Whether you’re a pro or an amateur boxer, getting clocked in the face is a common part of the sport. As in any sport, safety precautions are of utmost importance. Finding the right protective gear is vital in keeping the body safe from injury.
Just as boxing gloves keep your hands safe, your head needs to be guarded. Protecting your skull, face, and teeth from the impact of a punch will help you fight safely and to the best of your ability.
However, with so many headgear brands to choose from, and each of them in a different shape and style, it can be hard to find the right one for your individual needs. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you!
Below, we have gathered the best boxing headgears on the market to make it easier for you to choose and broken down each of our choices in detail to explain what makes them so fantastic.
We’ve also put together a buyer’s guide to help take any of the guesswork out of the shopping process. You’ll also find all the answer to any questions you might have about boxing headgear in our frequently asked questions sections, which is designs to help you understand what the best boxing headgear is for you.
Need to get into the ring now? Here is our top choice if you’re in a hurry.
OUR TOP PICK
Winning headgear is one of the best-known manufacturers of safety equipment in boxing and the FG2900 is a favorite amongst professional and amateur boxers.
A stand out feature of the FG2900 is its durability. When well maintained, and cleaned frequently, users of the FG2900 report that it still looks and feels new after years of use. It comes out on top compared to any other headgear on the market.
At only 9 ounces, it is fantastically lightweight. This allows the boxer to move around agilely without any discomfort.
Even at such a lightweight, the quality of the protection it gives is one of the best. Offering superior technology, the FG2900 will keep your head safe from bruising and cuts.
It is a very well made piece of kit, sporting extreme comfort to mold to your face.
Protection and padding are completely layered. This soft inner layer of padding is comfortable and allows the headgear to fit your face perfectly.
The fillers help hug the face to add extra stability. The outer layer helps absorb vibrations better than most materials tested.
Compared to other headgears on the market, the FG2900 is easy to clean and maintain.
It is available in multiple colors including blue, green, pink, purple, red, orange, burgundy, and silver. Colors have been known to help dominate an opponent so these choices will be welcome to many boxers.
This is simply better than the rest so it’s a good idea to invest. Though more expensive than its competitors, the sheer comfort and protection it offers will keep you safe for years to come.
It's simple design helps protect all facets of the face whilst being able to box freely.
The thick cheeks give the best protection of the nose of any headgear out there. They also help deflect a hook, almost letting it roll off the face.
Pros:
- Offers superior face and nose protection
- Extremely lightweight at only 9 ounces, offering you the agility you need to move around the ring freely
- Does not heat up so you’re ensured comfort while wearing it
- Top-quality, long-lasting, and easy to maintain
Cons:
- Sits at the higher end of the price scale so, while it’s undoubtedly high-quality, it may not be the best choice for somebody with a smaller budget
EDITORS CHOICE
Our second choice in the list is the Cleto Reyes Traditional Headgear. This is a perfect choice for professional and amateur boxers.
The headdress is designed in a way to allow excellent visibility along with fantastic protection. The lightweight front bar and latex foam padding offer supreme protection.
It is easy to adjust making it suitable for everyone with the three-point anatomical fit being particularly simple to operate.
A simple hook and loop closure function allows users to adjust the fitting easily and in comfort. The Cleto Reyes Traditional Headgear is designed with a bridge of the nose which keeps the nose safe from trauma by direct impact.
This is another lightweight option allowing great flexibility and comfort. The lace-up top is also adjustable to make sure it fits your head perfectly.
The latex foam design helps decrease the impact from direct strikes. This will
really help minimize any injuries to the face.
The Cleto Reyes Traditional Headgear is made to stand the test of time. The pure leather, which is handmade in Mexico, ensures top quality, and effectiveness.
Color matching is an important aspect for any fighter and the wide range of colors available will be a welcome sight. These range from black, blue, lime green, silver, white, tiger orange, and yellow.
