Best wrestling protective gear according to redditors

your trainer is not informed and i doubt he wrestled for any length of time.

headgear is specifically suited to protect your ears. however, you do NEED to adjust it to fit your head correctly.

i wore headgear religiously for 10 years of competitive wrestling and i have zero cauliflower. (ok i have some but it's from bjj)

i recommend getting some CK headgear. it's simple and effective. this was the only kind i liked while wrestling.

also, if a wrestler has cauli, it's because he practiced without headgear or competed freestyle/greco and opted not to wear it. headgear does NOT cause cauli.

YOU'RE WELCOME

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https://www.amazon.com/Grapplearts-Wrestling-Cauliflower-Construction-Protection/dp/B01DAYRA0U/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1479448166&sr=8-1&keywords=Ear+Guards+for+BJJ&refinements=p_72:2661619011&linkCode=li3&tag=mmawar-20&linkId=180b273b06ad1d3b87280665d9c199a1

The legal kind:


https://www.amazon.com/Cliff-Keen-Wrestling-Guard-FG3/dp/B07JVQVKHM

Your team should have one.

When all else failed we went the DIY route for our teenager and made something like this but hard shell ear protection for wrestling like this will work as well.

I haven't looked at rugby headgear. That is interesting, but I'd be concerned about the ridges making it more difficult to pull my head out of tight situations. Do they have smooth options? If so, that might be perfect for people with longer hair who want to control the hair and ear situation at the same time.

Have you looked at "soft" or "low profile" wrestling headgear? Please pardon all of the Amazon links; they are available just about anywhere.

• Matman
  
  
• Ring to Cage
  
  
• Ear Guards
  
  
• Pro Force
  
  
• Ring To Cage 2
  
  
• KimuraWear
  
  The soft edges will make it more difficult to get "caught up" and make it less likely to shift. Just make sure that you center it on your ears first and then tighten the scalp and chin straps evenly to get it cinched down properly.

Headgear. Headgear headgear headgear. If you're worried about your ears, wear headgear. They're cheap and come in lots of colors, you can match your gis if you want!

http://forums.sherdog.com/forums/f12/whats-best-ear-guard-bjj-1065252/

http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Guard-Grappling-Wrestling-Jitsu/dp/B005ESOWPW

http://www.amazon.com/ASICS-ZW1000-Conquest-Ear-Guard/dp/B005ACNB2M/ref=pd_sbs_sg_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0FYCZ4A5Q582XTMTSEZ1

I just ordered these CK's since a rolling mate also wears it and they seem to be working fine for him. I will try out your suggestion if the CK's don't work out.

I also had previously got these but they kept falling off during training and my ear infection worsened after those rolls.

Got this one last week, very good product

Matman Ultrasoft Wrestling Headgear Quick Adjusting, One Size Fits All, Ear and Head Guard Adult https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006SBMZ9Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DeUOCbGP4DWRA

I waited more than two weeks, I went to an ENT and he cut and drained since at that time a lot of the fluid starts to harden so cutting would get more out. I wear (http://www.amazon.com/Matman-Ultra-Soft-Wrestling-Headgear/dp/B006SBMZ9Y) Matman head gear which is all foam and only $20. Doesn't cramp my style too much. they fall off sometimes but I stop and secure the strap. Even with them on my ears get a little inflames still so I ice the injured one often.

I use these. So far so good.

I tested out several and settled on the Cliff Keen fusion headgear https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JUS3T4Q They are a nice balance between good ear protection and a soft outer layer which is helpful for your teammates.

I also tried, and still have, the Cliff Keen Tornado, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KEFWUE/ . Excellent protection, but the hard outer shell sticks out far and is somewhat like a cheese grater on your partner. Wrestling great, bjj not so much.

I also bought and immediately returned the matman, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006SBMZ9Y/ . The attached chin strap was a deal breaker. Not only did it not fit my big melon the attached chin strap means if it breaks it's tough to replace.

I have no problems hearing instruction or my partner when wearing them, but they are a PIA to wear and this is coming from someone who wrestled for many years. I put them on after warm ups or sometimes not until sparring depending on what we are working on. They have kept my cauliflower ear from coming back over the past year.

