Boxing Head Guards
Boxing head guards let you spar hard and still turn up to work on Monday without a black eye or a cut, and for many amateurs they are compulsory in competition too. We stock 101 of them from Adidas, Cleto Reyes, Rival, Fly, Sting, Pro Box, Phenom, Carbon Claw and Ringside, covering open face, cheek and full face designs, from a club-priced Pro Box PU headguard at £24.99 up to professional leather models used in world-class gyms.
Which boxing head guards do you need?
An open face head guard protects the forehead, temples, ears and back of the head and leaves your vision completely clear; it is the competition standard. A cheek head guard adds padded cheek pieces that take most of the sting out of hooks, and is the most popular choice for regular sparring. A full face guard adds a bar or chin piece and suits anyone protecting a nose, a cut or a stitched eyebrow. Compare the three ranges directly: open face head guards, cheek head guards and full face head guards.
Competition head guards
England Boxing amateur bouts that require head guards insist on an approved model, in the colour your corner is drawn, red or blue. The Adidas IBA boxing headguard and the Sting Competition Approved Headguard II are both built to that specification and are what most clubs buy for their squad. Training head guards are not permitted on show night. Our amateur competition head guards collection lists only the approved models so you do not have to check each one.
Fit, materials and looking after it
A head guard should be tight enough that it does not rotate when you shake your head, with the chin strap snug and the brow pad sitting just above the eyebrows. Most models come in S, M, L and XL by head circumference, and Cleto Reyes, Rival and Fly leather guards will shape to your head over the first few sessions. Leather lasts for years if you air it after every use; PU guards from Pro Box, Carbon Claw and Ringside are cheaper, easier to clean and ideal for club kit bags. Sizes for juniors are listed separately in kids boxing head guards. Always wear a boxing gum shield with it.
Buying for a club or gym?
We supply clubs, schools and commercial gyms across the UK with head guards in bulk, including approved red and blue pairs for shows. Call 01708 320320 (option 3) for a quote. We have fitted head guards in our Romford, Essex store since 2006 and ship with express UK delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to wear a head guard in boxing?
In training, almost every gym requires one for sparring. In competition, England Boxing rules require approved head guards for most junior, youth and female bouts, while senior men box without them. Check your club's rules before buying a competition model.
What is the difference between open face and full face head guards?
An open face head guard protects the forehead, temples and ears and leaves vision completely clear. A full face guard adds cheek pads and a bar or chin piece for maximum protection to the nose and jaw, at the cost of some visibility. Cheek guards sit in between.
How should a boxing head guard fit?
Snug all round with no rotation when you move, the brow pad sitting just above the eyebrows and the chin strap firm. Measure your head circumference and check the brand's size chart; leather models will give slightly with use, PU models will not.
