Rival RS100 Professional Sparring Gloves Review
The Rival RS100 is a lace-up sparring glove built with Rival's multi-layer foam system and a Super Rich Microfibre shell. Despite the "Professional" label, it is a dedicated sparring glove, not a contest or fight glove. Available in 14oz and 16oz at £194.99, it targets boxers who want a laced sparring option for partner work.
Quick Verdict
The Rival RS100 sits at the premium end of Rival's laced sparring line. It offers a substantial padded profile, an angled lace track intended to distribute tightening across the wrist and lower forearm, and a microfibre shell finished to a high standard.
It suits boxers who train in a gym where lace-ups are practical, either through a coach, a training partner, or a lace converter. If you spar alone or rotate between multiple gyms, a Velcro sparring glove will be simpler to manage.
Exact Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Rival RS100 Professional Sparring Gloves |
| Shell | Super Rich Microfibre |
| Padding | Rival's multi-layer foam system |
| Closure | Lace-up, Angled Lace Track System |
| Weights | 14oz, 16oz |
| Intended use | Sparring |
| Price | £194.99 |
| Product page | RS100 on FightGear |
What "Professional" Means in the Model Name
This is the most misunderstood part of the RS100. "Professional" is Rival's model designation, not a category. The RS100 is not a fight glove, is not sanctioned as competition equipment, and is not designed for contest use.
Rival's actual fight gloves sit in a separate category. The RS100 is a sparring glove that Rival positions as its premium laced sparring option. Treat it as such. If you are looking for contest gloves, the RS100 is not the right product.
How FightGear Tested the RS100
We are transparent about our process. Full physical testing of the RS100 is in progress at the time of writing, and this review will be updated as our sparring notes, partner feedback and long-term wear observations accumulate.
Our methodology covers unboxing and stitching inspection, fit assessment across different hand profiles, controlled sparring rounds with rotating partners, break-in tracking across sessions, and comparisons with the RS11V and RS80V in the same session block. Where we have not yet completed a testing phase, we say so rather than fill the gap with assumptions.
Fit and True-Fist Construction
Rival describes the RS100 as using their True-Fist Construction, meaning the internal cavity is pre-shaped rather than flat. The design intent is a curled fist position with the fingers already partially closed inside the glove.
Whether that shape feels natural depends on your hand. Palm width, finger length, thumb angle and how you wrap all influence how a pre-shaped glove sits. Boxers with wider palms sometimes find pre-shaped gloves snug across the knuckle row; boxers with longer fingers may feel the curl more prominently. Try before you commit where possible.
If you are unsure about sizing generally, our boxing glove size guide covers the key considerations.
Padding Profile
The RS100 uses Rival's multi-layer foam system, presented as a substantial sparring profile. Visually and by hand feel, the padding across the knuckle and back-of-hand area is generous, consistent with a glove designed for controlled partner work rather than contest weight.
We are not claiming this is the deepest padding in Rival's range without back-to-back verification. What we can say is that the padded volume looks and feels appropriate for the sparring category Rival has placed it in.
Sparring and Partner Feedback
Partner feedback is the honest measure of any sparring glove. In early sessions, partners have described the RS100 as feeling like a full sparring glove on contact, with a soft initial impression rather than a firm slap.
As we accumulate more rounds across different partners and body types, we will expand this section. For now, first impressions are consistent with what you would expect from a premium laced sparring glove in this weight range.
Angled Lace Track System
The Angled Lace Track is Rival's routing of the lace path across the cuff. Instead of running straight, the eyelets are angled so that when the laces are pulled, tension is distributed across the wrist and into the lower forearm.
Mechanically, this allows you to tighten the closure across a wider band of the cuff. It does not automatically make the glove tighter or safer than a well-fitted Velcro glove. A properly closed Velcro cuff on a well-designed sparring glove can achieve a secure fit; lace-up simply gives you finer control over how the tension is distributed.
Lace Converters and Solo Use
Laces are the main practical consideration with the RS100. You either need a coach or training partner to tie you in, or a lace converter. A converter is a Velcro strap that covers the tied laces and lets you close the glove yourself after an initial one-time lacing.
If you train primarily solo or rotate between gyms where no one is available to lace you up, a Velcro sparring glove may be the more practical choice. See our best sparring gloves for UK 2026 guide for alternatives.
Break-In
Premium sparring gloves with substantial padding and microfibre shells typically need a break-in period. Expect the internal foam to soften slightly and the shell to relax across the knuckle row over the first several sessions.
Do not judge fit from the first lacing. Give the glove three to five sparring sessions before deciding whether it works for your hand.
Construction and Shell
The RS100 uses Rival's Super Rich Microfibre shell. Rival describes the panels as hand-stitched. On our units, the stitching is even, the seams are clean and the branding is neatly applied.
We are not making long-term durability claims until we have logged enough sessions to observe wear patterns. For broader context on Rival's construction standards, see our Rival Boxing gloves overview.
