To spar or not to spar, that is the question. In 2019, it’s time to update the Guide to Sparring in MMA, Boxing, and Muay Thai. Whether you are a beginner, a long time gym rat, or a seasoned pro, the question of sparring comes up.
In MiddleEasy’s new guide, the pros and cons of sparring are weighed out, and a look at some of the best gear to spar with is reviewed.
The Pros About Sparring
- Develop better reaction time and work to enhance your skills in real time
- Learn how to handle different type of opponents and how your skills work in different situations
- Being able to apply the skills you learned in class and apply them to real fight simulation
The Cons About Sparring
- The possibility head and other limb injuries are increased greatly
- Becoming to reliant on sparring
Wearing the right equipment will greatly improve a sparring session. Before taking a sparring session, proper boxing gloves, shin guards, a mouth guard, and headgear should be researched.
The Best Head Gear for Sparring
Fairtex Headgear
Pros:
– Four different unique styles available
– Genuine leather with smooth construct
– Great design to maximize vision
Cons:
– Can be hard to judge proper size
- Fully covered to prevent injury
- Genuine leather
- Great design for maximum vision
The Fairtex Headgear will give you excellent protection during intense sparring sessions. With an unique design, the Fairtex headgear will maximize your vision. This headgear is remains one of the top of the line for any combat sport.
Hayabusa T3 Headgear
Pros:
– Six different colors to pick from
– Wider field of vision than most models
– Comfortable fit
Cons:
– Bigger entry level price point
- The wide field of vision
- Six different colors to choose from
- Protect your most important assets
- Safe and comfortable fit
Whether for Boxing, MMA, or Muay Thai the Hayabusa T3 Headgear will fit your needs. With a top of the line design, the Hayabusa T3 Headgear provides great protection for the user. Made with antimicrobial materials, the Hayabusa T3 Headgear is easy to clean and relatively low maintenance.
RDX Headgear
Pros:
– Four different colors available
– Detachable faceguard
– Easy to adjust fit
Cons:
– Smaller than most models
- Leather construction
- Easily adjustable fit
- Highly shock-absorbent product
- Four colors available
Available in both adults and kids sizes, the RDX Headgear is great for all experiences levels. Coming with a removable faceguard, the RDX Headgear is one of the safest models on the market. This model is also available in Red, Black, Blue, and Pink styles.
The Best Mouth Guards for Sparring
Venum Challenger Mouth Guard
Pros:
– Handmade in Thailand
– Multiple color-combinations for a unique look
– Great protection for your mouth and jawbone
Cons:
– Have to get use to breathing with it
- Advanced design for an optimal breathing during sparring
- Rubber Frame for a better shock absorbant
- Great mouthguard
Coming in over 10 different colors the Venum Challenger Mouth Guard is one of best looking models on the market. The high-density rubber frame makes the Venum Challenger Mouth Guard best for protection and shock absorption. A key factor is the Venum Challenger Mouth Guard designs allows for maximum breathing during sparring.
Impact Custom Mouth Guard
Pros:
– Custom fitted means the perfect fit for your mouth
– Long term durability
– Multiple and even custom designs
Cons:
– High price point
- Maximum protection
- Different designs and colors
- A strong mouthguard that lasts long
- Custom fitted mouth guard
Offering top of the line protection, the Impact Custom Mouth Guard is great for MMA, Boxing, or Muay Thai sparring. No matter your experience level, Impact Custom Mouth Guard is a great product for sparring. The Impact Custom Mouth Guard is custom fitted with an user friendly impression kit.
Sisu Aero Mouth Guard
Pros:
– Easy to breathe with
– Wide variety of colors to pick from
– Slim fit and comfortable
Cons:
– May not be as durable
- Offers great protection
- Custom-fit makes it easy to communicate
- various colors to choose from
- Easy to breathe and drink while having the guard
Coming with a slim fit design, the Sisu Aero Mouth Guard is versatile enough for striking, wrestling, and BJJ sessions. The Sisu Aero Mouth Guard is made with comfort in mind. At a nice entry level price point, the Sisu Aero Mouth Guard provides some of the best bang for your buck.
