During sparring, it is very important to protect the head from possible injuries. Of course, a full helmet will not be able to protect against the likelihood of getting a cut, abrasion or bruising. But with it, the risk of injury is significantly reduced. You can choose a good protection yourself if you take into account the rating of the best boxing helmets for sparring, which we compiled based on the feedback and recommendations of coaches and professional athletes.
Content
There are several models of boxing helmets, depending on the purpose:
Video review of the main types of boxing helmets:
Before buying equipment, you need to figure out how to choose a really high-quality helmet, by what criteria to evaluate this or that helmet model. You need to know which functionality is really important and which nuances can be neglected.
One of the most important factors to consider when buying a boxing helmet is how comfortable an athlete feels in it. Ideally, there should be a feeling that the protection was made specifically for the athlete's head. But if there is no such feeling, the athlete should feel confident enough in the equipment in question.
During the fight, the fighter should not be distracted by something annoying or uncomfortable. More experienced athletes prefer equipment that provides more comfort and freedom than protection. Indeed, during combat, softening material provides less protection than speed and a feeling of relaxation.
The helmet should not squeeze the head, sit unstable or fidget. Some models sit unevenly on the head, forming slits in some places. This creates an inconvenience in the moments of getting hit.
The quality of the inner material must also be taken into account. Smooth materials are especially uncomfortable to wear, which allow the helmet to move during sparring. On the other hand, the fur lining gets dirty quickly, which is also annoying.
Notice how comfortable you feel the chin strap should not be pulled too tight, creating a choking sensation. At the same time, the strap should not be relaxed, then the helmet does not fit tightly enough.
Another important criterion is the degree of review. For high-quality protection against impacts, it is necessary to see their direction. This makes it possible to prepare and get away from the blow in time. Therefore, seasoned athletes often prefer visibility helmets, sacrificing thick padding for this.
The quality of the view depends on the forehead and cheek protectors and the thickness of the padding around the face. A layer of padding that is too thick makes it difficult to see and completely deprives the athlete of mobility. Try on different helmet sizes at the time of purchase, choosing the one that gives you the best view.
Another important selection criterion is the quality of the packing. This parameter must be assessed not by the real thickness of the protective layer, but by the sensations at the moment of receiving the blow. Some helmets provide good protection against light impacts and do not provide protection against heavy ones at all.
Most often, the degree of packing rigidity affects the damping properties. A soft layer protects better against light impacts, while very stiff padding takes some time to work.
These parameters directly depend on the price of the model. If the equipment is made of high quality and durable materials, it cannot be cheap. A good helmet will last for several years, and a budget model will fall apart just a few months after purchase.
Pay attention to the strap. With poor quality, the strap will be weak, which very quickly falls apart and breaks, or the buckle comes off from it.
The helmet must protect the main areas where the blow can be hit. Most often, blows occur on the forehead, cheeks, chin and back of the head. No single model will provide uniform protection for all these areas, so it is necessary to choose what should be better protected. Here you need to focus on your own feelings and experience of fighting.
These parameters of equipment to some extent affect the mobility of the athlete's head. The less the weight of the equipment and the tighter it fits the head, the better the mobility and the easier it is to dodge blows. Too thick padding turns a boxer's head into a large target that is difficult to cover from punches.
Boxers' equipment is produced by different companies. At the same time, according to athletes who are professionally engaged in boxing, equipment that is produced by boxing brands behaves better. The equipment produced by the MMA brands looks no worse in appearance and feel, but the durability of such models is much lower. Within a year, helmets of MMA brands may become unusable.While the equipment of boxing brands remains in excellent condition even after several years of active use.
It is also necessary to distinguish between training helmets and models intended for competition. The former have a thicker padding and provide quality protection against impacts of various types. Competition models have thinner padding, are lighter and provide better mobility for the athlete. Different types of helmets should be used strictly as intended.
This helmet takes the first place in the rating by right. The Japanese brand Winning is considered one of the best. This helmet is designed for professionals. It is lightweight and comfortable, it is not felt at all on the head, but at the same time it provides a good level of protection.
The only weak point of this helmet is the protection of the back of the head. Of all the models, this helmet has the smallest weight, for which it is very appreciated by high-class fighters. Although the helmet is made of artificial leather, this does not prevent it from taking first place in the ranking.
The average price is 19,790 rubles.
This helmet is manufactured in Mexico. It is made of genuine leather and filled with latex foam inside. This model features an anatomical three-point design. The helmet is fixed on the chin with a tightening, Velcro is provided on the back of the head, and lacing on the crown.
The helmet provides good protection for the face from the temples, forehead and cheeks. The design of the helmet allows you to customize it to the parameters of the athlete, creating an optimal balance of visibility and safety. At the same time, the minimum protection of the chin and lower jaw remains.
The average price is 11,200 rubles.
This model is also one of the best boxing helmets. For cushioning in this model, polyurethane foam in several layers and a gel pad are used. The helmet itself is made of genuine leather, which ensures a long service life. The helmet protects the cheek area and provides protection for the nose and chin. This helmet is used by professional athletes for training.
The average price is 6300 rubles.
This model is intended primarily for sparring in Muay Thai, where elbow strikes may occur. Therefore, it provides good protection for the ears, cheeks and chin. The helmet provides complete safety and at the same time does not limit visibility. This model has the most optimal ratio of good visibility and protection.
The average price is 9990 rubles.
These helmets are made in Thailand and are primarily intended for Muay Thai. The model meets all safety standards and provides excellent protection. These helmets are handcrafted only and are of good quality. The helmet is completely made of genuine leather, so it will last for a long time. The model has a protection for the chin, for fixing there are Velcro straps at the back of the head. This model is designed for martial arts of all contact types.
The average price is 5400 rubles.
This helmet is made of thick calfskin and therefore has a long service life. Polyurethane foam filler is used as a cushioning material. An extra layer of foam is provided on the cheeks and forehead. The lining is made of suede, which is soft, comfortable and durable. This model is suitable for beginners and professional athletes.
The average price is 5360 rubles.
This helmet is filled with excellent shock absorption and protects against heavy impacts. The model is made of leather, which ensures a long service life. Inside there is a special lining that allows air access and reduces perspiration. Ear protectors are provided to protect the side of the head. This helmet does not provide chin protection, which is a disadvantage.
The average price is 5600 rubles.
Video review of the helmet:
This helmet has an attractive design. In addition, it provides a good fit on the head, adjustable with Velcro in the back of the head. The design of the helmet is quite comfortable and provides reliable protection during the training process. In addition, the helmet is light enough and provides good visibility.
Average price - 24,500 rubles
Video review of the advantages of the helmet:
This model has good adjustment, it is made entirely of leather, which completely dissipates a significant part of the impact. The rest is absorbed by the inner soft material. The filler has an impressive thickness and protects well against impacts. The helmet is adjustable with Velcro and straps. This helmet is suitable for various martial arts. But at the same time, the model is not approved by AIBA, which makes it necessary to purchase an additional headgear for boxing tournaments.
The average price is 8490 rubles.
This helmet has thick padding for excellent protection. An additional layer of filler has been placed in the nose area. The model is quite comfortable, as it has a good anatomical design. The disadvantage is the limited view due to the additional layer of padding in the area of the nasal septum.
The average price is 6160 rubles.
Of course, when buying a helmet, it is imperative to measure it and purchase the model in which the athlete will feel most comfortable based on his own preferences. Properly selected equipment will reduce the likelihood of serious damage, and in some cases even save lives.