Some members of our team have been wearing the Rival RS11V Evolution Sparring Gloves for a couple of years now. These gloves are known for being one of the best velcro sparring gloves in Rival’s lineup (and maybe in the world). These gloves are touted as the iPhone of punching gloves.
From comfort, padding, and stitching quality to wrist support and sparring/bagwork suitability, we’ll dissect every aspect to help you make an informed decision to buy these gloves. 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!
Some Obligatory Historical Background On The RSV11s
When the Rival RS11V Evolution Sparring Gloves were introduced about a decade ago, they were groundbreaking. Little did we know that they would become the best-selling sparring gloves in Rival’s history. Aptly named the “Evolution”, these gloves have revolutionized the design of sparring gloves in the market. They were among the first to utilize Rival’s now-iconic, indestructible super-rich microfibre PU. Furthermore, they were pioneers in incorporating the innovative dual-angle, V-Strap Wrist Lock 2 System. Truly, the RS11V represents the epitome of the evolution of sparring gloves.
**PSA I am not sponsored by Rival and am not affiliated with the brand in any way.**
Score Review
TTB
Our team’s review of the glove.
Padding (91/100)
The Rival RS11V gloves come with an extra-thick 2″ (50mm) layered foam in the knuckle area, specifically designed for intense sparring use. Initially, the padding might feel a bit stiff, but it provides excellent feedback when punching. This ensures not only your safety but also the safety of your sparring partner. The gloves are not as hard on your sparring partner as some other models, making them ideal for intense training sessions.
Glove Fit (85/100)
Every one of our team members who wore this glove can attest that these gloves offer an outstanding fit with a large hand compartment, ensuring comfort for a wide range of hand sizes. However, these gloves are not on the larger side (these gloves are slim and unlike more popular Japanese-style gloves). The ability to open and close the hand is smooth, ensuring you can adjust your grip as needed during sparring. The thumb is a mixed bag for most RS11V users. Personally, as a boxer with chronic thumb issues and larger hands, I kept experiencing thumb injuries in these over the course of the 14 months of wearing them. Perhaps it has to do with the short shape of the glove compartment, and the somewhat unconventional attachment of the thumb compartment to the glove.
Inner-Lining Comfort (90/100)
One of the standout features of the Rival RS11V gloves is the soft, satin-like inner lining. The lining is uniquely padded and is exactly how every boxing close should be padded in my opinion. I never experienced any chafing, pinky callouses or burns while wearing these in two camps and dozens of sparring seasons.
Exterior Material (95/100)
Contrary to some online reviews, these gloves are fully synthetic and not made of leather. The super-rich microfiber PU construction is slightly rougher than leather but offers incredible durability, ensuring the gloves last through countless training sessions. Additionally, the gloves feature embroidered and printed Rival graphics, adding a stylish look to their design. I’ve overheard somewhere that Rival claims that the “Super-Rich Microfibre PU Construction” exterior that they use is more robust than full-grain leather. As much as I love full-grain leather, I may have to agree! The PU material on these gloves is unlike any other synthetic I’ve felt, and the material’s longevity is simply unmatched.
Stitching Quality (92/100)
Let me tell you about the stitching on these gloves – it’s seriously out of this world. When I take a close look, I can see that every little detail, from the Rival logo embroidery’s accuracy to the way the stitching feels, this glove is perfectly standardized. This level of precision and consistency isn’t just a one-time thing, Rival’s quality is carried from model to model.
Wrist Support (96/100)
One of the issues I’ve often noticed with traditional boxing gloves is the misalignment between where the body of the glove meets the cuff and the actual position of a fighter’s wrist. It’s a design flaw that’s been around since the inception of boxing gloves. Trainers, including mine, would often have to lace and tape gloves above the intended spot to ensure that much-needed wrist support. Rival, however, seems to have addressed this age-old problem head-on. Drawing inspiration from their RS1 model, they’ve cleverly shortened the body of the glove and elevated the cuff, introducing what they call the Angled Lace Track. With its unique 15-degree angle, this design ensures that when the glove is laced, it aligns perfectly with the wrist, providing a fit that feels both secure and natural.
But the Canadian ‘tech-addict’ (Rival) didn’t stop there. Their commitment to innovation shines through with the development of the Wrist Lock 2 system. Inspired by the success of the Original Wrist Lock, this new system introduces a dual-angle V-strap. This strap, which attaches to both sides of the glove, ensures an even and secure fit, reminiscent of the feel of tape over a professional fight glove’s cuff. Having used these gloves myself for more than a year, I can confidently say that Rival’s Wrist Lock 2 system offers a level of comfort and stability that closely replicates the feel of a fully laced glove, but with the convenience of a Hook & Loop design.
Sparring Suitability (96/100)
These gloves are specifically designed for sparring (duh). They offer excellent protection for both the wearer and the sparring partner. However, these gloves go the extra length to make this a perfect hook & loop boxing glove. For one, They’ve added some extra padding down the wrist to prevent your opponent from getting scraped by the Dual V lock system. Also, the logos are printed instead of embroidered. It’s definitely the small details that make these gloves a masterpiece!
Heavy bag Suitability (89/100)
While these gloves are primarily designed for sparring, they can also be used on the heavy bag. They provide good feedback when punching, ensuring you can feel the impact and adjust your technique as needed. The AirFlow Control System ensures better ventilation, keeping your hands cooler during intense sessions. Although serious boxers use sparring gloves exclusively for sparring, I must admit that I used these gloves on the heavy bag several times, and didn’t experience any degradation in padding as a result of bagwork.
Rival RS11V Overview
The Rival RS11V Evolution Sparring Gloves are legendary boxing Gloves. For anyone looking for a durable, comfortable, and high-performing glove – look no further. Whether you’re sparring or (occasionally) hitting the heavy bag, these gloves will not disappoint. Their synthetic material ensures longevity, and the unique design features like the wrist lock system make them stand out in the crowded market of boxing gloves.
