Buying kickboxing gear: complete checklist

Kickboxing doesn't require a lot of gear, but it does require the right gear. This page tells you what you need, in what order to buy it, and what to look for in terms of size. No sales pitch, just the checklist we would have wanted ourselves.

The four essentials

Boxing gloves. Choose based on body weight: up to 60 kg 10 oz, 60 to 75 kg 12 oz, 75 to 90 kg 14 oz, above that 16 oz. If you spar a lot, go one size heavier. PU leather is more than sufficient for two to four training sessions per week.

Bandages. Cotton wraps 2.5 meters with thumb loop and velcro. They stabilize your hand and wrist and absorb sweat, making your gloves last longer.

Mouthguard. Self-molding, so briefly boil and bite. Protects teeth and jaw joint. Get one with a storage box.

Shin guards. The difference between boxing and kickboxing. Entry-level models with foam padding stay in place best for pads and sparring.

What to buy later

Jump rope for your fitness and footwork, gel handwraps for when you want to get into the gym quickly, a reflex ball for reaction training at home. All useful, none of them necessary in your first month.

What you usually don't need

Only buy your own punching bag, head guard, or ankle wraps when your trainer tells you you need them. Head protection, for example, is only relevant if you're really going to spar, and then you'll want tailored advice.

Budget

Individual essentials typically range between 70 and 100 euros. A starter pack combines gloves, bandages, and a mouthguard, which saves on price and shipping costs. Add shin guards as soon as you transition from boxing to kickboxing.

Maintenance

Take your gear out of your bag after training, let it air dry, and never put it on the heater. You can wash wraps in a laundry bag in the machine at 30 degrees. That's all there is to it.

View our martial arts equipment

You can find all the mentioned articles in our Martial Arts category, and the complete combination in Bundles and Sets.