When you’re sparring, no matter if it’s boxing or MMA, it’s important that you wear headgear to protect your face from cuts and bruises. Though cuts, scrapes, swelling and bruises can still happen through the headgear, it’s much less likely. Unfortunately, headgear does not prevent concussions as jarring of the brain will still occur when hit.
I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best boxing headgear and more information on how to choose the right boxing headgear for you.
Scroll across at the bottom of the table / mobile and tablet users just swipe...Title Gel World | Ringside Competition | Ringside Competition | Venum Challenger | Everlast Everfresh | Cleto Reyes Classic | Ringside Air Max | Title Face Protector | Fairtex Super Sparring | Title Classic High Performance | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Our Rating | Our Rating | ||||||||||
Material | • Leather • Gel Lining | • Leather • Soft Suede Lining | • Leather • Soft Suede Lining | High Quality Synthetic Leather | Outer Everhide | • Full Cowhide Leather Shell • Latex foam padding | Outer Mesh & Vented Foam Padding | • Outer Leather • Leather Inner Lining | Full Grain Leather Shell | Tough denier cross-weave backed nylon cover | Material |
Colors | Red / Black | Black / Red / Blue / Gold / White / Mexican Flag / Red, White & Blue USA / American Flag | Black / Red / Blue / White | White on Black | Black | Red / Black / White | Blue on Black | Red / Black | Black / White | Black | Colors |
Sizes | Regular / Large | S / M / L / XL | S / M / L / XL | One Size Fits All | One Size Fits All | S / M / L | S / M / L / XL | One Size Fits All | M / L / XL | Adult / Youth | Sizes |
Features | • Gel lining and multi-layered sleek design foam makes for an unbeatable combination of comfortable form-fit and impact resistance • Fully padded cheeks, forehead, ears and back make for optimal wraparound coverage and fit | • Sleek, contoured design with cheeks better protects the head and face • Soft suede lining absorbs sweat • Top quality laminated foam system disperses impact | • Sleek, contoured design with cheeks better protects the head and face • Soft suede lining absorbs sweat • Top quality laminated foam system disperses impact | • Ultra lightweight improving head movement and visibility • Triple density contoured foam to prevent cranial trauma • Head, cheek, ear and chin protection | Cheek protectors provide optimal safety and excellent visibility | • Three point anatomical fit • Allows a wide-angle vision | • Cool Max liner for comfortable, quick drying performance • Additional padding on the chin strap and across the ear canals enhances protection | • Super thick, layered foam padding provides an extra comfortable barrier • High visibility and protection from punches • Special leather inner liner provides added comfort to user • Padded, molded face bar helps to protect face from punches | • Increased padding • Fully padded forehead, ears and back • Curved chin protector to maximize comfort to throat • Lighweight design | • Shock absorbing foam in the forehead, cheeks sides and back • Performs and lasts like leather at a fraction of the cost | Features |
Adjustability | Hook-and-loop rear closure | • Hook-and-loop rear closure • Adjustable chin strap | • Hook-and-loop rear closure • Adjustable chin strap | Flexible two way velcro closure | • Back closure • Adjustable chin strap | • Adjustable buckle chin strap • Lace crown area adjustment • Hook-and-loop rear closure | • Rear hook-and-loop closure • Adjustable chin strap buckle | • Top and back lace ties • Adjustable chin strap buckle | Rear hook-and-loop Velcro closure | • Hook-and-loop adjustable straps on top • Twin adjustments on the back • Adjustable chin strap | Adjustability |
Suitable For | Sparring | Competition & Sparring | Competition & Sparring | Sparring | Competition & Sparring | Sparring | Sparring | Sparring | Sparring | Competition & Sparring | Suitable For |
Price | Price |
Competition vs Sparring Boxing Headgear
Certain types of sparring headgear are not allowed to be used for competition. These include full face protection headgear (any headgear that has chin protection or a face bar).
If you plan on competing, you may want to get used to wearing an amateur competition headgear (cheek protection only), even though the actual headgear you’ll be wearing for your match will likely be a different style than the one you practice with.
How To Choose The Best Boxing Headgear
As you look at the range of different models of boxing headgear available, you’ll notice that there are different types, which are usually based on how much protection you want. Let’s look at some of the main factors you must take into consideration.
- Outer Material – A high quality outer material such as full grain leather ensures that your headgear remains durable and doesn’t tear even through prolonged use.
- Inner Material – This is considered to be even more important than the outside, as it affects how comfortable you face feels especially when hit.
- Padding – Additional padding means that the impact of punches are slightly reduced, and plays a small role in comfort. However, more padding usually means more weight and reduced vision. Though if you’re not very experienced, it’s a good idea to choose a well-padded headgear. Even if you are, it may be your preference anyway.
- Face Bar – Certain boxing headgear have a wide bar that runs across the nose area. This is to protect the nose, but some boxers prefer not to have it usually because it allows for better breathing and better vision.
- Protection – All boxing headgear will have cheek protection but only some will have chin protection. Those that do, cannot be adjusted at the chin area, which can sometimes have a looser fit.
- Adjustability – There are three places that can be adjusted on a headgear – Chin (buckle or Velcro strap closure) back of the head and top of the head. Depending on the style of the headgear, certain areas cannot be adjusted. The adjustable areas that will provide you with the best fit are the chin and back of the head.