The Best Sparring Gloves for Karate
Sensei Arlin tests out a pair of Fairtex Ultimate Combat Grappling Gloves on the heavy bag.
After testing, trying and throwing away so, so many gloves (seriously, there are a TON of terrible gloves out there) over the years, we have narrowed it down to the following selection as to what we consider to be the absolute best gloves available for karate, especially full-contact styles like Kyokushin and Seienjuku. As with most things in life, there is gray area, but we have tried to categorize these into our favourite options within the following categories:
Best for Bagwork and Sparring
Best for Bare-Knuckle Styles
Best Value
We carry all of these gloves in our online shop, so if you see something you like, go pick a pair up, you won’t regret it!
Best for Bagwork and Sparring: Fairtex Super Sparring Gloves - FGV17:
These gloves have extra padding across the knuckles that makes them perfect for hard heavy-bag work and full-contact sparring matches. They are extremely well-made from full-grain leather and attach securely around the wrist.
My favourite feature of these is the padded thumb guard, which if you have ever broken a thumb throwing a standing-fist low punch like I have, you will also enjoy.
⭐ These are the gloves I choose about 2/3 of the times I am training.
🥊 For those who prefer to train with their thumb exposed, the Fairtex Ultimate Combat Grappling Gloves are a great alternative.
These Fairtex sparring gloves are some of the best gloves for full-contact sparring drills. They feature an open palm with added thumb and wrist protection; particularly useful for Kyokushin and other full-contact karate styles to confidently practice standing-fist strikes without worrying about damage. Built to professional, competition-level standards, these gloves will last for years of the hardest abuse.
High quality leather construction with triple-layer interior foam
Extra wrist and thumb padding for hard sparring drills, providing extra protection
Best for Bare-Knuckle: Drako 2KO Full-Contact Gloves (V-Fighter)
When you are training for competition, it is important to use gear that is as close to the actual match environment as possible. These gloves have basically the smallest amount of padding you can get away with; not great for working on power while striking the bag, but excellent for sparring.
Where other gloves with their thick padding may get caught on an opponents guard, these sneak right through, more closely simulating a full-contact bare knuckle match.
⭐ Awesome for full-contact sparring.
Extremely lightweight gloves for bag-work and sparring. Promotes development of bare-knuckle fighting skill while preventing abrasion when striking bags.
Made from soft yet durable COTWOOL fabric
Elongated Velcro strap for additional support
Unisex
Premium Isami knuckle guards designed for full-contact karate. These cloth gloves have thick padding on the knuckles and are used in tournaments and in training in authentic full-contact karate dojos in Japan for adults and children alike.
Extra padding on the knuckles prevents damage when striking a heavy bag
Stretchy elastic and cloth construction stretches and breathes, while remaining solidly in place
The best cloth glove for full-contact karate we have ever tried!
Best Value: Isami Supporter Knuckle Guards
These cloth gloves may seem like a beginner option, but they hit way above their weight class. In Japan, this style of cloth glove is the most commonly used training equipment. In fact, I am struggling to recall a time where I haven’t seen this type of glove being used, including in competition.
Isami is one of the most well-known producers of full-contact karate specific gear in Japan. They have a line of products called “Supporter” which encompasses their gear for this style of karate. Their knuckle guards are the top-of-the-line option within this category. Featuring a hefty amount of extra padding across the knuckles, these are awesome bag work and hard sparring; and at a price that simply can’t be beat.
⭐ Unbeatable value
🥊 Used in full-contact competitions across Japan
