Wrestling is an intensive compact sport that can be dangerous without the right equipment. If you don’t keep your ears protected, you might develop “cauliflower ears,” which most people find unappealing. However, this is easily avoidable by wearing one of the best wrestling headgear products.
Combat sports involve frequent impacts to the head. Wrestlers can have their heads firmly pressed to the canvas during practice and competitions. Protecting your brain should be your top priority, as it doesn’t heal like the rest of your body.
In this guide, we discuss the best wrestling headgear on the market. Our team has considered everything from safety and sizing to comfort in our research. We’re confident we have recommendations that meet the needs of all wrestling athletes.
1. Cliff Keen E58 Headgear
4.6 Stars | 676 Wrestler Reviews
Today’s most popular wrestling headgear is the Cliff Keen E58. This product features four straps, keeping the model well-secured to the athlete’s head. Cliff’s popular VNF foam is more lightweight and low-profile than traditional protectors or ear guards.
This headgear’s design dramatically reduces friction when in contact with the mat. The E58 headgear also comes in forty-five color options, so there’s a design suited for everyone. If you’re trying to match a headgear set to your team’s colors, this is your best option.
We also like how clean the Cliff E58 stays. While it does wash easily, you likely won’t have to clean this headgear very often. Fabric padding is usually the culprit of “ear guard stink,” and the E58 is made entirely from foam materials.
2. Matman Ultra Soft Wrestling Headgear
4.3 Stars | 50 Wrestler Reviews
The Matman Ultra Soft Wrestling Headgear is the most comfortable product on this list. Some wrestlers prefer the plush fabric design and forget they’re even wearing it. You can find Matman’s headgear in four different color options.
Between the cushion layers, hard plastic cups protect your ears. This approach means the Matman doesn’t sacrifice protection for comfort. You can throw it in the washing machine after practice or competitions and eliminate any odors the fabric picks up.
Both you and your partner will be glad you’re wearing this product. It doesn’t get in the way of your opponent’s arms and won’t bang them up as much.
3. Cliff Keen F5 Tornado Headgear
4.6 Stars | 892 Wrestler Reviews
Cliff Keen’s F5 Tornado Headgear allows for the best sound penetration on the market. If you’ve been struggling to hear your coach in loud gyms, this product is the solution. The plastic shell is separated from the athlete’s ear for comfort and offers excellent protection.
This unit is great for top-level athletes in need of competitive advantage. The form-fitting design makes it very difficult for opponents to grab the back of your head or ears. It’s undoubtedly worth the slightly higher price tag.
We’ve interviewed wrestlers who love the F5 Tornado’s fit. Many athletes claim they haven’t had to adjust the straps since they first put them on.
4. Asics Conquest Headgear (Ear Guard)
4.3 Stars | 625 Wrestler Reviews
The Asics Conquest Headgear is the most innovative wrestling headgear product on the market. A collaboration between professional athletes and scientific research created one of the lightest, most rigid, and low-profile designs the world has ever seen.
With an injection-molded shell and anti-microbial ear pads, this headgear won’t disappoint. This headgear also transitions well between athletes because the straps are easily adjustable.
The padding is made from foam materials, which reduces odors. However, this cushion design means it doesn’t have a soft feeling against your ears. Overall, this is a reliable wrestling product that will last through many seasons of intensive use.
5. Adidas Response Ear Guard Headgear
4.6 Stars | 807 Wrestler Reviews
If you’re not a fan of Asics or Cliff, the next best option is the Adidas Response Ear Guard Headgear. This product is highly-rated on Amazon, and coaches around the world have given it strong reviews.
When the Response Ear Guard was first released, coaches and team managers were amazed by its design. The straps are difficult to adjust, but it also stays in place exceptionally well. You won’t have to worry about shifting or opponents grabbing onto your head.
This headgear has eleven color options and strap pairings. Four straps hold the cups firmly in place, and the shell is as sleek as possible. We like the white cups paired with the black straps the best.
