Grapplearts Minimum Profile Ear Guard for BJJ and Wrestling. This Headgear Protects against Cauliflower Ear. Minimum Profile Design and Soft Construction Means More Comfort and Protection in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Submission Grappling and MMA

Unfortunately, if you are like many martial artists and grapplers, you may have been born with sensitive ears that are prone to progress towards cauliflower ear. And unlike many aspiring grapplers and jiu-jitsu junkies who believe that cauliflower ear is not only desired but a "badge of honor," you may either have a professional job or a spouse who say's, "the only cauliflower that you need is on your dinner plate and not on your ears."So for those of you who want to protect those precious ears but want to "keep rolling" these ear guards are the way to make that happen.I started to get my first bouts of cauliflower ear within just 2 months of consistent rolling at jiu-jitsu classes. My ears not only hurt significantly (including just laying on a soft pillow at night) but they started to gather the dreaded fluid which required repeated draining. Draining the fluid is certainly a way to avoid long term damage but also requires clipping or applying pressure to prevent the reaccumulation of fluid on the cartilage. This requires additional missed practices and classes and lost training time.So if you are either prone to cauliflower ear or want to prevent it right from the start, ear guards or "headgear" is the viable answer.I have purchased multiple sets of headgear and would recommend either two brands; Matman Ultra Soft Wrestling Headgear or the Grapplearts Ear Guard for BJJ and Wrestling.Hard/plastic headgear traditionally used for wrestling will not be enjoyed by your training mates. Soft headgear is much better for their safety and comfort as they will be impacted when attempting their own submissions like arm triangles or traditional triangles. Thus, the Matman Ultra Soft or the Grapplearts will be your preferred choice in this regard.Both items/brands have excellent adjustability and remarkable "staying power" when used in live rolling (they don't slide around on your head if secured appropriately at the start). I often alternate using these to allow one to "air dry out" after sweat accumulation.I prefer the Grapplearts Ear Guard over the Matman Ultra Soft because of the difference in the chin strap. I found the chin strap/chin pad to be more desirable on the GrappleArts brand as it allows me to secure the headgear better and I find it to be far more comfortable (the larger surface area actually prevents the velcro strap from digging in under your chin in many positions). The Grapplearts is more expensive than the Matman and the main difference for me is the chin strap, but all things being equal, I'd rather spend the money for the Grapplearts model because of the comfort.The first downside to using headgear is that you will tend to feel "hotter" during rolls as the headgear is trapping some heat on and around your head. The second downside is reduced hearing during classes or rolling. Although both models have hearing holes, my hearing is certainly impacted. So it is best to remind your training partners that wearing headgear does impact your hearing and thus you are not being rude or unsportsmanlike by ignoring occasional "verbal taps", you simply did not hear your partner verbally tap during the roll (after all, who wants to tap more loudly during class???). Reduced hearing also means during the instructional part of lessons or classes you need to either get closer to the instructor or listen more carefully (rather than constantly trying to take your headgear on or off repeatedly during class). I find that once I put it on and secure it properly, I prefer to just leave it for the remainder of class.After the first week or two of using headgear, I found myself being more secure and comfortable with it rather than without it. It is no different than using a mouthguard or a cup. Once you get used to it for that first week or two, you would feel vulnerable and uncomfortable without it when rolling. It's no different with headgear. Once I got used to it, I don't like rolling without it. So for me, it's mouthguard, cup and headgear and I don't want to roll without any of those three now that I am used to using them.Your biggest obstacle to using headgear is the simple reality that you will be in the minority of the training group since most participants won't choose to wear headgear (even if the reason is social pressure). There are often 40+ students rolling in classes and usually only 1 or 2 with headgear. But if you don't want to constantly drain your ears or you just want to protect those ears and keep them in pristine condition, I highly recommend using this item. For me, it comes down to a choice - either roll with headgear or give up jiu-jitsu because cauliflower ear isn't an attractive option at this stage of my life and career (and marriage). This headgear was obviously designed by grapplers for grapplers. It is a high quality and very well made product.

