Hayabusa S4 vs T3 Boxing Gloves: The Beginner Pair or the One I Trust

I train in the Hayabusa T3 and have not tested the S4. Compare my T3 experience with Hayabusa’s S4 specifications, plus fit and budget considerations.

Heads up: I'm a Hayabusa ambassador and I earn a small commission if you shop with my code or links, at no extra cost to you. I train in the T3. I haven't trained in the S4; that part of this comparison uses Hayabusa's published information. 💛

Hey friends, it’s Lizzie! The Hayabusa S4 and the Hayabusa T3 come up constantly when someone asks me about a first pair of boxing gloves. I train in the T3, and my newest pair is the pink T3 in 14 oz. I have not trained in the S4; its specifications below come from Hayabusa. Here’s an honest comparison that says what I know first-hand and what I don’t.

âš¡ Short on time? The T3 is the pair I trust, and the S4 is the lower-priced model that Hayabusa markets for beginners. I have not tested it. Shop Hayabusa → My US code is LILO; check the current eligible offer and final checkout total.

What I know first-hand, and what I don’t

  • I own and train in the T3. After ten years of training, the wrist support is the best I have used, and it fits my smaller hands well. My newest pair is the pink T3 in 14 oz.
  • I have never owned the S4. I won’t tell you how it feels on my hands.
  • The S4 comparison is researched. Its beginner positioning comes from Hayabusa, and suitability still depends on fit and your coach's requirements.

That is the honest split. If a review claims to have tested every glove, be skeptical, and that includes mine.

The S4: the beginner-friendly price point

Hayabusa markets the S4 as a beginner and fitness glove. Per their product page, it has splinted wrist support, injection-molded foam for knuckle protection, a PU engineered leather exterior, a strap closure, an attached thumb and a mesh palm. At the time I checked it on October 10, 2026, it was listed at $79.99.

A lower price may make a first pair easier to budget for, but price alone does not make a glove suitable for you. Check fit with your wraps, the intended activity, your coach's requirements and the return policy.

The T3: the pair I trust

Per Hayabusa’s description, the T3 uses their Fusion splinted wrist support, a Dual-X closure with two interlocking straps, multi-layer foam for knuckle protection and a Vylar engineered leather exterior. On the day I checked, it was listed at $169.

My own take is that the wrist support is the reason I keep coming back to it. After ten years of training, it’s the pair I’d keep if I could only keep one. I wrote my full thoughts in my Hayabusa T3 review, and if you’re wondering how it compares to the other models, my ranking of every Hayabusa glove covers the line.

Manufacturer sources: Hayabusa S4 and Hayabusa T3. Check the current listings before buying.

S4 vs T3 side by side

These details come from Hayabusa’s product pages, with my own notes where I have them.

  • Price: the S4 was $79.99 and the T3 was $169 when I checked on October 10, 2026. Prices change, so check the store.
  • Wrist support: both are splinted per Hayabusa. The T3’s wrist support is the best I have used.
  • Closure: the S4 has a strap closure, and the T3 has the Dual-X two-strap closure.
  • Who it’s for: Hayabusa pitches the S4 as the beginner glove. The T3 is the one I train in.
  • My experience: I train in the T3, and it is my favorite. My newest pair is the pink T3 in 14 oz. I have not trained in the S4.

Which should you buy?

  • You’re brand new and watching your budget: the S4 is worth researching because Hayabusa positions it for beginners. Check the fit and your coach's requirements before choosing.
  • You already know you’ll stick with it: the T3 is the pair I trust, and I’d say it’s worth it if boxing is going to be a regular part of your life.
  • You have smaller hands: the T3 fits mine well, and I wrote about fit in best boxing gloves for women with small hands.
  • You’re not sure about size: use my Hayabusa glove sizing guide.

One more thing: I’d rather you ask your coach which weight is right for your training than guess from a blog. For my own, I stay with what I know, and my newest pair is the 14 oz.

Pink, if you want it

I’m loving pink again in my 30s, and my newest gloves are pink. I wrote the whole story in loving pink again in my 30s. Hayabusa makes the T3 in several colors, so check what’s in stock.

🥊 Compare the T3 and S4

Use my code at checkout, one code per order. If a bigger sitewide sale is running, take the sale and skip my code.

Your Questions, Answered

Is the Hayabusa S4 good for beginners? Hayabusa markets the S4 for beginners. I have not trained in it; check the fit, intended activity and your coach's requirements rather than choosing by price alone.

Which Hayabusa gloves do you train in? The T3. My newest pair is the pink T3 in 14 oz.

Are cheaper boxing gloves okay for beginners? Price alone does not establish suitability. Compare the exact glove, try it with your wraps if possible, and check your coach's requirements and the seller's return terms.

Should I buy the S4 or the T3? The S4 is a researched, lower-priced option that Hayabusa markets for beginners. The T3 is the pair I train in and prefer. Let fit, activity, coach requirements and budget guide the choice.


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Lizzie
Lizzie

Lizzie ("Liz Lightning") is a 10-year kickboxer, licensed Florida real estate agent, and the founder of How To Live 30. Writing from Florida's Space Coast, she covers fitness and kickboxing, wellness and mindset, relationships, coastal living, and honest, tried-and-tested product recommendations — all built around one belief: your 30s are the best decade to fall in love with your life.

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