Reddit mentions: The best wrestling protective gear

I tested out several and settled on the Cliff Keen fusion headgear https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JUS3T4Q They are a nice balance between good ear protection and a soft outer layer which is helpful for your teammates.

I also tried, and still have, the Cliff Keen Tornado, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KEFWUE/ . Excellent protection, but the hard outer shell sticks out far and is somewhat like a cheese grater on your partner. Wrestling great, bjj not so much.

I also bought and immediately returned the matman, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006SBMZ9Y/ . The attached chin strap was a deal breaker. Not only did it not fit my big melon the attached chin strap means if it breaks it's tough to replace.

I have no problems hearing instruction or my partner when wearing them, but they are a PIA to wear and this is coming from someone who wrestled for many years. I put them on after warm ups or sometimes not until sparring depending on what we are working on. They have kept my cauliflower ear from coming back over the past year.

Best of luck.

I've been through 4 sets of knee sleeves and pads so far.

1. Neoprene knee sleeves (from local pharmacy). These were shit, don't even bother
   
   
2. Volleyball knee pads were the second round. Better than knee sleeves but they wore out pretty quickly and constantly slid down.
   
   
3. Brute Torq Kneepad was an amazing knee pad. Stayed in place, the back mesh prevented the back of the knee from being too sweaty. Great padding and lasted for years. Too bad they stopped making them.
   
   
4. Cliff Keen Wraptor 2.0 is the current pad. They're ok, and protect the knee. In about a month they have already loosened up a lot and a few threads have popped, not a good sign.
   
   I've looked at the Bauerfeind but I'm looking for more impact protection than additional stability. The actual knee pads keep my knees very warm and I haven't had any knee issues since the Brute Torq's.

I get bursitis in my knees pretty often and have gone through more than a few pairs of knee pads. My favorite are the Asics Super Sleeves. They stay in place, feel good, and are the least bulky that have worked for me. They get pretty hot though. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LG668I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Lifelong wrestler here. The tornado imo is very comfortable but is too big and bulky for my liking. I have used my cliff keen signiture for the last 5 years and I love it
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001M8P2TS/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1465055787&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=cliff+keen+headgear&dpPl=1&dpID=4159PtgKffL&ref=plSrch

Maybe a "nasty bag" for $5? This is a well known hemp BJJ brand but I don't think the bag itself is made from hemp. http://www.dsgear.com/collections/accessories

Is he on /r/bjj? Perhaps one of the patches that are on the sidebar?

Does he use headgear or have cauliflower ear problems? These are great. Everyone that uses headgear at my studio, uses this brand. Cliff Keen.
http://www.amazon.com/Cliff-Keen-Tornado-Wrestling-Headgear/dp/B000KEFWUE/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1417733497&sr=1-2&keywords=kliff+keen+headgear

Good luck!

I don't know about the Epsom Salt.

There is a school of thought that there is a predisposition to get cauliflower ear that is genetic. The thickness, structure, and flexibility of your ear cartilage are large indicators in vulnerability to the skin tearing away or the cartilage breaking. I tend to agree based completely on a small sample size (the 2 gyms I train at), but I don't know 100%.

Wear comfortable, low profile head gear and you'll be protected from the impact and shearing forces that encourage cauliflower ear.

EDIT: Here are some low-profile headgear examples (in no particular order):

http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Guard-Grappling-Wrestling-Jitsu/dp/B005ESOWPW

http://www.amazon.com/Deluxe-Guard-Grappling-Wrestling-Jitsu/dp/B005ESOWLG

http://www.amazon.com/KRUSHCO-WRESTLING-EG-1-Ultra-Earguard-adult/dp/B001HB831O

http://www.amazon.com/Guards-MARINES-WRESTLING-JUDO-RUGBY/dp/B004SI162Q

http://www.amazon.com/Kimurawear-ReActive-Ear-Guards/dp/B00667GIAW

http://www.amazon.com/ProForce-Ultra-Strike-Ear-Guard/dp/B005BV83IO

(Sorry for all of the Amazon links. They just have a bunch of different options "right there".)

If you don't mind the look, you could probably get something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Matman-Ultra-Soft-Wrestling-Headgear/dp/B006SBMZRG/ref=sr_1_49_sspa?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1509481159&sr=1-49-spons&keywords=ear+guards&psc=1

and tuck your hair through the top and back bands, maybe pony up the end. It'll have the added benefit of keeping you cauliflower ear free!

