Head gear

To safely and intensely enjoy the fierce sport that is wrestling, you need some of the very best wrestling headgear. You’ll maximize your training much more if you’re confident that you won’t get injured while practicing. Although headgear doesn’t protect the entire head, it will still shield you from traumatizing the key areas, such as your ears and the back of your head. They also keep your skin intact and everything in place, thanks to the sturdy straps. If you participate in any intensely physical sport like wrestling or even martial arts, consider getting yourself headgear to keep your body going longer. We have the very best wrestling headgear rated and reviewed here just for you. Keep reading to find out what they are! Editor’s Choice Product: Cliff Keen Fusion Want to know which headgear was our top pick? Check it out below… Cliff Keen Fusion Why is it the best? Simple and classy Soft chin pad Padded outer shell, less painful to partner Good for cleaning Light and doesn’t get in the way Fits both younger and older wrestlers We’ve found the top picks that we want to share with you among our updated list of the best wrestling headgear currently on the market. Although we favor quite a few on this list, our favorites are the F5 Tornado and, most of all, the Cliff Keen Fusion. Both models are very comfortable to wear and come from very reputable brands. You’ll see more of these models’ great features if you keep reading. After going through our top ten list, we’ll be telling you our criteria for choosing these wonderful items. Of course, you can use these criteria to judge for yourself which headgear is the best suited for you. We also included an FAQ segment in case some things are not yet clear for you. Aside from telling you which models we find fantastic, we want to equip you with the knowledge to evaluate wrestling headgear for yourself. Rest assured, we will update this list if we find new headgear models to our liking. Now let’s begin. Product Listings 1. Cliff Keen Fusion If you’ve heard of Cliff Keen, you’d know that their items have all sorts of wonderful features spread across their new and old releases. We think the Cliff Keen Fusion is the ideal combination of their best items. It uses a secure design of three straps, which significantly increases security and comfort. There are stylish but slim ear cups that protect your ears without being overly bulky. The Fusion’s overall design is innovative and prioritizes comfort and user-friendliness over anything else, which makes it our top pick for best wrestling headgear. Highlights Simple and classy Soft chin pad Padded outer shell, less painful to partner Good for cleaning Light and doesn’t get in the way Fits both younger and older wrestlers Pros Easy to wear Not distracting or interfering Easy to maintain Lasts long with proper care Cons Can make hearing difficult Buy at Amazon 2. Cliff Keen F5 Tornado Yet another excellent Cliff Keen model, the Tornado F5 is only a few steps behind the Fusion. It’s wonderfully lightweight while remaining durable. The four straps keep it in place despite vigorous movement. It allows you to hear better than the Fusion does, which is a great plus if you find slight deafness disorienting. It also remains breathable while keeping steady on your head. However, despite the four-strap design, we think the velcro straps can be improved in quality. The straps can get a bit unstable, especially if you’re a heavy sweater and get your headgear damp quickly. Highlights Simple but appealing design Sturdy ear cups Plenty of room for adjustment Lightweight yet durable Well-cushioned Pros Can accommodate different sizes Still allows for good hearing Breathable despite the padding Cons Velcro straps not very reliable Can be jostled when damp Buy At Amazon 3. Ring to Cage Deluxe 2.0 Ring to Cage is another famous brand for sports gear, specially tailored towards martial arts, wrestling, and boxing. Their popular Deluxe line came out with this Deluxe 2.0, and it did not disappoint. The excellent padding that it incorporates allows you to absorb shock well without being too thick or bulky. You can easily adjust the velcro straps to fit your head, although it may not work well for larger heads. But because of how non-interfering it is, we think it’s a perfect fit if you also engage in martial arts such as Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. Highlights Absorbs impact impressively Slim and not bulky Stays in place even through grappling Suitable for different martial arts Pros Allows for good hearing Can handle heavy movement Does not impair hearing Cons Not much room for size adjustment Buy At Amazon 4. ASICS Quantum The ASICS Quantum Headgear is a very affordable option for those who are looking for heavy and secure protection. It is not the slimmest nor the sleekest, but the value for money is stunning for the protection it offers. It is padded with KinetoFoam and gel, which is an excellent