RDX is a well-known brand that delivers budget-friendly, highly quality MMA gear. They have a roster of professional athletes known to use their gear such as UFC’s Khamzat Chimaev and Tony Ferguson, and a ton more across various combat sports.
So, if RDX is good enough for some of the biggest names in the sport, surely it will be good enough for me, right?
With that in mind, I’ve been trying out their Kara F6 sparring gloves for the last couple of months, and have decided it’s time to share my thoughts.
So, let’s crack on with our RDX MMA gloves review, and see what they’re all about.
RDX MMA Sparring Gloves Overview
Overview
The RDX Kara F6 sparring gloves are a 7oz pair of gloves built for MMA sparring and training. The gloves themselves come in a number of different style and color variations. The Kara F6 sparring gloves are priced very reasonably, making them a great option for both beginners and experienced MMA fighters.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Nice, thick padding great for MMA sparring
- Good amount of color variations to choose from
- Very solid hook and loop closure system
- Great pre-curved design
Cons:
- Not as durable as more expensive options
RDX MMA Gloves Review
Alright, let’s take a closer look at the RDX Kara F6 Sparring gloves, shall we?
Fit & Comfort
When I first started wearing the RDX gloves, I was pretty surprised at how stiff they were. Putting my hand into a fist shape was a bit more effort than I’d have liked. Coming from gloves that I’ve used for over a year, the difference was very noticeable.
That said, all MMA gloves require a bit of a break-in, and that was the case here.
After a week or so of regular training (at least once a day, 4 or so times a week), they loosened up a lot and felt a lot more comfortable on my hands. Compared to some of the genuine leather gloves I’ve used in the past, the break-in period was significantly shorter.
So, once the gloves were a bit worn and broken in, how did they feel?
Really, really good. The padding of the RDX’s has a pre-curved design that kept my fingers curled, close to a fist shape. Most sparring gloves are pre-curved, but the position the RDXs kept my fingers in felt very natural and comfortable. My hand was always in a state where I could throw a strike and land it comfortably with a closed fist.
I’m 5’7” and weigh approximately 145lb, and chose the small/ medium size, which worked out perfectly. The finger padding covered the length of my fingers but wasn’t overly long with no overhang.
Some gloves that I’ve used in the past had padding that was either too short or too long. This in turn meant that the tips of my fingers were exposed.
On the other hand, I’ve used gloves where the padding is too long, with a ton of unnecessary overhang that made making a fist harder than it needed to be. You can check out the size chart below to see which gloves would be best for you.
Lastly, it’s worth discussing the hook and loop closure system. The wrist strap wraps around your wrist twice, which creates a very stable fit. When I landed shots in sparring, I could definitely feel the wrist support that these gloves provide.
Although it did take a while to figure out how tight I liked the gloves, once I’d figured that out, they were extremely comfortable and supportive.
Performance
Given that MMA is a blend of striking and grappling, it’s important to find a pair of gloves that can perform well in both areas of the sport.
The RDX’s open palm and flexible design performed very well in grappling exchanges. I really liked how low profile these gloves felt, it just made grappling, especially in the clinch, feel very natural without hindering my ability to perform.
For me, 7oz feels like a good weight for sparring gloves. I was obviously not throwing anything at full power, but I felt secure letting my hands go, without fear of causing any unnecessary damage to my sparring partner.
All in all, the gloves felt seamless on my hand, causing no distractions, and did everything I needed them to do in sparring.
Durability and Material
I want to start this section by saying for the price, the durability that these gloves offer is incredible. While they’re definitely not the most durable pair of gloves I’ve ever used, they do hold up well under regular training.
At the end of the day, if you want premium gloves that are going to last an insanely long time, the best way to go is with genuine leather gloves. However, this will often cost you double or triple the price and I’m unsure whether the extra cost is worth it.
I train 4 days a week, often multiple times a day and these gloves held up insanely well given they cost less than $30.
It seems the quality of synthetic/ fake leather gloves has gone up a considerable amount over the years as the gap between fake and genuine leather has gotten much smaller.
On the subject of leather, brands will often come up with a term or phrase that depicts the gloves to be made out of real leather, with RDX’s being “Maya Hide Leather”.
It’s a bit misleading, especially if you’re looking for genuine leather gloves, but hey, it is what it is, and these “Maya Hide Leather” gloves do hold up pretty well.
Visuals
It’s often hard to review how certain gear looks, as everyone’s opinion on “style” or design is subjective.
That said, I decided to go with the all-black version of the RDX sparring gloves, simply because the majority of my other gear is black (or white), so it goes pretty well.
The gloves themselves have a pretty minimal design with a matte finish, which keeps things simple and looks very clean.
