How to Choose Boxing Headgear: Open-Face, Cheek Protector or Face Bar
Headgear does not make you unbreakable, but the right head guard reduces cuts, scrapes and the sting of hard rounds — and lets you spar more often. The key is choosing a style that protects you without blocking your vision.
The three main styles
1. Open-face headgear
Protects the forehead, ears and back of the head and leaves the face open. Lightest and best visibility; used in amateur competition. Good for experienced boxers who want freedom of movement.
2. Cheek-protector headgear
Adds padded cheek panels that shield the cheekbones and side of the jaw. The most popular choice for training and sparring: more protection with only a small loss of vision. A great first headgear.
3. Face-bar headgear
A padded bar across the front stops punches reaching the nose and mouth. Maximum protection for heavy sparring or anyone protecting a nose injury, at the cost of some forward and downward vision.
How to size headgear
- Measure around your head just above the eyebrows and ears with a soft tape.
- Match the measurement to the size chart on the product page.
- If you're between sizes, choose the smaller size — the laces or strap at the back give extra room.
A good fit sits snug with no movement when you shake your head, and the eye opening lines up with your eyes without pushing on your brows.
Fit checklist
- No sliding when you nod or turn.
- Full peripheral vision when you look straight ahead.
- Chin strap closes comfortably with your mouthguard in.
- No pressure points on the ears.
Find your head guard
Browse our full boxing headgear collection — cheek-protector and face-bar styles in a range of colours — or get headgear matched to your gloves in a sparring set. Pair it with the right groin guard and you're ready for your first sparring session.