Investing in the best headgear for BJJ goes a long way when it comes to head protection. These protective tools feature an interior foam manufacturing that helps absorb shock from blows and impact, as well as dissipate force, leaving you free of injuries.
Additionally, these headgears can also protect you from cauliflower ear formation, keeping you safe even after years of perfecting the art of BJJ. To make it easier for you to choose one, we’ve selected the 9 top picks for BJJ’s best headgear to help you find the ideal choice.
1. Cliff Keen E58 Headgear
Featuring a 4-strap foam construction, the Cliff Keen E58 Headgear offers a secure and personalized fit, preventing it from moving around your head – especially during training. The foam manufacturing delivers ample padding and cushioning to absorb shock from impact and heavy blows.
The foam doesn’t only cover the head, but the ears as well for full head and ear protection. However, the headgear is still lightweight, so it doesn’t weigh you down. Additionally, its smooth surface significantly reduces friction on the mat.
- Can be adjusted to fit youths
- 4-strap design for enhanced security
- Fully adjustable chin strap pad
- Lightweight construction
- A little troublesome to adjust the fit
2. Pro Force Lightning Headgear
The Pro Force Lightning Head Gear easily fastens using an under-chin elastic strap secured with a hoop and loop closure. Thanks to this closure system, you will enjoy increased security and a personalized fit, preventing the headgear from moving around your head when you are active.
Its thick 0.75-inch thick vinyl covered foam offers excellent support and protection for the top, back, and sides of your head. The headgear features unique cutouts to promote ventilation, which allows you to wear it for long periods without exhaustion.
- The ear protection allows for normal hearing
- It is excellent for light to moderate head contacts thanks to its soft foam
- Available in 6 bold and bright colors
- Cutouts on the back of the headgear for added ventilation
- The headgear is not as breathable
3. MaxxMMA Headgear
Weighing less than 0.5 lbs., the MAxxMMA Headgear rests comfortably on your head without weighing you down, allowing you to focus on the sport. Its brightly colored finish enhances its visibility. However, what makes this headgear versatile and perfect for MMA, judo, and karate is its foam construction.
The headgear is built with multi-layered closed cell inner foam over the forehead, chin, cheeks, ears, and rear side for full 360-degree coverage. Additionally, thanks to this manufacturing, the foam delivers excellent shock absorption.
- Lightweight build
- Shock absorbing and multi-layered inner closed-cell foam
- Bold colors for enhanced visibility
- Nylon exterior for reduced friction on the mat
- Not available in extra small or small
4. RDX Headgear With Head Guard
The RDX Headgear with Head Guard features tri-slabs of foam padding that offer exceptional shock-absorbing performance for your head. This design makes the headgear perfect for both light and heavy blows.
Its outer leather fabrication features split, fray, and tear resistance; making it an ideal protective gear for boxing, MMA, and BJJ. A PVC protective grill offers an extra layer of protection against high impact strikes to ensure your vision is never damaged. Quick EZ hook and loop strap deliver excellent protection, while its adjustable fit reduces the headgear’s chances of falling off.
- PVC protective grill withstands high impact strike to protect your vision
- Removable face grill keeps your face safe against cuts and blows
- Evo-lution sheet for impact resistance
- Unique EZ strap for steady closure and stability
- There’s no chin padding
5. RDX Headgear
A patented Max Shock Equilibrium Foam of the RDX Headgear boasts an advanced equilibrium sheet that effectively absorbs impact and distributes force across the headgear.
A middle sponge X layer offers extra resistance during impact while the Evolution advanced expanding foam layer further absorbs and distributes impact evenly across the head gear’s surface. To further complement the three-layer impact resistance foam, a soft stuffed hosiery waste filling offers extra shock absorption. To prevent the headgear from moving around, newly improved customizable closure contours to your head and securely holds it.
- Padded chin bar for better protection
- Customizable closure molds to the shape of your head
- Quick EZ hook and loop closure with lace-up top closure for a secure fit
- Cowhide leather fabrication for added durability
- No head guard
6. Sanjoin Boxing Headgear
The impact Dura-shock foam design of the Sanjoin Boxing Headgear guarantees superior protection. The foam features a gel tech padding build that provides excellent shock absorption to protect your head, chest, temple, and forehead.
To make the helmet comfortable to wear for long periods, it features a PU leather fabrication, which gives it a slight weight and soft feel. Additionally, PU leather fabrication makes the headgear sweat and water-resistant too. A hoop and loop closure system offers a custom and secure fit, while its curved cheek protectants provide an extra layer of safety for your head and face.