If you’re not a fan of the all-black look, there are a few different color variations that you can check out below.
Price
It’s pretty unbelievable to me how cheap these MMA gloves are.
They’re almost a third of the price of my Fairtex sparring gloves, which is just insane. It’s not as though they’re a third of the quality either.
Admittedly, they likely won’t last as long, but in terms of value for money, these are going to be some of the best MMA gloves you can find.
Considerations
When you’re on the hunt for a pair of new MMA gloves, there are a few things to take into consideration. I’ll briefly touch upon these below so you can make as informed a decision as possible.
Size & Weight
Whenever choosing a pair of MMA gloves, it’s very important to check the size chart. If you’re a medium with one brand, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be medium with another. Each brand has its own sizing method, so always double-check before you buy.
For MMA sparring, the weight of gloves can vary and it comes down to personal preference. If you’re new to MMA, I’d recommend getting heavier gloves as there’s a good chance you’ll have less control of your shots.
Sparring gloves typically weigh around 5oz-8oz.
How Often You train
The frequency of your training is a key factor to take into consideration when buying a pair of MMA gloves. If you’re sparring once a week, or every other week, there’s very little point forking out for premium gloves from a high-end brand.
On the other hand, if you’re sparring and training regularly, it makes sense to get a pair of more expensive gloves that will likely last much longer.
The RDXs for example, strike a nice balance between cost and quality and are suitable for beginners and veterans alike.
Price
MMA gloves come in a pretty wide range of prices, from budget-friendly brands such as RDX, all the way up to pro, expensive brands such as Fairtex or Venum.
How much you’re willing to spend on MMA gloves comes down to personal preference. If you’re just starting out in MMA, I’d recommend a budget-friendly pair such as the RDX F6 Karas. They won’t break the bank and will do you as you start your MMA journey.
On the other hand, if you’re training frequently and taking MMA seriously, it could be better to spend a bit more on a higher-quality pair of gloves.
Again, that’s my advice and there really is no right or wrong.
Who is RDX?
RDX is a brand that offers a wide range of combat sports gear such as gloves, protective equipment (headgear, shin guards, etc.), training equipment, and apparel. They have gained a ton of popularity amongst the combat sports community and are well known for offering products for very affordable prices.
I’ll be frank (Hi, I’m Frank), jokes aside, is RDX the best brand in the world? Probably not. Are they the best in their price range? They probably are. There’s no denying that the quality of their products is incredibly impressive given the prices they charge.
Will their quality and durability hold up against premium brands such as Fairtex and Hayabusa no. But that’s not what they’re trying to do. Their goal is to deliver innovative, good-quality martial arts gear for an affordable price, and that’s exactly what they’ve been doing for the last 20 years.
All in all, if you don’t fancy forking out 60, 70, or 80 bucks on a pair of MMA gloves that are just going to get beaten up anyway, then you can’t go wrong with RDX.
Similar Gloves I Recommend
Ok, so you’re not loving the sound of the RDX Kara F6 sparring gloves, or perhaps they don’t have your size?
Fear not!
I’ll list a couple of alternatives below, both of which I’ve used (and have reviewed here on the site). I really like both of these gloves and think they make a great alternative to the RDXs for various reasons.
Fairtex FGV15 MMA Gloves
These have been my go-to pair of sparring gloves for almost two years. The main difference here is the weight, with the FGV15’s being 5oz gloves. This lighter weight means less padding. So, if you do fancy the FGV15s, be sure to control your shots and not go full power.
Also, it’s worth noting that the Fairtex gloves are handmade using genuine leather and I’ve yet to come across a more durable pair of gloves. You can check out our Fairtex MMA gloves review here for more information.
Venum Challenger MMA Gloves
Although slightly more expensive, the Venum Challenger MMA gloves are another fantastic option. Venum is a very well-known brand and respected brand, even partnering with the UFC, where all fighters compete in Venum gear.
Their Challenger sparring gloves are 8oz, so provide a bit more padding than the RDXs. Still, though, a really solid alternative, although a bit more pricey. If you want to know a bit more, head over to our full Venum Challenger 3.0 Sparring glove review for a full breakdown.
RDX F6 Kara Sparring Gloves Review: My Verdict
So, do I recommend the RDX Kara F6 sparring gloves?
100% I do. The value for money here is really second to none. They’re comfortable to wear, offer great wrist support, and hold up pretty well – all for a very reasonable price!
Will they last as long as my Fairtex’s (that cost over double the price)? Probably not. But for the price RDX is charging, you really can’t ask for much more.
All in all, a great pair of sparring gloves that are sure to see you through many a battle in the gym.
I hope you’ve found our RDX MMA gloves review helpful and if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Thanks for stopping by!