Best of luck.

it's almost unavoidable to 'avoid' injuries... with that said...

i've come to find in a year of doing BJJ that i almost always screw up my toes. the big toe or pinky toe on either foot, so i make sure to tape them before class.

with working more spider guard, in a measly 3 months of doing so, i could no longer get my wedding ring on/off so i had to have it resized. since then, i tape my fingers accordingly.

i wear these kneepads when necessary after having to take 6 weeks off due to a tibial bone bruise given my awkward landings when doing shots, or landing on my left knee when doing backrolls. having them helps a lot.

point being... the more you go, the more you learn what your weak areas are, and how to protect them. i am .... naturally ungraceful so the toe issues are probably my fault, as with what happened to my knee. i'm still nursing a right hand middle finger that was sprained in 2 spots christmas night when we had open mats, and i got caught in a sleeve when my partner was breaking spider guard grips. when it heals fully, i will likely tape that finger more than my other ones.

ETA: most the people in my class have avoided massive injuries too. one of my coaches is a black belt in judo and has some shoulder issues from that. another couple people wear ankle braces from past injuries. if you know you have a weak spot on your body, brace it and do the best you can.

I get bursitis in my knees pretty often and have gone through more than a few pairs of knee pads. My favorite are the Asics Super Sleeves. They stay in place, feel good, and are the least bulky that have worked for me. They get pretty hot though. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LG668I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Check these out:

http://www.amazon.com/Matman-Ultra-Soft-Wrestling-Headgear/dp/B006SBMZ9Y

These are all cloth on the outside and have a low profile. They don't get in the way when training, and there's no hard plastic on the outside to bother training partners.

My only complaint is the chin strap can be a little uncomfortable.

There's nothing wrong with wearing headgear, as long as your headgear doesn't interfere with your training or your classmates' training.


I trained for 2+ years with no problem, but developed a case of cauli after one particularly rough tournament match. I started using headgear afterwards to protect it from getting worse and let it heal (which it did, mostly).


I had rolled with other guys who used headgear, so before buying a pair I already had an idea of what kinds impacted jiu-jitsu training the most/least. After trying a couple of brands myself, I ended on the Cliff Keen E58 because (a) they have no hard plastic or hard edges on the outside that can hurt your partners, (b) they're relatively small and low profile, and (c) they stay on my head and don't come off all the time.


http://amzn.com/B001GKZSSM

I've been through 4 sets of knee sleeves and pads so far.

1. Neoprene knee sleeves (from local pharmacy). These were shit, don't even bother
   
   
2. Volleyball knee pads were the second round. Better than knee sleeves but they wore out pretty quickly and constantly slid down.
   
   
3. Brute Torq Kneepad was an amazing knee pad. Stayed in place, the back mesh prevented the back of the knee from being too sweaty. Great padding and lasted for years. Too bad they stopped making them.
   
   
4. Cliff Keen Wraptor 2.0 is the current pad. They're ok, and protect the knee. In about a month they have already loosened up a lot and a few threads have popped, not a good sign.
   
   I've looked at the Bauerfeind but I'm looking for more impact protection than additional stability. The actual knee pads keep my knees very warm and I haven't had any knee issues since the Brute Torq's.

I've been using these recently: https://www.amazon.com/Headgear-Grappling-Guard-Sparring-Helmet/dp/B07M8NKZVV/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=roar+headgear&qid=1554078218&s=gateway&sr=8-3.


But a more expensive version I was also looking at was: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BF2ZD5N/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07BF2ZD5N&pd_rd_w=lU6q5&pf_rd_p=733540df-430d-45cd-9525-21bc15b0e6cc&pd_rd_wg=y9TDT&pf_rd_r=713BQJFCA15MCVJN40G0&pd_rd_r=8aad8fde-5414-11e9-abc6-4338a415eec6

I got a pair of these. I wear them when my ears hurt. Ice and ibuprofen help with the swelling and pain.

Mine stopped hurting as much when I stopped trying to frantically rip my head out of triangles and guillotines.

I never had any complaints about the Twisters - the plastic is super soft (so maybe a newer design?).

Thanks for the reco on the the Matmans. They look pretty decent.