EDIT ooh! or these things!

https://www.amazon.com/Adidas-aH100-Wrestling-Hair-Cover/dp/B00JR4USPC/ref=pd_sim_200_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VY4F15V32QFE4PYKY65D

https://www.amazon.com/Cliff-Keen-HSL96-Hair-Slicker/dp/B0000DZSBC/ref=pd_sim_200_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3C713DCQCFSV23CW8ZR9

I never had any complaints about the Twisters - the plastic is super soft (so maybe a newer design?).

Thanks for the reco on the the Matmans. They look pretty decent.

These are the Grapplearts: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DAYRA0U/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2B9GFDHNL8DMK

I wear these Cliff Keens (link below). They have been my favorites. Asics work good as well. You might have an issue of them sliding off, so make sure yo get the right size. I also wear my spats over them and that seems to keep them in place as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Cliff-Keen-2-0-Wraptor-Kneepad/dp/B006MHRL02/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1524776940&sr=8-7&keywords=cliff+keen

I use these:

https://www.amazon.com/Cliff-Keen-Single-Sleeve-Adult/dp/B00345KIC8/

They aren't strictly knee "pads", but they wash easy and do a better job than most kneepads at staying on while rolling.

I have a pair of Cliff Keen Impact Bubble Knee Pads that I picked up on Amazon. They work great. My only complaint is that they move around a little. I wish they sat a bit tighter.

• Brute Tights
  
• Brute Singlet
  
• Costume Black Boots - So, I swear to God, I have a pair of black patent leather boots from prowrestlingboots.com that cost around $200 that I said "I'll wear after those $50 costume boots bite the dust"; a year now and these cheap costume boots are still going strong - a couple of the guys I work with bought a pair and swear by them too for the price.
  
• Stock Kick-pads from elucha.com - They don't sell the design I have anymore, but it's a white skull with silver revolvers crossed underneath
  
• Silver star kneepad covers from elucha.com
  
• ASICS Kneepads
  
• Liquid latex body paint for face paint
  
  Pics with/without kickpads
  
  Hope it gives you some ideas.

I've only been doing bjj for a few months, but there are students who use headgear at our gym. No one bats an eye at it. It's about what makes you comfortable as you train. Anyone who would give you shit for it can go fuck themselves. It's YOUR journey and YOUR training. Not theirs.

That said, the best partner friendly headgear you can likely get is Cliff Keen E58: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009A5GRI/ref=s9_hps_bw_g200_i3

It's a really good brand of grappler's headgear. I have a pair. They will protect your ears. They aren't bulky. Best of all, they are soft and partner friendly. I've rolled with a guy who using this plastic hard tornado-some such headgear and I hate him for it. It's unpleasant when he digs his headgear into me.

Brute is what I currently use. (I used to use the Cliff Keen F5) I like that it doesn't have the protruding ear cups of the Cliff Keen while still keeping ears protected. It doesn't slip onto my ears like the Cliff Keen does sometimes. It is a lot more annoying to adjust to the CK, but you should only have to tweak your first month using it. I found the CK padding would crack and chip (especially the chin guard). It is easier to hear people in the CK.

I used the CK for a year and the Brute for about three months so just keep that in mind, but it has shown no signs of wear.

I wear this:

http://www.amazon.com/ASICS-Super-Sleeve-Black-Medium/dp/B000PGFV4Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374755075&sr=8-1&keywords=asic+super+sleeve

Its pretty comfortable, and has never fallen off. When I roll I practically forget its there.

When all else failed we went the DIY route for our teenager and made something like this but hard shell ear protection for wrestling like this will work as well.

YOU'RE WELCOME

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https://www.amazon.com/Grapplearts-Wrestling-Cauliflower-Construction-Protection/dp/B01DAYRA0U/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1479448166&sr=8-1&keywords=Ear+Guards+for+BJJ&refinements=p_72:2661619011&linkCode=li3&tag=mmawar-20&linkId=180b273b06ad1d3b87280665d9c199a1

I wear Asics Super Sleeves.

get these. i've had tibial bruising 3 times now (aka a bone bruise, not just a normal skin wah wah bruise) and the first time it took me off the mats for 7 weeks, b/c the doctor told me, 'bone bruising is one step before an actual break. stay off it.' the next time it happened, i had these. i don't really like training with them on, but i was able to train, and stay on the mats. it healed up i'd say in a couple weeks where i wouldn't feel it at all.

it's not the same knee issues you're describing, but could be helpful.

