Quick Verdict
The Rival RS80V Impulse is a dedicated sparring glove built around a pre-curved compartment, low-density high-volume foam and the angled Ergo Strap closure. At £99.99 it sits in Rival's mid-range sparring tier, and it suits club boxers who want a proper sparring-first glove without stepping up to the RS11V or RS100.
Use it for technical rounds and coach-led partner work. Keep bag sessions in a dedicated bag mitt such as the Rival RB5.
Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | £99.99 |
| Shell | Super Resistant Microfibre |
| Padding | Low-density, high-volume foam |
| Closure | Angled hook and loop (Ergo Strap system) |
| Palm | Breathable mesh panels |
| Lining | Soft internal lining |
| Best for | Sparring and partner drills |
| Weights stocked | 12oz, 14oz, 16oz |
| Also offered by Rival | 18oz (not stocked at FightGear) |
How FightGear Assessed the RS80V
Full physical testing on the RS80V is still in progress at our end, so this review is a product assessment. It draws on the confirmed spec, hands-on time with the shell and closure, and direct comparison against the RS11V and RS100 we have already reviewed.
Where we describe sparring behaviour we stay close to what the construction supports rather than inventing outcomes. If you want the wider brand context, read our Rival brand review alongside this one.
Fit and Hand Compartment
The RS80V uses a pre-curved compartment. The glove sits in a partially closed fist shape out of the box rather than lying flat, which reduces the effort needed to hold a closed fist across a round.
The internal shape runs on the snugger side of Rival's line. If you have wider knuckles or plan to wrap with a longer 4.5m hand wrap, size up rather than squeezing into your usual weight. Our glove size guide covers how weight and hand shape interact.
Thumb position is set slightly forward and attached, which keeps the guard tight when you catch shots on the temple.
Padding Profile
Rival specifies low-density, high-volume foam across the knuckle, back-of-hand and thumb. In practice that means a thicker padded block that compresses on impact rather than a dense, firm feel.
The knuckle bar has a rounded profile rather than a flat panel. Padding feels balanced across the striking surface without a hard shelf where the knuckle line ends.
This is a sparring foam, not a bag foam. It is tuned for the kind of controlled contact you get in technical rounds, not for repeated flat impact on a heavy bag.
Sparring and Partner Work
The RS80V is positioned as a dedicated sparring glove and that is where it belongs. It suits regular controlled sparring, coach-led partner work, pad rounds where the pad holder is calling combinations, and body sparring drills.
The volume of the foam gives you a broad contact patch, which sits well with clubs that want sparring gloves to look and feel like sparring gloves rather than compact competition mitts. If you are picking between models across the market, our best sparring gloves UK guide puts it in context.
Do not use the RS80V on a heavy bag. Bag work compresses sparring foam faster than the glove is designed for and shortens its useful sparring life. Keep a separate pair of RB5 bag mitts for that job.
How the Ergo Strap Works
The Ergo Strap is Rival's angled hook and loop closure. Instead of running straight across the wrist at ninety degrees, the strap crosses the cuff on a diagonal.
The practical effect is that tension pulls in a different direction across the wrist compared with a conventional straight strap. Some boxers prefer that feel and how the closure sits when the fist is closed. Others prefer a lace-up or a traditional straight strap.
Because the strap uses hook and loop, you can secure both gloves yourself without a coach or partner threading laces. We are describing the mechanism only here. We are not claiming the strap locks the wrist in any particular position, prevents wrist roll or removes injury risk. Wrist protection still comes from your hand wraps, your punch mechanics and appropriate glove weight.
Heat and Moisture
The palm uses breathable mesh panels rather than a solid palm skin. That gives air a path in and out during a round. The internal lining is soft and sits smoothly against a wrapped hand.
How dry any glove stays across a session depends on how hard you work, how you dry the glove between sessions and the humidity of the gym. Air the gloves after every use and rotate pairs where possible.
Break-In
Expect a break-in period. The pre-curved shape means the glove already sits closer to a fist position out of the box, but the foam still needs time to settle around your hand.
A few sessions of shadow boxing and light pad rounds before your first proper sparring round is a sensible approach. That is standard practice for any new sparring glove, not a specific weakness of the RS80V.
