Top 7 Boxing Head Guards for Optimal Safety

Before you pick out a boxing head guard, it's super helpful to have all the right info at your fingertips.

Think of a head guard as your best buddy in the ring, keeping your noggin safe from nasty bumps, cuts, and bruises.

Just like you wouldn't skimp on quality boxing gloves or forget your mouth guard, choosing the right head guard is crucial.

This year, we've got some exciting, personalised options that are more creative than ever, making sure there's an ideal choice for every fighter, with designs and colours to suit everyone's style.

We wanted to put a guide together to help you pick one that fits perfectly, tips for keeping it in tip-top shape, and a bunch of other handy advice. Plus, we'll share our favourite top 7 head guards to get you started.

Why should you choose a boxing head guard?

If you enjoy boxing, then boxing safely is probably your highest priority. It’s reported that over 90% of boxers will get a concussion. Even amateur boxers get concussions, and youth are more at risk for concussions. With repeated concussions, some boxers can develop chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), also known as boxer’s brain. It’s a serious complication of repeated concussions that can lead to symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and dementia. 

While boxing head guards don’t fully protect you from concussions or brain injuries, many boxers do protect themselves to choose to wear them to protect themselves from facial bruises and lacerations. Essential for both beginners and pros when training!

Professional boxers don’t always wear head guards. In fact, the Olympics don’t require head guards for male boxers. Head guards can help protect boxers from lacerations, broken noses, and general facial trauma. However, some experts believe that head guards provide a false sense of security since they don’t protect the boxer from concussions.

To get started, be sure to check out our sizing charts to find the right size boxing head guard that is for you. With a variety of head guards from brands you know like Bytomic head guards, Century Martial Arts head guards, Cleto Reyes head guards, Ringhorns head guards, Ringside Boxing head guards, Top Ten head guards, Twins Special head guards, and Venum head guards, there are a variety of brands to choose from to complement your boxing gloves and other boxing gear.

Each head guard has its own unique qualities like the color and types of materials. 

Made4Fighters carries boxing head guards made in bayflex head guards, cotton head guards, dipped foam head guards, leather head guards, nylon head guards, and synthetic leather head guards. 

Additionally, you can choose a boxing head guard that protects your cheeks, head, and nose or one that leaves your face open for optimal visibility. There are many options depending on your fighting style and sports type. If you are involved with other sports such as Karate, Taekwondo, or MMA, you can choose head guards that protect high impact areas like the ears. This can potentially help you avoid complications like cauliflower ear.

Kicking off our roundup of the best boxing headgear, we're excited to spotlight a true gem.

For boxing enthusiasts, the name Cleto Reyes needs no introduction – it's synonymous with top-tier quality in the boxing world. And if you're new to the sport, here's a heads-up: Cleto Reyes is a globally acclaimed brand, beloved by professionals everywhere.

What sets this headgear apart is its genuine, handcrafted quality. Made in Mexico with utmost care and precision by talented artisans, it's a piece that truly reflects dedication and craftsmanship.

A standout feature of this head guard is its cleverly designed non-obstructive Design. It ensures you get exceptional visibility, allowing you to keep your eyes firmly on your opponent. Plus, the convenient Hook-and-Loop Rear Closure makes it a breeze to adjust for the perfect fit.

Up next, we're excited to share a standout piece from Ringside. For those who might not know, Ringside has been a significant player in the UK market since 2009, committed to creating gear that's not just durable and functional, but also meets the high standards of professional fighters.

Take a look at this Ringside Legacy Series Head Guard – it's a "One Size Fits All" marvel, expertly designed to fit snugly for anyone, no matter your size or weight class.

Yes, it's on the pricier side, but for good reason. This head guard boasts a premium finish with cowhide leather construction, using only the finest leather for both durability and a touch of luxury.

And that red inner lining? It's a touch of flair that really shows off your passion for martial arts.

Let's chat about style and comfort with Elion's latest and greatest best boxing head guard. Born in the heart of Paris, Elion has truly made its mark by offering exceptional gear and clothing that meet the high standards of fighters and athletes alike.

Crafted with care in Thailand, this head guard features a leather interior and exterior, ensuring not only superb durability but also making it a breeze to maintain.

Note: Elion headgears are available in one size and can be easily adjusted at the back for both height and width.

Another standout piece from Elion Paris made from full grain leather – the Full Face Head Guard.

Every headguard we offer is of exceptional quality, and this one is no exception. Boasting a luxurious premium leather exterior and interior, ensuring both elegance and durability.

It features Double Density Foam, which is lightweight yet highly protective, making your training sessions even better. The slim fit design offers great cheekbone protection and a wide field of vision, enhancing your overall experience.

The head guard comes with a Customisable Fit, allowing you to adjust the height and width for a perfectly comfortable fit. Proudly made in Thailand, the heartland of combat sports, this head guard is a genuine piece that reflects the true spirit of martial arts. 

