I appreciate everyone's responses. Can you guys tell me why I should use gloves? I'v always done my training on bags and target pads bare handed, except when I was learning boxing for a little while and my coach insisted I wrap my hands and where gloves.
Gloves and wraps protect your knuckles, wrists, and skin.
I used to use light MMA gloves on the bag. They pretty much had the sole purpose of keeping me from ripping up my skin. I first started consistently hitting a bag at my YMCA, and there were some blood spots on it from other people. No need for further explanation.
When I got my BOB XL, I kept the same gloves. My knuckles started swelling up, and my fingers and hands started getting very stiff. Then I started developing carpal tunnel syndrome. I ditched those and bought a new pair of the same gloves, as the old ones had seen better days. Helped a little bit. Then it got worse.
Being a part-time athletic trainer (sports med), I’ve seen a lot of people with hand and wrist issues from long term bag work. I’ve seen people tear ligaments, cartilage, require surgery, etc. No thanks.
I did my research and that lead me to Title Gel World bag gloves. They were pretty much a unanimous best bag glove recommendation everywhere, minus a pair of two that were significantly more expensive and the ones who said they were better said they were slightly better. Since I took some time off to heal up and wore them, not a single issue. They’re around $100, but having no more hand issues was a solid $100 investment. When they wear out, I’ll happily buy another pair without thinking twice.
For those who say I just needed to condition my hands, get used to it, etc.; I say not worth it nor practical. I’m a school teacher, not a pro fighter. And I use my hands for typing and a lot of other hands-on (no pun intended) stuff.
