Combat sports equipment guide: gloves, wraps, mouthguards and protection

Good equipment protects you and your training partners, and the wrong equipment can get you disqualified from a bout. This guide covers the basics for training and competition.

The essentials

Item	Kickboxing	Muay Thai	Boxing	MMA
Hand wraps	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Training / sparring gloves	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (plus MMA gloves)
Mouthguard	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Groin guard	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Shin guards	Yes	Yes	No	Often
Headgear	Often	Often	Often	Sometimes
Rash guard / shorts	Optional	Optional	Optional	Common

Gloves

• Bag gloves: for bag and pad work.
• Sparring gloves: heavier and more padded (many gyms ask for 14-16 oz depending on body weight) to protect partners.
• Competition gloves: specified by the event rules, often lighter.
• MMA gloves: small, open-fingered; sparring versions have more padding.

Replace gloves when the padding is compressed. Old gloves protect nobody.

Hand wraps

Wraps support the wrist and protect the knuckles. Learn to wrap properly from your coach. For competition, rules often specify the type and amount of wrap and tape, and officials may inspect or sign them.

Mouthguard

A mouthguard is the most important piece of equipment for preventing dental injuries. Custom-fitted guards made from a dental impression usually fit best; boil-and-bite guards are a common alternative. It should fit snugly without biting down to hold it in place.

Shin guards and headgear

Shin guards protect both partners in kicking disciplines. Headgear reduces cuts and some impacts but does not prevent concussion; controlled sparring matters more.

Competition rules

Every event sets its own equipment rules. Before fight week, confirm glove weight and type, whether headgear or shin guards are required (common in amateur events), wrap and tape rules, and colour requirements (for example, red and blue corners).

Hygiene and care

• Air gloves and wraps after every session.
• Wash wraps and clothing regularly.
• Clean mouthguards and store them in a ventilated case.
• Never share mouthguards.

Sparring etiquette and safety →

A starter kit for beginners

• Hand wraps (two pairs so one can dry).
• Training gloves suitable for bag, pads and light sparring.
• A mouthguard.
• A groin guard.
• Shin guards if you train a kicking discipline.

Add headgear and dedicated sparring gloves when you begin regular sparring, following your gym's rules.

Buying second-hand

Second-hand gloves and pads can be fine if the padding is intact and they are clean. Never buy a second-hand mouthguard.

Myths and facts

Myth	Fact
Expensive gloves are always better	Fit, padding condition and hygiene matter more
Headgear makes hard sparring safe	Controlled sparring matters more
Any mouthguard will do	Fit matters; a loose guard protects poorly
Competition gear is up to the athlete	Event rules decide

Glove weights at a glance

Use	Typical choice
Bag work	Bag gloves or training gloves
Pad work	Training gloves
Sparring	Heavier, well-padded sparring gloves
Competition	As specified by the event
MMA sparring	Padded MMA sparring gloves

Kit for officials and corners

Corners need their own kit: a clean towel, water, an ice pack or cold compress where permitted, petroleum jelly if the rules allow, spare mouthguard, scissors for wraps, and any items the event's rules list. Officials often bring a whistle or bell backup, a stopwatch, pens and paper scorecards, and a charged phone with the KBN app.

Fit guide

• Gloves: your fist should close comfortably with wraps on, with no gaps at the fingertips and no pressure on the knuckles.
• Wraps: firm but not tight enough to cause tingling; loosen and rewrap if fingers go numb.
• Mouthguard: covers the upper teeth, stays in place when you open your mouth slightly, and lets you breathe.
• Shin guards: centred on the shin, covering from just below the knee to the top of the foot, secured so they do not rotate.
• Headgear: snug, with a clear field of vision; it should not slip over the eyes after a light shake of the head.

If equipment does not fit, it does not protect. Ask your coach to check it before sparring.

Frequently asked questions