The Grab!
What’s happening, legends? Today, I’m reviewing a pair of boxing gloves that, in my opinion, push the envelope in terms of better hand ergonomics, materials, and design.
As a reviewer, I love seeing brands innovate, and Adidas has certainly stepped up with the Speed Tilt 350s. While I haven’t been overly impressed with Adidas’ previous boxing and MMA gear, this glove might just change my mind.
First Impressions & Fit
I picked up the 14oz lace-up version of the Speed Tilt 350s. Right away, I noticed that the lace closure provides a significantly better fit than Velcro. More importantly, I was eager to see how cactus leather performs in boxing gloves.
From my experience, these gloves deliver an exceptional feel for bag work and pads—but not so much for sparring. Let’s break down why.
Aesthetics & Design
The Speed Tilt 350’s profile and shape are game-changers. The glove’s head is slightly angled to push your two main knuckles forward, unlike traditional gloves where the padding is evenly spread. This subtle change improves ergonomics, comfort, and punching efficiency.
Visually, these gloves stand out. Adidas offers them in four colorways, but I went for the two-tone gold and white. The rustic gold and matte white combo looks premium. However, the cactus leather patch on the inner wrist feels like a missed design opportunity.
Casing Quality – Cactus Leather
Adidas has introduced cactus leather, and it might just be my favorite alternative to traditional leather. It’s smooth, sweat-resistant, and durable. After six months of use (1-2 sessions per week), these gloves still look brand new.
While I can’t vouch for long-term durability, if you take care of your gear, these should last at least 6-12 months.
Wrist Support & Laces
The lace-up wrist section has both strengths and weaknesses:
- Flat wrist section – Some might find this comfortable, but the soft foam doesn’t add much wrist support.
- No lace grooves or divots – This means the laces often get in the way, especially in sparring.
If you’re not taping your laces, expect them to move around more than usual.
Padding & Protection
The multi-layered foam padding is extremely soft. This can be a gift or a curse depending on how you use the gloves:
- Knuckle padding is plush enough to absorb heavy bag punishment while still providing puncher’s feedback.
- Back of hand & thumb padding (~30mm) provides reasonable protection.
- Palm padding (~15mm on each side) feels a bit light for parrying or blocking in sparring.
For bag work and mitts? Fantastic. For sparring? Not ideal.
Hand Fit & Comfort
These gloves melt to your hands. They feel completely broken in from the first use. There’s no pressure on the thumb, fingertips, or palm, making it one of the most comfortable gloves I’ve ever worn.
I can easily open and close my hand, which is a huge plus. My only regret? I should’ve gotten 12oz for a lighter, faster feel on the bag.
Performance & Usability
- Bag & mitt work: Excellent – great feedback and pop on impact.
- Sparring: Not great – laces get in the way, and padding isn’t ideal for blocking.
- General training: Very comfortable, but best suited for experienced boxers.
Price & Value
At $270 AUD, these gloves offer premium quality at a price point that matches expectations. If you want a luxury boxing glove feel without spending Fly Superlace money, these are a solid choice.
Final Verdict – Who Should Buy These Gloves?
✅ Perfect for:
- Boxers with reasonable experience who want a glove with top-tier comfort and feedback.
- Fighters looking for ergonomics-focused hand fit.
- Those training on mitts and heavy bags.
❌ Not ideal for:
- Beginners – you might need more wrist support.
- Boxers with weak wrists or hand injuries.
- Heavy sparring – lace design and padding aren’t great for blocking.
Final Thoughts
Adidas has truly outdone themselves with the Speed Tilt 350s. They’ve created one of the comfiest, best-performing gloves I’ve ever tried for bag and pad work.
If you’re serious about boxing and want next-level comfort and precision, these gloves won’t disappoint.