6. Asics Youth Gel Ear Guard
4.5 Stars | 1,222 Wrestler Reviews
If you’re on a budget, the Asics Youth Gel Ear Guard is the most affordable wrestling headgear on the market. This product feature’s patented GEL cushioning technology that forms onto the athlete’s ears. Your head stays cradled without having your hearing obstructed.
This ear guard is specifically designed for kids and youth wrestlers. There are better alternatives discussed in this guide for older athletes. Since beginner matches aren’t as aggressive, this headgear doesn’t need to be as protective.
Even though the Asics Gel headgear sacrifices a bit of protection, it’s still one of the best options for beginners. It’s more comfortable than other products and helps your child enjoy their introduction to the sport.
7. Asics Unrestrained Wrestling Headgear
4.6 Stars | 267 Wrestler Reviews
The headgear with the coolest design is the Asics Unrestrained Wrestling Headgear. We especially love the “Faded Glory” patriotic pattern with images of the American flag.
This product has a unique strap design. It offers a ton of size customization options and stays secured on the athlete’s head. Asics’ ear shell design doesn’t add unwanted bulk but provides more space for your ears.
Overall, the Unrestrained headgear has the best competitive appearance. This product makes anyone look like a champion and boosts confidence.
8. Gold BJJ Headgear
4.2 Stars | 353 Wrestler Reviews
The Gold BJJ Headgear is a multi-sport product. All types of fighters can wear the BJJ, from jiu-jitsu and wrestling athletes to MMA competitors. It has a thick strap design that gives you increased coverage and more applications for use.
Multiple ear holes in the cups give wrestlers unobstructed hearing. Often, hearing your coach’s calls from the sidelines can be the difference between winning and losing a match.
Nobody wants the cauliflower ear look. Gold BJJ headgear focuses on reducing impacts that cause scarring. We trust this product’s capabilities, as well as thousands of competitive fighters worldwide.
This company’s customer service is top-notch. You can try the Gold BJJ worry-free with Gold’s no-questions-asked replacement or refund guarantee.
9. Cliff Keen Fusion Headgear
4.7 Stars | 561 Wrestler Reviews
The Cliff Keen EF66 Fusion Wrestling Headgear is the best middle ground between all types of ear guards. If you’re looking for thick, comfortable padding with thin straps and top-tier protection, the Fusion has you covered.
There are seventeen color options for the Cliff Fusion. You certainly won’t have problems matching your gear with your team or school’s colors.
Cliff’s Fusion doesn’t incorporate fabric materials. This is a bonus because it reduces the odors and bacteria that collect on traditional-style headgear. If you do need to clean it, simply scrub the surface with hand wipes.
Our favorite feature is the improved inner shell design. State-of-the-art materials make this component more robust, lightweight, and durable. This headgear lasts for years and barely shows any signs of wearing or fading.
10. Geyi Wrestling Headgear USA Flag
4.7 Stars | 12 Wrestler Reviews
The only customizable ear guard we recommend is the Geyi Wrestling Headgear USA Flag. If you’re looking for a one-off design, Geyi will digitally print any image or logo you want onto the side.
While our favorite pattern is the USA Flag design, this is the best option for teams or clubs that want to match. We love Geyi headgear because its print quality is fantastic. The brand ensures the print will never peel off, and they have access to advanced printing technology.
You won’t have to sacrifice safety for aesthetics. The internal plastic ear cup is constructed from durable, injection-molded materials, and slim, soft foam protects the athlete’s ears.
Choose between the chin cup-style strap featured in the image above and traditional TPU straps. Geyi has considered every factor in making their wrestling headgear as customizable and performance-oriented as possible.
11. Adapt Athletics Enhanced Headgear
4.2 Stars | 235 Wrestler Reviews
The Adapt Athletics Enhanced Headgear has a classic design that’s suited for many combat sports. From Wrestling and MMA to BJJ, this product keeps you well-protected and prevents cauliflower ears.
Adapt has a quality-first approach to all its designs. The stitching is extra strong, the straps are easy to adjust, and the liner is super soft.
