The Venum challenger gloves are not the brand’s most expensive boxing gloves. But are they good?
When it comes to boxing gloves, I had mixed experiences with cheap gloves. Your boxing gloves are there to help you protect your hands and your training partners.
So, saving on boxing gloves is not something I recommend. Especially if you train 4+ times a week.
But what’s the problem with having cheap gloves anyway?
Well, if you are somewhat serious about your training you’ll find yourself buying gloves every couple of months. Most important, If the padding isn’t high-quality you could get injured.
Furthermore, if you’re sparring using cheap gloves, with subpar padding, you could cause more damage than necessary to your training partners.
SKIP STRAIGHT TO: Are Venum Challenger 2.0 Gloves Good?
I could go on and on about the dangers of saving money in boxing gloves, but you get the idea.
Regardless of the brand, crafting quality gloves costs money. That’s why entry-level boxing gloves from recognizable brands always make me suspicious about their quality.
I’m never certain if they’re leveraging their brand’s recognition for a quick cash grab in the budget boxing gloves segment, or if they do want to deliver a quality experience at a discount.
Online stores are full of cheap boxing gloves with bold claims about their durability and hand protection, but unfortunately, most of them fail to deliver.
There’s no need to settle for a sub-par training experience. Buy quality once and you won’t need to worry about gloves for years.
Due to their attractive price and slick design, the Venum Challenger 2.0 gloves are one of the most popular gloves Venum offer.
I wanted to test for myself if they are as good as they claim to be.
In my Venum Challenger 2.0 boxing gloves review, I personally tested the gloves to find out:
Table of Contents
And pretty much everything else you need to know about this pair of gloves.
My time with Venum Challenger 2.0 gloves ranged from rigorous performance testing with Muay Thai and boxing sparring session, to day-to-day heavy bag training usage to find out how it stacks up against other budget options.
I’ve summarized my thoughts about the Venum Challenger 2.0 but you’ll need to read until the end to fully understand my findings.
Are Venum Challenger 2.0 Gloves Good?
Do I recommend Venum Challenger 2.0? Yes, I recommend them. They are excellent boxing gloves. They feel great and they’re a good value for the price. However, they’re not for everyone.
If you train MMA and you don’t train boxing or Muay Thai every day they might last a year or more. However, if you use them every day they might last no more than seven months.
I recommend them to everybody looking for affordable, quality boxing gloves.
Just be aware that their build quality is not as good as mid-level premium gear like the Hayabusa T3 or Venum Elite Pro Gloves which costs around $150.
don’t miss the pros and cons section
Venum Challenger Key Data
| Made of PU leather |
| Breathable interior |
| Triple density foam and top protection |
| Attached thumb |
| Velcro enclosure |
| Designed in Thailand but made in China |
| They weigh around 800 grams |
Venum Challenger Pros And Cons
Pros
- Afordable boxing gloves
- Attractive design
- Lots of protection from elbows and kicks
- Good for Boxing and Muay Thai
- Excellent for beginners
- Easy to open and close unassisted
Cons
- The PU leather might fall off earlier than expected
- The thumb attachment might feel odd during Muay Thai clinch training
Venum Challenger Boxing Gloves Pricing Vs. Quality
Venum Challenger gloves are entry-level gear, and they’re priced pretty low. You can find them online for no more than $50 a pair.
You can grab a pair at this affordable price because they’re made of PU leather, and they’ve been around for a while.
They’re good enough for the price. They lasted me a similar amount of time as more expensive options within the same segment. But they’re not as good as the more expensive alternatives like the Hayabusa T3, which costs about $150.
However, if you constantly train (4+ times a week) and care about your gloves’ long-term durability and design, you’ll need to pay way more than $50.
To give you some perspective about the Venum Challenger 2.0 quality. Top-level professional boxing gloves will cost you between $200 and $300.
So, if you’re a newbie, I recommend using entry-level boxing gloves from trusted brands like Venum or Everlast.
But, is it worth it to get a pair of Venum Challenger 2.0 boxing gloves?
Should You Buy A Pair Of Venum Challenger Gloves?
You should buy a pair of Venum Challenger 2.0 boxing gloves if:
You are a newbie — If you’re just starting out in boxing or Muay Thai, the Venum Challenger 2.0 will be more than enough to start your training journey.
They offer way more protection than their design and low price suggests.
If price is a concern — Low-cost Venum Challenger gloves are durable with moderate use, especially if you take care of them. And, they’ll last you long enough to get serious about the sport and consider an upgrade to a more expensive pair.
If you want to mix things up — You don’t have to be stuck with one style of gloves. The Venum Challenger 2.0 are fairly decent for Muay Thai and boxing. If you already own a more premium pair of gloves these ones are good to keep in your rotation.
You should not buy a pair of Venum Challenger if:
You are an experienced fighter — I really enjoyed my time using them but I wasn’t too impressed by their long-term durability.
Venum Challenger 2.0 Alternatives
Fairtex BGV1
The most famous Fairtex product.
- Great padding distribution for Thai boxing.
- Allow great mobility in the clinch.
- Strong backside protection on each glove.
Hayabusa T3
The best protection and highest comfort.
- Wrist protection of the highest level.
- Less suitable for clinch fighting.
- A bit pricey for some people.
Venum Challenger 2.0 boxing gloves are unique because they offer the protection you can’t get from more conventional brands.
However, if you are looking for something higher-end or more durable that still provides good protection, the Hayabusa T3 is a great alternative.
The Hayabusa T3 gloves offer excellent durability, and the only thing I noticed is that they’re slightly heavier than Venum Challenger, but it’s barely noticeable in normal usage.
Another great alternative is the Fairtex BGV1. I’ve tried a lot of training gloves, and I often recommend these because they offer excellent quality, durability, and protection for the price.
If you are looking for boxing gloves that are closer to the Venum Challenger 2.0 while still offering enhanced protection and durability. In that case, the Ringside Apex Gel Boxing Gloves are an excellent option at a reasonable price.
Venum Challenger 2.0 Testing Methodology
I tested the Venum Challenger 2.0 for an entire year. The gloves were tested for durability, comfort, and safety.
I tested them in various training scenarios to find out: The pros, cons, and usability of the Venum Challenger 2.0 over an extended period.
During that year, my training was mostly centered around BJJ, so I used them for Muay Thai sparring and heavy bag boxing classes once a week.
Many boxing gloves are available in the market, but I only review my favorite ones here at MMAWhisperer. I must say I like the aesthetics of the gloves a lot.
Venum Challenger 2.0 Final Verdict
The Venum Challenger 2.0 gloves get the job done, and often you can find them for $50 or less.
I like how they looked and were comfortable to use during standard training sessions.
They offer a fair amount of protection even though they’re pretty low-cost, but I would not recommend them if you plan to use them for heavy Muay Thai training or sparring.