yet lightweight material. Not only is it comfortable to wear, but it has some cooling functions as well. Once you’ve adjusted the straps to fit your head, there’s no way it will slip off accidentally. Highlights Made with top tier materials Plenty of hearing allowance Does not move around or jostle Classy and lightweight Pros Durable Affordable for many Stays in place Cons Design is bulkier than others Buy At Amazon 5. RDX T1 ABEX The RDX T1 ABEX covers more area than most of the other models on our list, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Made with real leather, the protection it offers is superb. It will be able to absorb impact from most angles and sides, especially if you’re doing some grappling. It remains breathable despite the coverage and will cradle your head comfortably but might be slightly uncomfortable around your jaw. Nevertheless, the value for money that you get here is well worth it. Highlights Uses advanced and innovative technology Made with real leather Strong and durable protection Sizes are inclusive and accurate Pros High value for money Will fit your head well Cons Might constrict the jaw a bit Buy At Amazon 6. KO Sports Wrestling This KO Sports Headgear is made with excellent materials that are meant to last you for years. It’s on the bigger end in terms of coverage, but that’s not always a bad thing. Its simple design ensures that it does its job of protecting your head. However, while breathable, it can get a bit humid after a few hours of use. We still think that the protection you get for this item’s price is more than enough. Highlights The top strap is elastic Made with strong materials Affordable Pros Easy to adjust Comfortable to wear and remove Will last for years High value for money Cons Not very well-ventilated Buy At Amazon 7. Cliff Keen E58 Signature We have another Cliff Keen model, this time from their Signature line. This E58 is our favorite from that line, boasting excellent impact absorption, increased comfort, and decreased friction. It also uses a four-trap design, although we admit the straps are not of the best quality. However, every other part of the headgear is made with materials that are meant to last. There are many colors to choose from, each complementing the classic and simple design that it’s made with. Highlights Materials are easy to clean Comfortable strap Classic design Durable and strong materials Pros Stays on your head well No chin burn Not too bulky Will last very long Cons The strap is not as durable as everything else Buy At Amazon 8. Adidas Response Adidas is a leading brand of sports gear for a wide range of sports. It should come as no surprise that their wrestling gear matches up quite well. Their headgear, the Adidas Response, comes with comfortable protection for the chin and the rest of the head. The foam and plastic mold fit very well on many sizes, offering superior protection and sufficient durability. Highlights Suitable for a wide age range Uses non-velcro straps Snaps in place quickly and securely Pros Headgear will not jostle No chin burn Sleek design Cons Might be a challenge to adjust the size Buy At Amazon 9. ASICS Aggressor Although adjusting the straps can be a challenge, the ASICS Aggressor gives you excellent protection and impact absorption. It uses a sturdy shell lined with gel padding. You don’t have to worry about any shock reaching your head. Your ears are also well-protected without muffling your hearing. However, you will need some time to break in the headgear before it becomes entirely comfortable for you. Highlights Four-strap design Plenty of hearing allowance Classic design Comfortable to wear Pros Will not jostle or move around Amazing impact absorption Protects ears well Cons Takes long to break-in A bit stiff to adjust Buy At Amazon 10. ASICS Unrestrained Highlights Sturdy top strap Can be customized Great value for money Made with strong materials Pros Can fit many sizes Will not move around Can last you through heavy use Cons May be a challenge to adjust Velcro gets worn down Buy At Amazon With yet another ASICS model, we appreciate the functional yet stylish designs they implement with their headgear. Similar to their other model, this one uses KinetoFoam to protect your head comfortably. Once you’ve adjusted the headgear to fit you perfectly, you can enjoy the comfort and breathability despite your intense wrestling regimen. Because you can be confident about protection, you can focus more on your skills and technique. How We Ranked We chose our top ten list and our editor’s choice according to the best combination of features you can find on the market. Even though our top options are not the most affordable, we think that the investment is very much worth it. Aside from ranking by the features, we also considered the quality materials, protection offered, and ease of use. Who Should Purchase These Headgears? These headgears are made for young and old alike. Most of