Pros:
- The pure leather design gives it a stylish look and ensures durability
- Has an easily adjustable chin strap that allows you to find the most comfortable fit
- Features a lace-up top for enhanced safety and extra security while wearing
- Also features latex foam inserts that absorb impact shock
- Available in a wide range of colors to suit any personal taste or boxing kit
Cons:
- May not be suitable for shorter boxers
BEST VALUE
This is billed as “A solution to your boxing problems!”
The RDX Headgear is lightweight and made from top-quality polymer to help prevent cuts and bruises.
The maya hide leather material is wonderfully strong. The quality ensures the material will not split, rip, or tear, making sure you can fight in the knowledge that you are protected sufficiently.
There is bound to be some sort of impact when boxing but the eva-lotion sheet on this headgear is a defense against the shock-impact, therefore lowering the force quality.
Along with the calibrated impact diffusion sheet, and spring-Z padding, the RDX Headgear really does offer impact-resistance and added durability.
The quick-EZ hook-and-loop strap offers extra protection and an adjustable fit, suitable for all faces. This allows it to sit safely on your head without slipping off.
You will stay secure from cuts and bruising with the removable face grill. The PVC protective grill will ward off high-impact hits and make sure your vision is not disturbed.
Pros:
- Protects against minor brain injuries
- Provides superb visibility with full coverage of 360•
- Prevents superficial injuries to the face
- Does not hamper any head flexion
Cons:
- Some people that previously purchased this boxing headgear noted issues with the stitching over continued use
RUNNER UP
Fourth on our list is the Fairtex Super Sparring Headguard. This is one of the most famous brands in the world of headgear and is favored amongst boxers worldwide.
With four unique designs, this is a popular choice for those who want to look good in the ring. Although style isn’t as important as protection, these are a fashionable choice right now.
The shield is pretty good but a drawback is that the face can open when sparring.
It offers superb balance for coverage, weight, and visibility. It is made with increased padding but, at the same time, is still lightweight for good agility.
The Fairtex Super Sparring Headguard provides excellent protection and defense but lacks in some safety areas when compared to others.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Thick pad
- Buckled chin strap
- High-quality leather design
Cons:
- Air circulation is poor, which means it could become uncomfortable if wearing for a long period of time
RUNNER UP
Our last product on the list is the Hayabusa T3 Adjustable MMA Headgear. Although made with MMA fighters in mind, this can be a great choice for boxers.
With a reasonable price, this is an excellent choice when looking for one of the best padded headgears out there. Made from premium quality full-grain leather, it is immediately evident that a lot of care goes into making these.
As the name suggests, the T3 is flexible with its adjustable functions. It is lightweight including an open-top and inner lining. This helps boxers stay cool when in the midst of a fight.
The thick padding protects your whole face. There is almost no chance of sustaining bruising or cuts due to the level of protection. The entire face is covered whilst visibility is not affected whatsoever.
The chin is highly padded to keep it safe from high impact hits.
State of the art ear openings are designed with integrated mesh to improve air circulation. Along with CT2 antibacterial technology, bacterial growth is decreased, diminishing any odors.
The use of a crush zone core absorbs any shock. The filler distributes the force along it, reducing any damage from the impact.
The T3 has a T-cross closure function which can be adjusted to suit your needs. This allows the user to keep it secure and not obstruct any visibility due to the headgear slipping over the eyes.
Pros:
- Extremely effective filling
- Very comfortable to wear
- Customizable fit
- Reasonably priced, so ideal for anybody looking for a budget option
Cons:
- Not designed in a ‘one size fits all’ style and the chin guard is not adjustable, so you’ll need to thoroughly check your measurements before ordering
Best Boxing Headgear Buying Guide
When you’re buying boxing headgear, it can be easy to be tempted by a stylish design that comes in a variety of colors. However, there are some important things you need to consider.
Below, you’ll find details on size, padding, and design that won’t only help you find the best boxing headgear possible, but will also help you stay protected during your next fight.
Getting the size and fit correct
When looking for new headgear, it is important to know what size will fit you best. Too small and it will constrict your agility resulting in an uncomfortable feeling.
