Ear Guards

Ear guards, often called wrestling headgear, cover and pad the ears in close contact and on the mat. Designs differ mainly in the ear cups and in how they fasten. Some ear cups have a shell under the padding, and others are padding alone. Guards fasten with straps, a chin strap or a chin cup.

UWW's Uniform Regulations (January 2026 version) say ear protectors must be made of flexible and elastic material without any hard buckle. The ear flaps must be elastic and covered in shock-absorbing material. We describe each guard's construction alongside that rule and never say whether a guard complies.

UWW and British Wrestling rules regulate ear protectors but do not make them compulsory. Many clubs and US school rules differ, so check with your club.

When we researched this category, we found only two current ear guards with a verified UK purchase route. The well-known US wrestling brands had none. We assess each guard on its design, fit and coverage only, and make no claims about preventing ear injuries.