It should come as no surprise that headgear is important in most combat sports. We have also dedicated an entire blog to this: Why headgear is so important in combat sports
Now that you are convinced of the usefulness of headgear, the next step is of course to find the right headgear for you. This immediately raises some questions:
- For which combat sport will you be using the headgear?
- What type of headgear do you prefer?
- Do you have a preference for the type of closure or the materials used?
- What is the budget you want to spend on headgear?
Most people logically look for headgear for the most popular combat sports: boxing and kickboxing. This guide will therefore focus on those. For semi-contact styles and martial arts, such as Taekwondo, we have a separate category of headgear.
At the time of writing, Fight2Win has a selection of no less than 50 different headgear for boxing, kickboxing, and thai boxing in its range. From these, we will select the top 3 based on customer experiences and feedback, popularity, and our own expertise.
Division by price range
Since the available budget is often a determining factor in the choice, we have divided the headgear into 3 price ranges: up to 100 euros, up to 200 euros, and the absolute top class above 200 euros.
We start with the first category (up to 100 euros) and will cover the other categories in future blogs.
In addition, we have a separate category specifically for those looking for full face protection: headgear with a face-bar.
Criteria for scoring headgear
When evaluating headgear, we look at what we consider the most important features of headgear: the fit, the protection, and the visibility. We will score the headgear based on these criteria.
- Fit: By fit, we mean: comfort during use, but especially how well the headgear fits the contours of the head. There is also an important note: everyone’s head is different, so personal preference or the shape of your head also plays a role.
- Protection: Protection is the extent to which the headgear does what it is intended for, namely protecting the head, cheekbones, ears, back of the head, and face. Therefore, the level of protection is also linked to the fit, as these properties influence each other.
- Visibility: Visibility during use is also a very important factor when choosing headgear, and a balance is always made against the level of protection. Visibility is a more active form of protection, as the goal remains to avoid being hit.
- Ease of use: The extent to which the headgear can be easily adjusted to your personal measurements and fit. Also, the ease of putting on and taking off with regular use.
- Build quality: The materials used, finish, and sturdiness of the headgear. We also look at details such as the laces and Velcro.
Best buy: Headgear for boxing and kickboxing up to €100
- King HG
- King Revo 1
- Rival RHG60F 2.0
1. King Pro Boxing HG
The King HG is on the edge of the budget up to 100 euros, but that is noticeable. In fact, this is simply a very good quality headgear of excellent class. The King HG headgear has everything you look for in good headgear: thick cheekbone protectors, sufficient visibility, and pleasantly soft ear protection.
The closures also meet all your wishes: adjustable with laces for the best possible fit. After that, the King HG is always easy to put on and take off using Velcro closures.
The King HG also features a chin protector, making it an excellent choice in the budget up to 100 euros.
Fit King HG (Score: 7/10)
The fit of the King HG can simply be called good. The model clearly stands out from budget headgear due to its snug fit. This is partly due to the adjustable laces. The cheekbone protectors are well shaped in the right place, as is the opening for the ears.
Protection King HG (Score: 8/10)
The protection of the King HG is very good. The padding of the entire headgear is of excellent thickness and the used filling feels firm yet soft enough. The previously mentioned cheekbone (jaw) protectors are sufficiently thick, and the padding on the ears (to protect the membrane) is also of good thickness.
Visibility King HG (Score: 6/10)
The visibility you have when using the King HG is adequate. Here you do notice the difference with higher-class headgear that truly combines optimal visibility with maximum protection. Still, this is definitely acceptable with the King HG.
Ease of use King HG (Score: 7/10)
The ease of use of the King HG is sufficient. You only need to adjust the headgear with the laces the first time. After that, you simply put it on using the Velcro at the back of the head.
Build quality King HG (Score: 7/10)
The build quality of the King HG is very good. The materials used feel sturdy for this price range and the finish is also more than adequate. Unfortunately, the King HG headgear has the same issues as many headgears that use laces. The laces tend to get caught in the Velcro, and the standard included laces are not of the highest quality. However, this can always be easily solved in the future by purchasing separate top-quality laces.
Features King Pro Boxing HG:
| Material | Synthetic leather |
| Closure | Velcro & laces |
| Sizes | M, L |
| Weight | approx. 480 g |
Pros:
+ Excellent fit thanks to adjustment options
+ Excellent protection due to thick padding on cheekbones and ears
Cons:
- Slightly higher price
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2. King Pro Boxing Revo 1
The King Pro Boxing Revo line is the economy line of the Thai brand, intended for fighters who are starting or have just started martial arts. It is sufficient quality for beginners and also very competitively priced.
Additionally, even though it is the budget line, the products benefit from the brand’s experience and the fit of all products meets all expectations. This also applies to the headgear from this brand.