Construction and Shell
The shell is Rival's Super Resistant Microfibre. This is a synthetic material chosen for consistency, feel and easier care compared with genuine leather. Stitching runs along the main stress lines and the thumb attachment.
Microfibre gloves tend to keep their appearance well if you wipe them down, keep them out of direct heat and let them air between sessions. We are not making a lifespan promise here, only pointing at the construction features that support regular sparring use.
RS80V vs RS11V
| Feature | RS80V Impulse | RS11V Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Mid-range sparring | Upper-tier sparring |
| Shell | Super Resistant Microfibre | Full-grain leather |
| Padding | Low-density, high-volume foam | Multi-layered foam system |
| Closure | Ergo Strap (angled hook and loop) | Ergo Strap (angled hook and loop) |
| Best for | Regular club sparring | Boxers who want Rival's premium sparring feel |
Stepping up to the RS11V buys you the leather shell and a more layered padding build. If you spar multiple times a week and want a longer-term sparring glove, the RS11V is the natural upgrade. Full detail sits in our RS11V review.
RS80V vs RS100
| Feature | RS80V Impulse | RS100 Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Closure | Angled hook and loop | Lace-up |
| Shell | Microfibre | Leather |
| Fit adjustment | Self-secured | Needs a partner to lace |
| Best for | Independent gym sessions | Fighters who prefer a laced closure |
The choice between the RS80V and RS100 is mainly a closure decision. If you train at times when nobody is around to lace you in, the RS80V wins on convenience. If you specifically want a laced sparring glove and have someone to help, read the RS100 review next.
Weight Selection
FightGear stocks the RS80V in 12oz, 14oz and 16oz. Rival also offers an 18oz but we do not carry that weight.
For most adult club boxers, 16oz is the standard starting point for sparring. Lighter and smaller boxers sometimes work in 14oz. Your coach makes the final call based on your weight, your partner's weight and the type of sparring on the plan for that session.
If you want the full logic behind the choice, our 14oz vs 16oz guide walks through it.
Before Sparring in the RS80V
Run through this 10-point check before any sparring round, in any glove.
- Hand wraps applied cleanly, no bunching across the knuckles.
- Wraps secured and the Velcro tab flat against the wrist.
- Fingers seated fully into the glove compartment.
- Thumb sitting in the thumb pocket, not tucked into the palm.
- Ergo Strap closed with even tension across the cuff.
- Fist can close comfortably without foam bunching in the palm.
- No exposed stitching or lining catching against the wrap.
- Mouthguard and headguard on and checked.
- Coach has agreed the round intensity and objective.
- Partner is at a comparable weight or wearing appropriate padding.
Who Should Buy the RS80V
The RS80V makes sense for a few clear buyer types.
Club boxers who spar regularly and want a dedicated sparring glove rather than a general all-rounder. Boxers who already own bag mitts and are now building out a proper sparring-only pair. Rival fans who like the Ergo Strap and want a mid-tier option before committing to the RS11V. Boxers moving up from an entry sparring glove who want a better padding profile and closure without stretching to premium money.
It is not a beginner-only glove. It is an accessible route into Rival's sparring range that also holds up as a main sparring glove for experienced boxers. Browse the wider Rival collection if you want to compare across the range.
Who Should Avoid the RS80V
Skip the RS80V if you want one pair to do everything. Sparring gloves and bag gloves are different jobs and this one is set up for sparring.
Skip it if you specifically want a laced sparring glove, in which case go to the RS100. Skip it if you want the top of Rival's sparring line, in which case the RS11V is your target. Skip it if you prefer the harder, more compact feel of horsehair-padded gloves such as Cleto Reyes, covered in our Cleto Reyes vs Rival comparison.
Finally, skip it if you are looking for bag gloves. Go straight to the RB5 bag mitts or browse the full sparring collection to plan a proper two-pair setup.
Final Verdict
The Rival RS80V Impulse is a well-judged mid-range sparring glove. The pre-curved compartment, low-density high-volume foam and Ergo Strap closure give it a clear sparring identity, and at £99.99 it opens the door into Rival's sparring line without asking for premium money.
Pair it with proper hand wraps, a dedicated bag mitt for pad and bag work, and a coach who is guiding your sparring plan, and you have a sensible core setup for club training. You can check current stock and weights on the Rival RS80V product page.