Too large and it could slip off and impede your vision, as well as your performance. And this is something you definitely don’t need during a fight!
So, how do you figure out what size you need? Luckily, it’s quite an easy process.
Headgear sizes are determined by your fitted hat size. To find out what your fitted hat size is, simply measure the circumference of your head, around 1 inch above your ears. You can then match this measurement to the headgear you’re thinking of buying.
While each head guard can have its own sizing chart, sizes usually fall into these four categories:
- Small 19.5-20.5 Inches / 49.5-52.0 CM Circumference
- Medium 21-22 Inches / 53.3-56 CM Circumference
- Large 22.5-23 Inches / 57-58.5 CM Circumference
- X-Large 23.5-24 Inches / 59.7-61 CM Circumference
Just like the color and materials, each head guard needs to be unique to the user. So take the time to research what works best for you and, most importantly, make sure you’ve got your sizing correct.
How to choose the right boxing headgear
“Behind every successful boxer and fighter, is a good headgear!”
The first thing you should consider when purchasing headgear is what type you should use. There are many options to choose from and they all serve different purposes.
Naturally, they all protect your head, but the difference is how much protection it gives the face, back of the head, and this mostly comes down to the amount of padding involved.
One option is training headgear. This generally has more padding which, in turn, does a better job of absorbing impact shock and protecting the face and back of the head. However, this usually weighs considerably more than other options, so it may not be the best choice for a featherweight boxer.
Competition headgear for sparring or amateur boxers are mostly open-faced, so do not give full protection in that area. These are much lighter than training headgear and feel more comfortable on the head, but their design leaves more of an exposed target area.
It is important that the headgear doesn’t get in the way of your vision for you to evade any oncoming punches. The best method is to try some on to see how they fit and find which the best option for your head size is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use headgear when sparring?
Headgear is not always necessary when boxing. If you are doing light sparring, it is usually safe to do so without the use of headgear.
If you decide to spar more competitively or harder, then headgear is advised. This will help prevent cuts and bruises. The main benefit of wearing headgear is to protect your face from superficial injuries.
There are cons to using headgear. These include reduced vision and less agility in the ring but this is usually down to the wrong size headgear or one that is not securely strapped to the head.
How much does boxing headgear help?
If you do not like to go around without a black eye, a cut lip, or a bruised cheek, boxing headgear is very helpful in stopping these.
Contrary to popular belief, headgear does little in stopping concussions or mild brain trauma from happening. It may help prevent knockouts from cushioning the force from the impact of the punches, however.
The primary reason for using headgear is to protect the eyes and protect the boxer from any surface trauma.
Should juniors wear headgear?
Headgear will ultimately keep your face safe from injury. It is recommended that juniors wear open-face headgear to have extra protection. Juniors are not advised to spar too hard in any case, and should instead focus on their techniques.
If they are not taking any hard hits, it should be safe to continue without any headgear.
Junior boxers shouldn’t punch too hard but if any protection is required for extra safety, there is no harm in using headgear.
What are the different types of fastening on Boxing Headgear?
It is vital to get the right fastening for your headgear. This is where it opens up for a comfortable fit when taking the headgear on and off. These typically include either Velcro or lace-up strapping and are generally found on the back of the headgear below the chin with an adjustable chin strap.
Velcro strapping is easy and quick to put on. Nevertheless, lace-up strapping tends to be tighter when strapped on to fit different head shapes better.
Lace-up strapping takes longer to put on and off and isn’t as easy to tie up yourself. Both Velcro and lace-up are fine to use but lace-ups offer more customization to each unique head size. It is down to the individual which one is preferred.
Does headgear stop concussion?
As already mentioned, headgear is primarily used to prevent lacerations or abrasions to the face and scalp.
It is unclear if headgear minimizes the risk of concussion but it is generally accepted that headgear will protect superficial areas more than internal zones.
He is currently the owner of his own MMA dojo "in paradise" where he teaches combat training and meditation. He is also the author of a book soon to be published on the merits of martial arts training on the body and mind.
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