If you’ve spent any time training BJJ, wrestling, or any other grappling art, you’ve undoubtedly noticed the cauliflowered ears that many grapplers have after spending some time on the mats. Additionally, you’ve probably seen people wearing BJJ headgear for jiu-jitsu training during live rolling and drilling.
If you plan to train BJJ for the long haul, your gym bag will be incomplete without the best headgear for BJJ. Even if you don’t wear it every time and don’t mind picking up a little cauliflower ear during your BJJ journey, you still need to have a piece of good BJJ headgear.
The following is a quick breakdown on buying BJJ headgear followed by our list of the 10 best BJJ headgear sets for jiu-jitsu in 2020.
The Reason You Need the Best BJJ Headgear and ear guards
When it comes to cauliflower ear, there are generally three camps: grapplers who will do anything to avoid cauliflower ear, grapplers who don’t mind cauliflower ear, and grapplers who want cauliflower ear and wear it with pride.
If you fall into the first camp, you should consider wearing the best BJJ headgear every time you train. While some ears are more susceptible to serious ‘cauli’ than others, the constant grinding of ears on your opponent will inevitably result in visible changes.
If you don’t mind cauliflower ears or even relish the thought of having getting cauli’d-up ears, you still need BJJ headgear. The main reason being that once you get a little bit of cauliflower going, you need to protect it while it hardens up.
Rubbing fresh cauliflower ears hurts like hell, and if you keep at without healing it it will grow to bulbous proportions rather than being a subtle sign that you can kick some butt in a ground exchange.
Picking Your BJJ Headgear / Ear Guards
While any of the best BJJ headgear and ear guards of 2020 on our list will certainly leave you satisfied and protected, the following are some considerations for picking BJJ headgear.
- Level of protection needed
- Comfort and material
- Look and design
- Price and Affordability
How much BJJ ear protection do you want?
Your optimal headgear choice will vary depending on how much protection you feel you need for training BJJ. If minimal protection is all you need, then most neoprene and nylon headgear will be sufficient.
If you want the most durable protection, a harder LDPE outer shell headgear may be a better option. Our top choice for maximum protection is the ASICS Conquest Ear Guard (#4 on the list).
How much comfort do you need from your BJJ headgear?
Comfort is a huge factor in BJJ headgear. In fact, if you don’t find your headgear comfortable, you are far less likely to wear it, defeating the entire purpose.
The lining of the ear cup is a crucial factor in comfort, with fleece lining giving the optimum feel for sensitive ears.
Our top BJJ headgear for maximum comfort is the Grapplearts Minimum Profile Ear Guard for BJJ (#7 on the list)
What Look Do You Want from Your BJJ Headgear or ear guards?
While appearance during rolling may not be the number one factor in choosing headgear, there is no denying that we all have our own individual look and style, and most of us care to one degree or another what we look like in our gear.
No one should be making fun of you for wearing BJJ headgear, however if you are self-conscious, some headgear will offer a sleek design that will leave you feeling confident you ‘look-the-part’ when it comes to training BJJ.
Headgear is not designed to be a fashion statement, however the slim, slick look of the
Venum “Kontact Evo” Ear Guards (#2 on our list) offers the best look for fashion-minded grapplers.
Additionally, these ear guards offers premium protection and made our list primarily due to the superior comfort offered.
While most of the BJJ headgear on our list comes in strictly black, If you care about color choice, options such as the ASICS Conquest Ear Guard offer a selection of different colors.
For strictly practical minded grapplers, any of our headgear will offer the protection you need without any extra frills.
How much do you want to spend on BJJ headgear?
Your budget will play a large factor in which BJJ headgear you choose. Our list is organized from the affordable BJJ headgear to the higher-end premium options at the bottom. Let’s be clear, even the most affordable BJJ headgear (#10 on our list) will offer the protection you need.
Nevertheless, if you are looking for the premium BJJ headgear options and have a larger budget, scroll down to the bottom of our list to see some of the highest-end BJJ headgear on the market.
In any case, pick up any of the following pieces of the best 2020 BJJ headgear and you will be well prepared for BJJ regardless of whether you fear the cauli or not.
