This is the third installment in our series of best-buy headguard guides. We've divided the headguards into three price ranges. In this installment, we'll cover the absolute top-of-the-line headguards, the ones even professional fighters train with.
Breakdown by price range
Since the available budget is often a determining factor for the choice, we have divided the head protectors into 3 price ranges: top 3 head protectors up to 100 euros , up to 200 euros and the absolute top class above 200 euros.
We continue with the third category (above 200 euros) and will cover the other categories in other blogs from the best-buy guides.
Headguard scoring criteria*
When assessing head protection, we look at what we consider to be the most important features: fit, protection, and visibility. We will score the head protection based on these criteria.
- Fit: By fit, we mean comfort during use, but especially how well the head protector fits the contours of your head. Another important point: everyone's head is different, and that also depends on personal preference and the shape of your head.
- Protection: Protection is the degree to which the head protector performs as intended: 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 a head protector, and this is always considered in relation to the level of protection. Visibility is a more active form of protection, as the goal remains to avoid being hit.
- Ease of use: The degree to which the head protector is easy to adjust to your personal size and fit. It's also easy to put on and take off with regular use.
- Build quality: The materials used, the finish, and the durability of the head protection. We also look at details like the laces and Velcro straps.
At the time of writing, Fight2Win has a selection of no fewer than 50 different headguards for boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai. *We've selected the top 3 based on customer experiences and feedback, external product reviews, popularity, and our own expertise.
Best Buy: Headguards for Boxing and Kickboxing Over €200
- Winning FG-2900
- Cleto Reyes Cheek protector
- Rival HG100 Professional
1. Winning FG-2900
The FG-2900 is absolutely the cream of the crop in head protection. It's the holy grail, and any professional fighter will attest to that. If you ever want to blow your money on a head guard, buy the Winning. It will survive countless sessions without compromising on fit and cushioning.
We don't need to talk about the price. It's simply high. But hey... we're not talking about just another mass-produced product here, but a piece of craftsmanship perfected down to the smallest detail.
No gimmicks, no tricks... the Winning FG-2900 is simply the best boxing headgear available. Period. The Winning FG-2900 headguard has everything you need if you take your sport seriously: cheekbone pads, exceptional visibility, and exceptional comfort.
One of the things that truly amazes everyone about the FG-2900 is its exceptionally high build quality and incredibly light weight. It seems almost impossible: everything feels protective and sturdy, yet the head protector weighs next to nothing in your hands.
Fit Winning FG-2900 (Score: 10/10)
The fit of the Rival FG-2900 is simply near-perfect. It clearly distinguishes itself from both budget and premium headguards with its secure fit, regardless of your head shape. The Japanese are also masters of endlessly improving even the smallest details, until perfection is (almost) achieved.
It all looks very basic and simple, but everything is precisely measured and fitted. The laces offer extremely easy adjustment for your head. The cheekbone pads are perfectly shaped in just the right place, as is the opening for the ears. Incidentally, the horizontal bar across the earcups was originally introduced by Winning and subsequently copied by numerous manufacturers.
Protection Winning FG-2900 (Score: 9/10)
The protection of the Winning FG-2900 is once again almost perfect. The padding of the entire head guard is of excellent thickness. The padding feels solid yet soft. The aforementioned cheekbone protectors are well-shaped, and the ears (which house your balance organ) are excellently protected.
View Winning FG-2900 (Score: 10/10)
The visibility you get when using the Winning FG-2900 is also absolutely top-notch. This clearly demonstrates that this head protector is the absolute top of the line in the highest category. After adjusting the head protector with the laces, you put it on and have maximum visibility at every angle in your field of vision.
Ease of use Winning FG-2900 (Score: 8/10)
The Winning FG-2900 is also incredibly easy to use. The first time you use it, you adjust the headgear with the laces. After that, you simply put it on using the Velcro strap at the back of your head. The final step is to close the plastic buckle under your chin for maximum stability. The buckle itself is neatly concealed behind the material.
Build quality Winning FG-2900 (Score: 10/10)
The build quality of the Winning FG-2900 is also top-notch. This has earned the small company world fame in the boxing world. The materials used feel sturdy and incredibly smooth. The finish is also meticulous, without a single imperfection.
