Focus mitts (also known as boxing mitts) are an essential piece of boxing equipment, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned fighter.
While punching bag work is essential, boxing mitts are the way to go if you have a partner to train with. They allow a more comprehensive workout than nearly any other tool. To top it off, they don’t take up as much space as a punching bag, and are generally cheap when compared to other boxing equipment. With this said, not all punch mitts are equal. The market is flooded with low-quality products, and finding the best boxing equipment can be difficult. In this review, we’ll reveal our top 5 best focus mitts that deliver the most value and quality.
Our Top 5 Best Focus Mitts
The best performers in our review are Pro Impact, Title Platinum, and the Everlast “Prime Mantis” focus mitts. Here’s more information on choosing the best punching mitts for you, along with a detailed review for each product we chose. 2018 update: After re-reviewing a number of new focus mitts on the market, we found that the Everlast “Prime Mantis” is a much better pick than the previous #3 spot, the Everlast 4318. The “Mantis” offers more quality, durability, and a better design – while still being just as affordable.
Padding
Similarly to sparring gloves, the general rule with boxing mitts is – the more padding, the better. Padding doesn’t just protect the holder – but also the person throwing the punches. Focus pads with insufficient padding can leave your fists sore and aching, and can even lead to injury. Additionally, low-quality padding can deteriorate after just a few weeks of punching. We reviewed the thickness, softness, and overall quality of the padding when rating our top 5 models.
Lightness
A good focus pads workout should always involve a lot of movement – pads are best used as a moving target. With this in mind, an extremely heavy pair of boxing mitts isn’t just exhausting – it will also slow down the wearer, hindering the workout.
Durability
An extremely important factor when looking at all boxing equipment, not just boxing pads. Low-quality gear can fall apart after just a couple of weeks of punching, especially during power workouts. We put an emphasis on sturdiness, material quality and construction when writing this review.
1. Pro Impact Curved Focus Mitts
Our personal favorite, and our #1 best focus mitts in this review. These are some of the most durable boxing pads we’ve come across, yet we still found them to be light and comfortable. The leather construction appears extremely tough, resilient and able to stand up to prolonged use. The padding is thicker than in most competitors and offers good shock absorption, while the hook-and-loop closure helps secure a tight fit.
The curved design helps achieve a natural position of the hand for the holder while ensuring that the center is easier to hit by the puncher. The white target circle is very noticeable on a pitch-black background, and we found it extremely easy to focus on during a workout. A big plus is the sweat-resistant inner lining – it helps keep these focus pads dry and odor free.
2. TITLE Platinum Punch Mitts
TITLE is a big name in the boxing world, and their gear is usually a safe bet. In our previous review, we took a look at their boxing gloves, and were thoroughly impressed with their overall sturdiness and durability.
Similarly to their gloves, the Platinum boxing pads did not disappoint. We found the construction to be very sturdy and durable. The black leather design is especially nice, more so if you’re a fan of the “old school” style. The hook & loop wrist attachment on these focus pads ensures a snug, comfortable fit around most hand sizes, which is a plus.
Despite their solid construction, the biggest selling point of these boxing mitts is the padding. With nearly 3″ of padding, they should offer ample protection, both to the person holding the pads and the hitter. Unfortunately, we found that the thick foam can take a bit longer to break in.
UPDATE: Our Editor-in-chief Jason has been using these for the past couple months and these are his go-to choice for everyday training. The quality, size and weight of these mitts make them easy to just have with you at all times.
3. Everlast “Prime Mantis” Punch Mitts
Everlast is usually a safe choice for fighters on a budget – while they do make pro-level boxing gear, they also have a good selection of affordable (but quality) equipment. With that said, the Everlast “Prime Mantis” didn’t disappoint. We found that it offers more comfort, durability, and quality than its predecessor – the Everlast 4318 focus mitts.
The synthetic leather construction feels soft and comfortable – but not one bit shoddy. Visually, the design is very attractive, although some boxers may find these focus mitts too narrow for a proper training session.
While adequate for light and medium-intensity workouts, these pads aren’t great for rigorous punching sessions. If you’re a professional or a hard hitter in general, we’d suggest something with a stronger construction, like TITLE’s platinum punch mitts, or the Meister Cowhide.
4. Sanabul Essential Curved Boxing MMA Punching Mitts
While the Sanabul name isn’t heard as often as TITLE or Everlast, their boxing mitts can still go toe-to-toe with some of the biggest brands on the market. We found them to be light and snug, but well-constructed and durable. The inner molding of these boxing pads fits the shape of a human hand much better than some competitors. The foam offers good shock absorption. Despite being thick and solid, these feel very light, which results in less fatigue during workouts.
An another bonus is the sturdy leather construction. Leather is one of the best materials for boxing equipment – whether it’s boxing gloves or punching bags. It’s a durable material that can stand up to prolonged punishment – but is also easy to clean and maintain.
Finally, the small mesh holes on the back allow the skin to breathe, even through the thick leather surface.
5. Meister Cowhide Leather Curved Focus Mitts
If durability is a major selling point for you, Meister’s Cowhide focus mitts are a solid option. We found them to be extremely durable and well-built. The premium cowhide leather construction can stand up to prolonged abuse, while the 2″ padding is nothing to scoff at. They fit us rather well, and felt pretty snug, despite their “heavy” construction.
The slight curvature of these boxing pads helps maintain your punches centered (as they absolutely should be during a boxing pad workout). Additionally, there’s plenty of wrist padding, which offers solid support to your joints, and helps keep those hands stable during a heavy hitting session.
The only issue we had with these punch mitts is that they felt a little suffocating. Without any mesh holes or extra space for the skin to breathe, the rigid leather construction may feel suffocating after a few rounds.
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