These are the Grapplearts: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DAYRA0U/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2B9GFDHNL8DMK

Maybe you can fit one of those wrestling ear guards under your men? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FTKX74P/ref=dp_cerb_1

ASICS shoes are nice and reliable, and cliff keen headgear is also great. Here are some links to get you started

https://www.amazon.com/ASICS-Matflex-GS-Wrestling-Little/dp/B00U8ZWQJK/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=matflex&qid=1569814394&sr=8-2


https://www.amazon.com/Cliff-Keen-E58-Headgear-Color/dp/B001GKZSSM/ref=sxin_2_ac_m_rm?ac_md=1-1-Y2xpZmYga2VlbiBoZWFkZ2Vhcg%3D%3D-ac_d_rm&keywords=cliff+keen&pd_rd_i=B001GKZSSM&pd_rd_r=7dbdbc90-c2f7-431f-a761-da4325d277ed&pd_rd_w=NCLJ3&pd_rd_wg=LT9bn&pf_rd_p=73c1eab1-1449-4c6d-b922-1dce21aded6d&pf_rd_r=VYQDCKKV97F8NDV052XF&psc=1&qid=1569814423

I don’t use knee pads, so I can’t help you there. Also, if you have braces, you need to get a mouth guard.

Maybe a "nasty bag" for $5? This is a well known hemp BJJ brand but I don't think the bag itself is made from hemp. http://www.dsgear.com/collections/accessories

Is he on /r/bjj? Perhaps one of the patches that are on the sidebar?

Does he use headgear or have cauliflower ear problems? These are great. Everyone that uses headgear at my studio, uses this brand. Cliff Keen.
http://www.amazon.com/Cliff-Keen-Tornado-Wrestling-Headgear/dp/B000KEFWUE/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1417733497&sr=1-2&keywords=kliff+keen+headgear

Good luck!

i use these. i swear by them. never roll without 'em. i have joint and easily bruising knees.

http://www.amazon.com/ASICS-Super-Sleeve-Black-Large/dp/B000LG668I/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1404835699&sr=8-4&keywords=asics+knee+pads

Several people word hardshells, like Cliff Keen, at our gym and I found them somewhat annoying as a partner. It's not fun to bumb your head against the shell and locking the head up is trickier.

When I had my cauliflower ear drained last month, I picked up the softer Matman and so far my experience is good. I've asked my partners if it messes with them and nobody seems to mind.

I have this and I dig it. I don't wear it that often though; only when my ears are particularly sore if I'm doing a lot of nogi...http://www.amazon.com/Matman-Ultra-Soft-Wrestling-Headgear/dp/B006SBMZ9Y

These are a hell of a lot better than anything I've worn when it comes to hearing. Not great, but better. The CK tornadoes are also a lot better if you can't wear the soft headgear

I just got these and like them a lot. I just want some light padding, these are light and inexpensive. The back of my legs had to get used to them as they were a little rough on my legs at first. BodyProx

I also liked these, but after a while the padding inside would bunch up and would be a pain in the ass. Cliff Keen Wraptor

Second the head gear comment, have longish hair and it keeps it out of my face. Stops your ears becoming all weird too.

I got this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006SBMZ9Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use these. They work well. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ACKNAK/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2/185-5150175-1831532?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=1KT9AT9H7DYW9H2KWYHA&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=1944687682&pf_rd_i=B000LIFW1I

I wear Asics Super Sleeves.

If you don't mind the look, you could probably get something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Matman-Ultra-Soft-Wrestling-Headgear/dp/B006SBMZRG/ref=sr_1_49_sspa?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1509481159&sr=1-49-spons&keywords=ear+guards&psc=1

and tuck your hair through the top and back bands, maybe pony up the end. It'll have the added benefit of keeping you cauliflower ear free!

EDIT ooh! or these things!

https://www.amazon.com/Adidas-aH100-Wrestling-Hair-Cover/dp/B00JR4USPC/ref=pd_sim_200_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VY4F15V32QFE4PYKY65D

https://www.amazon.com/Cliff-Keen-HSL96-Hair-Slicker/dp/B0000DZSBC/ref=pd_sim_200_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3C713DCQCFSV23CW8ZR9

I wear this:

http://www.amazon.com/ASICS-Super-Sleeve-Black-Medium/dp/B000PGFV4Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374755075&sr=8-1&keywords=asic+super+sleeve

Its pretty comfortable, and has never fallen off. When I roll I practically forget its there.