The Winning FG-2900 headguard also doesn't have the same problems as many other headguards that use laces and Velcro. The Winning headgear doesn't use Velcro, so your laces won't get stuck. Incidentally, even the laces are made of a premium, slightly elastic material.
Features Winning FG-2900:
| Material | Synthetic leather |
| Closure | Laces & buckle |
| Sizes | M, L and XL |
| Weight | approx. 270 g |
Pros:
+ Excellent fit due to adjustment options
+ Extremely light and comfortable
Negatives:
- The price is very steep
- Very difficult to obtain (limited production)
View in webshop:
External sources:
- Reddit.com - 1 year review FG-2900
- Youtube - Marco Flores - FG2900 Review
- Youtube - Fit2Box - FG2900 Review
- Youtube - Amir Khan (former world champion)
2. Cleto Reyes Cheek Protector
The Cleto Reyes headgear is the epitome of classic craftsmanship. This is a headgear of the old school. Made of incredibly strong leather that takes time to soften, double stitching all around, and a sturdy buckle.
Cleto Reyes is perhaps the world's most famous boxing brand, making only top-quality products that stand the test of time. This headguard is no exception. The moment you hold it, you know you're holding a quality piece.
The Cleto Reyes headgear is a vintage headgear with sturdy, thick cheekbone protectors, soft earmuffs and very sturdy leather hook and loop closures at the back of the head.
Fit Cleto Reyes Cheek Protector (Score: 8/10)
The Cleto Reyes fits exceptionally well, but it does take time to develop. Mexican leather is stiffer and usually thicker than, for example, Italian leather. This softens with use. This is a prime example of the specific word patina: when it improves and develops its own character as its lifespan increases.
The Cleto Reyes isn't entirely old-school in design. It follows a traditional style, but with modern improvements, such as the reversed closures at the back of the head. These sturdy leather straps ensure the headguard can be pulled snugly over your head. The laces at the top also ensure optimal adjustment of the headguard to your head shape.
Protection Cleto Reyes Cheek Protector (Score: 8/10)
The protection of the Cleto Reyes headguard is top-notch. It's clear that this model's substantial weight also provides top-notch protection. For advanced and professional fighters, this is a headguard you can rely on.
The padding of the cheekbone protectors and ear protectors is made of very strong material with excellent cushioning.
View Cleto Reyes Cheek Protector (Score: 8/10)
The visibility you have when using the headgear is more than adequate. Using the correct adjustments will provide a view that's suitable for most experienced fighters. Decades of practical experience in the boxing world have gone into this.
Ease of use Cleto Reyes Cheek Protector (Score: 8/10)
The Cleto Reyes headguard is easy to use. You only need to adjust the laces on top to your head shape once. After that, simply put them on, fasten the Velcro straps, and you're done. Fastening the Velcro straps will be easier (as with almost any headguard) with a little help.
Build Quality Cleto Reyes Cheek Protector (Score: 9/10)
The build quality of the Cleto Reyes Cheek Protector is incredibly solid. It exudes a truly premium feel and exudes top-notch craftsmanship. The leather feels more robust than any other head protector we've ever held (and there have been many). This is also reflected in the weight, as the Cleto Reyes weighs a considerable 520 grams.
Features Cleto Reyes Cheek Protector:
| Material | Leather |
| Closure | Velcro closure, laces and buckle |
| Sizes | S, M and L |
| Weight | approx. 520 g |
Pros:
+ Classic and premium look
+ Good fit and protection
Negatives:
- The material needs time to form and become more flexible
View in webshop:
External sources:
3. Rival HG100 Professional
Finally, we have the top-of-the-line head protection from the relatively young and innovative brand Rival Boxing: the HG100 Professional. This is the top-of-the-line model from this renowned Canadian boxing brand, founded by boxing trainer and cornerman Russ Anber.
The HG100 Professional has a classic shape, yet is packed with modern innovations. It's made of the lightest possible materials, following Rival's "Feather Lite" principle. The padding feels very light yet protective, and the microfiber used for the outer layer is also lighter than any other type of leather.
