Good Wrestling Attire Ideas

In the sport of amateur wrestling, strength, speed and skill are keys to success. To a lesser extent, the right equipment is also important; the wrong clothing choice can actually hinder a wrestler. Competitors must be able to maneuver fluidly and be comfortable while wrestling in order to perform at their best.

  1. Singlet

    • The ability to move unhindered and not get caught up in clothing is important to a wrestler. Wearing loose clothing such as a T-shirt or shorts is fine for practice; in a match these clothes can tangle a wrestler up. Loose clothing is easier for an opponent to grab hold of, giving him an advantage. The most practical clothing for a match is a wrestling singlet. It's tight fitting to the body, while still offering full coverage. The best singlets have legs extending to the lower thighs and cover most of the chest and shoulders.

    Footwear

    • Flexibility is important; flexible foot movement is also vital. Shoes for wrestling should be sturdy enough to offer grip on a mat but flexible enough to allow full movement of the feet and ankles. The shoes should be lightweight; ideally a wrestler should feel as if he is barefoot. Laced shoes or boots are a bad idea; if they become untied the laces create a tripping hazard.

    Ear Protection

    • For competition, shoes and a singlet are mandatory, ear guards are not. A smart wrestler should wear them. The nature of the sport is such that the side of a wrestler's head is rubbed against an opponent's skull and the mat. This can cause what is known as cauliflower ear. Ear tissue fills with blood like a giant blister and stays permanently swollen. Ear guards are clam shell-like hard plastic or rubber protectors which prevent the ears from being rubbed or injured.

    Knee Pads

    • Knee pads aren't mandatory for wrestling but are a good idea. Wrestlers coming back from a knee injury or who have a weakness in the knee joint should wear pads for support in matches. Knee pads can also offer a movement advantage; they offer less grip than the knee itself on the mat. This can mean extra fluidity in certain wrestling moves.