The Sanabul Essential Gel Boxing Gloves are a great choice for beginners. I wouldn’t recommend them for sparring, but they’re definitely a good choice for the heavy bag.
| Metric | Grade |
| Price to Quality | 5/5 |
| Durability | 3/5 |
| Padding | 4/5 |
| Wrist Support | 2/5 |
| Fit | 5/5 |
| Breathability | 2/5 |
| Overall Score | 21/30 |
Sanabul are a relative newcomer to the world of combat sports. But that doesn’t mean they don’t make some very good equipment.
Their Essential Gel Boxing gloves use gel for padding, making them a great option for heavy bag training. This is why I’d recommend getting Sanabul’s 16 oz gloves. Not only do they provide more support, but they’re also heavier, which will give you a better workout.
My main criticism is the poor breathability. The mesh they have in the palm area is small and thick and your hands will get sweaty very quickly.
My other issue with them is the relatively poor wrist support. This isn’t a problem if you’re doing Muay Thai or kickboxing, but if you do a lot heavy bag work, then this might be a problem.
Still, the overall quality of the Sanabul Essential Gel Boxing Gloves are amazing, given their low price. If you have more intensive workouts, then I’d recommend going for the Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves or the Ringside IMF Tech Hook and Loop, if you have the budget for them.
What I like:
- Great value for money
- Very protective padding
- Very good durability
- Wide range of designs
What I don’t like:
- Not the best wrist support
- Very bad breathability
Construction Quality
Construction quality is the most important factor for glove longevity. The best boxing gloves are made of leather. High-quality leather is strong, breathable, looks good, and can last a long time. It’s also a plus if the glove is made of fewer separate pieces of leather. This means there are less seams – and by extension – less places where the glove can fall apart.
In the case of the Sanabul Essential gloves, the construction quality is exceptional for the price. They’re made of faux leather, which is a lot better than most gloves in this price range. Yes, they won’t last you as long as genuine leather, but they’ll definitely get the job done.
They’ve got welted seams which further enhance their durability and the overall stitching is very well done. In my experience, they’re more durable than most other boxing gloves in this price range, though still not as durable as the Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves.
Padding Design
A boxing glove’s main purpose is to protect your hand. This is achieved by using good, high-quality padding. Padding on the knuckles protects them from injury when striking at a heavy bag or your opponent’s body, while padding on the backside of your hand helps you defend against attacks when blocking and parrying.
Today, almost all gloves use latex or foam for padding. Different manufacturers use many different techniques when cutting and layering the foam they use for padding, and that greatly affects the quality of the glove. Done properly, it feels great when you hit, and the gloves can last a long time. Done poorly, and the padding can not only quickly fall apart, but also hurt your hands.
As the name suggests, the Sanabul Essential Gel Boxing Gloves use gel instead of foam or latex padding. If you’ve never used gel padding before, it feels like your punch is sinking into water every time you punch.
Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of it, because I prefer my boxing gloves to have some pop to them. I like it when my punches bounce back so that I can quickly pull my hand back into my guard.
Also, in my experience gel padding tends to break down faster than foam or latex.
But if you’ve got sensitive hands, or you do a lot of bag work, then you’ll absolutely appreciate the extra protection you get from this type of padding. This is because the gel in these Sanabuls is great at absorbing the impact of your punches and making sure your hands are protected.
Apart from that, my main criticism of the padding is that it’s a bit too stiff for sparring.
Glove Fit
In my experience, the two most important factors for boxing gloves are padding and fit. I’ve tried on quite a few expensive boxing gloves that just didn’t fit right. And regardless of how high quality they were, I still wouldn’t use them.
Some gloves are better suited for people with bigger hands and wrists, while others will feel better if your hands are smaller. If your gloves are too big or too small, you can have difficulty forming a tight fist. Hitting like that will not only ruin your workout but can also lead to serious hand injuries.
Another important aspect is being able to easily open and close your hand. That way you can quickly transition from having a relaxed hand for blocking and parrying to making your hand tighter for punching.
When it comes to fit, the Sanabul Essentials are extremely comfortable. They’ll give you a very comfortable fist form even if you have bigger hands.
My only criticism is the lack of wrist support. They’re very thin around the wrist, so if you do a lot of bag work, then this might be a problem for you. But if you train kickboxing or Muay Thai, then you’ll probably appreciate the extra mobility.
Breathability
During training, your hands will get very hot and sweaty, so it’s important to have more open gloves that allow the skin on your hands to breathe. Not only is this more comfortable, it’s also good for the padding. Sweat is acidic, and with enough time, it can actually break down the padding. Ideally, you want gloves made out of leather, as it’s a much more breathable material than its synthetic counterparts.
The Sanabul Essentials have a breathability mesh on the palm area and a small gap above the velcro strap. You’d think that would make them very breathable, but I’m personally not a fan. The mesh itself is not breathable enough, and your hands will get sweaty very soon after putting them on.
As far as breathability goes, the Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves are better because their breathability mesh is larger and well… more breathable!
Verdict
Overall, the Sanabul Essential Gel Boxing Gloves are a great pair of beginner boxing gloves. They’re very protective and comfortable and I would absolutely recommend them to people with sensitive hands or a history of hand injuries. But if you don’t, then I’d recommend the Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves instead, because they’re more breathable, their padding gives your punches more pop and they’re more durable than the Sanabuls.
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How I Rate Boxing Gloves
With every pair of boxing gloves I test and review, I look at several metrics:
Price-to-Quality Ratio
I’m all about the price-to quality ratio – how much you’re shelling out versus what you’re getting in return. It’s not just about the -cost; it’s about the value. I steer you away from overspending, especially for beginners. I’ve got your back with gloves that offer solid quality without draining your wallet. Because let’s face it, in the boxing glove world, it’s not just about the price tag; it’s about what you get for what you pay
Durability
Then, I look at how long these gloves typically last. We’re not just looking for a one-night stand here – we want something that can go the distance. When the padding starts giving in and the wrists start showing signs of wear and tear, it’s time to think about replacements. This is more crucial for gloves used in training and bag work; they go through a lot, you know?
Some gloves are like solid buddies that stick around for a long time, especially if you’re into the basics. We’re talking durability – gloves that won’t bail on you after a few rounds of training.
Padding
I dig deep into the padding, examining its thickness, density, and layers. It’s not just about feeling the impact of your punches; it’s about how well the gloves safeguard your hands and keep your sparring partner in the game. I’ll guide you towards gloves with the perfect balance, ensuring you feel the power without compromising on protection.
Wrist Support
Next up is the backbone of stability – wrist support. I examine how well the gloves cradle and secure your wrists. Whether it’s Velcro straps or lace-ups, I’m all about making sure your wrists stay in the game. No compromises here – we’re talking about gloves that keep you punching without worrying about twists, creases, or unexpected bends.
Fit
Fit is everything in the boxing glove world. I scrutinize how snugly the gloves wrap around your hands, ensuring a tailored fit. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about maximizing your performance. I’ll point you towards gloves that feel like a second skin – no loose ends, no discomfort, just a perfect fit for your punching style.
Breathability
I assess how well the gloves handle moisture, checking for breathability and sweat absorption. Your hands deserve to stay dry during a workout, and your gloves? Well, they should stay fresh, not turn into a smelly mess. I’ve got your back with gloves that let your hands breathe while you throw those knockout punches.
