Hey Everyone! We are back again with another gear review for boxing gloves. I feel like we are reaching the point where we are comfortable crowning a winner for the Best Overall Boxing Glove after trying out these Mk1 Lace Up Boxing Gloves.
As always, we review with a scale that we use internally known as the Graveyard Scale (here) This is a scale that we use to help us rate the gear that we get our hands on from 1 – 10. When we first laced up these gloves, they felt like a solid 9.4/10. After logging more rounds, we bumped that score up—MK1 now earns a well-deserved 9.7/10.
Our whole test crew—myself included—loved these gloves.
That said, unless you’re a serious amateur or pro, grab the hook-and-loop version. Constantly tying and untying lace-ups between rounds gets old fast (and no coach wants to be your personal knot-tier unless you are the golden boy of your gym), while hook-and-loop lets you gear up or strip down in seconds.
Lets dive a bit deeper into our thoughts around these boxing gloves.
Reminder: We have been on a mission to help people find the best boxing gloves under $200. Our goal is to review a list that consists of 12 more pairs that we were told to try from the Reddit community r/fightgear.
Overview of the MK1 Boxing Gloves
After running a dozen different pairs through our usual abuse, the MK1s stand out as the clear champ.
The lace-up version delivers incredible wrist support and plush knuckle protection, but every tester agreed: re-lacing between rounds is a hassle unless you have a coach handy. For most boxers, the hook-and-loop model is the smarter pick—same top-tier padding and build, minus the constant tie-and-untie routine.
Still, once they’re on, nothing else we’ve tested matches their mix of protection, feel, and build quality—these are the best boxing gloves on the market right now.
Video Review: coming soon
Pros
- hand-stitched, full-grain leather that feels broken-in from day one
- soft micro-liner and roomy finger channel keep the fit snug yet natural
- Triple-layer punch foam shields your knuckles
- Weight distribution is on point, so the glove stays stable for bag work and sparring—no break-in needed.
Cons
- Have to lace them up, but there are workarounds for this (just get the Hook & Loop pair)
Full-grain leather, broken-in from day one. Snug micro-liner, shock-soaking foam that still lets you feel each punch, and perfect weight balance for bag work or sparring—pro performance, zero break-in.
Our score: We initially stamped these at 9.4/10, but after more rounds, they’re flirting with a 9.7+—we’ve yet to find a glove that nails comfort, protection, and craftsmanship quite this well.
- Lace-Up and Hook & Loop Options
- Comfortable AF
- Top-Tier Knuckle & Wrist Support
Quality & Feel (2/2)
When I put on the MK1s for the first time I immediately noticed how comfortable they were on my hand. There is a very nice material inside that sits smoothly on the hands. The gloves themself feel like they were already worn in and hugged my hands with no pinch points. The liner and dense padding cushioned every shot while still giving me crisp feedback.
- Cloud-soft fit with sharp punch feel
- Reinforced leather and stitching built for years
Protection (3/3)
I put the MK1s through several bag and pad sessions. The knuckle padding took the sting out of every shot—no bruising or hot spots even after longer rounds. Impact felt consistent, so I could focus on technique instead of worrying about sore hands. The lace-up cuff locked my wrists into a neutral position and never loosened, giving me the same support you’d get from professional wraps.
- Knuckle padding prevents hand ache
- Lace-up cuff delivers solid wrist support
Price
The MK1s land right at $200—a premium price, but still below what you’d shell out for brands like Winning or Cleto Reyes.
For that money you’re getting pro-level leather, dense padding that won’t flatten out, and durability that should outlast cheaper gloves by a wide margin. If you train a few times a week, the cost spreads thin and the protection easily justifies the spend; if you only hit the bag occasionally, they might be more glove than you need.
Weight
The MK1s are offered in the usual training weights—12 oz, 14 oz, and 16 oz (plus 10 oz in the lace-up version if you need a competition size). As a rule of thumb, I use 12 oz for high-volume bag or pad work where speed matters, 14 oz when I want an all-purpose glove that can switch from drills to light technical sparring, and 16 oz for full sparring sessions so both my hands and my partner stay protected.
- 10 oz (lace-up only): Competition gloves or fast mitt drills
- 12 oz: Daily bag/pad work and conditioning
- 14 oz: Versatile “one-glove” option for bag work plus touch-sparring
- 16 oz: Full sparring and heavier hitters who need extra padding
Final Rating For the MK1 Boxing Gloves ( 9.7 / 10 )
Alternatives and Recommendations
- Next Best Option: Top King Boxing Gloves (review)
- Best for Bag Work: Rival RB10 (review) or Hayabusa T3 (review)
Cost and Value
At $200, the MK1s aren’t cheap, but the return is obvious: full-grain leather that won’t peel, padding that keeps its shape after months of bag work, and wrist support on par with gloves that cost $100–150 more. These gloves are well worth the comfort and hand-saving protection. If you plan to box regularly, you’ll get far more mileage (and fewer injuries) out of these than out of a budget pair that needs replacing every year.
Buying Guide
Where can people buy these gloves?
The updated list of Best Boxing Gloves Under $200 will showcase new pairs as we get around to updates.
Here is the running list we have put together with the corresponding score:
Best Boxing Gloves List
- MK1 [Lace-Up] Boxing Gloves (Review) – 9.7 / 10
- Mk1 Loop [Hook & Loop] Boxing Gloves – 9.7 / 10
- Rival RB10 Boxing Gloves (Review) – 9.5 / 10
- Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves (Review) – 9.0 / 10
- Top King Boxing Gloves (Review) – 8.8 / 10
- Fairtex Boxing Gloves BGV16 (Review) – 8.8 / 10
- Fairtex Boxing Glove BGV9 (Review) – 8.6 / 10
- Venum Elite Boxing Gloves (Review) – 8.55 / 10
- Sanabul Battle Forged Boxing Gloves (Review) – 7.7 / 10
- RDX Sports Boxing Gloves (Review) – 7.6 / 10
- Sanabul Essential Gel Boxing Gloves (Review) – 6.2 / 10
- Everlast Boxing Glove [ProStyle 2] (Review) – 5 / 10