There are three factors that determine the quality of every manufactured item: (1) design (2) materials and (3) workmanship.
I think that the Macho headgear has a fantastic design and features decent workmanship in its manufacture. However, I believe that the materials are the headgear's essential shortcoming. I, too, have had trouble with the headgear holding up under hard sparring. The symptoms are as follows:
(1) The black paint on the face cage has worn off, allowing the cage to rust.
(2) The cage is noticeable flattened after the hard contact made in sparring.
(3) The foam on the inside of the facecage around the chin area is split in many places, which makes it irritating to wear in sparring. I used some wetsuit adhesive to repair this, but it still scratches annoyingly.
(4) The velcro closures that hold the headgear in place and that hold the facecage on the headgear have all worn out, so that the headgear regularly slips off during sparring (particularly grappling).
I have only had the MVP for two years, and it is on its last legs. It first exhibited problems towards the end of the first year that I owned it. I have seen few sets of headgear that are as well-designed as the MVP, and I believe it is this quality of design that has drawn Burton to it. I just wish that the materials and workmanship were as top-notch as the design.
Has anyone tried Tony Blauer's High Gear? I have seen Burton endorse Blauer's system before in advertisements, but how about the armor? From what I have heard, the High Gear is awesome, but it costs a fortune.
Take care and train hard,
Jim McRae
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