Essential Wrestling Gear
Everything you need for practice and competition.
🎒 Quick Gear Checklist
Required for Competition
- ☑️ Wrestling shoes
- ☑️ Headgear
- ☑️ Singlet (or team uniform)
Recommended
- ☑️ Knee pads
- ☑️ Mouthguard
- ☑️ Practice shorts & shirt
Wrestling Shoes
Wrestling shoes are lightweight, flexible shoes designed specifically for the mat. They provide grip, ankle support, and allow you to feel the mat beneath your feet.
What to Look For:
- Fit: Snug but not tight. Your toes should touch the end but not curl.
- Ankle Height: Low-tops for mobility, high-tops for support. Most wrestlers start with mid or high.
- Sole: Gum rubber sole for grip. Should be sticky but not leave marks.
- Laces: Look for a cover/strap to keep laces secure.
💡 Sizing Tip
Wrestling shoes typically run true to size or slightly small. If between sizes, go up. Youth wrestlers growing quickly might want to buy slightly larger.
Headgear
Headgear protects your ears from "cauliflower ear" - a condition caused by repeated trauma to the ear. It's required in high school and most youth competitions.
Features to Consider:
- Ear cups: Should fully cover ears with padding
- Chin strap: Adjustable, comfortable, secure
- Straps: Over-head and around-back adjustable straps
- Material: Foam padding, some have gel
🏥 Cauliflower Ear Prevention
Wear headgear in practice, not just competition! Most ear damage happens during drilling and live wrestling in practice. Once you get cauliflower ear, it's permanent without medical treatment.
✅ Good Fit
- • Snug but comfortable
- • Ears fully covered
- • Doesn't shift during movement
- • Can hear coaches
❌ Bad Fit
- • Loose and shifting
- • Pinching or painful
- • Blocking vision
- • Straps too tight on chin
Singlet
The singlet is the traditional wrestling uniform - a one-piece lycra/spandex suit. Most teams provide singlets for competition, but you may need to buy your own for off-season tournaments.
Singlet Rules:
- • Must be school/team colors for dual meets
- • Light or dark for tournaments (check bracket color)
- • Must cover from mid-thigh to above waist
- • Some youth leagues allow fight shorts + compression shirt instead
📏 Sizing
Singlets should be tight but allow full range of motion. If it bunches up when you move, it's too big. If you can't move your arms freely, it's too small.
Knee Pads
Knee pads protect your knees during shots, sprawls, and mat work. Not required but highly recommended, especially for wrestlers who shoot a lot.
Sleeve Style
Slip-on, stays in place, good for competition. Less bulky.
Wraparound Style
Velcro straps, adjustable, thicker padding. Better for practice.
Practice Gear
You don't wear your singlet to practice! Here's what you need for daily training:
- Shorts: Athletic shorts without pockets, zippers, or buttons. Fight shorts or compression shorts work well.
- Shirt: Fitted t-shirt or compression shirt. Avoid loose shirts that opponents can grab.
- Compression gear: Many wrestlers wear compression shorts under their shorts for comfort and to prevent mat burn.
- Extra clothes: Bring a change of clothes for after practice. You'll be sweaty!
Optional Gear
Mouthguard
Protects teeth and reduces concussion risk. Not required but recommended. Get a boil-and-bite type that molds to your teeth.
Wrestling Bag
A dedicated bag for your wrestling gear keeps everything together and separate from your other stuff (important since wrestling gear gets sweaty!).
Hair Cover
If you have long hair, you'll need a hair cover or wrestling cap. Hair must be secured and not touch your face or opponent.
Skin Care
Shower immediately after practice with antibacterial soap. Many wrestlers use Defense Soap or similar products to prevent skin infections.
Budget Guide
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Wrestling Shoes | $35-50 | $60-90 |
| Headgear | $25-35 | $40-60 |
| Singlet | $25-40 | $50-80 |
| Knee Pads | $15-25 | $30-50 |
| Total Starter Kit | $100-150 | $180-280 |