The King Revo has excellent cheekbone protectors, ear protectors, and a chin protector. Putting it on and taking it off is done with simple Velcro closures without any hassle with laces.
Fit King Revo 1 (Score: 6/10)
The fit of the King Revo 1 can be considered adequate. For the price, this is a great entry-level headgear. When getting hit, the headgear will of course shift and slide slightly. In that sense, it is truly a budget headgear. However, the headgear does have the right fit, so all basic requirements for headgear are definitely met.
Protection King Revo 1 (Score: 6/10)
The protection of the Revo 1 headgear is sufficient. The padding of the entire headgear is fine. The filling used is comfortably soft but obviously does not offer the cushioning of headgear from a higher class. For beginners, however, this is enough to get started. There is ear protection with even a band over it (this was originally designed by Winning Japan). There is also a chin protector, although it does not fit completely smoothly.
Visibility King Revo 1 (Score: 5/10)
The visibility you have when using the headgear is barely sufficient. Here you clearly notice the difference with headgear from a higher class that really combines optimal visibility with maximum protection.
Ease of use King Revo 1 (Score: 7/10)
The ease of use of the King HG is very good. You don’t have to adjust anything with laces. You just put it on, fasten the Velcro, and you’re done.
Build quality King Revo 1 (Score: 5/10)
The build quality of the King HG is actually quite poor, but that is to be expected with headgear in this price range. The materials used feel and look fairly cheap. However, it does what it needs to do. So especially if you don’t use the headgear very intensively, this is fine.
Features King Pro Boxing Revo 1:
| Material | Synthetic leather |
| Closure | Velcro |
| Sizes | S, M, L |
| Weight | approx. 375 g |
Pros:
+ Very easy to put on and take off
+ Sharp pricing
Cons:
- Few adjustment options
- Uses cheap materials
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3. Rival Boxing RHG60F 2.0
Finally, we have the entry-level model from top brand Rival Boxing Gear: the RHG60F 2.0. This is also a great choice if you don’t want to spend too much on headgear but still expect good protection.
The RHG60F also has a lace adjustment for optimal fit, but with regular use you simply use the extra-wide Velcro closure on the back of the head. So just put it on and fasten.
The padding on the back of the head is a nice plus, as is the extra-wide Velcro closure that is very easy to fasten. We find the visibility with this headgear somewhat lacking compared to other models. This is partly because it is a fairly bulky headgear.
Fit Rival RHG 60F 2.0 (Score: 5/10)
The fit of the King Revo 1 can be described as tight to adequate. For the price, this is a great entry-level headgear. When getting hit, the headgear will probably shift and slide somewhat. This is due to the generous sizing of this headgear. It is truly a budget headgear. The headgear has a large fit, so all basic requirements for headgear are definitely met.
Protection Rival RHG 60F 2.0 (Score: 7/10)
The protection of the RHG60F headgear is more than sufficient. The padding of the entire headgear is adequate. The filling used is soft and does not offer the cushioning of headgear in higher price ranges. For beginners, however, this is more than enough to start with.
The headgear mostly consists of one piece except for the velcro straps. The ears are deeply recessed in the model. There is also a chin protector, although it does not fit completely smoothly. What we really like is the extra thick layer of padding on the back of the head.
Visibility Rival RHG 60F 2.0 (Score: 5/10)
Partly due to the large volume of the Rival headgear, the visibility you have when using this protection is just sufficient. There is not much ergonomics that contribute to maximum visibility. You can clearly notice the difference compared to headgear from higher classes.
Ease of use Rival RHG 60F 2.0 (Score: 6/10)
The ease of use of the Rival RHG60F 2.0 is fine. You can further adjust it with laces and then just put it on, fasten the velcro, and you’re done. What is nice is that the velcro on this headgear is very wide and therefore easy to grab and close.
Build quality Rival RHG 60F 2.0 (Score: 6/10)
The build quality of the Rival headgear is adequate for the price range. You can clearly see that the materials used do not give a premium feel. However, it does what it needs to do. So especially if you are not going to use the headgear intensively, this is more than fine.
Features Rival Boxing RHG60F 2.0:
| Material | Synthetic leather |
| Closure | Velcro & laces |
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL |
| Weight | approx. 300 g |
Pros:
+ Sufficient protection
+ Thick padding on the back of the head
Cons:
- Large size
View in webshop:
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SCOREBOARD: Headgear up to €100
| Model | Fit | Protection | Visibility |
| HG1 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Revo 1 | 6/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 |
| RHG60F | 5/10 | 7/10 | 5/10 |
| Model | Comfort | Build | OVERALL |
| HG1 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 35/50 |
| Revo 1 | 7/10 | 5/10 | 29/50 |
| RHG60F | 6/10 | 6/10 | 29/50 |
View all headgear for boxing, kickboxing, and thai boxing in our webshop: headgear >> headgear up to 100 euros