Muay Thai Gloves Material: Semi-Leather VS Leather
At INFIGHTSTYLE, we pride ourselves on our modern approach to Muay Thai gear & equipment however, it is crucial that we also pay respects to the traditional foundations of Muay Thai. Unlike many other big name Thai brands, we do NOT use microfibre in our Muay Thai gloves. This article will walk you through the differences in materials – microfibre vs leather vs semi-leather, to ensure that you are able to find the perfect glove for your needs.
What’s wrong with microfibre?
Microfibre boxing gloves have become increasingly popular over the years, due to their lightweight and affordable price compared to traditional leather gloves. Their popularity has risen so much so, that even some of the big name Thai brands have adopted microfibre for their gloves. To the untrained eye, it would seem as if there’s nothing wrong with microfibre, especially since it’s more budget-friendly. However, there are quite a handful of issues that one should consider when looking to invest in a new pair of boxing gloves.
One of the main issues with microfibre gloves is that they are infamous for cracking and peeling easily. There’s no worse feeling than seeing your gloves start to fall apart only after a few months of usage – especially when you put down quite a bit of money for it! Cracked and peeled gloves can actually lead to an increased risk of injury – since the padding can potentially become uneven and ineffective, leaving your precious hands and wrist vulnerable.
It is our market-leading philosophy, that INFIGHTSTYLE does not produce any microfibre gloves, despite many of our competitors doing so. We will now explain the differences between semi-leather and classic leather gloves – including lace up alternatives.
Semi-Leather
Semi-Leather boxing gloves are made from a synthetic leather mix consisting of vinyl and mostly polyurethane, providing the best of both worlds in terms of durability, comfort and price.
Polyurethane is a lightweight and easy to maintain material. It's battle tested for constant workouts and is also quite flexible. It's a great cost-effective alternative to leather for gloves.
Our semi-leather gloves are the best option for durability, even moreso than pure leather, since semi-leather is more resistant to peeling and cracking. They are also quite easy to clean & maintain, with a simple wipe down. Click here for more tips on caring for your gloves.
Semi-leather gloves are used by everyone - beginners to pro fighters & trainers. These gloves are recommended to those who want a cost-effective great bang for their buck for their gloves.
INFIGHTSTYLE stocks some of the hottest pastel coloured semi-leather gloves that are always in high demand – come check them out.
Classic Leather
Classic leather boxing gloves have the ability to conform to the shape of the boxer's hand over time. This means that the more you use them, the gloves will become more comfortable and offer better support and protection. Or in other words, leather gloves will quite literally ‘fit you like a glove’.
Additionally, leather gloves are more breathable than synthetic materials, which can be beneficial for those of us who tend to sweat a lot during training or sparring sessions. All these factors come to play when it comes to impact absorption, as classic leather gloves cannot be beaten in this department.
The biggest downfall of classic leather gloves, is of course, the price. They are often the most expensive options but for good reason. The price can always be justified with the unmatched protection and support your hands and wrists are provided.
Despite that, classic leather gloves need a lot more love & attention. They require more maintenance as they are prone to drying up and beginning to crack, and as such may not be as durable as semi-leather gloves in the long run.
As gloves should be seen as an investment, we highly recommend checking out our do's & don'ts guide on taking care of your gloves.
Classic leather gloves are usually recommended to those who are intermediates, advanced and beyond. As one’s training and sparring levels up in intensity, it’s almost a requirement to have the best possible protection and support for your hands to avoid any injury.
When it comes to leather gloves, if you're interested in the differences between lace up vs velcro gloves click here.
Leather vs Semi-Leather
Both materials have their many pros & cons, and at the end of the day - depends on your own personal preferences. What's your budget? How many days are you training? Gloves for sparring or bag work?
There's many questions that you'll need to ask and answer for yourself to determine which glove is the best for your specific training needs and demands.
Now that you know the main differences between gloves material - it's time to choose the right size. Click here if you need help on finding the right glove size.