Odor, wear and tear, or simply outdated. There are several reasons to replace your boxing equipment sooner or later. But how do you know if your equipment needs replacing?
In this article, we'll go through the most important parts of your gear and find out approximately how long your gear will last.
Boxing shoes
Boxing shoes last an average of 6 to 9 months, depending on the intensity and frequency of your training.
If you train 4 to 6 times a week, your shoes will need replacing sooner, around 6 months, than if you train 1 to 2 times a week.
But this also depends on how agile you are while boxing, what type of surface you train on and how many rounds of sparring you do in a week.
As soon as you notice the soles wearing out, becoming detached from the rest of the shoe, or the ankle support becoming looser, you'll want to replace them to prevent injury.
Care tips: Use boxing shoes only for boxing, not for running. The lightweight sole and materials of boxing shoes are not designed for surfaces other than halls and mats. If you do use them outdoors, they will wear out much faster than if you don't.
Looking for boxing shoes? View our complete collection of boxing shoes here .
Boxing gloves
Boxing gloves last an average of 6 to 12 months with normal use. The actual lifespan may therefore be higher or lower and depends on the following factors:
- Your training frequency and intensity
- The quality of your gloves
- The amount of rest your gloves get between workouts
- Your punching power
If you train 1-2 times a week, you will of course be able to use your gloves longer than if you train 3-4 times a week.
The material also plays an important role. When buying boxing gloves, you can choose between leather and synthetic leather. Generally, leather gloves last longer than synthetic leather.
Finally, a key factor is, of course, your training intensity and your own punching power. For example, person A can use one glove for 12 months, while person B can only use the exact same gloves for 6 months.
Care tips: To extend the life of your gloves, you'll want to avoid using them daily. If you train daily, we recommend having at least two pairs of gloves so you can alternate between them. After each workout, be sure to wipe away sweat with a dry cloth and air your gloves to dry them. This prevents your gloves from getting smelly.
If you notice that your knuckles come through easily when punching and that the gloves no longer provide as much cushioning, we recommend replacing them.
Looking for boxing gloves? View our complete collection here .
Head protectors
As a rule, a head guard will last you one to two years. This is because they're often only worn during tough sparring sessions. Most gyms only have one tough sparring session a week. If you use them more often during the week, their lifespan will be significantly shorter.
Your head guard generally won't take as much hits and damage as boxing gloves (unless your defense is poor).
Care tips: Wipe your headguard with a dry cloth after each workout to remove excess skin oils, sweat, and hair products from the leather. Let your headguard dry in a well-ventilated area after each workout to prevent mold and bacteria from forming.
Looking for head protection? View our complete collection of head protection here .
Bandages
You can almost never have too many wraps. They can be replaced every 4-5 months, depending on how often they're used. If you let them dry thoroughly after each workout, wash them regularly, and keep them free of tears and damage, you should be able to enjoy your wraps for a little longer.
Care tips: Don't roll up wet wraps or leave them in your gym bag after a workout. Let them dry completely before rolling them up for your next workout. Keeping them clean and replacing them regularly will also extend the life of your gloves. Fresh, clean wraps help keep your gloves free of bacteria and potential mold. Replacing your wraps more often will keep your gloves fresh and odor-free for longer.
Looking for bandages? View our complete collection here .
Bits
For hygiene reasons, we recommend replacing your mouthguard every six months if you use it two or three times a week. Many people put their mouthguards back in their unwashed storage box after training. This is because mold can develop on and in the mouthguard over time.
Care tips: Make sure to rinse your mouthguard after each workout to prevent mold and mildew. You can also use a special antibacterial spray to keep your mouthguard clean.
Looking for mouthguards ? View our complete collection here .