10 Best Boxing Headgear: Top 10 brands for sparring (2023)
Whether you’re a novice boxing athlete in the gym or a professional MMA fighter in the octagon, having the best headgear for hard sparring/training can make all the difference. In my experience, the best piece of training equipment you can own, besides your boxing gloves and mouth guard, is a good, solid piece of headgear. So, we’ve put together the TOP 10 Best Headgear below.
When I say “good headgear”, I know that can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. For me, the best headgear is light, sturdy, and built to last; with proper care, a good piece will last you a few years and save you a few concussions. Unfortunately, with MMA’s rising popularity, a lot of companies have decided to cash in and produce low-quality headgear.
To make sure you get the best pieces for the best prices, we’ve put together a list of the top ten pieces of boxing headgear, chosen by online reviews and testimonials.
Best Boxing Headgear – Our Top Picks
- Hayabusa T3 headgear (jump to review)
- Ringside Competition (jump to review)
- Title gel lava leather (jump to review)
- Cleto Reyes traditional with face bar (jump to review)
- Venum Elite iron headgear (jump to review)
- Ring to Cage Deluxe (jump to review)
- Winning FG-5000 (jump to review)
- Rival Intellishock (jump to review)
- Fairtex headgear (jump to review)
- RDX with removable facegrill (jump to review)
Detailed reviews of best boxing headgear
1. Hayabusa T3 Boxing Headgear
A little pricier than most, Hayabusa T3 may not be your first piece of headgear.
With a full-face design and solid double straps on the back, this piece is going to stay exactly where you strap it for as long as your match goes on, and good visibility and lightweight means you might just forget you’re wearing it. If you’re willing to pay the extra money, you’ll find that the Hayabusa T3 series is worth it.
Easily the best protection you can buy, the Ringside Master’s Competition Headgear is a great piece for hard-punching opponents. With a nice thick layer of padding that even extends to the nose (a rare trait for boxing headgear), you can take shots to the head all day and keep coming back for more.
Unfortunately, this kind of protection is a bit conditional. If you’re a brawler, this is the best piece you’ll ever own; if you like to work more conservatively, the limited peripheral vision could become a disadvantage. That being said, the Ringside Master’s Competition Headgear is still A-OK for the longest, toughest training you can put yourself through.
Light, sturdy, and wholly reliable, the Title Gel training headgear uses a combination of foam and a patented gel to reduce impact. All of these combine to make a piece of headgear that weighs just around ten ounces and, unlike Title’s Platinum training headgear, can be worn in ABA matches.
Where the Gel headgear falls short, however, is in the same vein as the previous model; it slides around on your head a bit, and it offers virtually no protection against a straight punch to the nose. If another headgear is just too heavy for you, the Title Gel model is exactly what you’re looking for.
Excellent three-point anatomical fit; Hook and loop rear closure, adjustable chin strap, and lace for top adjustment.
The lightweight front bar and latex foam padding provide the protection you need while ensuring excellent vision, so you can see your opponent coming. One size fits most!
For added protection, choose the Venum elite iron headgear, it is reinforced with a high-density foam. The elite iron headgear has been specially designed to ensure a proper fit. It consists of tightening laces on top and Velcro tightening at the back for a perfect fit. Comfortable, lightweight, strong and efficient: the elite iron headgear is the best headgear offered by the brand. The high-density foam for optimum shock absorption
Scored 9.5/10 on Sherdog Gear & Equipment forum reviews
An excellent headgear available on the market
The R2C Full Face headgear provides awesome visibility and complete protection of the face. GelTech lined protects from direct impact, GelTech padding help absorbing the shock and gives fully comfortability while wearing this headgear.
Excellent, top professional leather outer shell provides extended, long-term usage.
Winning FG-5000 covers everything you need in a piece of headgear. A nose-bar across the front, super-wide face holes for excellent peripheral vision, and some of the best cushioning you can buy means this headgear will last as long as you will.
15-ounce weight and sleek profile, won’t look or feel like it’s even there.
Although expensive, it will stop absolutely everything you throw at it.
Hook and loop adjustment in the back and lace top for added security
Heavy-duty nickel clad chin-strap buckle
Microfiber suede lining with d3o technology placed on the front and sides giving you added protection
Anatomical rear head pad for a perfect fit every time
Embroidered logos
Fairtex provides comprehensive coverage of the ear, cheek, and chin with increased padding on the forehead, cheek, and back strap while maintaining clear vision. Soft inside but hard outside with a special multi-layered high-density foam core.