Got this one last week, very good product

Matman Ultrasoft Wrestling Headgear Quick Adjusting, One Size Fits All, Ear and Head Guard Adult https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006SBMZ9Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DeUOCbGP4DWRA

Cliff Keen E58

https://www.amazon.com/Cliff-Keen-E58-Headgear/dp/B0009A5GRI

i use these. i swear by them. never roll without 'em. i have joint and easily bruising knees.

http://www.amazon.com/ASICS-Super-Sleeve-Black-Large/dp/B000LG668I/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1404835699&sr=8-4&keywords=asics+knee+pads

Several people word hardshells, like Cliff Keen, at our gym and I found them somewhat annoying as a partner. It's not fun to bumb your head against the shell and locking the head up is trickier.

When I had my cauliflower ear drained last month, I picked up the softer Matman and so far my experience is good. I've asked my partners if it messes with them and nobody seems to mind.

If you don't want to risk cauliflower, wear ear guards. https://www.amazon.com/Cliff-Keen-E58-Headgear/dp/B0009A5GRI

These are a hell of a lot better than anything I've worn when it comes to hearing. Not great, but better. The CK tornadoes are also a lot better if you can't wear the soft headgear

I use these. So far so good.

I use these

get a wrestling cap. it's totally normal and common in wrestling. here is another version

Headgear. Headgear headgear headgear. If you're worried about your ears, wear headgear. They're cheap and come in lots of colors, you can match your gis if you want!

http://forums.sherdog.com/forums/f12/whats-best-ear-guard-bjj-1065252/

http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Guard-Grappling-Wrestling-Jitsu/dp/B005ESOWPW

http://www.amazon.com/ASICS-ZW1000-Conquest-Ear-Guard/dp/B005ACNB2M/ref=pd_sbs_sg_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0FYCZ4A5Q582XTMTSEZ1

Second the head gear comment, have longish hair and it keeps it out of my face. Stops your ears becoming all weird too.

I got this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006SBMZ9Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Are you wearing construction style knee pads with the straps? I prefer the ones that are sleeves made of neoprene since the ones with a strap on the top and bottom give me hotspots in the back of my leg.

The ones I use are wrestling knee pads. Only bad thing is I have to take my shoes off if I want to remove them.

I have this and I dig it. I don't wear it that often though; only when my ears are particularly sore if I'm doing a lot of nogi...http://www.amazon.com/Matman-Ultra-Soft-Wrestling-Headgear/dp/B006SBMZ9Y

I just ordered these CK's since a rolling mate also wears it and they seem to be working fine for him. I will try out your suggestion if the CK's don't work out.

I also had previously got these but they kept falling off during training and my ear infection worsened after those rolls.

I waited more than two weeks, I went to an ENT and he cut and drained since at that time a lot of the fluid starts to harden so cutting would get more out. I wear (http://www.amazon.com/Matman-Ultra-Soft-Wrestling-Headgear/dp/B006SBMZ9Y) Matman head gear which is all foam and only $20. Doesn't cramp my style too much. they fall off sometimes but I stop and secure the strap. Even with them on my ears get a little inflames still so I ice the injured one often.

Check these out:

http://www.amazon.com/Matman-Ultra-Soft-Wrestling-Headgear/dp/B006SBMZ9Y

These are all cloth on the outside and have a low profile. They don't get in the way when training, and there's no hard plastic on the outside to bother training partners.

My only complaint is the chin strap can be a little uncomfortable.

Wear headgear when you train so you can avoid wearing it when you compete. I use this one: https://www.amazon.com/Grapplearts-Wrestling-Cauliflower-Construction-Protection/dp/B01DAYRA0U/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1479406882&sr=1-1&keywords=grapplearts+ear+guard

Started having sore ears from triangle drilling about a month ago, and it was painful when I had a haircut (the barber would bend my ear). Since I started wearing this, the pain has gone away.

Edit: the strap broke on this one last night. Don't buy it.