Sting Competition Approved Open Face Head Guard 2.0
- Premium
- Intermediate
- Experienced
- Sparring
- General training
- Competition
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Product details checked against available sources.
Specifications
Suitable for
- Boxing
- Kickboxing
For kickboxing training and sparring. Sting describes an open-face head guard, padded across the brow, cheeks and temples, with a hook-and-loop closure. WAKO requires a head guard in every fighting discipline (WAKO Rules 2022, Art. 2.3.1.1). Its approval claims relate to boxing, not WAKO, and Sting does not describe it as WAKO-approved or WAKO-labelled.
- Kung Fu (Light Sanda)
For Light Sanda training and sparring. Sting describes an open-face guard with a cut-away profile for vision, and padding across the brow, cheeks and temples. Light Sanda requires an open-face head guard and doesn't allow strikes to or at the face (BCCMA Light Sanda rules 2024, Rules 11.1 and 18.1.1). Its approval claims relate to boxing, not to BCCMA or IWUF, so check the event's rules before a bout.
Our verdict
An open-face headguard with a cut-away profile for better vision, from Sting, one of six headguard brands England Boxing sanctions for amateur competition (Rule 8.3.4). The sanction covers the brand, not this model by name.
Sting describes anatomical padding over the brow, cheeks and temples with its "Gel Fusion Technology", and a Japanese Amara inner lining. It adds a concealed ear design and a cut-away profile for better vision. It closes with a hook-and-loop "Fast Fit System" and comes in sizes S to XL.
Sting's UK product page markets this 2.0 headguard as "Approved by World Boxing and England Boxing". That is Sting's own claim. England Boxing's current Technical & Competition Rules (Rule 8.3.4) name Sting as one of six brands sanctioned for UK amateur competition headguards, and require Sting headguards in Championship Final Rounds. That rule applies to the Sting brand, not to any single named product.
World Boxing names Sting as its Official Competition Equipment Supplier, but that announcement doesn't name this headguard, and we haven't found a public list of licensed products that does.
This is the current 2.0 version of Sting's competition open-face headguard. It replaced an earlier listing with different product codes and pricing, and we haven't established whether the two are physically the same.
Boxers who want an open-face headguard that keeps their view clear, from a brand that England Boxing's amateur competition rules sanction.
You need independent confirmation that this exact model is approved. Sting markets it as approved by World Boxing and England Boxing, but England Boxing's rules sanction only the Sting brand. World Boxing's announcement confirms only Sting's supplier status, not this model. Or you want maximum facial coverage: see the RDX APEX.
Pros
- From a brand England Boxing's current rules sanction for competition headguards (Rule 8.3.4), with Sting headguards required in Championship Final Rounds
- Sting's Gel Fusion padding, a Japanese Amara lining and a hook-and-loop Fast Fit closure
- The current 2.0 version of Sting's competition open-face headguard, not a legacy model
Cons
- Not "England Boxing approved" as a model: England Boxing's rules sanction the Sting brand and name no headguard models
- Sting doesn't state the outer shell material, only the inner Amara lining
Why we rated it this way
Protection (3): Sting describes anatomical padding over the brow, cheeks and temples with its Gel Fusion Technology, on an open-face design: the normal level for an open-face headguard. Sting doesn't state the outer shell material.
Comfort (4): The Amara lining, concealed ear design and cut-away profile for vision are specific comfort and fit features, beyond the normal standard for a headguard.
Materials & Construction (Not rated): Sting documents gel padding and an Amara lining but doesn't state the outer material, so the build can't be rated.
Value (3): A premium price for an open-face headguard with gel padding and an Amara lining, which is what headguards at this price normally offer. England Boxing sanctions headguards by brand, Sting among them, and names no models (Rule 8.3.4), so the approval isn't counted as extra.
Sources
- Manufacturer — Sting's own Australian product page - the current official name, padding technology, lining, closure system, and sizing.
- Manufacturer — Sting's own UK product page for the 2.0 version (the live purchase destination) - the source of Sting's own "Approved by World Boxing and England Boxing" manufacturer claim, plus the current 2.0 product name, specifications, and GBP pricing.
- Authorised retailer — UK specialist retailer listing (titled "Sting Competition Approved WB Open Face Head Guard") confirming UK pricing and describing the product as the World Boxing Competition Approved head guard "(was IBA)"; the retailer notes some sizes may carry the IBA logo and some the competition approved logo.
- Technical documentation — England Boxing's own current Technical & Competition Rules (Rule 8.3.4), read directly - the primary source for the brand-level sanctioning claim used throughout this assessment.
- Other source — World Boxing's own announcement (November 2023) naming Sting as its Official Competition Equipment Supplier for gloves, protective clothing, handwraps and training equipment - brand/supplier-level evidence only; it does not name this headguard model.
Methodology: research-based (not hands-on tested) · How we review products
Last reviewed 2026-09-30 · Last verified 2026-09-30