist, it’s too small.
Do women need women’s boxing gloves?
Most “unisex” gloves are built around a man’s hand: a wider palm, a bigger wrist and a longer hand compartment. For many women that means a loose wrist, a hand that shifts on impact and padding that doesn’t sit where you actually hit.
HERfight gloves are designed specifically for women, with a narrower wrist, a secure hand compartment and padding positioned for a comfortable female fit. Read more about why we built HERfight.
Boxing gloves for beginners: what to buy first
You need two things for your first class: gloves and hand wraps. Most gyms will lend you gloves for a trial session, but shared gloves are sweaty and rarely fit a woman’s hand, so your own pair is the first thing worth buying.
- Gloves: 10oz for most women. Go 8oz if you have a small hand and will mostly do fitness boxing.
- Hand wraps: they go on under the gloves, support your wrist and knuckles, and keep the inside of your gloves fresh. HERsupport hand wraps are the pair to start with.
- Later: a glove deodoriser once you train regularly, and a 16oz pair if you start sparring.
What size sparring gloves should a woman use?
For sparring, 16oz is the standard at most gyms. The extra padding protects both you and your partner. Check your gym’s rules before you buy.
Keep a separate pair for sparring if you can. Bag work compresses the padding over time, and softer gloves are kinder to your partner.
HERfight 16oz gloves come in Wild Blush and Wild Ivy.
Which HERfight glove for each size
- 8oz (Midnight Rose, Steel Blush): fitness boxing, pad work, smaller hands.
- 10oz (Midnight Rose, Steel Blush, Wild Blush, Wild Ivy): your first pair and all-round training.
- 12oz (Wild Blush, Wild Ivy): heavy bag and harder pad sessions.
- 16oz (Wild Blush, Wild Ivy): sparring.
Every size has the same women’s-fit shape: a narrower wrist, a secure hand compartment and padding where you actually hit.
Common glove sizing mistakes
- Going too light for bag work. 8oz feels fast, but it gives your knuckles and wrists less protection on a heavy bag.
- Trying gloves on without wraps. Wraps take up room. Always size with them on. (HERsupport hand wraps)
- Buying “small” men’s gloves. A smaller men’s glove is still shaped for a man’s hand.
- Using one pair for everything. Bag gloves wear down and get harder, which isn’t ideal for sparring.
Boxing glove sizing FAQs
Is 10oz or 12oz better for a beginner woman?
10oz suits most beginners. Choose 12oz if you’ll mostly be hitting a heavy bag or want extra padding for your hands and wrists.
Can I spar in 12oz gloves?
Most gyms require 16oz for sparring. Check with your coach before using 12oz.
Do I need hand wraps with boxing gloves?
Yes. Wraps support your wrist and the small bones in your hand, and they help your gloves fit properly.
What if my gloves don’t fit?
Try them on at home with your wraps before training in them. Unused gloves can be returned or exchanged within 30 days. See our returns policy or contact us for help choosing.
Still unsure? Contact us and we’ll help you choose.
Got the right pair? Here’s how to keep your boxing gloves fresh.