FAQ — everything about boxing and MMA equipment
Have a question about our products, our deliveries or your training? Below are the answers to the questions our customers and the combat sports community ask most often.
🥊 Boxing gloves
What glove weight should I choose for my body weight?
Glove weight is expressed in ounces (oz). Here is the guide by body weight and use:
- 8 oz — professional competition (light and featherweight divisions)
- 10 oz — amateur competition, training for lighter frames (under 55 kg / 120 lb)
- 12 oz — general training, medium frames (55-70 kg / 120-155 lb)
- 14 oz — training and light sparring, medium to heavy frames (70-85 kg / 155-187 lb)
- 16 oz — intensive sparring, every frame — the golden rule for protecting your partner
- 18-20 oz — sparring for large frames (over 90 kg / 200 lb) or high-volume training
Simple rule: for sparring, always use 16 oz minimum, whatever your weight class.
What is the difference between bag gloves and sparring gloves?
Bag gloves have firmer padding, optimised to absorb repeated impact on a punching bag. They are not designed for sparring, because their protection is not enough for your partner. Sparring gloves have softer, thicker padding that protects both your hands and your partner during exchanges. To start out, an all-round 14-16 oz glove covers both uses.
Genuine or synthetic leather — which should I choose?
Genuine leather offers better durability (1 to 3 years in regular practice, longer with sustained care), greater comfort and a better feel on impact. It is recommended for regular practitioners, training twice a week or more. Synthetic leather is more affordable, easier to look after and perfectly suited to beginners or occasional practitioners. At Esprit Boxe we offer both finishes.
How do I look after my boxing gloves?
After every session: air them out by leaving them open, and wipe the inside with a slightly damp cloth. Never store them wet in your kit bag — heat and moisture break down the foam and the leather. Once a week: use an antibacterial spray inside. Every month: condition the outer leather with a suitable product. Avoid hairdryers and prolonged sun exposure.
Are Esprit Boxe gloves approved for competition?
Some of our models are approved by the French Boxing Federation and meet the standards used in amateur competition. Every product page states whether a model is competition approved. Rules vary by country and by sanctioning body: if you compete outside France, check your own federation's requirements, and contact us before buying — we will point you to the right model.
⚔️ MMA gloves and equipment
What is the difference between boxing gloves and MMA gloves?
Boxing gloves cover the whole hand, support the wrist and are heavily padded to absorb impact. The fingers are held together, with no ability to grip. MMA gloves are far lighter (4-7 oz), leave the fingers free for grappling and grips, and offer minimal protection.
For MMA training there are two types: 4 oz mitts (competition) and 7 oz mitts (sparring and training). Never spar hard in 4 oz competition gloves.
How do I choose my MMA glove size?
Unlike boxing gloves, which are chosen in ounces by body weight, MMA gloves are chosen by hand size (S, M, L, XL). Measure the circumference of your palm at the knuckles. Every Esprit Boxe product page includes a precise size chart. If you are between two sizes, take the larger.
Do I need wraps under MMA gloves?
In most MMA clubs, wraps are not used under MMA mitts because they limit how far the hand opens and get in the way of grips. Without wraps, the protection of your wrists and joints depends entirely on the quality of the glove — which is why a good pair matters. That said, if you spar on the feet in boxing gloves (14-16 oz), wraps remain recommended.
What full kit do I need to start MMA?
To start MMA safely, this is the recommended minimum:
- 7 oz MMA sparring gloves
- 14-16 oz boxing gloves, for stand-up sparring
- Boil-and-bite mouthguard
- Shin guards
- MMA shorts or a rash guard
- Groin guard
🥊 Punching bags
How do I choose the weight of a punching bag?
The basic rule: your bag should weigh about half your body weight. If you weigh 80 kg (175 lb), go for a 40 kg (88 lb) bag. A bag that is too light flies in every direction on every punch; one that is too heavy is hard to work in fast combinations.
- Children and teenagers: 15-25 kg / 33-55 lb
- Adult beginners: 25-35 kg / 55-77 lb
- Experienced adults: 35-50 kg / 77-110 lb
- Heavy and expert: 50 kg / 110 lb and above
Hanging bag or free standing bag — which for home?