The Top 10 BJJ Headgear and Ear Guards of 2020:
#10 – Roar Ear Guard BJJ Headgear
When it comes to affordable protection , the Roar Ear Guard BJJ Headgear is at the top of the list. Manufactured by Roar International, this BJJ headgear offers durability and resilience at an incredibly affordable price.
Vented polymer ear cups with moisture-wicking liner ensure maximum protection for BJJ and grappling.
The secure top-strap allows this headgear to be used for BJJ, wrestling, and kickboxing without stressing about the headgear coming loose during your live training. Lace-closure at every strap adds the extra security needed to ensure this headgear stays in place.
Shell-shock integrated padding offers superior ear protection for headgear at this price.
Pros
- Affordable
- Neoprene construction
- Thick padding
Cons
- Slightly less durable than more expensive brands.
#9 – Koyes Wrestling Hair Cap for BJJ
If you have long hair or need a piece of headgear that offers a haircap, the Koyes Wrestling Hair Cap for BJJ has you covered.
The lycra fabric is fast drying and holds long-hair comfortably during intense BJJ and wrestling practice. The ear-guard can be used on the inside or outside and has an adjustable Quick and Easy hook and loop closure to ensure a secure fit.
The lycra offers far more durability than latex wrestling caps and is the perfect solution for long-haired grapplers who need a combination hair-cap and ear-protection headgear for BJJ.
Pros
- Keeps long hair covered -Reversible ear protection
- Durable lycra material
Cons
- Less ear protection than dedicated BJJ headgear with no hair-covering
#8 – Matman Ultra Soft Adjustable Wrestling Head Gear
The Matman Ultra Soft adjustable headgear stands firmly at number 8 on our list. This easy-to-adjust headgear allows you to quickly fit this headgear onto your noggin regardless of how big or small your head.
The neoprene construction offers extreme comfort and durability for the roughest BJJ training. Additionally, the neoprene protects against microbe buildup while keeping both you and your training partners comfortable during BJJ training.
All mat-man wrestling products are 100% constructed in the U.S.A. with the highest quality materials and attention to detail.
Pros
- Durable neoprene construction -Fully-adjustable
- Antimicrobial
Cons
- Ear cups slightly smaller than similar products
#7 – Grapplearts Minimum Profile Ear Guard for BJJ
The Grapplearts Minimum Profile Ear Guard for BJJ is built specifically with jiu-jitsu players in mind. Grapplearts is a well-known BJJ platform with a wealth of experience
in both BJJ technique and understanding of the specific needs of BJJ athletes and artists.
The Grapplearts Minimum Profile Ear Guard for BJJ is constructed with microbe-resistant nylon and thermomolded plastic for superior comfort and protection. The easy adjustment allows a one-size-fits-all for any grappler’s head-size.
A soft, cool fleecy lining offers comfort against your ears to avoid any chaffing during BJJ training.
Pros
- Durable thermomolded plastic construction
- Designed with BJJ athletes in mind
- Removable chin-pad
- Comfortable fleece inner-lining
Cons
- Less suitable for wrestling-heavy grapplers
#6 – RDX Grappling Ear Guard for Training
When it comes to training BJJ for MMA, a serious issue arises during full MMA training due to the fact that you need protection for both your ears and your head when strikes are being thrown.
The RDX Grappling Ear Guard offers shell-shock gel with thick-padding to allow this headgear to be used during wrestling, BJJ, and kickboxing training. Don’t worry about boxing headgear messing up your grappling during full-contact MMA sparring ever again. This headgear offers the traditional protection of boxing headgear with a construction that keeps your ears safe when you inevitable shoot your takedown and hit the ground.
The obstruction-free sigh offers an ergonomic design compatable with all martial-arts styles. A lace closure at the back coupled with the patented R-Lock system keeps this headgear in place during live-sparring.
Pros
- Offers protection for both BJJ and MMA sparring
- Sturdy strap construction keeps headgear in place
Cons
- May not be the best option for pure BJJ stylists
#5 – Adapt Athletics Enhanced Headgear for Wrestling, BJJ, MMA Ear Protection
WIth mid-tier price point, Adapt Athletics makes a great, premium piece of BJJ headgear that can be used for every grappling situation from BJJ to wrestling and MMA.