One of the reasons wrestlers avoid traditional headgear is they don’t like the build-up of sweat and heat. Adapt’s headgear is breathable and well-ventilated, keeping you cool and sweat-free. This headgear also has padding covering the chinstrap and buckle, so you won’t have to worry about itching or irritation.
A drawback to this product is the limited color variety. You can only get the Adapt Enhanced Headgear in dark grey and cobalt blue patterns. If you’re looking to match team or club colors, you should consider something else.
12. LDR 3-Pad XP Wrestling Headgear
4.8 Stars | 12 Wrestler Reviews
The headgear with the most comprehensive coverage is the LDR 3-Pad XP Wrestling Headgear. This product has a unique look with specialized shock absorption technology. Cross-link polymer materials give you the best brain protection on the market.
Both the NFHS and NCAA commissions have approved the LDR for youth, high school, and college matches. Not only is this model insanely protective, but it’s light, comfortable, and designed with professional-level performance.
Color options include red, maroon, green, gold, blue, and black. All three padded surfaces have ample ventilation to keep fresh air circulating around your head. This headgear is “washing machine friendly,” although we found it’s relatively odor-resistant.
13. Asics Unisex Snap Down Earguard
4.4 Stars | 27 Wrestler Reviews
The best foam headgear from Asics is their Unisex Snap Down Earguard. Asics is a big name in the wrestling community, often regarded as the world’s best headgear brand. However, until the Snap Down model was released, they didn’t have any good foam-padding options.
This headgear features 100% foam construction that molds to your head. Not only does this improve the fit, but it reduces the friction on the athlete’s head. Four foam straps keep the headgear in place and are fully adjustable.
You can choose between seven color options to match your team, club, or school. Asics added extra padding to prevent cauliflower ears while keeping the Snap Down Earguard slim. You can’t go wrong with a foam product from a top brand like Asics.
14. Matman Halo Wrestling Headgear
4.2 Stars | 165 Wrestler Reviews
The Matman Halo Wrestling Headgear has a sleek, competitive design. It provides a great middle-ground between protection and styling, with slim pads made from high-grade materials. This headgear has five holes in each ear cup that give athletes better hearing during matches.
Matman is known for its excellent wrestling gear. They get feedback from professional athletes and tweak their designs to optimize performance. When a brand cares about its customers as much as Matman, you always see good results.
This headgear is only secured by two straps. It’s a lot easier to put on and take off than four-strap designs. We found it does shift a small amount, but the movements aren’t significant. The increased audio, safety, and competitive aesthetics make up for this drawback.
15. Cliff Keen 6656 Wrestling Headgear
4.8 Stars | 26 Wrestler Reviews
The Cliff Keen 6656 Wrestling Headgear offers an incredible amount of customization options. Between the pad and strap colors, there are a whopping total of 74,000 specifications. This only includes the stock color options; if you can’t find what you’re looking for, Cliff accepts custom color requests as well.
This headgear has similar protective qualities to the Tornado F5 model. It incorporates a four-strap design and is 43% lighter than traditional headgear. Cliff recently released their “Power Tab” technology, which makes achieving a perfect fit take less time.
For roughly the same price as other headgear models, the 6656 model is a steal of a deal. It’s one of the highest-rated wrestling products on Amazon. We’ve included a link to the product description through the button above.
16. Matman Wrestling Hair Cap (Honorable Mention)
4.4 Stars | 287 Wrestler Reviews
We felt this list wouldn’t be complete without the Matman Wrestling Hair Cap. While this doesn’t necessarily qualify as headgear, it’s one of the best wrestling products on the market. At Best Helmets Guide, we try to include products suited to every athlete’s needs.
Some wrestlers like the cauliflower ear look and don’t want ear guards protecting them. This wrestling cap is designed to keep the hair out of your face and away from your opponent.
Many athletes also like wearing a hair cap under their headgear. Made of lycra material and gripper elastic, this is the best cap available. It’s super affordable, comfortable, and has a snug fit. This hair cap is also in compliance with the new NFHS rules, so it’s allowed in competitions.