Introduction
On one hand, Booster Fight Gear has created a pretty lackluster pair of boxing gloves for bag and pad work, BUT on the other hand… let me explain why this, in turn, makes for a great pair of sparring gloves, especially for Thai Boxing!
Company Overview
For those unfamiliar with the brand, Booster Fight Gear hails from Belgium, a country known for more than just chocolate. Belgium-designed fight gear is built to withstand the brutality you’d expect from professional Dutch kickboxers!
While Booster isn’t the biggest brand in Australia, it is heavily used by ONE Championship athletes like Superbon and Illias Ennahachi.
Founded in 1994, Booster originally imported Thai brands like Twins Special before launching its own fight gear line, aiming to compete against the best at competitive prices.
Product Overview
I picked up the 16oz Black & Gold edition of the BGL V3 gloves from FightHQ.com.au, which also stocks these in Black & Silver in both 10oz and 16oz.
But before you spend your hard-earned cash, let’s dive into the build quality and craftsmanship before I give you my honest thoughts.
Weight
The first issue is weight accuracy.
- Left glove: 14.6oz
- Right glove: 15.3oz
While Thai manufacturing can be inconsistent with glove weights, it’s disappointing to pay a premium for underweight gloves. That said, I believe these gloves still work for sparring due to their protective features that compensate for the missing ounces.
Aesthetics
The BGL V3’s design reminds me of something you’d see on a Harley Davidsonesque—bold metallic gold screens with four separate Booster logos. While the branding might be overkill, the black and grey wrist label could have been better in gold or bright white for better aesthetic flow.
Leather & Durability
The gloves are made of 100% Thai leather, likely buffalo leather, known for its thickness, rugged grain, and durability.
However, the lack of ventilation holes is a downside. This means moisture buildup is a real issue. To prevent odor and damage, always wear hand wraps and air out your gloves after training.
Stitching & Construction
The stitching is mostly solid, with minimal mis-stitches. However, I would’ve preferred double stitching on the wrist area for extra durability.
One standout design choice is the reinforced leather section between the thumb and hand compartment, ensuring extra durability.
Wrist Support
One of the strongest aspects of the BGL V3 gloves is wrist support:
- 5-inch wrist length
- 8.5cm-long velcro strap
- 10mm high-density foam padding on the rear wrist
Unlike most gloves where wrist padding is separate from the hand compartment, Booster’s wrist support is well-connected, ensuring stability when blocking punches or kicks.
The downside? This rigid structure limits wrist mobility, making it harder to clinch or throw hooks and uppercuts.
Inner Lining
The black polyester lining is durable, but it has some downsides:
- Exposes stitching flaws due to its thin material
- Noticeable bunching at the fingertips and thumb
Padding & Protection
This is where I’m torn on these gloves.
Pros:
- 30mm thick x 40mm long palm pillow – absorbs shock well for catching punches
- Large pillow-like fist area – protects both the puncher and sparring partner
Cons:
- The massive palm padding makes forming a fist nearly impossible
- Too much bulk for bag or pad work
Hand Fit
The gloves provide good width, so larger hands will fit comfortably. However, shorter-length compartments make it difficult to close your fist properly.
This results in less effective striking, making them frustrating for bag or pad work.
My Experience: From Frustration to Appreciation
At first, I was annoyed by how stiff these gloves were. It took four sessions just to break them in, and even now, it’s hard to close a proper fist.
However, after switching them exclusively to sparring, my perspective changed.
Why These Gloves Work for Sparring:
- Encourages an open-hand approach – forces better defense and control
- Massive padding – reduces impact, protecting both fighters
- Strong wrist support – ideal for blocking punches and catching kicks
For Muay Thai sparring, these gloves shine. However, they’re not ideal for boxing, bag work, or mitt training.
Cost & Value
At $190 AUD, these gloves feel overpriced considering their limitations. While they offer excellent durability, you could get a better all-around glove from brands like Twins, Top King, or Fairtex for a lower price.
Recommendations
Who Should Buy These?
✅ Muay Thai fighters who spar frequently and need extra padding for defense.
✅ Dutch-style kickboxers who focus on parrying and catching kicks.
✅ Fighters who prioritize wrist support and hand protection over flexibility.
Who Should Avoid These?
❌ Boxers – These gloves are too bulky and restrict fist formation.
❌ Fighters who need multi-purpose gloves – They lack versatility for pad and bag work.
❌ Anyone who prefers more compact, flexible gloves – These are too stiff and padded.
Final Verdict
Booster Fight Gear has accidentally created a fantastic sparring glove. While their oversaturated padding and rigid structure make them terrible for bag work, they offer outstanding protection for Muay Thai sparring.