I've only been doing bjj for a few months, but there are students who use headgear at our gym. No one bats an eye at it. It's about what makes you comfortable as you train. Anyone who would give you shit for it can go fuck themselves. It's YOUR journey and YOUR training. Not theirs.

That said, the best partner friendly headgear you can likely get is Cliff Keen E58: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009A5GRI/ref=s9_hps_bw_g200_i3

It's a really good brand of grappler's headgear. I have a pair. They will protect your ears. They aren't bulky. Best of all, they are soft and partner friendly. I've rolled with a guy who using this plastic hard tornado-some such headgear and I hate him for it. It's unpleasant when he digs his headgear into me.

My ears were hurting pretty bad so I bought the Grapple Arts soft headgear.

https://www.amazon.com/Grapplearts-Wrestling-Cauliflower-Construction-Protection/dp/B01DAYR9ZG#customerReviews

Disclosure: the chin strap broke. According to the reviews, this is common. I re-sewed it with lots of reinforcement stitching and it has held fine since. It doesn't get in the way, isn't hot, and doesn't seem to affect my hearing. My medium-length hair gets caught in the velcro every now and then.

Lately I have developed much better posture, am not getting choked constantly, and thus have found that the ear pain has diminished to the point that I don't need it.

Oh hell yeah go with this one

If you don't want to risk cauliflower, wear ear guards. https://www.amazon.com/Cliff-Keen-E58-Headgear/dp/B0009A5GRI

I use these

https://www.amazon.com/Grapplearts-Wrestling-Cauliflower-Construction-Protection/dp/B01DAYR9ZG

Wear headgear when you train so you can avoid wearing it when you compete. I use this one: https://www.amazon.com/Grapplearts-Wrestling-Cauliflower-Construction-Protection/dp/B01DAYRA0U/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1479406882&sr=1-1&keywords=grapplearts+ear+guard

Started having sore ears from triangle drilling about a month ago, and it was painful when I had a haircut (the barber would bend my ear). Since I started wearing this, the pain has gone away.

Edit: the strap broke on this one last night. Don't buy it.

I have 2 x brute quad III's now and 1 x matman ultrasoft.

I like the brute quad III's better but I can't find them for sale at a good price.

Thought I'd try Stephan Kesting's ear guards. They look slim and I trust Stephan - he's pretty thorough in his videos!
https://www.amazon.com/Grapplearts-Wrestling-Cauliflower-Construction-Protection/dp/B01DAYR9ZG

This brand is nice, but the one I have from them has the velcro wrong for the part around the top/front of your head. The scratchy part faces inside and sits on your head. Tends to rub a raw spot into my head. Not a big deal, especially since there aren't many other brands that are similarly soft.

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here's a link: Amazon Matman Headgear

I use one of these due to major patellar pain and it works fantastic so far:http://www.amazon.com/ASICS-ZD360-Super-Sleeve/dp/B005ACKNAK/ref=pd_sim_200_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=41lIEOAASFL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR87%2C160_&refRID=0MW22M1QS9B35M9ZJTX0

Are you wearing construction style knee pads with the straps? I prefer the ones that are sleeves made of neoprene since the ones with a strap on the top and bottom give me hotspots in the back of my leg.

The ones I use are wrestling knee pads. Only bad thing is I have to take my shoes off if I want to remove them.

Cliff Keen E58

https://www.amazon.com/Cliff-Keen-E58-Headgear/dp/B0009A5GRI

Wear head gear please!!!!!!

https://www.amazon.com/Cliff-Keen-E58-Headgear-Color/dp/B001GKZSSM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2FFZ7Y7L08SSD&dchild=1&keywords=head+gear+for+wrestlers&psc=1&qid=1571261505&sprefix=head+gear%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1

This is what I use.

https://www.amazon.com/ASICS-Aggressor-Earguard-Black-Size/dp/B00CG4BTU8/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=asics+headgear&qid=1572389210&sr=8-9

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If I were you I'd drain it. Get some rare earth magnets from home depot and put them on your ear to keep pressure on it. Keep it there for at least 10 days. No more training either or it will flare back up. I just got done dealing with this shit and I'm back to training now. My ear looks a lot better and you can't even really tell. It was annoying that everyone thought I got gauges in my ear thought.