Let me be honest with you—if you’ve spent even a week inside a U.S. boxing gym, you’ve seen this debate in action. Some guy with weathered Everlasts pounding away at the heavy bag in the corner, and another one, usually quieter, slipping on a gleaming pair of Cleto Reyes like he’s prepping for a title fight. Two gloves, two legacies—and two totally different vibes.

I’ve been working with boxing gloves for years now—fitting them, testing them, breaking them in (and sometimes, breaking because of them). And if you’re shopping for gloves in 2026, especially here in the States, you’re probably asking the same thing I get asked all the time: “Should I go with Everlast or Cleto Reyes?”

You see, these aren’t just gloves. They’re part of boxing’s DNA. Everlast is practically tattooed onto American fight culture. Cleto Reyes, meanwhile, carries this old-school prestige, especially for punchers and purists. And what makes this choice so interesting isn’t just the names—it’s how different they actually feel in the ring.

Let’s break it all down, glove by glove.

Brand Legacy & Cultural Relevance in the U.S.

Now, here’s where it starts to get emotional—Everlast is American boxing. Born in the Bronx in 1910, you’ll find Everlast stitched into the trunks, gloves, and gym bags of every generation of U.S. boxers. Muhammad Ali wore them. Hell, so did my first coach back in Philly.

Cleto Reyes, on the other hand, comes from across the border—made in Mexico, revered worldwide. They’ve been in Oscar De La Hoya’s corner, Canelo’s, too. Reyes gloves have this reputation among Mexican-American fighters especially—they’re built for offense, pure and simple.

In American gyms, Everlast is almost always easier to find. Walk into any Dick’s Sporting Goods, you’ll see them on the shelves. Reyes? You’re more likely to grab those online—probably from Title or Amazon, and sometimes wait two weeks for shipping. (And yeah, sometimes there’s an import tax surprise. Ask me how I know.)

But cultural relevance? That’s more layered. Everlast fits into the everyman U.S. boxing journey. Reyes? That’s what you graduate into when you want to feel like a puncher.

Design & Build Quality Comparison

Let’s talk materials, because honestly, this is where you feel the difference.

Cleto Reyes gloves are made of full-grain goatskin leather—and it shows. They’re buttery smooth, have that rich leather scent, and the craftsmanship? Hand-stitched. Each pair feels like it was made with intention. You’re paying for that, sure, but they’ll last years if you take care of them.

Everlast, though, is a bit of a mixed bag. Their pro-level gloves—like the Elite or MX lines—can match up with Reyes in durability, especially the leather models. But most Everlast gloves in U.S. stores use synthetic blends. Not terrible, but not the same. I’ve seen seams fray after a few months of hard bag work, especially with the cheaper models.

Also—ventilation. Everlast usually has better sweat management thanks to mesh panels and moisture-wicking liners. Reyes gloves? They’re old-school. No frills, just leather and lining. You’ll sweat through them in hot gyms. I do, every time.

Padding, Protection & Injury Prevention

Here’s where gloves can make or break your training.

Cleto Reyes uses horsehair padding in many of their competition models. That means a puncher’s glove—more impact, less cushion. Your knuckles get that raw contact, which some fighters love. But it’s not ideal for injury-prone hands or regular sparring. I learned that the hard way—bruised knuckles after two rounds on the bag.

Everlast, especially the Pro Style and Powerlock models, use layered foam padding that spreads impact more evenly. Better wrist support, too. The wrist straps tend to be thicker, with more structure. If you’ve ever tweaked your wrist mid-hook (I have), you’ll appreciate that difference immediately.

The thumb attachment also feels more ergonomic in Everlast gloves. Reyes has that classic floating thumb style. Some folks swear by it—I find it a bit old-school and risky, especially for beginners.

Fit, Feel & Comfort During Training

Everlast gloves break in faster—that’s the first thing you’ll notice. Pop them on and after two or three sessions, they mold pretty well. There’s more internal padding, more structure, and they just feel a bit more forgiving, especially if you’ve got wider hands.

Cleto Reyes? Different story. They’re snug. Very snug. I’ve had to use thin wraps just to get my hands in them early on. They take weeks to break in fully, but when they do? It’s like slipping on a tailored jacket. Just expect to sweat more in them—the inner lining isn’t built for breathability in U.S. summer gyms.

If you’ve got smaller hands or want that “tight puncher’s feel,” Reyes delivers. But for longer sessions—especially bag work—I lean toward Everlast for comfort.

Performance in Sparring & Competition

Now this is where you see their personalities shine.

Cleto Reyes gloves pop. Literally—you hit the mitts, and there’s this crisp snap. On the bag, they feel explosive. In sparring, though? A little brutal. Reyes gloves are not forgiving on your partner, and if your gym enforces sparring padding rules, you might get side-eyed.

Everlast gloves are softer, more versatile. Most of their sparring models have more padding around the knuckles and wrist. You can go hard on the bag and then jump into partner drills without swapping gloves. I’ve had more than a few gym sessions where that mattered—especially when time’s tight.

If you’re prepping for an amateur fight in the U.S., you’ll probably be training in Everlast. But if you’re a pro-level puncher looking to maximize feedback, Reyes is hard to beat.

Pricing & Availability in the United States

Straight up—Everlast wins on affordability and availability.

You can grab a decent pair of Everlast gloves for $40 to $100, depending on the model. Step it up to their pro-grade models, and you’re looking at around $120 to $180. And they’re everywhere. Dick’s, Academy, Title, Amazon—you name it.

Cleto Reyes? Entry-level starts around $160, and the pro models creep up past $250. And most of them have to be ordered online. I’ve had shipping delays, backorders—you name it. Plus, if you’re in the U.S., you might get hit with an import tax or random delivery hold.

That said—they hold value. I’ve seen well-kept Reyes gloves resell for close to retail on boxing forums.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Everlast vs. Cleto Reyes

Which Should You Choose in 2026?

So here’s where it gets personal—and that’s kind of the point.

If you’re just starting out, or you’re training a few times a week for fitness or amateur sparring, Everlast makes way more sense. They’re protective, easier to find, and won’t break the bank. I still recommend them to beginners every week.

But if you’re an experienced striker, or you love that Mexican-style, puncher-first feel, Cleto Reyes will absolutely spoil you—once you get past the break-in period and the price tag. They’re built for impact, for speed, and for fighters who want to feel every shot.

In short:

• Beginners / fitness boxers → Everlast
• Advanced / pro-level punchers → Cleto Reyes

And look, you don’t have to be loyal to just one brand forever. I’ve got both in my gear bag—and depending on the day, the workout, or the mood, either one can be the right choice.

Just don’t pick based on the logo. Pick based on the way you fight.

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