Cleto Reyes Traditional Boxing Training Gloves (E400) Review

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The Cleto Reyes Traditional Training Boxing Gloves are perhaps the best representation of authentic Mexican boxing gloves in the world. These gloves stand out on a boxing glove shop shelf due to their elongated cuff and slightly indented knuckle area. These qualities are not just aesthetically pleasing, but are deeply functional. In this review, we will try to cover everything about this legendary Mexican Glove.

For those of you first visiting our site, below our introduction, you will see a radar plot of all the prominent reviews for this glove model. Although our team has decades of experience in reviewing boxing gloves, a second opinion never hurts!

Padding (86/100)

When most people first try on the Cleto Reyes Traditional Training gloves, they immediately sense they were crafted with protection in mind. They’re perfect for those punches that range from light jabs to those heavyweight uppercuts. Now, these gloves are still a puncher’s glove, so given that these gloves are still on the denser side, caution needs to be maintained if you are hitting haymakers on the heavybag. If you’re like most boxers who get carried away with power shots on old-school, sand-based heavy bags, you might not feel the level of protection that you would get with a pair of Winning, Fly, or Rival gloves. So with that said, I would urge users to apply some tape to their wrists (even though the long cuff is fantastic, the wrist may still absorb a little bit of excess force) and slip on a knuckle guard or pad under the wraps. It makes a world of difference. And yes, they might feel snug at first, but give it some time. They’ll mold to your hands well after 4-6 sessions.

Overall, the padding is dense yet comfortable, absorbing shocks well in most cases. The multiple layers of latex foam provide excellent protection for my knuckles during intense training. Plus, the padded cuffs (see picture below) adds additional protection for parrying and blocking shot.

Glove Fit (95/100)

The first thing I noticed about the Cleto Reyes E400 gloves was the form-fitting curved knuckle compartment. The form-fitting curved knuckle area makes for a perfect fist closure and makes it slightly more difficult to throw a punch incorrectly. The elongated design and weight distribution make it the perfect glove to deliver a thorough ‘snap’ while protecting your hand. Overall the hand compartment is on the narrower side but after a few sessions, they begin to fit better. In terms of thumb comfort, the thumb compartment sits securely in place, offering a comfortable grip and allowing for natural movement. The thumb design is honestly not padded quite as densely as with other premium gloves, but is ergonomically correct for medium to large hands.  In this pair, it feels like no matter at what angle you throw a power punch, wrist strain simply never crosses your mind—that’s how good the wrist protection is! Inside these gloves, I have excellent control over my hands, making it effortless to open and close them. The deep compartments for each finger ensure a snug grip throughout my training sessions, which is a game-changer for those who have never had the privilege of experiencing Cleto Reyes!

Inner-Lining Comfort (92/100)

Speaking about the E400’s inner lining, I’m quite impressed with the cozy and soft polyester liner. The ventilated design also impressively keeps my hands cool and comfortable throughout intense sparring rounds. Also, the water-resistant nylon filling is ideal for boxing and will keep your glove from sweat-induced foam degradation—allowing you to enjoy this amazing training glove for years.

Csquared does a good job of explaining the Inner lining at the 3-minute and 28-second in the video.

Exterior Material (96/100)

The Cleto Reyes Traditional Training Gloves are handcrafted from genuine world-renowned Piel Planchada full-grain Mexican cowhide leather. Now, this is a mouthful, but essentially, this form of full grain leather is the thickest form of leather and is minimally processed (cowhide thickness is maximized) to provide the most long-lasting exterior for a glove that money can buy. This form of leather exterior gives this pair a patented, sleek shine. To keep this pair looking sharp, I make it a habit to apply leather conditioner after a week or two.  

Stitching Quality (96/100) 

These gloves are handcrafted with a high degree of standardization. Take a look at this video of the Cleto Reyes factory to get a sense of what I am talking about. The precision and security of the stitching, along with the absence of any stray threads or gaps, truly stand out. This meticulous attention to detail from legendary Mexican handcrafted gloves assures me that these gloves are carefully constructed to withstand the test of time.

Wrist Support (96/100)

The E400 gloves excel in providing remarkable wrist support. The well-designed wide cuff keeps my wrist in a neutral position, effectively reducing the chances of injuries.

Sparring Suitability (94/100)

Now let’s talk about how suitable these exceptional gloves are for sparring. These gloves come in two styles – lace-up and wrap-around. Professional boxers mostly use lace-up gloves, and they offer a snug fit, while the wrap-around gloves are convenient for solo training. I prefer heavier gloves (16oz, or 18oz for sparring. The added weight helps protect your sparring partner and reduces the risk of hand injury, and transitioning to lighter contest gloves afterward makes you faster.  Overall, these E400 gloves have truly won me over for sparring. These glove offer amazing pop to them (definitely a puncher’s glove), and fit perfectly, and the cooling design is a standout feature. However, make sure you tape or wrap your hands properly while wearing these boxing gloves as these are on the denser side. 

Heavy-Bag Suitability (89/100)

I’ve had the opportunity to test these gloves on the heavy bag, and I must say, they exceeded my expectations. Available in lightweight sizes from 12oz to 18oz, they allow me to focus on speed while giving each punch the sound of a thorough ‘pop’. The unique knuckle padding design, though not perfectly round, ensures my punches land solidly on the heavy bag, minimizing wrist strain. But a word of advice: if you’re using one of those old, hard bags, consider some extra protection for your knuckles – better be safe than sorry.

Cleto Reyes Traditional Training Gloves Overview

The Cleto Reyes Traditional Training Gloves (E400) are more than just boxing equipment; they’re a thorough representation of Mexican boxing legacy. They might need a bit of breaking in, but once they do, they’re unparalleled in wrist support and longevity for training. For those just starting their boxing journey, you might want to explore a bit, but for the seasoned pros, these are a must-have. Yes, they’re a bit on the pricier side, but given the fantastic quality, they’re worth the money.