Best investment in my BJJ journey...no joke. This head gear is phenomenal for both me as the person wearing as well as the person who I'm rolling with. I had some bad cauliflower ear in both ears, so I needed to not look like a pro MMA fighter...and I'm as virgin white as they come and I even get submitted by the grappling dummy. So me and rough ears would not work out for my modeling career.Seriously, though I started wearing this one, and like 5 guys came up to me and said 'hey my ears are getting bashed does that help?' And of course I said Yes...and within the past 3 weeks there are about 3-4 people a class who have this same headgear. I would have this in your bag all the time--I wear it every class now.Side note on the plastic loops: they do twist/turn to the side/dont stay straight while rolling. I put a little electrical tape on the 2 insides of the plastic loop and it now stays straight. Push any piece of equipment hard enough and stuff will twist and turn.

It arrived on my way to class, and when I took it out of the bag I looked right away at the chin strap as that was a common part of the critical reviews. It was not attached very well and the threads were already coming off. I'm going to sew it on some more, or I may reinforce it with another small piece of fabric. If Stephan wants to resend one, I'll return this. I am looking forward to it and am enjoying the content on Stephan's site.Update two days later: I emailed them and they are taking care of it. Changing to five star because of the prompt service!

Gotta have love for Stephan Kesting!!! Cool guy. Follow him on Snapchat and YouTube for great advice on BJJ. As for the Grapple Arts Ear Guards.. they're great. When they first came in the mail I thought I wouldn't like them since I'm so use to wrestling head gear, but I thought I'd give em a shot and boy did I fall in love with them. You probably won't like the way you look in them, but it'll grow onto you. Hopefully. They're comfortable and allow me to roll a lot harder than I was when I rolled without ear guards. If you do BJJ and don't want cauliflower these are what you need to get.

I don't have a large head and have always had trouble finding an ear guard that fits and stays on. This ear guard does what no other that I've used has ever done. It actually stays on while I'm grappling. I am really happy to have found it - it's a great product.

Fits well once you dial in how tight/loose you want it. Ear guards are strong enough for protection but don't dig into/hurt your training partners. Only complaint is that the buckle you slide the chin strap through isn't very secure, so it gets twisted around once you start to roll. Not a deal breaker, but annoying and could be easily rectified by the manufacturer.

If I could give this product negative 5 stars I would but 1 is the lowest I could rate it. The strap on this head gear was cheaply made, it ripped after only a week of rolling. You are better off spending a few extra bucks and buying a legit pair of wrestling head gear. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!!!

The head gear is comfortable. Protection seems solid. I bought an initial head gear & it broke at the clip escaping a guillotine.I figured can't be a normal thing so threw it out & ordered 3 replacements figuring I'd be good for at least a year but this is the third time wearing this head gear (I washed it once if that matters) & it'seems already coming out at the seams. See picture. I play a wrestler game which is why I bought them.Stephen if you make this right I'LL give you 5 stars. The head gear seem to be correct for bjj vs wrestler head gear.

While the price is great, this design definitely is not made for all head shapes. After trying for an hour to adjust it, there is no combination of adjustment on the two velcro that will make it stay in place, and I have short hair so it's not an issue of hair getting in the way. Try as I might, at least for me, it is useless. As well, I noted that the little plastic loop that holds the chin strap is very cheaply sewn in so it will slip sideways. Makes it difficult to pull the chin strap tightly.

Good protection. But, terrible!!!, skinny strap that constantly came undone. It would would have cost pennies to make a wider strap. Too bad, as it offers nice protection...when it's on.I had to buy a better guard, for the same money.

Good protection, I've recently developed some cauliflower and decided to get ear-guards as its quite painful. Under these I haven't felt the pain which is good. I would say it mitigates it about 80%. If your cauliflower is much more serious I don't think it will address it much and you'd have to deal with the root of the problem and find probably the plastic type of guards.

Has worked great during several hard rolls. I thought it would be thick padding to cover the ears but its essentially 2 plastic jockstraps over your ears instead. I've had no problems with it whatsoever and would recommend to anyone!

It doesn’t move around to much when rolling (I use it for bjj and wrestling). Easy to put on, comfortable enough.