We have taken on Hayabusa. It is a brand many Norwegian athletes have heard of and some have bought from abroad, but one that has been hard to try on in Norway. Now it is on our shelves.
Hayabusa is not the cheapest brand we carry, and it is not meant to be. What they do, they do around one question: what happens to the hand the moment it hits something. The answer lies in the closure system and in how the glove positions the knuckles - and that is where the price lies.
What Hayabusa is known for
Three things recur across the whole range, and they explain why the brand has the reputation it has.
The wrist support. Their boxing gloves use two overlapping straps instead of one wide hook-and-loop strap. This gives a tighter and more predictable lock around the wrist, and it is the single feature people mention most often when they have switched to Hayabusa.
The ergonomics. The gloves are shaped to position the hand correctly on impact, not just to pad it. It sounds like marketing, but you notice it in practice when you hit many rounds on pads: the hand ends up in the same place every time.
Closure systems that hold. This also applies beyond the gloves. The headgear uses a patented T-Cross closure, the shin guards in the T3 series are lined with hundreds of silicone beads to stop them slipping, and the Core shin guards drop straps entirely in favour of a knitted sleeve.
T3 vs T360
This is the choice most people face. Both are expensive gloves, and they solve the same task in slightly different ways.
| T3 | T360 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 1,990 kr | 2,290 kr |
| Weights | 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 oz | 10, 12, 14 and 16 oz |
| Closure | Two overlapping straps | Overlapping straps, plus a removable inner strap |
| Construction | Ergonomic shape developed over ten years | Three-piece splint design and curved grip bar |
| Best suited for | Those who want maximum wrist support in a proven model | Those who need to fine-tune the fit, or have different-sized hands |
The removable inner strap in the T360 is the real innovation. If you have one hand that is noticeably larger than the other - and more people do than you think - that is the detail that makes both gloves fit the same.
Headgear and shin guards
T3 head guard is a compact Mexican-style headgear: full cheek protection without unnecessary bulk, and with a wide field of vision. The T-Cross closure is there to stop the headgear slipping during a fight. Note that this is boxing headgear - if you are going to a WAKO event, a WAKO-approved headgear is what applies.
The shin guards come in two completely different designs. The T3 Striking is fastened with two adjustable straps and is lined with silicone beads for grip against the skin. The Core Sleeved drops straps and buckles entirely, and uses a breathable knitted sleeve with compression instead. The latter is both cheaper and considerably quicker to put on - but it has to be pulled on before you put on your shorts.
Two routes to hand wraps
Hayabusa makes both types, and the choice comes down to how much time you want to spend.
- Perfect Stretch hand wraps, 199 kr. Traditional wraps at 180 inches, around 4.5 metres. Soft material with just enough stretch. This is the choice if you want full control over how your hand is wrapped - see our guide to wrapping your hands.
- Deluxe quick wraps, 349 kr. Pull on like a glove. Low-profile foam padding over the knuckles, and fingers of staggered length so they follow the hand naturally. This is the choice if you come straight from work and have five minutes.
Quick wraps give less wrist support than a properly wrapped traditional wrap. If you train hard on the bag, we would still recommend the long one.
No-gi: shorts and rash guard
The Core series covers the no-gi side. The full-length fight shorts are made from rip-stop fabric with flatlock seams, side slits and stretch panels on the inner thigh, and laser-cut ventilation zones. The Vale Tudo shorts are the compression version worn underneath, or on their own in grappling.
The short-sleeved rash guard belongs to the same series. We have written about why a rash guard is a must in MMA, and about how to wash it properly - the latter matters more than people think for how long it lasts.
Is Hayabusa right for you?
We sell many brands, and we do not think the most expensive is always right. So, honestly:
Yes, if you train at least three times a week, have had wrist pain, or have tried several gloves without finding any that fit. That is exactly where Hayabusa delivers.
No, if you are new and still finding out whether this is for you. Then a pair of good gloves under a thousand kroner is a better first purchase - and the money is better spent on hand wraps, a mouthguard and a bag that does not smell.
What we carry now
Boxing gloves
1,990 kr, 10 to 18 oz. Two overlapping straps and exceptional wrist support.
The top model
2,290 kr, 10 to 16 oz. Three-piece splint design, curved grip bar and removable inner strap to fit each hand.
Headgear
1,690 kr. Compact Mexican style with full cheek protection, wide field of vision and T-Cross closure.
Shin, with straps
1,990 kr. Two adjustable straps and silicone beads on the inside that stop them slipping.
Shin, without straps
590 kr. Knitted sleeve with compression instead of straps and buckles. The cheapest way into the brand.
Quick wrap
349 kr. Pull on like a glove, with foam padding over the knuckles.
Traditional wrap
199 kr. 180 inches, around 4.5 metres, in a soft material with good stretch.
No-gi
890 kr. Rip-stop fabric, flatlock seams, side slits and laser-cut ventilation zones.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hayabusa WAKO-approved?
No. If you are going to a WAKO event, the equipment must be labelled, and with us that is covered by TOP TEN's WAKO series. Hayabusa is training equipment and boxing.
What size shin guards should I get?
The Core sleeve model is the most forgiving, since the compression takes up any slack. The T3 with straps can be adjusted, but should fit snugly from the start - if it is loose, it will slip no matter how many silicone beads it has.
Can I use the T3 headgear in kickboxing?
In training, yes. In WAKO competition, no - there the headgear must be approved and labelled.
Why do the gloves cost more than equivalent gloves from other brands?
Most of the difference lies in the closure system and in the shape of the hand section. Whether it is worth the extra cost depends on how much you train and how well other gloves have fitted you so far.
Do you carry the whole Hayabusa range?
Not all of it, but we are adding more. If there is something you are missing, let us know - we are happy to order on request.
