Head-Gear recommendation...

Tassadar · 02-24-2008, 01:10 PM

I am starting Muay Thai classes in about 2 weeks. I have almost all gear ready except for mouth piece and head-gear. I think I am going to look into Shock Doctor's mouth pieces, but do not know what kind of head-gear to buy. If someone can recommend both the type of gear and brand, I would really appreciate it.

I saw this one was on sale, I know Windy is a good Muay Thai brand, but am not sure if this one has good protection for a beginner student:

http://www.combatsports.com/detail.aspx?ID=24413

CC

Mike Brewer · 02-24-2008, 05:43 PM

If you're looking for headgear that protects really well, there's one that's truly head and shoulders above anything else out there. Everlast's Classic Old School Headgear http://store.titleboxing.com/titlebo...-headgear.html is by far the best melon protector I've used in almost 28 years of training and sparring with heavyweight boxers, kickboxers, and MMA guys. It puts a lot of padding high on the head and in the cheekpieces so that your nose if protected, and it leaves the chin open so your peripheral view is not limited downward. In other words, you'll still see the guy's legs and feet.

The padding is really great, and it has saved me from a lot of brain damage (as opposed to the limited amount I have now).

It's too big for competitions, but ordinarily, competitions will provide their own or require a whole different set the way USA Boxing does.

I have the one that's pictured in the link I posted, and have used it continuously since 2005 without a single stitch popping out of place. It's durable, and it really takes the bite off a lot of those strikes that usually ring your ears. I seriously can't recommend it highly enough.

DickHardman · 02-24-2008, 07:33 PM

what about that one headgear i recommended to your buddy matt blake??

Tassadar · 02-24-2008, 08:44 PM

Thanks Mike B., I went ahead and placed an order for that piece, I will let you know how I like it

CC

Mike Brewer · 02-24-2008, 11:03 PM

Please do. I recommend that headgear anytime anyone asks, and I really do believe it's the best out there. I'd like to see what you think, and I'm sure the board could use a review by someone else, too. My only gripe about it at all is that it makes my head sweat, but that happens with all headgear, so it's a wash.

I really think you're going to love the way it protects. Like I said, I'd be a lot dumber and uglier (which is saying something, believe me) were it not for that headgear.

jeff5 · 02-25-2008, 12:09 PM

Tass to echo Mike let us know how that works out for you. Mike that's a good recommendation, I'm looking for some good headgear as well.

Tassadar · 02-27-2008, 09:21 PM

Mike Brewer, I just got the head gear today and after trying it on, my reaction was wow! I love it. Of course I have not had a chance to "field test" it yet, if my opinion changes, I will post again later on, but as of now, I am very impressed with this one. Thanks a bunch again.

CC

eXcessiveForce · 02-27-2008, 09:47 PM

I'm curious as well. I know we have talked about it before Mike, but I am still using a proforce headgear with face cage.

The reason is I can't afford any marks on my face due to my job. Which so far except for a few scratches from fingers penetrating through the cage, (happened 2 times) it's been pretty good. The bad thing is, the padding is not great so you definitely don't want to take to many hits wearing it.

At some point I may break down and try this one, but the open areas have me a bit concerned.

Mike Brewer · 02-27-2008, 10:42 PM

XF,
The headgear I've recommended here is indeed an open-faced affair, but the padding is stellar. It protrudes enough to keep most leather off your face, especially if you're a chin-down fighter. It's not the same as a full face protector, but I like it a lot better for my own reasons. Apart from the occasionally bloodied nose, I can't imagine ever getting cut wearing this thing. I don't even know if it'd be possible. It's certainly never happened to me. Tass will have to give an independent assessment.

By the way, I'm glad you like it. Just wait til your sparring partners stitch you with a good cross that would normally make your teeth click and you walk right through it! You'll really love it then!

Mike Brewer · 03-02-2008, 11:21 AM

It's been almost a week. Any feedback?

Tassadar · 03-07-2008, 12:12 PM

I finally had a chance to try it out last night. Mike, all I have to say is THANK YOU for suggesting it. For kickboxing/Muay Thai light to moderate sparring, it is right on target. I really like the "vision area" and it feels very light-weight. At times I felt like my chin was exposed, but in my case that was a good thing as I consciously was guarding my chin and tucking. I absolutely love it.

Later on and for heavy sparring, I may purchase a caged head-gear, but for now I found what I needed. Thanks again Mike.

CC

Mike Brewer · 03-07-2008, 12:16 PM

You're very welcome. I think you'll find that by the time you're ready for hard sparring, your skills will protect you even more than your gear does, and the same headgear will work fine. Keeping your chin tucked and your hands up is something we all have to work hard to do well, but it's good to have equipment that encourages good habits.

It's good to hear it did right by you, and I'm glad I didn't suggest a dud.

matbla · 03-21-2008, 03:51 PM

can you post a photo of the head gear you just got

Mike Brewer · 03-21-2008, 04:55 PM

There is a picture posted in the link in my original response.

littlebadboy · 03-21-2008, 10:37 PM

headgears for beginners... don't you guys use full faced ones?

