Martial arts and boxing gear: how to choose and buy at a good price
The gear depends on the sport
Boxing needs gloves, hand wraps and a mouthguard. Kickboxing adds shin and foot guards. MMA uses open-fingered gloves of lower weight. For judo and karate the main thing is a gi of the right thickness and a belt. For taekwondo you need a dobok and a helmet with protectors. State the martial art, otherwise sellers may offer something your coach won't accept. Clubs often have their own requirements for the colour and brand of gear, so ask the coach first. Wraps, mouthguards and groin guards are usually bought new for hygiene reasons.
Gloves: ounces and age
Glove weight is measured in ounces (oz). For training adults usually use 12–16 oz, for sparring closer to 14–16, and lighter 8–10 oz gloves are more often used for competitions or bag work. Children and teenagers take smaller sizes, and the coach usually advises which. The material matters too: genuine leather lasts longer, PU is cheaper but wears faster. With brands such as Venum or Everlast, check that it is not a fake.
Gi and punch bags
For a gi the main things are height and the thickness of the cotton: a lighter one is enough for training, while for judo competitions a heavier one that meets the federation's rules is required. Allow for shrinkage after washing. A punching bag is defined by weight, height and filling. A heavy bag needs a firm ceiling mount or a stand, so ask whether chains are included.
What to put in your request
- what exactly — gloves, punch bag, gi, wraps, helmet, mouthguard, shin guards;
- martial art — boxing, kickboxing, MMA, judo, karate;
- size — ounces, height, bag weight;
- brand and material;
- age of the athlete;
- condition, budget and delivery city.
Example: “I need new 12 oz boxing gloves in genuine leather for an adult, Venum or Everlast. Courier delivery to Auckland, budget up to $110.”
How to save through BlaBlaPrice
Sports shops, second-hand sellers and private sellers all have different prices. On BlaBlaPrice you write a request once and sellers reply in the chat with prices, terms and photos. The platform shows first the offer that is best value in substance, and reviews are visible next to the seller. They can see where they stand among the others and often improve their terms.
Compare gloves of the same size and material. For used ones, ask about the wear of the padding and the smell, and for a gi, about the size for your height. See related sections: athletics and fitness for a home gym, and the rest in the “Sports and leisure” section. How it works is explained on the “How it works” page.
