Wrestling has often been considered a "working class" sport, like basketball or soccer, because it requires very little equipment. This is as opposed to "middle class" and "upper class" sports like baseball and lacrosse that require hundreds of dollars worth of gear. Although youth wrestling requires a minimum of equipment, your child will still need some gear to get started.
Singlet
A singlet is the standard competition uniform for wrestling. It's a stretch fabric garment that covers the lower torso and has straps over the shoulders, resembling a 1920s-era bathing suit. You can buy singlets in many colors, but a youth wrestling club will usually require you to buy a specific uniform singlet. School teams are likely to provide a singlet for you. Some teams have their students wear a pair of tights below the singlet, and female wrestlers will need a T-shirt or sports bra.
Headgear
In wrestling, your ears take a lot of punishment. This can lead to unsightly keloid scarring in the ears called "cauliflower ear." To protect against this, most youth wrestling programs require competitors to wear headgear. This gear consists of a pair of hard plastic or metal cups that go over each ear, held on by straps at the forehead, base of the skull and chin. As with uniform singlets, most school teams will provide you with headgear.
Shoes
Standard rules of wrestling require that all athletes wear shoes. Wrestling shoes are thin, with light soles and high ankles to protect against sprains. They give a competitive advantage but aren't required for most competition. If you can't afford wrestling shoes, a simple pair of flat-soled shoes can work for wrestling. Avoid shoes with running treads, as they can catch in the soft surface of a wrestling mat and make you trip.
Other Gear
Some wrestlers choose to wear knee pads, a mouthpiece and/or a groin cup to guard against some of the impacts and minor injuries involved in wrestling competition. Although you may prefer to wrestle wearing that kind of equipment, few youth wrestling programs make it a requirement. On the other hand, adding this protection might help protective parents feel better about their child's participation in wrestling.
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