Features an adjustable lace-up on top and an adjustable padded back hook and loop closure for a secure fit. As well as a curved chin protector and a windshield on the ear protector to simulate real competition.
RDX Headgear is contrived with Maya Hide Leather material that refuses to split, fray, or tear. The material reassures resistance against tapping out on performance. Ideal for MMA, Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and more.
Tri-slabs of impact attenuating foam supporting layer. It is helpful for intense impact absorption.
Quick-EZ hook-and-loop strap offers a secure and adjustable fit reducing chances of slipping off. Unique Quick EZ-Strap provides steady closure while stabilizing it solidly.
- Design with full face protection
- Thick cushioning for maximum power absorption
- Due to greater shielding, limits vision
While you’re deciding on boxing equipment, don’t forget to check our review on boxing shoes to go with your headgear and gloves.
Summary: The Best Boxing Headgear is
- Hayabusa T3 headgear (jump to review)
- Ringside Competition (jump to review)
- Title gel lava leather (jump to review)
- Cleto Reyes traditional with face bar (jump to review)
- Venum Elite iron headgear (jump to review)
- Ring to Cage Deluxe (jump to review)
- Winning FG-5000 (jump to review)
- Rival Intellishock (jump to review)
- Fairtex headgear (jump to review)
- RDX with removable facegrill (jump to review)
If you are looking for the best boxing headgear and don’t care about budget, go for the Winning FG. If budget is a concern, we recommend the Hayabusa T3 and the RDX with removable facegrill
Headgear – Frequently Asked Questions
Have any experience with these pieces, or have your own top ten boxing headgear? Let us know in the comments section.
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I have a question. What do you think/know about the Reyes model with the nosebar?
Thanks for the question Robin,
I personally don’t like any headgear that has the nosebar, as it really blocks my vision. Especially Cleto Reyes, their nosebar is really huge, so it not only blocks the vision, but also makes your head a bigger target, so you end up getting hit more than you normally would be getting if the nosebar wasn’t there. But It’s just me. I’m a small guy and like to move a lot, so I prefer compact, lightweight headgear that doesn’t restrict my movements. With that being said, CR with nosebar is good for a person who doesn’t move that much, as that headgear is really big, well padded and has a good protection.
I’m a welterweight fighter, and I like to move around as well. But I broke my nose early in my boxing days so I need protection. Saw pacman spar with the winning model and it caught my interest, but it’s very expensive. So I’m looking for other alternatives? Thanks for the quick reply friend!
No problem Robin, I’m happy to help. It’s just that I’m not the best expert when it comes to nosebar headgear. But If I were you I would go with Cleto Reyes, it’s definately the best alternative to Winnings that I know. You’ve probably seen this already https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJQsVV3qFuA
Yes I’ve seen the video. Thanks a lot for taking your time with it. I will try the Reyes model. Good luck with everything & thanks again.
Thanks Robin, don’t forget to tell us how you are liking those Reyes, once you try it.
I use the Rival Traditional Training Headgear.
Pros: Comfy, doesn’t absorb sweat so doesn’t smell, not much give in the padding so takes punches well.
Cons: Has a metal buckle that you have to tape for every sparring session and keep an eye on so as not to tear the other guy’s gloves, doesn’t release heat so your head feels like it’s cooking.
Thank you for your feedback Dave!
Hello!
Could you tell more about absorption of Cleto Reyes Headgear?
Yes, I read, that it is “The absolute best protection for straight punches”, but still want to know, if you could compare “punch feeling” with and without this particular headgear.
And second question. Does it protect from straight punches more than Winning FG 2900 in your option/experience?
Hey Sergey, thanks for your comment. We’ve just published a headgear guide on MMA Gear Addict https://mmagearaddict.com/guides/headgear-buying/. Please feel free to post any questions you have related to the headgear in the comment section below the article. Thanks!
Hi, can you please confirm which takes punches better – masters professional, cleto reyes or the winning fg2900?
I saw your comment that masters is ‘the best protection’ whereas cleto is best for straight punches? In which case what makes winning the best? Just after some clarification on the relative protection of each, thank you
I have always been using the Top Ten headgear and must say hands down it is the best you can buy. The velcro straps in the back and under the chin make it easy to adjust size. Another thing I love about it is the inner structure with channels making the sweat away from the face and drain down to the side of the head.
The guy who invent this headgear was a genius. The oldest TopTen headgear I have is from 1987. While I don’t use that old piece anymore it still works fine and the padding never gave up working. I have had 2 new ones since then.