Contact sports are fun yet dangerous. When playing BJJ, people are often worried about their back or arms and knees, etc. But what they mostly ignore are the smaller organs of their body. One of the most commonly injured body parts is the ears.
Ears are extremely sensitive. Therefore, if they are not protected via ear guards, you might end up with a pretty nasty and painful injury. The most common type of ear injury is known as the cauliflower injury which not only looks quite disturbing but can also cause a lot of pain and discomfort.
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Cauliflower Ear:
Cauliflower ear refers to an ear injury that is often caused by blunt force trauma to the ear. The most common causes of a cauliflower ear are injuries that one may encounter during high contact sports like wrestling, BJJ or boxing etc.
The injury gets its name due to its appearance. The ear tissue gets damaged which leads to a lumpy appearance. The main reason behind the cauliflower ear is actually the accumulation of small blood clots in the area. If left untreated, it can also cause permanent damage to the ear and leave the tissue damaged severely.
As is the case with any other injury, it is a lot better for one to prevent the cauliflower ear than treat it. The prevention to does not require too much effort. All you have to do is to make use of the right protective gear that can cover the ear properly so that the direct impact of the trauma to the ear can be prevented. If you are someone who plays a lot of high contact sports like BJJ, it is best that you make use of an ear guard so that the force can be reduced and the ears can be protected from any such injury in the first place.
Top Eight Best Ear Guards BJJ
If you want to enjoy BJJ to the fullest without worrying about any ear injury, using an ear guard would be your best bet. There are plenty of ear guards in the market but if you are seeking recommendations for the best one, here are our top picks:
1. Cliff Keen Wrestling Protective Headgear:
Air Vent System:
In order to ensure comfort and allow the users to wear the headgear with ease, it features a reliable air vent system. The air vent system allows air to cross through the headgear. This not only keeps the wearer cool but also prevents sweating. You will not be compelled to keep on taking off the headgear every now and then when wearing it for training and practicing.
Perfect Fit:
The fit and sizing of this headgear are just perfect. It will sit comfortably on your head without feeling too tight or too loose. The straps of the headgear are sturdy yet soft so they do not pierce through the wearer’s head. They are also adjustable so that the wearer can easily tighten them or loosen them to ensure the perfect fit whenever the headgear is in use.
Maximum Protection:
There are padded ear cups on either side of the headgear. The cups are padded so that they do not feel harsh against the ear. The deep design of the ear cups adds maximum protection so that the wearer can be certain that their ears are protected and they do not have to fear any sort of injury. The ear cups guarantee comfort while promising protection at the same time.
Also check: Best Mouth Guards for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – 2021 Reviews
2. Grapplearts Minimum Profile Ear Guard For BJJ:
Minimal Design:
If you are someone who is looking for an ear guard that is compact and not bulky, the Grapplearts Minimum Profile Ear Guard would be an excellent pick for you. The ear guard gets the job done and guarantees protection without the bulky design. It covers the ears perfectly but does not feel too heavy or big.
Adjustable Fit:
The ear guard features velcro straps. These straps allow the users to customize and adjust the fit of the ear guard as needed. When secured in place, the velcro straps will hold the ear guard in place. This means that when adjusted properly, you will not have to keep repositioning the ear guards and can properly focus on your BJJ training. The chin pad of the ear guard is removable and you can use it or remove it as desired.
Design And Construction:
Made out of nylon and thermo molded plastic, the rear guard is both comfortable as well as durable. The breathable material of the ear guard allows the users to use it with ease and comfort. The thin material does not weigh down the wearer and allows ventilation for a cool experience and an enhanced hearing.
3. Matman Adult Wrestling Headgear:
Neoprene Material:
This ear guard is made out of neoprene. It is an excellent material of choice since it is both breathable as well as antimicrobial. This means that the wearer will not have to worry about the hygiene of the ear guard. The breathable material also keeps the wearer cool and does not allow sweat to accumulate in the ear guard. This ear guard is thus an ideal choice for protection while also promising hygiene and cleanliness.
Adjustable Fit:
The straps of the rear guard are great as they are comfortable and adjustable. The straps feature an easy-to-adjust mechanism which means that the wearer does not have to take off the ear guard to adjust the fit. Rather, the straps can be tightened or loosened while wearing the ear guards. The two-strap system also improves the grip of the ear guards so that the ear guard sits in place without having to be adjusted continuously.
Maximum Comfort:
The breathable material of the ear guard paired with the padded design enhances the comfort of the ear guard. It will feel extremely soft next to your ears. The ears are covered all throughout by the ear cups but the wearer will never complain that it feels as if the ear guard is cutting through their skin or is putting too much pressure on their ears.
4. Venum Kontact Evo Ear Guard Black:
Neoprene Material:
This ear guard is made out of neoprene which is an ideal material of choice for ear guards. Neoprene is a durable material which means that the ear guard will easily be able to withstand wear and tear and will not get damaged easily. At the same time, the material is also quite breathable and lightweight so it does not feel too rough or hard against the ears of the wearer. To summarize, it is a comfortable material that can easily be worn for a longer time period.
Padded Ear Guard:
The ear guard is padded with foam. This means that the wearer can be a hundred percent certain that their ears are protected. The foam adds an additional layer of protection that further minimizes the impact of the blunt force so that the ears can be protected from a severe injury. The foam also makes the ear guard feel soft against the ears so that the wearer does not feel uncomfortable.
BJJ Headgear for Long Hair:
The shape and the structure of the ear guard is another commendable feature of this product. Since it solely covers the ears and not the entire head, therefore, it is an ideal choice for people with long hair. The hair can be left comfortable at the back since the ear guard does not cover the head and the wearer will never end up feeling congested or have their hair get tangled or messed up.