Sandee shines as a leading brand worldwide in crafting unique apparel and gear for Muay Thai, Boxing and MMA enthusiasts. 

Proudly made in Thailand, Sandee offers products like the closed-face head guard, crafted from genuine cowhide leather, ensuring it stands the test of time with unbeatable durability. Although this is used in Muay Thai it makes a great head guard for boxing too.

The design leaves nothing to chance, providing comprehensive protection with enhanced cheek padding, full ear coverage, and chin support to ensure maximum shock absorption.

Plus, it's designed for a perfect, customisable fit, featuring a full Velcro back-strap and lace-up top closure to ensure it feels just right for everyone.

Wrapping up our list of best boxing head guards, we're excited to share a more wallet-friendly option with a cheap boxing head guard that's freshly available at Made4Fighters.

Meet the Leone DNA Head Guard, a standout piece from their DNA collection which showcases a variety of boxing protective gear, equipment, and accessories.

This head guard features an elastic closure complemented by sturdy velcro at the back, ensuring a snug fit so you can concentrate fully on honing your fighting skills.

And let's not overlook the luxurious interior. It promises ultimate comfort with a non-slip lining that not only feels fantastic but also keeps the headgear perfectly in position.

Now for the 'best boxing head guard for beginners' and even great for experienced martial artists is the Fumetsu Ghost Head Guard from their latest S3 release.

They have taken all the features of the original range and given it a fresh new look and improved design. The Fumetsu Ghost S3 Head Guard has dense foam padding to ensure protection and the open face design provides optimum field vision with cheek protectors. 

For a secure and comfortable fit the Fumetsu Ghost S3 Head Guard features an adjustable rear hook and loop closure as well a drawstring closure. 

Get yourself fully kitted with the full Ghost S3 range including Boxing Gloves and Focus Mitts.

With a variety of price points, there is a boxing head guard that fits your style and your budget. Boxing headgear usually ranges from around £35 to over £150. If you’re new to boxing, you may want to consider a foam boxing head guard which is available at a lower price point. 

For more serious athletes or those who will be boxing frequently, there are boxing helmets with multi-layer and multi-density construction to cushion blows and provide ultimate comfort and protection.

Once you’ve selected your head guard, keep in mind that it will need care and attention. It is bound to attract sweat, dirt, and anything from the ring (such as dust, blood, or saliva). 

To keep your hair, skin, and ears as healthy as possible, we recommend that you should clean your head guard frequently. Depending on the type of material that your head guard is made from, you may be able to spot clean your head guard using a rag and warm water. However, for a thorough clean, use an antiseptic cleaner to ensure that your head guard does not contribute to rashes, acne, or scalp irritation from a dirty surface. Be sure to pay attention to any special instructions that come with your head guard. For boxing gear that may be a bit smelly, be sure to clean the equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Also, consider using a deodorizer that can absorb odors from all of your gear.

Over time, you may notice that your head guard has outlived its useful protective abilities. Fabric might start to rip or plastic might start to degrade. On average, athletes will opt to replace their head guard every 5-10 years. 

For younger people, the replacement rate is higher as their head size increases frequently. You may find that you need to buy a different size of head guard if you have gained or lost a lot of weight in your face. Generally, how often you replace your head guard depends on how much use the guard is getting and also how much damage the head guard has taken.

Choosing a head guard is an important step in making sure your boxing experience is enjoyable and as safe as possible. We offer a large amount of other boxing gear to help you compete in the ring.

Choosing the right size of a head guard involves measuring the circumference of your head just above your ears and comparing it to the size chart provided by the head guard manufacturer. A properly fitting head guard should be snug but not too tight, allowing for minimal movement during use.

While you can use the same head guard for both sparring and competition, it's important to note that some competitions may have specific requirements for headgear. It's advisable to check the regulations of the competition you're entering to ensure your head guard is compliant.

Yes, wearing a head guard can potentially affect your vision or hearing to some extent, depending on its design and fit. Some head guards may limit peripheral vision or slightly muffle sounds. It's important to choose a head guard that balances protection with minimal interference to your senses.

Not all head guards are the same. There are different types available designed for various levels of protection and purposes, such as sparring, competition, and open-face or full-face protection. Each type has its own set of features tailored to specific boxing activities.

While a head guard can reduce the impact of blows to the head, it cannot completely prevent concussions or other head injuries. The primary purpose of a head guard is to protect against cuts and bruises, but it is still important to exercise caution and use proper technique during boxing.

Boxing headgear primarily protects against superficial injuries like cuts and bruises and can reduce the force of impact to some extent, but it does not significantly protect against deeper brain injuries or concussions. The best way to protect your brain is through defensive techniques and controlled sparring.

Boxing headgear can offer some protection to the eyes by reducing the risk of cuts and abrasions around the eye area. However, it's important to choose headgear with a design that does not obstruct your vision and provides adequate padding around the eyes.