The boxing glove is one of those timeless fitness silhouettes, one that's remained relatively unchanged throughout history. Sure, advancements in materials have helped improved safety, performance and durability over the years — but the way those materials come together in the final profile has been relatively kept intact since the end of the 1890s.
While there's plenty to be said and admired when it comes to this historical design, that doesn't mean there's no room for innovation. Hayabusa, the brand responsible for some of the category's best boxing gloves, looks to prove that with its latest T3D profile, by utilizing a manufacturing process that screams futuristic — 3D printing. Relying on resin and codes rather than natural materials and handcrafted designs, these all-new boxing gloves weigh in as one of the sport's most forward-thinking innovations in recent memory.
"This will fundamentally change the industry's perception of hand protection and comfort," says Hayabusa CEO Ken Clement. "Hayabusa's patent-pending design took years of research, development and testing to perfect, and we're ready to define the next era of performance."
What Does "3D-Printed Boxing Glove" Mean?
While the notion of a 3D-printed boxing glove could conjure up images of Westworld-like prints over athlete's individual hands, the root of the innovation lies at the heart of the T3D silhouette — or rather, its padding. According to Hayabusa, the all-new glove profile replaces its traditional layered foams over the knuckles and hand with a complex matrix of resin lattice.
This network of geometric cells is coded to absorb and channel energy upon impact, made possible by thousands of force-damping struts. This makeup, in theory, should be able to outperform and outlast more traditional padding materials like foam and horse hair.
Additionally, the T3D's futuristic makeup should add some comfort to your next sparring sessions due in part to its targeted support for refreshing, performance-ready coziness.
Hayabusa T3D: What We Think
I thoroughly enjoyed training with these innovative new gloves from Hayabusa. The lattice cushioning provided excellent protection, and it feels as though its durability claims will ring true as the rounds pile up. I do wish that the price wasn’t as distant from the original T3s, as there’s a lot of similarities between the two profiles, still.
This price hike is sort of to be expected given the breakthrough technology, though, and I’m sure we’ll see a leveling out down the road. If you want the latest and greatest, these are definitely worth strapping into, but if you’re looking to save a few dollars, you may be better off with the normal T3s.
The patent pending 3D-printed lattice cushioning gives each punch a nice, innovative level of comfort.
Admittedly, I didn’t doubt that Hayabusa would be able to create a glove profile with loads of protection and cushioning, but I was still impressed by how the 3D-printed lattice system translated from the lab to the bag. Each punch felt like it absorbed the shock well to help keep my knuckles and digits safe, and I didn’t notice any soft spots or wear and tear over extended sessions. This leads me to believe that Hayabusa’s claim that this innovation can outlast more traditional padding materials has some merit, but only time will tell.
On a side note, I appreciate how Hayabusa engineered a small window into the cushioning layer at the back of the glove to give athletes a glimpse of what’s under the Vylar engineered leather exterior. Not only was this a nice way to show off the revolutionary tech, but it also served as a tasteful addition to the overall aesthetic that sets these mitts apart from the competition. It’s one thing to say your gloves feature 3D-printed cushioning, but another to actually see it in action.
The T3D still showcases fan-favorite features including premium thumb protection and wrist support.
The T3Ds had a lot of good foundation to work from in the original T3s — which still sit as our favorite boxing gloves overall — so it was nice to find many of those premium features emblazoned across this latest silhouette as well. I appreciate the perforated thumb and palm which aid in breathability along with the temperature-regulating inner AG Fabric. Plus, the T3Ds also boast Hayabusa’s Dual-X dual-strap interlocking closure at the wrist for impressive lockdown and structure. I admire this hook-and-loop system over other boxing glove closures as it allows for a tightening sensation across both the top and bottom of your wrist, eliminating any potential disconnect you may feel between your mitt and fist.
I also enjoy how ergonomic this T3D profile feels in training thanks to its attached thumb and impressive grip bar. Making a fist over this grip is natural and intuitive, allowing for a more comfortable setup before getting into bag work or sparring sessions. The attached thumb, on the other hand, keeps everything in-place through the structured placement, eliminating the chances of getting jammed or hung up through your sessions.
The T3Ds are slightly heavier than their predecessor.
Naturally, when a brand switches up one of its main materials, you expect the profile to be slightly different than its predecessor, but I was curious to see if Hayabusa would be able to replicate the weight of its T3 while swapping out natural padding for synthetic resin. After weighing both the T3Ds and my original pair of T3s, I found the new 3D-printed silhouette to come in 0.1 ounces heavier than the original. Both gloves fell within their listed weight of 12 ounces, but that slight uptick in weight could be a cause for concern for more advanced athletes.
While I had no issues getting through a workout and didn’t feel the weight slowed my punches, I’m not training with boxing as my full focus. That extra 0.1 ounce could begin to add up over thousands and thousands of punches. Is it a major concern for most everyday athletes? Probably not. Should it be addressed for the sake of competitive fighters and those taking the sport more seriously? Absolutely, yes.
There’s no microfiber thumb for sweat management mid-training.
While I applaud Hayabusa for keeping a bunch of features the same across the T3 and T3D profiles, there’s one glaring omission that I was saddened to see gone from the silhouette — the microfiber thumbs. This convenient add-on made wiping my brow between bouts a breeze, instead of trying to grasp a workout towel to keep my brow free of beads and pooling moisture. The T3D profile simply carries the Vylar engineered leather across the thumb, which eliminates this quick-drying feature.
Hayabusa T3D: Alternatives
As stated above, the T3Ds do carry a heavy price tag that may be out of your weight class, especially if you’re just getting into boxing as a worthwhile training discipline. Thankfully, though, there are some other options that can deliver similar benefits and results in your workouts. One of the more obvious alternatives to this 3D-printed mitt is its inspiration, the Hayabusa T3. While you don’t get the resin lattice cushioning, you still get plenty of perks that are present across this impressive silhouette (including that aforementioned microfiber thumb).
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Additionally, I like the Cleto Reyes Hook-and-Loop Training Gloves for their easy-to-grip bar and wide array of hues for that personalized look in the ring. The Cleto Reyes mitts don’t feature Dual-X closure at the wrist, though, which could leave beginner athletes a little uncomfortable due to the lessened support.
Get the Cleto Reyes Hook-and-Loop Training Gloves Here
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