Cleto Reyes Hook & Loop (16oz)
“The Camaro of Boxing Gloves”
Appreciation of the Mexican Muscle
Intro
Cleto Reyes are widely considered one of the best gloves out there. You see them on pro boxers all the time. They are made in Mexico but more mass produced than the smaller boutique producers. But I think that’s the reason they’ve made it so far beyond the shores of Mexico. More on that later.
What are the traits of a Mexican glove? In my own observations, it seems to be a relatively flat punching surface, softer/less padding on the knuckles, relatively large hand compartment, long and padded cuff, and rougher lining. “Mexican-style” seems to incorporate different aspects of these, but not necessarily all of them.
The Wrist 6/10
Standard hook and loop action here. The strap wraps around the wrist securely. Padding around that part of the glove makes it feel more snug as well. But where the wrist joins the hand, it’s pretty loose. I think that’s largely a function of the padding in the glove being somewhat of a floppy latex. I can grab one part of the glove and shake it and watch the whole thing flop back and forth. If you like wrist flexibility, then it might be just the thing you’re looking for, but if we are talking pure protection, it’s not one of the strongest out there. There is of course the lace up version which will always be better than the velcro closure.
Hand Comfort & Ease of Use 7/10
Easy to put on, easy to take off. These will be good for training on your own or doing circuits where they have to come on and off a lot. It’s quick and simple. The lining is slightly on the rough side but only when I compare them directly to other gloves. If I didn’t do that, I honestly wouldn’t notice. They are definitely comfy enough, which is important because some other Mexican gloves feel like they’re lined with burlap.
Man this is nice leather. I mean really really nice leather. It does have a bit of a chemical smell to it. Maybe because I picked lime green, but you could smell them if you were in the same room with them for at least a week or two.
Punching & Protection 6/10
I always heard of these referred to as a “puncher’s glove” which basically means less padded. And these Cleto Reyes fit the description quite well. They are more or less the size and shape as the Rival RS11 but far less padding in the knuckle area. The padding as mentioned above is on the floppy side and you can punch through the padding if you try. The hand compartment is also big, meaning your hand can move around inside. I usually wear L gloves and these would still be roomy even if I had a 6th finger on each hand.
So if you’re someone that likes to throw haymakers at the heavy bag, these may not be for you even at 16oz. Their “puncher” reputation may also be frowned upon when sparring. But if you’re working precision and simply want an excellently crafted tool on your hands, these can be the way to go.
Other Features and Intangibles 10/10
I know my ratings haven’t been very glowing up to now, but it’s not the whole story. They’re still really really nice gloves. I mean, you know how some kids would go to bed with their baseball glove? This is the kind of glove that you would want to do that with. Walk into a store that sells them and pick up a pair and you will see what I mean. You’ll just be like “WOW, these are nice.”
On top of that, Cleto Reyes solves some of the issues I’ve discovered plaguing some of the boutique Mexican makers out there. I’ve heard nightmare stories of trying to order from some companies and they have no concept of customer service. Some literally stop answering inquiries and block customers if they’re not happy with the product.
Cleto Reyes doesn’t have that issue, are a big name and available in a lot of places, and their website is sleek and up to do date. Ordering direct was easy. That’s what you have to deliver if you’re going to deliver a quality mass produced product.
Finally, Cleto Reyes are usually uttered in the same breath as Winning and Grant. Both of which are 2-4 times more expensive. It’s like the ultimate value-play for gloves that are considered in the top tier of the world. They’re not perfect, but they’re still pretty awesome.
