Open-Face Headgear Vs Full-Face Headgear

You must have noticed MMA fighters and boxers constantly wearing head protection while playing. Amateur fighters, MMA fighters and Olympic boxers must wear padded helmets known as headgear on their heads during their practice sessions and matches. It effectively protects the player against scrapes and swelling. Other than these, the use of headgear is an effective method for preventing injuries such as cauliflower ears, black eyes, bleeding noses, cuts and bruises, and chaff wounds. There are two major types of headgear available: open-face headgear and full-face headgear. If you ask which one is the best among these two, then the answer is that you need to choose the right one depending on several factors like what’s your level of boxing, whether are you a beginner or an expert, how much coverage you need while boxing and so on. In this blog, we are going to talk about open-face headgear vs full-face headgear so that you can make an informed decision on which one to choose. But before we proceed, it is important to know why you should wear headgear!

Importance Of Wearing Headgear While Boxing

 

The reason why boxers are required to wear protective headgear during training and competition. is designed to reduce the impact that repeated blows to the face and head have on a fighter's ability to function normally. With the goal of absorbing as much of the impact as possible when it is transferred, the padded material's purpose is to do just that.

It protects the head of the players similarly to how boxing gloves protect the hands of boxers. The use of headgear was introduced as an additional tactic in an effort to assist in warding off excessive damage, and internal injuries. You are probably aware of the fact that a large number of fighters believe that the training is often more difficult than the actual fight itself. They are referring to the fact that while practising they need to push themselves to their limits in order to make the actual fight go more smoothly. As part of this effort to push athletes to their absolute limits, they will be required to take some significant hits during the sparring sessions they participate in. Injury after injury over a period of time will eventually lead to damage that is long-lasting and irreversible. Because of this, boxers are advised to make protective headgear mandatory equipment as a part of their practice!

Now that we know why one should wear headgear while boxing, let’s have a look at the two main types of headgear and talk about the differences between the both:

Open-Face Headgear

 

 

A boxer wearing open-face headgear is able to maintain a layer of protection while still retaining their full field of vision inside the ring. This helps to ensure that a fighter does not sustain any unnecessary damage from things like head clashes while training. They offer the broadest field of vision while reducing the amount of protection required to an acceptable level. 

The exterior of open-face headgear is made of durable leather, and the lining is made of a material that wicks away moisture. Its ear bar is cushioned and extends to cover a sizeable portion of an individual's ear canal. It features a loop at the top that allows the chin strap to slide in and tuck itself away underneath the item. The padding on its side panels offers a high level of protection. Aside from that, its contemporary design stands out, and it is comfortable to wear even for extended periods of time while practising. It is mostly recommended to wear during practice sessions because you can concentrate on the game without having to worry about getting hit or punched in the open or uncovered areas. 

The main disadvantage of wearing open-face headgear is that they leave a significant portion of your face and nose exposed to blows, which increases the risk of bruising and bleeding. So during intense matches, wearing open-face headgear should be completely avoided as it will not only make you feel vulnerable towards getting wounds, but it will affect your overall performance as well! 

Open-Face Headgear Is Recommended For:

 

• Amateur fighters.
• Fighters who are looking for headgear with minimal loss of vision!
• Kids to adults.

Open-Face Headgear Is Not Recommended For:

 

• Fighters who are looking for more overall protection around their face and head.
• Professional fighters who are looking for specialist headgear.

Full-Face Headgear

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Full-face head guards are designed to provide the wearer with the highest possible level of protection. This headgear is ideal for training not only in boxing but also in mixed martial arts and kickboxing as well.

In the sport of boxing, protective headgear is of the utmost significance. Boxing Head Guard Full Face offers an exceptional level of protection without obstructing the wearer's line of sight in any way, making them a popular choice among athletes. They provide the highest level of protection possible for the ear, cheeks, forehead, and chin, which can assist in reducing the risk of bruising, cuts, and swelling. Headguards for boxing also provide excellent protection for the nose thanks to the padding on either side, which helps prevent nose fractures and other injuries.

Full-face head guards, don't let any debris get in the way of the fighter's vision. During sessions of training and sparring, this headgear will offer you astounding levels of protection as well as comfort, regardless of whether you are an amateur or a professional. Full-face headgear is fabricated from a nubuck PU material and padded with high-end foam that is both ultra-lightweight and ultra-luxurious. In addition to providing protection for the ears and cheeks, these headgear also has a Velcro chin strap and a back of the head closure.

When someone punches you in the head, the force of the blow can be reduced by wearing full-face protective headgear that is of high quality, fits snugly, and is made of a highly shock-absorbing material. Because of the combined reduction in kinetic energy, powerful punches that would normally result in a knockout or concussion can be converted into sub-concussion levels, allowing the fighter to continue competing. Neuroscientists say that wearing protective headgear can reduce the likelihood of sustaining a concussion. However, they also say that even with good-quality headgear, one can’t completely prevent a concussion. So, it's better to play the game following all the necessary guidelines and in the right way so that you can avoid any severe injuries as full-face headgear can protect you to only an extent!

Full-Face Headgear Is Recommended For:

• Thai boxers, all levels of boxers, and MMA sparring
• All age groups from kids to adults
• Boxers who want to minimise injuries like bruises, scrapes, and cuts that happen while sparring.

Full-Face Headgear Is Not Recommended For:

• Professional boxers who are looking for slim headgear.
• Boxers who are prone to nose injuries.

Now that you know the main points of difference between open-face headgear and full-face headgear then it's important for you to choose the right one for you. If you are still confused about which is the right one for you, then continue reading to know what you must consider while making your decision.

How To Choose The Right Headgear

When you go to purchase boxing headgear, there are these major points that you need to keep in mind:

• A close fit is necessary because you will not benefit from a head guard that is either too loose or not fitted properly.
• Training headgears typically have more padding than their competition counterparts to provide an additional layer of protection.
• The guidelines for boxing headgear worn in competition also apply to the headgear worn in amateur bouts.
• It is important to have a sturdy and adjustable fastener at the nape of the neck and at the base of the chin.
• If you are ever knocked out or tripped, a good headgear will be designed with extra thick padding in the back of your head to prevent your head from bouncing off the ground. This will protect your head from injury.

Wrapping Up

Boxing headgear's primary function is to shield the wearer's head from injuries such as cuts and bruises. During your boxing training, you should wear these heavily padded guards to reduce the likelihood of suffering an unintended injury. Regardless of how well-trained you are, the most important thing for you to focus on is avoiding getting hit by the punch that your opponent throws. For this, you should always make sure to protect yourself by wearing protective gear like a head guard. In this blog, we have talked about the major differences between open-face headgear and full-face headgear. We have also talked about the various factors that you must consider before buying headgear. 

If you are looking for boxing headgear then do check out our exclusive collection. We offer a wide range of high-quality boxing head guards at affordable prices! Scroll through our collection and purchase the one that suits your requirements the most!