02-24-2008, 01:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tassadar Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 15	Head-Gear recommendation... I am starting Muay Thai classes in about 2 weeks. I have almost all gear ready except for mouth piece and head-gear. I think I am going to look into Shock Doctor's mouth pieces, but do not know what kind of head-gear to buy. If someone can recommend both the type of gear and brand, I would really appreciate it. I saw this one was on sale, I know Windy is a good Muay Thai brand, but am not sure if this one has good protection for a beginner student: http://www.combatsports.com/detail.aspx?ID=24413 CC

02-27-2008, 09:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
eXcessiveForce Excessive Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 2,663	I'm curious as well. I know we have talked about it before Mike, but I am still using a proforce headgear with face cage. The reason is I can't afford any marks on my face due to my job. Which so far except for a few scratches from fingers penetrating through the cage, (happened 2 times) it's been pretty good. The bad thing is, the padding is not great so you definitely don't want to take to many hits wearing it. At some point I may break down and try this one, but the open areas have me a bit concerned. __________________ eXcessiveFORCE. If you must use force, make it excessive.

03-21-2008, 03:51 PM	#13 (permalink)
matbla Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: near lake george,, new york Posts: 1,201	can you post a photo of the head gear you just got __________________ i did karate got to yellow belt i do tkd now and as of two weeks agao i got yellow belt i started tkd in feburady 07 in march 08 i test for orange belt

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02-24-2008, 05:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mike Brewer Moderate Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 8,094	If you're looking for headgear that protects really well, there's one that's truly head and shoulders above anything else out there. Everlast's Classic Old School Headgear http://store.titleboxing.com/titlebo...-headgear.html is by far the best melon protector I've used in almost 28 years of training and sparring with heavyweight boxers, kickboxers, and MMA guys. It puts a lot of padding high on the head and in the cheekpieces so that your nose if protected, and it leaves the chin open so your peripheral view is not limited downward. In other words, you'll still see the guy's legs and feet. The padding is really great, and it has saved me from a lot of brain damage (as opposed to the limited amount I have now). It's too big for competitions, but ordinarily, competitions will provide their own or require a whole different set the way USA Boxing does. I have the one that's pictured in the link I posted, and have used it continuously since 2005 without a single stitch popping out of place. It's durable, and it really takes the bite off a lot of those strikes that usually ring your ears. I seriously can't recommend it highly enough.

02-24-2008, 07:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
DickHardman Master Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4,055	what about that one headgear i recommended to your buddy matt blake??

02-24-2008, 08:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tassadar Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 15	Thanks Mike B., I went ahead and placed an order for that piece, I will let you know how I like it CC

02-24-2008, 11:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mike Brewer Moderate Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 8,094	Please do. I recommend that headgear anytime anyone asks, and I really do believe it's the best out there. I'd like to see what you think, and I'm sure the board could use a review by someone else, too. My only gripe about it at all is that it makes my head sweat, but that happens with all headgear, so it's a wash. I really think you're going to love the way it protects. Like I said, I'd be a lot dumber and uglier (which is saying something, believe me) were it not for that headgear.

02-25-2008, 12:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
jeff5 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 174	Tass to echo Mike let us know how that works out for you. Mike that's a good recommendation, I'm looking for some good headgear as well.

02-27-2008, 09:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tassadar Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 15	Mike Brewer, I just got the head gear today and after trying it on, my reaction was wow! I love it. Of course I have not had a chance to "field test" it yet, if my opinion changes, I will post again later on, but as of now, I am very impressed with this one. Thanks a bunch again. CC

02-27-2008, 10:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mike Brewer Moderate Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 8,094	XF, The headgear I've recommended here is indeed an open-faced affair, but the padding is stellar. It protrudes enough to keep most leather off your face, especially if you're a chin-down fighter. It's not the same as a full face protector, but I like it a lot better for my own reasons. Apart from the occasionally bloodied nose, I can't imagine ever getting cut wearing this thing. I don't even know if it'd be possible. It's certainly never happened to me. Tass will have to give an independent assessment. By the way, I'm glad you like it. Just wait til your sparring partners stitch you with a good cross that would normally make your teeth click and you walk right through it! You'll really love it then!

03-02-2008, 11:21 AM	#10 (permalink)
Mike Brewer Moderate Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 8,094	It's been almost a week. Any feedback?

03-07-2008, 12:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
Tassadar Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 15	I finally had a chance to try it out last night. Mike, all I have to say is THANK YOU for suggesting it. For kickboxing/Muay Thai light to moderate sparring, it is right on target. I really like the "vision area" and it feels very light-weight. At times I felt like my chin was exposed, but in my case that was a good thing as I consciously was guarding my chin and tucking. I absolutely love it. Later on and for heavy sparring, I may purchase a caged head-gear, but for now I found what I needed. Thanks again Mike. CC

03-07-2008, 12:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mike Brewer Moderate Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 8,094	You're very welcome. I think you'll find that by the time you're ready for hard sparring, your skills will protect you even more than your gear does, and the same headgear will work fine. Keeping your chin tucked and your hands up is something we all have to work hard to do well, but it's good to have equipment that encourages good habits. It's good to hear it did right by you, and I'm glad I didn't suggest a dud.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

03-21-2008, 04:55 PM	#14 (permalink)
Mike Brewer Moderate Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 8,094	There is a picture posted in the link in my original response.

03-21-2008, 10:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
littlebadboy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 7	headgears for beginners... don't you guys use full faced ones?