The Best Gloves for Sparring
Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves
Pros:
– Made with premium leather
– Stylish, over five designs to pick from
– Five-layer foam structure
Cons:
– Need to break them in good
- Various color available to choose from
- Handcrafted with engineered leather
- Great wrist support
- Made for sparring and heavy bag training
One of the latest Hayabusa models, the Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves looks impressive right out of the box. Built with extra padding the Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves were made with sparring and heavy bag training in mind. Made of premium leather the Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves provide both top shelf style and protection.
Venum Elite Boxing Gloves
Pros:
– Over 15 color styles to pick from
– Skintex leather construction
– Triple density foam
Cons:
– Wear and tear on inside seams
- Fully handmade in Thailand
- 100% Skintex leather conception
- Triple density foam for an awesomely balanced shock absorption
- Various colors to pick from
With an excellent introductory price, the Venum Elite Boxing Gloves set the standard. Equipped with over 15 stylish looks, the Venum Elite Boxing Gloves look and feel great. Made of made of high quality material, the Venum Elite Boxing Gloves offer fantastic value and comfort.
Winning Training Boxing Gloves
Pros:
– Made of leather
– Water repellent covering
– Easy hook and loop closure
– Great protection for knuckles and wrist
Cons:
– The price point may be higher
- High-quality leather used
- Amazing comfort level when sparring
- Sweat and odor doesn't stay
- Water-resistant nylon covering
Made in Japan, the Winning Training Boxing Gloves are the best in it’s class. With both great comfort and amazing protection, the Winning Training Boxing Gloves are made with high quality in mind. Train like a pro with the Winning Training Boxing Gloves.
The Best Shin Guards for Sparring
Venum Challenger Shin Guards
Pros:
– Six different colors to pick from
– Made in Thailand
– Great mobility and design
Cons:
– Slippery feel
- Great lightweight shin guard
- Constructed with high-density foam
- Exceptionally good in both fashion and design quality
- Great mobility
Looking good and of the highest quality, the Venum Challenger Shin Guards are a great for sparring. Made with maximum comfort, the Venum Challenger Shin Guards are great for pros as well as first time shin guard users. With a lightweight feel, the the Venum Challenger Shin Guards don’t sacrifice mobility for protection.
Hayabusa T3 Shin Guards
Pros:
– Excellent design and comfort
– Six different colors to pick from
– Top-notch craftsmanship
Cons:
– Higher price point
- Made with light, flexible, pre-curved material
- The foam complex absorbs the shock
- Six colors to pick from
- The open-back design promotes air circulation and reduces overheating
Flexible and lightweight the Hayabusa T3 Shin Guards are the best of the best for training. With an intuitive design, the Hayabusa T3 Shin Guards are both safe and protective. Made with top of the line materials, the Hayabusa T3 Shin Guards are durable and promote maximum performance.
Fairtex Competition Shin Guards
Pros:
– Four different colors to choose from
– Made in Thailand
– Great mobility
Cons:
– Different feel when first worn
- Lightweight and provide complete protection
- Great for both sparring and competition
- Durable synthetic leather shell
- High-density foam, Shock absorbant
The Fairtex Competition Shin Guards recently underwent a complete redesign and it shows. Providing protection for both your shin and instep, the Fairtex Competition Shin Guards promote safety for both beginners and pros. Made in Thailand the Fairtex Competition Shin Guards are excellent for sparring and everyday training.
Final Verdict
Everyone is different and each person’s combat sports path chart it’s own course. When it comes to sparring, safety always comes first. If you are going to spar, it must be in a controlled gym environment and all the proper sparring gear must be equipped.
No matter if you’re a beginner, veteran, or pro, fighters have to spar smart, find the right partner, and listen closely to the advice to all coaches running the sparring session.