RS100 vs RS11V
The RS11V Evolution is Rival's most widely used Velcro sparring glove. It shares the sparring focus and premium positioning but with a different closure and fit character.
| Feature | RS100 | RS11V |
|---|---|---|
| Closure | Lace-up (Angled Lace Track) | Velcro |
| Category | Sparring | Sparring |
| Solo use | Requires partner or converter | Straightforward |
| Cuff feel | Distributed tension via laces | Wide Velcro cuff |
| Best for | Gym-based sparring with lacing help | Boxers who train solo or rotate gyms |
Read our full RS11V review for a closer look.
RS100 vs RS80V
The RS80V Impulse is another Velcro sparring option in Rival's line, positioned differently to the RS11V.
| Feature | RS100 | RS80V |
|---|---|---|
| Closure | Lace-up | Velcro |
| Shell | Super Rich Microfibre | Microfibre |
| Fit profile | Pre-shaped True-Fist | Pre-shaped, different cavity feel |
| Practicality | Needs lacing assistance | Fully self-contained |
Our RS80V review covers the Impulse in detail. If you are also comparing Rival to other premium brands, see Cleto Reyes vs Rival.
Weight Selection
The RS100 is available in 14oz and 16oz. We have not seen an 18oz confirmed for this model, so plan around the two stocked weights.
Weight choice is not purely a bodyweight calculation. Your coach, your gym's sparring policy, the size of your regular partners and the type of sparring you do all matter. Some gyms require 16oz for all sparring regardless of bodyweight. Others allow 14oz for lighter, more technical work.
For a deeper breakdown, read our 14oz vs 16oz guide. Ask your coach before ordering.
Pre-Sparring Inspection: 10-Point Checklist
Run through this before every sparring session, regardless of glove model.
- Check the outer shell for splits along the knuckle seams.
- Inspect the lace track eyelets for fraying or lace damage.
- Feel the interior padding for any compressed or hollow spots.
- Check the thumb attachment stitching.
- Confirm the lining is intact and not bunching inside.
- Smell for moisture retention that suggests inadequate drying.
- Confirm your laces or converter straps are in working order.
- Check the wrist cuff for any structural deformation.
- Wrap your hands correctly before lacing in.
- Test-close the glove and flex your fist before touching gloves with your partner.
Pros and Drawbacks
Pros
- Substantial multi-layer padding suited to sparring.
- Angled Lace Track distributes cuff tension across the wrist.
- Super Rich Microfibre shell with clean finishing.
- Fits into Rival's wider sparring ecosystem alongside the RS11V and RS80V.
Drawbacks
- Lace-up closure requires a partner, coach or converter.
- Only two weights (14oz, 16oz) available.
- Premium price point at £194.99.
- Pre-shaped True-Fist cavity may not suit every hand profile.
Who Should Buy the RS100
Consider the RS100 if you train in a gym where lacing up is normal, you have a coach or training partner who can tie you in, and you want a premium laced sparring glove. It also suits boxers who prefer the distributed cuff tension a lace-up offers over Velcro.
Browse the full Rival collection or the wider sparring gloves range to compare options.
Who Should Avoid the RS100
Skip the RS100 if you train solo without access to a lace converter, if you rotate between multiple gyms and need a glove you can close quickly, or if you specifically want a bag or pad glove. The RS100 is a sparring glove; do not use it on the heavy bag. For bag work, look at a dedicated option like the Rival RB5 bag mitts.
Also avoid if you are looking for a contest or fight glove. The "Professional" label on the RS100 refers to the model name, not to competition use.
Final Verdict
The Rival RS100 is a well-finished laced sparring glove that fits neatly into Rival's premium range. Its main strength is the combination of substantial padding, a distributed-tension lace system and a clean microfibre shell. Its main practical constraint is that it needs someone to lace you in, or a converter to make solo use viable.
Our testing is ongoing and this review will be updated as our session log grows. For most UK boxers deciding between Rival's laced and Velcro sparring options, the choice comes down to gym setup and personal preference rather than one glove being categorically better than another.
FAQs
Are Rival RS100 gloves good for sparring?
Yes, the RS100 is designed specifically as a sparring glove, with Rival's multi-layer foam system and a substantial padded profile intended for controlled partner work. Suitability for your specific sparring depends on your coach's guidance, weight choice and hand fit.
Are the RS100 gloves professional fight gloves?
No. "Professional" is the model name. The RS100 is a sparring glove, not a contest or fight glove. Rival's actual fight gloves are separate products in a different category.
What is the Angled Lace Track System?
It is Rival's routing of the lace eyelets across the cuff at an angle rather than in a straight line. When the laces are tightened, the tension is distributed across the wrist and lower forearm rather than concentrated in one band.
Should I choose 14oz or 16oz RS100?
Ask your coach. Weight choice depends on your gym's sparring policy, your training partners, the type of sparring you do and your own build. Some gyms require 16oz for all sparring; others allow 14oz for lighter technical work.
Can RS100 gloves be used on a heavy bag?
No. The RS100 is a sparring glove and should not be used on the heavy bag. For bag work, use dedicated bag mitts or bag gloves such as the Rival RB5.
