RIVAL RFX-GUERRERO-V BAG GLOVES - HDE-F

Not a software post. 

Update 2023

The Rival RFX-Guerrero-V Bag Gloves(HDE-F) 10oz.

Pros:

High-density padding

Sleek like a pro fight glove

Feels true to weight

Pre-Formed Pro Fit

Rival's Trademark 15° Angle Cuff

Dual angle "V" strap Wrist-lock 2 system

Velcro strap perfect for skinny wrist

Wrist Protection is top notch

Con:

Not suitable for "super" large hands

No vegan (super microfibre) option

No gold color option.

A little expensive

For those who don't know the Guerrero bag gloves are a traditional “Mexican-Style” competition boxing gloves, which Rivel has adapted for bag/mitt use. Every boxer from beginner to expert will workout with a heavy bag at some point in their training. It helps you hone your skills and strengthen muscles. As bag work involves a lot of punching, it pays to have the right hand gear.

I've been into combat sports for a while. So like choosing a Linux distro, buying boxing gloves for the first time can be overwhelming. There are so many brands and so many recommendations. Just like with Linux distributions, I will never claim that my recommendations are the best, but they come from my experience with punching things and some feedback from legit fighters.

After trying out a pair a few years ago I finally decided to acquire a pair of my own. I got the 10 oz

 

RIVAL RFX-GUERRERO-V - "HDE-F" version of the bag glove. On this HDE-F version, the leather is laminated with a high density EVA foam which makes it stiffer and firmer than the SF-F version. 

There is also the new SF-H that has a quilted layer of horsehair padding. The SF-H version is about 80% horsehair to 20% foam. The SF-H version are durable, but they absorb sweat easier, wearing the padding down quicker than that of the HDE-F. 

 

These gloves get top marks from people who try them out. The laminated high density EVA foam on the knuckle area gives very good protection. But the Guerrero claim to fame is their enclosure called Wrist-Lock 2. The wrist lock straps are far better than any other velcro I have ever used. The wrist-lock fasteners are unique and utilize two straps, one around the wrist and one coming down from the palm. They are almost as good as being laced up. With Wrist-Lock 2 the wrap-around makes it easy to put the glove on or take it off with no assistance from others. The premium design of the Guerrero does come with a premium price tag, but they’re more than worth it for beginners and professionals alike.

I would love to see a Guerrero bag glove made out of synthetic leather, like my RS100 Professional Sparring Gloves. A lot of leather gloves are made out of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, buffalo, pigs, and hogs, as well as aquatic animals like seals and alligators. I prefer cruelty free, sustainable alternative leather. The vast majority of gloves I own are made out of Super Rich Microfibre or Cactus leather made from the leaves of the Nopal cactus plant. But I suppose if Rivals Guerrero fight gloves are made out of real leather, it stands the reason their bag gloves would have to be leather too.

Most gloves on the market today tend to stick with a fairly bland design, But not Rival gloves. They are almost always visually stunning (in my humble opinion), and their custom gloves are some of the most unique gloves in the world. To me they look futuristic, like they're ahead of the curve in terms of the way they look. On the grip bar "handcrafted with pride" is stitched in.  

What I love about rival is they're the first company that I have seen that consistently separate “bag gloves” from “sparring gloves”. In my opinion it makes no sense when boxing companies promote all-purpose “training gloves” meant for both hitting the bag and sparring. My RS100 has soft foam meant for hitting humans. These RFX-GUERRERO gloves are laminated with a hard outside layer. In other words: Either a glove has dense-foam that’s meant for bag/mitt work, or soft foam for sparring sessions. There should not be any hybrids.

Using the gloves

Fair warning the hand compartment is snug. If you have super huge hands these may not be the gloves for you. People with knuckle problems will also have some trouble. The striking surface is very compact and the lightweight just like the fight glove counterpart. When the v straps are tightened, they really immobilize the wrist like a lace-up glove. I could barely bend my wrist back as the wrist-lock 2 provided a stung custom fit, even on narrow forearms. From my past experience with these gloves they should hold up under pressure. I know people talk a lot of times about gloves that fall apart in a couple of months, but I am confident these will not. I can definitely tell you from personal experience these bag gloves are not a gimmick. They actually feel the difference in comfort and support from glove design.

Conclusion

I bought (Black Friday sale) these gloves with the intention of getting a 10oz fight glove which I can use for bag and pads/mitts. I only saved 15%, but Sezzle sweeten the deal. Sezzle provides a buy now, pay later loan that allows me to pay down this purchase in four payments over the next six months.

These gloves are specifically designed for ONLY bag and mitt use only. They cannot be used sparring as they are not designed for that – they will great for all your other training. So if you are looking for a professional or semi-professional glove to train with, this is definitely a glove to consider.

 

In my humble opinion these are some of the best looking gloves out there. I love the White/Gold color scheme worn by Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk. However I ultimately purchased the White/Black color scheme in 10 oz.

It does feel true to weight, and there is absolutely no discomfort even with straps pulled tight. I have big hands, so it can be a little bit challenging when using hand wraps or tape/gauze. If you have "super-duper" large hands the the RB-11 or the more expensive RB10 Intelli-Shock XL bag gloves have a little bit more room and a bit more padding.