- Adjustable closure to perfectly fit different head sizes
- Curved cheek protection for added head and face safety
- Hook and loop closure for added security
- Impact Dura gel tech and shock-absorbing foam
- Some sizes may run large
7. Matman Youth Wrestling Headgear
For your teenage son or daughter, the Matman Youth Wrestling headgear is a perfect protective helmet for BJJ training sessions or tournaments. The headgear features ultra-light and soft neoprene material, which allows it to withstand the roughest conditions.
However, its durability is not all that makes this material worth the investment. The soft neoprene material also enhances proper airflow, while its antimicrobial treatment prevents the build-up of odor-causing bacteria. Its unique Velcro closure straps on the other end provide a secure, comfortable, and snug fit.
- Soft and lightweight neoprene fabrication
- Enhanced moisture wicking and breathability to keep you dry and cool
- Velcro straps for a comfortable and snug fit
- Antimicrobial treatment to fight unwanted infections
- Runs a little small
8. Cliff Keen Fusion Headgear
Integrating a proprietary On-The-Fly strapping system, the Cliff Keen Fusion Headgear easily adjusts and fits snuggly for added security. This innovative construction ensures that the head helmet stays in place even during impact or heavy blows.
Its sleek profile ear cups offer adequate room and protection for your ears without limiting hearing ability. Its soft and closed-cell foam build gives it incredible shock absorption. The pliable inner shell offers a high tensile and lightweight, yet remains breathable interior to keep you well ventilated and far from exhaustion.
- Three-strap design for a secure and comfortable fit
- Soft closed cell foam for full shock absorption
- Chinstrap pad included
- One size fits all design for youth head sizes
- May crack with consistent impact
9. Cliff Keen F5 Tornado Headgear
A patented Air Vent system of the Cliff Keen F5 Tornado Headgear ensures that you enjoy adequate air circulation, keeping moisture and sweat out of the headgear’s interior for all-day comfort.
While the headgear for BJJ offers deep ear cups for maximum comfort and protection, it still maintains excellent hearing. This headgear aims to deliver up to 80% greater audible sound than a regular headgear with ear cups. Additionally, being up to 43% lighter, the headgear rests comfortably on your head without weighing you down. Its Power tab On-The-Fly strapping system offers a faster and better fit.
- 43% lighter for better control
- Power Tab strapping system for a fast and better fit
- Dee ear cups for optimum comfort and protection
- Up to 80% greater audible sound delivery than other headgear options with ear cup
- Hair gets easily caught on the straps
FAQs
1. Does Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu cause cauliflower ear?
During Jiu-Jitsu, you most certainly are highly likely to suffer frequent blows on the ear area. Therefore, the chances of developing cauliflower ear are relatively high.
2. Can you get cauliflower ear even if you wear headgear?
Frequent blows and trauma to the ear can cause cauliflower ear. The best headgear for BJJ features shock absorption from such impacts, thus shielding your ears. Therefore, wearing a good quality BJJ headgear significantly reduces your chances of developing cauliflower ear.
3. How long does it take to get cauliflower ear from BJJ?
Cauliflower ear doesn’t develop overnight or even in weeks. As you continue to train for BJJ, you will most likely experience more trauma around your ear area. With lousy quality protective gear, the effects get even worse. Generally, people begin to develop cauliflower if they train for at least 4 to 5 years in a 3 to 4 hours a week interval.
4. What is the best headgear brand for BJJ?
You can find a wide selection of good quality headgear brands in the market. However, our favorite picks for the best brands are Cliff Keen and RDX.
5. Will a BJJ headgear restrict my hearing ability?
Due to the foam padding, a headgear for BJJ will affect your hearing to a small extent; however, it will not wholly restrict hearing. Nevertheless, you can find new, improved designs that optimize hearing. Some of the best headgear for BJJ options feature air vents or cutouts on their plastic shells to promote ventilation and enhance your hearing capacity.
6. How necessary is a mouth guard with my BJJ headgear?
A mouthguard provides an extra layer of protection, especially for a beginner, as you may sometimes be susceptible to unexpected knocks and kicks. However, when you are doing drills or taking instructions from your coach, a mouthguard is not necessarily to have on. for added value, you can find very good quality headgears such as the RDX Headgear that comes with a free faceguard.
7. How do I clean my headgear for BJJ?
If your headgear doesn’t have a fabric interior, you can wipe the interior foam and exterior shell using a clean cloth soaked with some disinfectant or alcohol. Doing so doesn’t only leave the surface clean but also ensures that you kill all the bacteria to prevent them from building up. You don’t want to use strong cleaning chemicals as this may seriously damage the foam lining. Alternatively, you can opt for headgear with removable liners to separately hand wash after you wipe clean the outer surface.
