100 of 101 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mixed opinion and performance, May 6, 2006
This review is from: Harbinger 320 Bag Glove WristWrap (Black) (Sports)
I've used many pairs (7+) of these gloves over the last 5 or 6 years for heavy bag workouts (~5 hours a week). Including look-alikes marketed under different names which are essentially identical.
After about 8 months of use, the interior dye starts wearing off, so your knuckles turn black. Serious scrubbing after a workout to remove the color. A month or so after that, they start to stink and end up having to be thrown in favor of a new pair, although the gloves themselves show little sign of wear at that point. It's a regular, predictable pattern.
Tried glove dogs, careful drying, "BO" sprays, etc. The spray is useless, the glove dogs can extend it a few months before the gloves become biohazards, but that's not the real problem -- buying new gloves every year isn't so bad.
The problem is, every once in awhile, you get a pair which for some reason, are less effective protection. Switch to the new pair and knuckles start bruising big time immediately. Go back to the old pair, or get a different new pair, and the bruising stops. Same size, same feel, different protection results. There's something about a percentage of these gloves that isn't quite right and you end up with inadequate protection.
So I've started looking for something else -- it's too hit and miss. If you get a good pair, they will still go sour pretty fast and you're back to square one.
Possibly if you use them less often and get lucky with your first pair, these things won't be a factor.
UPDATE: Ringside's "Gel Shock Thunder Bag Gloves" seem to address the disadvantages of this style of glove. Partly open palm (still w/grip bar) means they dry fast (a couple minutes) so may not stink up as fast. The impact protection seems better. No XL size, it seems. Only question is how they hold up over time. We'll see.
FURTHER UPDATE: I've found rubbing baking soda into every part of the gloves solves the smell problem. Wouldn't you know the cheapest solution is the one that works best. So much for expensive sprays, glove dogs, etc.
Another update: Also tried Primetime MMA-4 gloves mentioned by another reviewer. Nicely made gloves that hold their dye, but not ideal for heavy bag work. The padding is thick, bouncy and shaped such that bag strikes tend to be "deflected" and bounce/roll away. Makes for a very unsatisfying work out, stresses wrist, etc. These gloves seem better suited to grappling or flat hand work than a fist and head-on impact.
I've been switching between Harbinger's, Ringside Thunder bag gloves, and Primetime MMA-4 and find I am glad when the Ringside's come up in the rotation since they feel the best and protect the best.
It seems the Gel-Shock's are the clear winners, just be sure they dry completely between use, else the odor problem accelerates and you can even get dye-transfers. I have 4 pairs in rotation so use a given pair only about once a week.
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
For the price, better than most, but not the best, July 20, 2006
This review is from: Harbinger 320 Bag Glove WristWrap (Black) (Sports)
I have had these gloves for quite some time now (over 3 years), and I have used them for various training exercises such as Heavy Bag Workouts (what I originally purchased them for), JKD sparring/focus mitt work, and MMA grappling. They have worked well for me and have been very durable. To be honest, I am torn over buying another pair of these and saving money, or springing for a more-expensive pair of PrimeTime Level 4 gloves.
As for one reviewer's comments on smell, I can't say that I have experienced the same problem, and I tend to sweat quite a bit, but I can see how it can be a problem for some because they are not open palm. Of course, and with all due respect and not trying to assume anything, not stuffing them into a cramped unventilated gym bag right after an intense workout plays a role in reducing any smells. However, one reviewer mentioned getting scrapes on his knuckles, and I found this to be absolutely true when doing a lot of heavy bag work (particularly on the pinky knuckles). I found that taping up the hands with a bit of athletic tape relieves this, although it can be a bit constrictive and annoying until one gets the hang of it. I also haven't had a problem with black dye on my hands, although perhaps I avoided that issue during the break-in period by using the aforementioned tape.
As for the qualities of the glove, it allows for good transition between striking and grappling drills (once you make some modifications- more on that in a bit). Surprisingly, grip is excellent even in the sweatiest of conditions, although some people may not like that its closed palm. Padding feels firm and not too spongy compared to alot of other MMA gloves in the same price range. Wrist-wrap is supportive and the glove fits well on my hands while feeling light-weight and tactile.
Note that this glove comes with some sort of foam or rubber bar sewn into the palm, which is its biggest drawback. I have always felt it was a hinderance, and even a danger because one could not completely close the fist when striking. Perhaps for the beginner it has some useful quality, but I think it leads to a lazy fist and potential injuries (which is why I removed it in the first place). Also, forget about using it for MMA if the bar is still there. Thus, one needs to go through the *careful* process of undoing the stitching with a needle or small scissor point and removing the bar. I say careful because you can tear the leather on the palm if you try to rip off bar with brute strength. Also, perhaps poking small holes with the pin along the stitching would help the glove "breathe" somewhat better.
Overall, this is a middle of the road glove that is better than most gloves at this price range. I wouldn't use these for competition, just training purposes. 3.5 stars, if I could.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
mma approved, September 12, 2005
A Kid's Review
This review is from: Harbinger 320 Bag Glove WristWrap (Black) (Sports)
this glove is awesome.theres padding on the whole back of the hand and 3/4 of the fingers.it doesnt say on the box but i`ve seen in the king of the cage alot of fighters using them.the gloves provide a snug fit around your hand.and anothwer thing i love about this glove is the grip bar in the palm.this provides comfort for my hand and doesnt make my fingers cramp up.if u want a long lasting gloves with both comfort and style.its worth the money.
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