Combat Sports Equipment
The combat sports page brings together the gear for striking and grappling disciplines: gloves, wraps and padding for boxing and kickboxing, kimonos for judo, jiu-jitsu and karate, taekwondo padding, and wrestling shoes for adults and children from Asics, Nike, adidas or Phantom Athletics. From the first lesson in the club to tournaments, each discipline has its outfit.
Striking or grappling, each discipline has its equipment.
Percussion, gripping, MMA: the families of combat
Combat sports are divided into two families. In percussion sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Thai boxing, karate, or taekwondo, you hit the opponent with fists, feet, and sometimes knees and elbows: gloves, shin guards, helmets, and mouthguards are essential. In gripping sports, like judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and wrestling, you grab, throw, and immobilise: the outfit must withstand pulls, like the thick judo gi, or alternatively offer no grip, like the tight singlet worn by wrestlers. MMA combines both, with open, lightly padded gloves that allow fingers to grip and control on the ground.
The selection
Combat sports are organised by discipline:
Wrestling shoes: support, sole, and size
The wrestling shoe rises above the ankle to support it during sprawls and throws, without the rigidity that would hinder movement. Its sole, thin and sometimes split into two parts, allows the foot to bend and feel the mat, on which it grips without leaving marks. High-end models, like the adidas Adizero Mat Wizard or Nike Freek, which are very light, prioritise speed, while the adidas HVC or Asics Matcontrol focus on grip and comfort during training. It should fit snugly, with no space at the toes, and the laces are tucked into a tongue or under a Velcro strip, because a loose lace can interrupt the fight. Children's versions retain this construction.
The other sports
The other sports on the site, swimming, padel, badminton, handball, basketball, golf, fitness, climbing, camping, fishing, motorbike, are gathered on the other sports page.
Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling: two Olympic styles
Greco-Roman wrestling, part of the programme of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, prohibits any holds below the waist: wrestlers only attack the upper body, leading to spectacular arcing throws. Freestyle wrestling, added to the Games in 1904, allows leg holds and lower body locks, resulting in a more rapid and varied fight. Both styles contest in a one-piece singlet, red or blue depending on the corner, on a mat with a fighting area that forms a circle nine metres in diameter. Victory is by points, or before the end by fall, when both shoulders of the opponent are pinned to the mat.
Good deals
Good bargains can also be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped within 24 hours are prepared and dispatched in 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a consistent order: Black Friday in late autumn, the end-of-year holidays, the winter sales, the French Days of spring, then the summer sales and back to school.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between boxing and Thai boxing?
Boxing is limited to punches thrown above the waist. Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, adds kicks, knees, elbows, and clinch work, which is why shin guards are used during training.
What weight of boxing gloves should I choose?
The weight is measured in ounces: ten to twelve ounces are sufficient for hitting the bag or in sparring mitts, while fourteen to sixteen ounces provide better protection for your partner during sparring. Heavyweights increase the ounces to maintain sufficient padding.
Which combat sport should I choose for a child?
Judo, starting at four or five years old in beginner classes, teaches falling techniques and respect for the opponent, just like wrestling, which can also be practised very young in clubs. Educational boxing, where touches are controlled, is more suited for slightly older children.
How do I choose a judo gi?
The judo gi, or judogi, should be chosen according to its size in centimeters, based on the person's stature. A lightweight fabric is suitable for beginners, while a thick, rice-grain weave is more resistant to holds and is used for competition; cotton shrinks in the first hot wash.
What protections do I need to start kickboxing?
Prepare hand wraps and gloves, a mouthguard, a cup, and shin guards with foot protectors for kicks. A helmet is often required for sparring in clubs and mandatory in amateur competitions.