A hanging bag gives better movement, a better feel and takes more powerful shots. It needs a ceiling fixing or a wall mount. It is the choice of serious practitioners.
A free standing bag needs no installation and can be moved — ideal for a flat or a home where drilling is not an option. It is less stable under heavy punching, but works very well for beginners and for cardio work.
How do I hang a punching bag from the ceiling?
You must fix your bag to a beam or a solid concrete support. Use a swivel hook rated to at least three times the weight of the bag, to absorb dynamic loads. For a 40 kg bag, allow a support rated to 120 kg minimum. If you have any doubt about your ceiling, go for a wall mount or a free standing frame — it is the safest solution.
Can a punching bag be used in a flat?
Yes, with the right precautions. A free standing bag is ideal for avoiding vibration passed to neighbours. If you choose a hanging bag, fit shock absorbers between the hook and the ceiling. A mat under the bag will reduce impact noise. Our free standing and wall-mounted bags are particularly suited to flats.
🛡️ Boxing headgear
Which headguard should I choose for my level?
- Beginner / educational boxing: open face headguard with temple and ear protection — good visibility, standard protection
- Regular sparring: headguard with cheek pads — protects the nose and cheeks, reduces cuts
- Competition preparation / fragile nose: full face headguard with a nose bar — maximum facial protection
- Amateur competition: specific approved models — check your own federation's rules, which differ from one country to the next
How do I choose my headguard size?
Measure your head circumference with a soft tape, just above the eyebrows. Every Esprit Boxe product page includes a precise size guide. The headguard should sit firmly without pressing painfully — it must not move on impact, but must not restrict circulation either.
🚚 Delivery and orders
What are the delivery times?
We deliver across Europe, the United Kingdom, North America and Australia. Estimated times by destination:
- France, Belgium, Switzerland: 5-7 working days
- Rest of Europe: 7-14 working days
- United Kingdom, North America, Australia: see the estimate shown at checkout
Orders placed before 2 pm are dispatched the same working day. You receive a confirmation email with a tracking number as soon as the parcel leaves.
Is delivery free?
Standard delivery is free across Europe with no minimum spend. For destinations outside Europe, the shipping cost is shown at checkout before payment.
Can I return a product?
You have 30 days from receipt to return any unused product in its original packaging. The return terms are set out in our return policy. Contact us at info@esprit-boxe.com for any return request. The refund is issued within 5-7 working days of the returned parcel arriving.
Can I change or cancel my order?
Contact us as quickly as possible at info@esprit-boxe.com or on +41 79 944 49 03. If the order has not yet been dispatched, we can change or cancel it at no cost. Once it has shipped, the return procedure applies.
Do you offer club and association pricing?
Yes — Esprit Boxe offers preferential pricing for boxing and combat sports clubs, associations and academies, with volume discounts, adapted lead times and a dedicated contact. Write to info@esprit-boxe.com for a personalised quote. We already equip clubs and high-level champions across France, Switzerland and Belgium.
💳 Payment and security
Which payment methods do you accept?
We accept all the main payment methods: card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and bank transfer. Every payment is secured by SSL encryption.
Is my card data safe?
Yes. Esprit Boxe stores no card data. All transactions are handled by PCI-DSS certified payment providers, the highest banking security standard. The padlock in your address bar confirms your connection is secure.
🥊 About Esprit Boxe
Who is Esprit Boxe?
Esprit Boxe is a shop specialising in premium boxing and combat sports equipment. We supply individuals, clubs and professionals across Europe, the United Kingdom, North America and Australia.
We are the official outfitter to high-level clubs and champions, including Cross Counter (Farès Ziam, Michel Soro, Rayan Cherki), Bron Boxing Academy (Leonardo Mosquea, WBA ranked) and Ghost Arena (Mehmet Borhan, world champion), among many others.
How do I contact Esprit Boxe?
- By email: info@esprit-boxe.com
- By phone: +41 79 944 49 03
- On Instagram: @esprit_boxe_officiel
Cannot find the answer to your question? Write to info@esprit-boxe.com — we reply within 24 hours.