Check more: Top 10 Best BJJ Rash Guards for 2021 – Our Top Product Picks
5. ASICS Unisex Gel Wrestling Ear Guard:
Gel Cushioning System:
Unlike the other ear guards in the market that feature foam padding, this ear guard comes with a gel cushioning system. The gel system not only enhances the comfort for the users but is also more effective against injuries. It helps distribute the forces of the impact in an even manner so that the risk of any serious injury can be mitigated as much as possible. The gel is also lightweight as compared to foam so that the wearer does not feel as if the ear guard is weighing down on their ears.
Lightweight:
This ear guard is one of the lightest ear guards that you will find in the market.The material chosen for the ear guard is breathable and lightweight. This means that the wearer will never feel as if something heavy has been placed on their heads. Rather, the ear guard is so lightweight that you will barely notice that you have something covering your ears.
Strap System:
The ear guard is held in place by straps. There are straps that go all the way on top of the head and also underneath the chin. The straps are thin yet sturdy so they do not come off quite easily. At the same time, the straps are also strong so that when the ear guard is strapped in place, it retains its position and the user does not have to keep adjusting the position of the ear guard over and over again.
6. Cliff Keen E58 Headgear:
4 Strap System:
The ear guard features a 4-strap system. The four straps hold the ear guards in place. The straps are comfortable and soft. The straps go over the head while one strap goes underneath the chin. The straps hold the headgear in place. Therefore, the wearer does not have to keep adjusting the headgear while playing or training for BJJ.
Color Variations:
Who said that ear guards have to be boring and dull? The Cliff Keen E58 Headgear comes in a wide range of color variations. You can pick any color or style that you like. You can even match your ear guards with your BJJ outfit or wear a new ear guard everyday. There are so many variations to pick from that you will surely find something that you truly like.
Padded Ear Cups:
The ear cups of the ear guards are padded. Therefore, they feel soft against the ears of the wearer. The padding also enhances the protection of the ear guards as the padding adds an added layer of security so that the impact of the trauma can be reduced and the trauma of the force can be reduced and any serious injury to the ears can be prevented.
Check more: The Top 7 BJJ Guard Positions You Should Learn as a Beginner
7. Adidas Response Jr Ear Guard:
Comfortable To Wear:
The padded ear guards are comfortable to wear. Their lightweight design and strap-based adjustment system enhance the comfort of the ear guards. This means that the users can easily wear the ear guards for a longer time period without complaining of discomfort. The straps are wide and soft so they hold the ear guards but they do not feel as if they are burdening the ears.
Secure Fit:
The ear guard features a total of three straps. Two straps go on the head, one on the top and the other one on the back side. Whereas the third strap goes underneath the chin. The straps hold the ear guard securely in place. When adjusted properly, the straps do not feel tight or loose and thus the wearer can focus on the game rather than having to adjust the ear guards over and over.
Plastic Construction:
The ear cups of the ear guards are made out of plastic. The plastic is sturdy so it does not break easily. At the same time, it is also an excellent choice since it is lightweight so it does not weigh down on the wearer. There are three holes in the ear buds which allow air to pass through and keep the wearer cool. This also prevents sweat retention in the ear guards.
8. Gold BJJ Headgear For Jiu-Jitsu Wrestling and MMA:
Adjustable Size:
The size of the ear guard is perfect. Since it comes in an adjustable size therefore it is perfect for use by people of all ages. You can use the strap system to adjust the positioning and the sizing. This means that the same headgear can be used by both adults as well as junior BJJ trainers.
Ear Holes:
The ear cups of the ear guards also feature three holes. These three holes are great not only for ventilation but are also great since they allow the users to hear easily. You will not have to take off the ear guards to be able to hear what the other person is saying. This makes things a lot easier for the wearer as they can focus on the training and also hear whatever is going on around them.
Padded Ear Guard:
This is a padded ear guard. The padding not only enhances the security of the ear guard but also makes it more comfortable to wear. You will be able to wear the ear guard for hours at end without complaining of discomfort. The design and style of the ear guard is specially designed for professional use which means that it is a trusted and reliable ear guard that will truly keep your ears safe from injuries and guarantee comfort and protection at the same time.
Check more: [Top 8] Best BJJ Rash Guard for Women (2021 Reviews)
Buying Guide:
Selecting the right ear guard is extremely important and there are some things that one should bear in mind when doing so. Here are some of the important considerations that have to be accounted for when selected an ear guard for BJJ:
Comfort:
When practicing BJJ, you will most likely end up wearing the ear guard for a longer time period. Therefore, pick an ear guard that you are comfortable wearing. It should not feel like it is pressing down firmly against your ears. Padded designs are also encouraged so that the ear guard not only protects the ears, but also feels soft against them.
Size And Fit:
The size and fit of the ear guard is a very important factor. The ear guard should neither be too loose nor too tight. It should sit perfectly in place so that the user does not have to keep adjusting the ear guard over and over. The ear guards with adjustable size and strap systems are highly recommended as they hold their place and the wearer does not have to worry about them moving while practicing BJJ.
Protection:
The sole aim of you using an ear guard is to ensure protection. Therefore, never compromise on this element when picking an ear guard. The ear guard should cover the ears perfectly so the chances of your ears getting hurt or injured can be reduced as much as possible. You can look for a gel based or a padded ear guard for this purpose. The choice of which protection mechanism to opt for depends on your preferences.
Conclusion
If you are a BJJ enthusiast who wants to ensure that their ears remain safe, you should surely invest in a pair of ear guards. There are plenty of ear guards in the market but rather than buying a poor quality one, it is best that you spend money on an ear guard that is truly reliable and dependable. To help you in this regard, we have put together a list of the top picks from the market that are tried and tested and come highly recommended.
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