If you want to stay safe and excel during sparring, you need to be equipped with the best headgear.
We tried all the boxing headgears on the market and spent thousands of hours testing the best and worst ones. Here are the boxing headgears worth spending money on.
The best boxing headgear in 2024 is the Hayabusa T3 Adjustable Headgear.
Our Top Pick
What Is The Best Boxing Headgear?
- Hayabusa T3 Adjustable Headgear – Our Top Pick
- Ringside Competition Boxing Headgear – Best For Beginners
- Cleto Reyes Traditional Headgear – Best For Heavy Sparring
- Venum Challenger 2.0 Headgear – Best For Frequent Sparring
- Fighting No Contact Headgear – Best For Advanced Boxers
Hayabusa T3 Adjustable Headgear – Our Top Pick
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Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅Comfortable inner lining ✅Light, but sturdy ✅Near-perfect visibility | ❌Expensive for new boxers |
Our Experience With the Hayabusa T3 Adjustable Headgear
- Protection: 4.5 / 5.0
- Visibility: 4.5 / 5.0
- Comfort: 4.5 / 5.0
- Price: 4.0 / 5.0
At first, we felt that this headgear was tight on us, but as we used it more, it molded to our heads and became comfortable with its soft inner lining.
We were also worried at first by how light this headgear was. After use, we were impressed that this offered maximum protection without too much bulk, as we’ve noticed other headgears do.
We loved the secure fit of this headgear; when we got tagged with a hard hook, the headgear stayed in place and didn’t shift. After taking many jabs and crosses to the cheeks and jaw, we always came out of the ring free of cuts and bruises.
We were able to see all punches coming our way, with only our far peripheral vision blocked.
We especially loved the style of this headgear; slick and simple.
Our only criticism is that it may be expensive for beginner boxers. Considering that this protects the most valuable part of your body, it’s worth the fee.
Read our review of this headgear here.
Check PriceRingside Competition Boxing Headgear – Best For Beginners
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Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅Reliable protection ✅Great value for price ✅Approved for competitions | ❌No chin protection ❌Leather can be uncomfortable |
Our Experience With Ringside Competition Boxing Headgear
- Protection: 4.5 / 5.0
- Visibility: 4.5 / 5.0
- Comfort: 3.5 / 5.0
- Price: 5.0 / 5.0
This headgear is trusted and used by competing boxers of all levels, for good reason.
Even though this headgear protected our forehead, cheeks, and ears well, there was no protection for our chin, which many other headgears offer.
For us, the leather material was uncomfortable for a few sessions before it truly broke in. Even then the headgear wasn’t as breathable and didn’t absorb sweat as well as we’d like.
The hook and loop closure combined with the chin strap kept the headgear in place whenever we got hit with a hard hook. In the ring, we could see punches coming from all angles.
As a bonus, this headgear is also approved for competition. If you’re a boxer who’s looking to spar and compete, this headgear is perfect for you.
Check PriceCleto Reyes Traditional Headgear – Best For Heavy Sparring
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Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅Quality craftsmanship ✅Front bar protection ✅Comfortable leather | ❌Front bar can block vision ❌Expensive for newer boxers |
Our Experience With the Cleto Reyes Traditional Headgear
- Protection: 4.5 / 5.0
- Visibility: 4.0 / 5.0
- Comfort: 4.5 / 5.0
- Price: 3.5 / 5.0
If you’re preparing for a bout with heavy sparring, you need this head gear.
Along with the fine craftsmanship that Cleto Reyes is known for, we appreciated the front bar attachment that protected our nose from stiff jabs and crosses. This attachment didn’t block our peripheral vision, although it did make uppercuts difficult to see.
We loved how the leather material was the perfect balance of soft and firm. Unlike other leather headgear, this was comfortable to us from the very first use and absorbed heavy shots well.
Our only criticism is that it may be expensive for beginner boxers. For dedicated and advanced boxers who spend lots of time heavy sparring, this headgear is best for you.
Check PriceVenum Challenger 2.0 Headgear – Best For Frequent Sparring
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Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅Quality synthetic leather ✅Multiple styles ✅Great value | ❌Synthetic material too firm |
Our Experience With Venum Challenger 2.0
- Protection: 4.0 / 5.0
- Visibility: 4.5 / 5.0
- Comfort: 4.0 / 5.0
- Price: 4.5 / 5.0
If you’re looking for a stylish, all-purpose headgear, we recommend the Venum Challenger 2.0.
We noticed that the synthetic material of this headgear is firm, which didn’t absorb impact as well as other ones we’ve used. However, for light to moderate sparring its padding got the job done and reduced the impact of many punches.
We also appreciated the extra cheek padding that would be great for people with bigger noses. The adjustable strap on the back and top of the headgear allowed a secure fit and didn’t budge after we received punches.
Even though the synthetic leather wasn’t on the same grade with that of the Cleto Reyes or Fighting headgear, it was still solid when receiving punches and breathable when we worked up a sweat during sparring.
For the price, this headgear gives great value compared to other similar headgears. If you’re a boxer who spars frequently and wants reliable protection while looking stylish, this headgear is for you.
Check PriceFighting No Contact Headgear – Best For Advanced Boxers
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Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅Elite protection ✅Lace-tie gives custom fit ✅Comfortable leather | ❌Expensive for beginners ❌Lace-tie can be tedious |
Our Experience With Fighting No Contact Headgear
- Protection: 5.0 / 5.0
- Visibility: 4.5 / 5.0
- Comfort: 4.5 / 5.0
- Price: 3.5 / 5.0
If you’re a serious boxer, you need to add this headgear to your collection.
We loved the lace-tie security in the back of the headgear that allowed us to get a custom fit from our very first use. There was no chance at all that this headgear would slip after a heavy hook. Keep in mind that it’ll take longer for you to get ready since you’re not using a Velcro strap.
We also expected the bulky face protection to block our vision, but we could see just fine during sparring. The bulk made our heads a bigger target to our opponents, but this didn’t bother us so much.
For the bulky leather construction, this headgear was surprisingly light and comfortable for us. Overall, we’re extremely impressed with the quality and protection that this headgear offers even after many hours in the ring.
Note that you’ll be paying a premium for the quality. If you take your health in the ring seriously, it’s worth it.
Check PriceFrequently Asked Questions
Is It Safe To Box With Headgear?
Boxing with headgear will reduce the impact of your opponent’s hits significantly.
For light sparring, using headgear is optional, but for heavy sparring, using a good-fitting headgear is essential.
Why Do Men Not Wear Headgear In Boxing?
With headgear, there will always be a tradeoff between protection and visibility.
Some boxers say that the padding around the eyes reduces their vision and increases the risk of blows to the head.
Does Headgear Prevent Concussions?
According to PubMed, use of headgear doesn’t prevent concussions over a longer time period.
If you’re only sparring once a week, you’ll have less risk of concussion. On the other hand, if you’re sparring every day, all those accumulated shots and damage add up.
How We Rate Boxing Headgear
- Protection
- Visibility
- Comfort
- Price
After countless hours of testing boxing headgear, we determined that these are the four most important factors for recommending headgear to you. Read the article below to get an in-depth breakdown of how we judge boxing headgear.
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