Most boxing advice online is written for Dubai. But a lot of people training in the UAE live in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, and the questions are the same: which gloves should I buy, and how do I get started? Here’s a plain guide for both cities.
Boxing in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has a big combat sports scene. Jiu-jitsu gets most of the attention, but boxing, Muay Thai and kickboxing classes are easy to find across the city, from Al Reem Island and the Corniche area to Khalifa City and Yas.
A lot of gyms here mix disciplines. You might do a boxing class on Monday and a Muay Thai or MMA class on Wednesday at the same place. That matters when you buy gloves, because you want a pair that handles both.
Boxing in Sharjah
Sharjah has its own community of boxing and fitness gyms, especially around Al Nahda, Al Majaz and Muwaileh, and plenty of people living in Sharjah train in Dubai too. Classes tend to be a mix of fitness boxing and proper technical sessions.
If you commute between Sharjah and Dubai, your gloves will spend time in a car. Keep that in mind (more on that below).
How to pick a gym
Wherever you live, a few simple checks help:
- Try a trial class. Most gyms offer one. See how the coach treats beginners.
- Ask about sparring. Is it optional? Is it controlled? Good gyms don’t throw beginners in on day one.
- Check the timings. Pick a place you can actually get to after work, not the “best” gym 40 minutes away.
- Ask what gloves they require. Many gyms want 16 oz for sparring. Some have rules about clean, personal gloves for hygiene.
What gloves to buy
The rules are the same in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or anywhere else in the UAE.
12 oz if you mostly hit the bag or do pads, and you’re on the lighter side (roughly up to 65 kg).
14 oz if you train a few times a week with some light sparring, roughly 65 to 80 kg.
16 oz if you spar, or you’re over about 80 kg. It’s the most common sparring requirement in UAE gyms. We explain why in 16 oz sparring gloves: why most UAE gyms ask for them.
For mixed gyms that do boxing and Muay Thai, a good pair of boxing gloves covers pads, bag and sparring in both. Our post on boxing gloves vs Muay Thai gloves goes into the differences.
Think about the heat and the drive
Abu Dhabi and Sharjah summers are just as hot as Dubai’s. Two things kill gloves faster than anything else here:
Leaving them in the car. A parked car in July is an oven. The heat dries out and cracks the outer material and bakes in the smell.
Leaving them zipped in a bag. Sweat with nowhere to go turns into bacteria and that famous glove smell.
Take your gloves inside, open the straps and dry them in front of a fan or the AC after every session. Our guide on how to clean boxing gloves has the full routine.
Shopping options
You can buy gloves at big sports chains in the malls, on Amazon and Noon, or direct from brands. Malls let you try on, but the range is often limited to a few big names at higher prices. Online gives you more choice, but check the return policy before you buy in case the size is wrong.
Whatever you choose, don’t buy the cheapest pair you can find. Thin padding flattens fast, and your knuckles will feel it.
Delivery from Mizlet
We’re a UAE glove brand and we deliver to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and every other emirate for a flat AED 15, with cash on delivery. Most orders arrive within 24 hours.
Both our gloves, the Gold Elite (black and gold) and the Red Series (red and white), have shock-absorbing padding, a hook-and-loop wrist strap and a breathable lining. They come in 12, 14 and 16 oz for AED 200 on our shop page. Unused gloves can be exchanged for another size within 7 days.
Not sure which size? Try the size finder or message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 190 2246. Tell us where you train and what you do, and we’ll help you pick.
More guides: choosing your first boxing gloves in the UAE, what size boxing gloves to buy and our boxing gloves Dubai page.
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