Wrestling
Research-based guidance on wrestling kit - what to buy first, how to compare wrestling shoes and ear guards, and what the rules say about them.
The catalogue
Equipment categories
Every wrestling category we research, with what it covers and how many products we've assessed.
Mat shoes compared on sole, upper and built-in lace covers.
6 products researched
Ear guards compared on ear-cup construction, straps and fit.
2 products researched
Guided journeys
Where to start
Pick the journey that sounds most like you - each one leads with the kit that matters first.
Starting wrestling
Ask your club before you buy: UK clubs vary, and some teach without wrestling shoes. Shorts and a t-shirt or rash guard with no pockets or zips are enough for first sessions; if your club trains in shoes, wrestling shoes are the first thing to buy.
Start with
Live wrestling
Ear guards differ mainly in whether there is a shell under the padding and how they fasten. UWW and British Wrestling rules regulate ear protectors but do not make them compulsory; your club may set its own rule, and US school rules differ, so check with your club.
Start with
Competing
A singlet is required at British Wrestling 3- and 4-Star events and at UWW events; 1-Star events and club training do not require one. Our guide to wrestling kit for beginners covers the singlet rules. UWW also requires shoe laces to be covered with tape or elastic fabric.
Start with
Equipment guide
Protective equipment
Wrestling's rules regulate ear protectors without requiring them - what to check before you buy.
Ear Guards
Compare each guard's ear cups, straps and chin fastening. For competition, UWW says ear protectors must be made of flexible and elastic material without any hard buckle, so check your club's policy and your event's rules.
Reading
Wrestling guides
Longer, research-based reading on choosing and using the kit.
Buying Guide
Wrestling ear guards: rules, fit and choosing headgear
What United World Wrestling and British Wrestling rules say about ear guards, how the main designs differ, how to get the fit right, and the ear guards we compare.
Ear Guards · Updated 21 October 2026
Guide
Wrestling kit for beginners
What you need for your first wrestling sessions, what to buy first, and what the rules say about shoes, ear guards and singlets - from United World Wrestling's January 2026 rules and British Wrestling's Competition Regulations.
Updated 21 October 2026