If you are going all out to participate in full-contact sports, make sure you pick the right sparring gear. It can make a big difference in how far you climb as a martial artist or boxer. A good way to find the sporting gear you want is to get the views of people you know and trust. There are also the many online discussion groups where athletes share their opinions on the sporting gear they use. Don't know if you should pick vinyl or foam gear? You might want to go with vinyl because of the sweat that can collect and run under foam gear. Vinyl will absorb the sweat during sporting events. Whatever you are looking for, sporting goods shops and online stores offer a wide variety of sparring gear.
What to Look for
Head gear, hand gear, shin guards, cloth covering, foot gear and chest guards can be purchased through many of the online martial arts and boxing sites. A good, sturdy pair of leather cuff boxing gloves cost $20 to $25. A pair of vinyl arm protectors will cost about the same. You can buy cloth shin guards for as little as $8. Head gear can cost $20 for a simple foam protector, $30 for a foam constructed designer piece or $55 for a head gear piece and cage. A vinyl chest guard can go for $30 while a larger foam and vinyl protective vest will cost $70 or more. Sparring sets can save you money. Buying a full set of sparring gear, from head to toe, can be as little as $50 to $60. A complete set with head gear, hand and kick pieces can go for $65. A larger set that also includes chest guards and mouth guards may cost about $90. And don't forget, bargains can always be found on the many online auction sites.
Common Pitfalls
Of course, what makes a product good, could also lead to its own drawbacks. Sweat absorbed by vinyl products, for example, cannot be just wiped off, forgotten about and put into a gym bag. To avoid ugly smells later on you have to air this equipment out as soon as you get home. Sometimes leather foot gear, which tends to be very comfortable, can become slippery as it wears down. This makes it difficult to push off from the foot during practice on wood floors. Foot gear that uses a strap in front to hold the foot in is easier to push off, but it's not an attractive pair of gear because of the strap.
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