Laces are used for adjustment, of course, as this always ensures the best possible fit. (Ever seen a marathon runner in slip-ons?) Once the head guard is adjusted, it's incredibly easy to put on and fasten with a traditional buckle.
Fit Rival HG100 Professional (Score: 8/10)
The fit of the Rival HG100 Professional is exceptionally good once the laces are properly adjusted. This is especially true considering the relatively low price compared to the top-tier competitors.
Rival's 100 Professional line is the flagship of the beautiful brand in every product category and is actually tested and used by many professional boxers (Usyk, Beterbiev to name a few).
The cheekbone protectors fit snugly as do the ear protectors and the rest of the head protection all around.
Protection Rival HG100 Professional (Score: 7/10)
The Rival HG100 Professional headguard offers excellent protection. Despite its light weight, the padding is ample and comfortably firm.
The lightweight padding used is firm enough and offers good cushioning. This is sufficient even for advanced and professional boxers. This head guard offers sufficient protection, even at the highest level. The only caveat we can make is that the cheekbone guards are smaller compared to the other models in this test.
View Rival HG100 Professional (Score: 9/10)
The Rival head guard offers excellent visibility when the laces are properly adjusted. The head guard provides good visibility during intense training sessions, thanks to the relatively small and well-positioned cheekbone pads. The top part sits well above the eyebrows and therefore doesn't obstruct the view.
Ease of use Rival HG100 Professional (Score: 8/10)
The ease of use of this headgear is astonishing. You can easily adjust it to your head size with the laces on top. Once that's done, it's simply a matter of putting it on, fastening the buckle under the chin, and you're done.
One particularly nice feature is that the back of the head is attached with an elastic band (behind the laces). This makes it easier to put on the head protector and then (have someone else) tighten it with the laces.
Build quality Rival HG100 Professional (Score: 7/10)
The build quality of the HG100 headguard is more than adequate, which is to be expected in this price range. The modern microfiber material used has proven itself in all Rival products, including the renowned boxing gloves.
The finish is somewhat inferior to the (more expensive) Cleto Reyes and Winning headguards. The color schemes are particularly attractive, but the paintwork isn't always completely opaque. This is purely a matter of visual properties, which do not detract from the functionality of the headguard.
Features Rival HG100 Professional:
| Material | Microfiber |
| Closure | Laces & buckle |
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL |
| Weight | approx. 300 g |
Pros:
+ Extremely light
+ Fine elastic band at the back of the head
Negatives:
- Not the real top-class look like that of Winning or Cleto Reyes
- Finishing is not always 100%
View in webshop:
External sources:
SCOREBOARD*
| Model | Fit | Protection | Sight |
| FG-2900 | 10/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 |
| Cheek Protector | 8/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| RHG100 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 9/10 |
| Model | Ease | Build | OVERALL |
| FG-2900 | 8/10 | 10/10 | 47/50 |
| Cheek Protector | 8/10 | 9/10 | 41/50 |
| RHG100 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 39/50 |
* The scores are based on customer experiences and feedback, popularity, external product reviews, reviews and our own expertise.
CONCLUSIONS
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Winning FG-2900 |
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Score: 47/50 |
|
| Price indication: | €650 - €950 |
| Pros: | Perfect fit, extremely light, top quality |
| Negatives: | Expensive, difficult to obtain |
| Best choice for: | Professionals who want the best of the best |
| Shop now | |
 |
|
Cleto Reyes Cheek Protector |
|
Score: 41/50 |
|
| Price indication: | €250 - €350 |
| Pros: | Classic design, premium leather, strong protection |
| Negatives: | Needs time to soften |
| Best choice for: | Fighters who love traditional and sustainable |
| Shop now | |
 |
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Rival HG100 Professional |
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Score: 39/50 |
|
| Price indication: | €230 - €300 |
| Pros: | Lightweight, modern innovations, good visibility |
| Negatives: | Lesser known brand, less tested in Europe |
| Best choice for: | Athletes who value innovation and lightweight materials |
| Shop now | |
View all head guards for boxing, kickboxing and Thai boxing in our webshop: head guards >> head guards over 200 euros