them have sizes available for smaller and larger wrestlers. But all these headgears are meant for wrestlers who are serious about their sport. Because some of them are hefty investments, it’s best if you plan to wear them out in the coming years. If you’re not sure how long you’ll be wrestling, you may want to look at the more affordable options on our list first. How Do I Pick an Excellent Headgear? Fit Even the best headgear won’t protect you much if it doesn’t fit you. If the gear is too tight, it will constrict your blood circulation and make it hard to breathe. It might even cut into the skin of your chin and compress your ear very uncomfortably. It will be difficult for the gear to absorb impact without it rebounding onto you. On the other hand, it will jostle around and give you scrapes, chafes, and abrasions if it is too loose. It will do more harm than good in a wrestling setting and may even slip off in the middle of a grapple or fall, which will hurt you even more than doing so without headgear. Finding the right fit is essential. When considering fit, pay attention to the strapping system. You want a system that will easily adjust when you need it to but won’t loosen or tighten during use. If you have long or thick hair, you can buy a hair slicker, which improves the fit on your head. Ear cups also need to fit you well. Though some people have relatively large or small ears, make sure your ears don’t come in contact with the shell. If they do, this can get very uncomfortable when in use. They can scrape your ears and bruise them unnecessarily upon impact. These can, in the long run, even damage your hearing. Headgear usually comes in either adult or young sizes. It is to accommodate not just different ages, but other sizes in general. If the straps match up to the back, top, and chin measurements of your head, it will probably fit you well. Material Since materials make up the product, pay careful attention to the quality and appropriateness of the materials used. The materials should be durable but light, sturdy but breathable, and should absorb impact without being too bulky or interfering. Some critical materials to check are that of the straps and ear guard since you want the headgear to stay on and protect your ears completely. The straps may seem like only a small part of the entire headgear, but they lay a foundation for how well it stays on your head. Standard materials are spandex, neoprene, and other textiles. These should be thick and sturdy enough to stay in place and adequately support the headgear. They should also avoid slippage when your hair gets wet since sweating is common. Straps also come in different configurations, depending on the model. Minimalist straps are a bit more desirable since they take off weight and increase your breathability. Ear guards come as either soft-shell or hard-shell. The soft-shells are typically made from a kind of foam or leather. These may be synthetic or, in the case of leather, real. The gel is used to provide extra cushion. Headgear uses a combination of both. It will depend on you if the combination is enough to absorb impact considering your weight or strength. Also, remember that the cushion should be sturdy enough not to crush your ears with force. Hard shells will be cupped with stiffer materials like plastics. The same considerations apply, but make sure the plastic is strong enough to not crack under impact. Protection Headgear is made to protect you, so the amount of protection it provides you is a crucial criterion to consider. The fit and materials contribute to the protection you get. But also consider the overall quantity and thickness of the materials used for the entire item. Is it thick enough to absorb all the impact you anticipate? Are your ears well covered and sized just right? And can you wear the headgear well without obscuring your hearing and vision too much? Once you’ve figured all these out, you will realize how important it is to have headgear. You will worry less about injury and more about your actual skill and technique in the sport with the right headgear. Feeling secure about your well-being allows you to shift focus toward getting better, excelling, and performing. You can go into the tournament feeling confident and sure if you have great headgear on you. Check out our best list of head gear for Boxing and MMA Frequently Asked Questions Recap If you’re looking for the best wrestling headgear, our top recommendation is the Cliff Keen Fusion for all the fantastic features and sleek design it comes in. Its outer padding, lightweight material, and comfortable chin strap make it the ideal gear to go into a tournament with. We’ve also shown you how to judge headgear for yourself. If you don’t like anything on our list, you already know what to look for in wrestling headgear to choose what suits you. Whether it’s from our list of top picks or not, we hope you find the perfect wrestling headgear for you.