The Adapt Athletics BJJ headgear is built with anti-microbial material and durable stitching to handle even the most brutal grappling and MMA practice. The extra large vent-holes ensure your ears get airflow and don’t clog with sweat as you grind out your ground game.
The adjustable strap allows this headgear to fit most adult head sizes and comes in a sleek black color.
Adapt Athletics offers a no-questions return policy on this BJJ headgear, so you can order with the peace-of-mind that you can return it if it doesn’t feel right.
Pros
- Affordable
- Breathable anti-microbial material
- Comfortable to you and your training partners
Cons
- Velcro strap may give out over time
#4 – ASICS Conquest Ear Guard
If you need the most durable ear protection in the game, the ASICS Conquest Ear Guard should be your go-to option.
The LDPE shell offers substantially more protection than traditional neoprene and nylon built headgear options. The outer shell is like armor for your ears while the inner lining offers comfort and anti-microbial properties to keep you rolling in cleanliness and comfort.
The ASICS Conquest Ear Guard is extremely durable and will last season-after-season for both wrestling and BJJ. Additionally the Conquest is a sleek-slim profiled BJJ headgear and comes in a variety of colors.
Pros
- Hardened outer shell for maximum protection
- Fully-adjustable
- Soft inner-lining
Cons
- Outer shell is not pleasant for your partner during rolling
#3 – Gold BJJ Headgear for Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, and MMA
Cauliflower Ear Protection Clocking in at number 3 on our list in the Gold BJJ Headgear for Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, and MMA.
This one-size-fits-all BJJ headgear offers valuable protection for BJJ training.
The Gold BJJ headgear is adjustable to allow a perfect fit for both children and adults. You will never fail to hear your coach during live-rolls or training due to the large ear-holes that allow sound and airflow to reach your ears.
Gold BJJ is trusted by thousands of BJJ athletes to deliver the best in BJJ gear. If, for some reason, you don’t like this headgear, Gold BJJ offers a full refund and no-questions-asked return policy.
Pros
- Premium material
- Reputable brand in the BJJ community
- Comes with free mouthpiece
Cons
- Some athletes don’t like the aesthetics
#2 – Venum “Kontact Evo” Ear Guard
When it comes to premium slim-profile BJJ headgear, the Venum Kontact Evo ear guard is near the top-of-the-list.
The slim-fitting neoprene BJJ headgear offers comfort and agility during BJJ training. The three-way enclosure on the Kontact Evo BJJ headgear ensures a snug fit for intense training.
The high-density foam protects your ears against any and all damage while remaining incredibly slim compared to other BJJ headgear.
Pros
- Slim profile
- Comfortable
- Three-way enclosure
Cons
- More expensive than most BJJ headgear options
#1 – Cliff Keen Fusion BJJ Headgear
Coming in at number 1 on our list is the Cliff Keen Fusion BJJ Headgear. Backed by one of the most long-standing companies in the grappling headgear industry, Cliff Kleen has a reputation in the grappling world for serious protection for serious training. The uniquely engineered three-strap design provides a secure and comfortable fit.
The Fusion BJJ Headgear offers closed-cell foam for maximum protection based on the revolutionary Cliff Keen design patented in 1958. A pliable inner shell with state-of-the-art construction offers a stronger, lighter headgear built to last a lifetime of BJJ and wrestling training.
The “On-the-Fly” strap system offers convenient adjustments without removing the headgear. Coupled with sleek profiled ear cups, the Cliff Keen Fusion headgear will keep you looking stylish while offering full ear protection.
Pros
- Premium material and design
- Closed cell foam for maximum comfort
- Sleek design
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Expensive compared to other BJJ headgear
- May crack if not properly cared for (full refund offered in any case)
In Conclusion: Pick the headgear you want and order today!
Whatever your specific needs for BJJ headgear and ear guards, our list gives the best options for BJJ headgear in 2020.
From affordably priced protection for new grapplers or those on a tight budget to premium options for long-term, serious athletes, we have you covered.
Once you have identified your protection, comfort, and budget needs, click the link to your headgear selection and order today!
For more BJJ gear check out our Equipment Section