[G&E FAQ]

What are the best shin guards?
In general, the hook and loop closure is preferred over the various alternatives. Leather is preferred over synthetic. Shin guards run the gamut between a little cushioning and armor that'll make it so you can't feel anything. To a certain extent, your shins need conditioning to be able to absorb the pain of kicking repeatedly so you probably don't want to use armor-like shin guards all the time. If you're sparring keep in mind how your opponent is going to feel.

What are the best shin guards for grappling?
A good pair of grappling shin guards is going to provide a lot less protection than shin guards that you'd use to train pure stand-up simply because they can't be as bulky. Also, ****l buckles should be avoided. There are several kinds of shin guards that are made specifically for grappling. Go with one of those.

What's the best cup?
A lot of people swear by steel Thai cups. A lot of people also really like Shock Doctor. Steel cups are steel, so they provide a lot of protection, they are also more triangular, less sharp, and have a flatter profile. Detractors of steel cups say they are too heavy and don't have enough padding around the edges. The people that like the Shock Doctor cup enjoy the fact that it's well padded and light weight. The people that don't like the Shock Doctor complain about it's shape (for some people it extends too far down) and how much it sticks out, and also question how well a plastic cup is going to take a full blast shot to the nuts.

What's the best jock strap?
The most secure jock strap you can get isn't a jock strap at all. It's the laces of a thai cup. Now, most people don't want to have a string going up their ass, so they use a more traditional jock strap or compression shorts. Jock straps are jock straps, they are all, more or less, the same. You get what you pay for. A lot of people like Shock Doctor Basix Compression shorts, they come with a plastic cup and a built in pocket for them. Some people have complained that they aren't well designed and the cup “floats” over their stuff, instead of fitting snug. Many people have resorted to wearing the compression shorts inside out and have had better results. A third solution that a lot of people are happy with is wearing two pairs of compression shorts and simply placing the cup in between them.

How do you tie a Thai cup?
There doesn't seem to be an official way to tie a Thai cup, but the way most people do it is to tie top two strings around your waist as tightly as you can. Then pull the bottom string through your legs and up your ass crack, then loop it around the waist string and either tie a standard knot or bowed knot.

Will ankle supports make me Superman/What are ankle supports for?
No, ankle supports won't make you Superman. Ankle supports are intended to keep your ankles warm to prevent injuries. Your foot has about a billion different bones, muscles, and tendons and it's extremely easy to injure it. Ankle supports will provide a moderate amount of protection against rolling and/or spraining your ankle, but that's not what they are intended to do.

What kind of mouthpiece should I get?
In general, stay away from boil-and-bite mouthpieces. They don't offer very good protection, even the expensive ones made by ShockDoctor? Protech Mouthguards have recently released a boil and bite that has gotten some positive reviews. It's a very wise idea to get a custom made mouthpiece. These might seem like they are obscenely expensive compared to the $1.99 boil-and-bite mouthpieces most people use, but they are well worth it. Dental damage is extremely expensive to fix.

Should I train with my mouthpiece?
“Train how you play” is definitely applicable here. Obviously you should wear your mouthpiece when you're sparring or rolling, but some people take it a step further and wear it during cardio sessions and drills. You never know when somebody is going to make a mistake and accidentally hit you in the mouth. Breathing with a mouthpiece in is a lot different than breathing without a mouthpiece, so at the very least, you need to get used to it.

What's the best ear guard/headgear for grappling?
You can't go wrong with either Brute or Cliff Keen. There are a lot of options here, different strap configurations, different ways to cover the ears, etc. Most sporting good stores sell them (especially during wrestling season), it's advisable to go try them on and see what you like best.

What's the best headgear for stand-up training?
There's a lot of variety, full face, big cheek pads, no cheek pads at all. The more padded it is, the less visibility, but the more protection you have. Some things to consider are the way to closes. Is it velcro? Is it a buckle? Will you be able to close it by yourself? With gloves on? How big are the ear holes?