Short answer. Under WAKO rules, point fighting (semi-contact) needs a head guard, mouthguard, 8 oz open-palm gloves, elbow pads, a groin guard for men and women, shin guards and foot protectors, plus breast protection for women and a face mask for children up to 12; hand wraps are optional. Light contact and kick light swap in closed 10 oz kickboxing gloves with mandatory hand wraps and drop the elbow pads. Body protectors are not on the adult list but many clubs use them for junior sparring; they are sized by height.
The kit list by discipline
Kickboxing on a mat (tatami) is run in three main formats. In point fighting (semi-contact) the referee stops the fight after each clean hit. In light contact and kick light the fight runs on with controlled strikes. This is what WAKO, the world amateur kickboxing federation, lists for each.
| Item | Point fighting | Light contact and kick light |
|---|---|---|
| Head guard | Yes | Yes |
| Face mask | Children and younger cadets (7 to 12) | No |
| Mouthguard | Yes | Yes |
| Gloves | 8 oz open-palm gloves | 10 oz kickboxing gloves |
| Hand wraps | Optional | Mandatory |
| Elbow pads | Yes | No |
| Groin guard | Yes, men and women | Yes, men and women |
| Breast protection | Women | Women |
| Shin guards | Yes | Yes |
| Foot protectors | Yes | Yes |
| Clothing | V-neck top, long trousers | Light contact: round-neck T-shirt, long trousers. Kick light: sleeveless top, shorts |
From WAKO's Equipment Book and point-fighting rules. National federations adjust some of it: WAKO Switzerland, for example, does not require elbow pads for children under 150 cm and makes the face mask optional at national events. Ask your club what its sparring and its events need.
Open-palm, dipped foam or boxing gloves?
- Open-palm point-fighting gloves. The fist and the first half of the fingers are padded, the palm is open so you can open and close the hand. WAKO's version weighs 8 oz and fastens with a Velcro wrist strap, with the thumb fixed to the glove (WAKO).
- Dipped foam gloves. Light moulded foam over the knuckles, sold for karate, taekwondo and young beginners (for karate mitts, see karate sparring gear). They are cheap and easy to clean, but they are not 8 oz point-fighting gloves (Blitz).
- Kickboxing gloves. Light contact, kick light and the ring styles use closed 10 oz gloves in WAKO competition, with hand wraps underneath. For heavier gloves for sparring at the gym, see boxing glove size.
Foot protectors and shin guards
WAKO's foot protector covers the instep, both ankle bones and the heel in one piece, with the sole open and elastic loops for the toes (WAKO). On the mat it is worn with a separate shin guard that runs from under the knee to the top of the foot (WAKO; WAKO Germany lists shin guards without an instep for point fighting). That is the opposite of the Muay Thai habit of one sock-style shin-and-instep guard, so check before you buy for a kickboxing club. For shin guard sizing see best shin guards.
Body protectors
A chest or body protector is not on WAKO's kit list for adults, but many clubs use them for junior sparring, and Blitz and Revgear sell theirs for sparring and competition in styles such as taekwondo and karate. A light reversible protector (red one side, blue the other) covers the chest, upper abdomen and ribs; it is sized by the wearer's height (Blitz). It is not the same as a coach's belly pad: see belly pad vs kick shield for those.
Sizing at a glance
| Item | Measure | Blitz range |
|---|---|---|
| Open-palm gloves | Around the hand | XS 15 to 16.9 cm, S 17 to 18.9, M 19 to 20.9, L 21 to 22.9, XL 23 to 24.9 cm |
| Dipped foam gloves | Across the knuckles, palm side | XXS 6.4 to 7.0 cm up to XL 9.5 to 9.8 cm |
| Semi-contact foot protector | UK shoe size | XS 2 to 3.5, S 4 to 5.5, M 6 to 7.5, L 8 to 9.5, XL 10 to 11.5 |
| Dipped foam foot guards | UK shoe size | XXS 13 to 1, XS 2 to 3, S 4 to 5, M 6 to 8, L 9 to 11 |
| Intercept body protector | Wearer height | S 134 to 152 cm, M 152 to 170 cm, L 170 to 188 cm |
| Club body armour | Wearer height | XXS 120 to 135 cm, XS 135 to 150, S 150 to 165, M 165 to 175, L 175 to 185, XL 185 to 195 cm |
From the size guides on each Blitz product page.
The rest of the kit
The head guard, groin guard and mouthguard are the same items boxers and Muay Thai fighters buy: see sparring headgear (with a size check), groin guards (WAKO makes them mandatory for men and women) and, for women's chest protection, what to wear to Muay Thai. Children's gloves by age are in kids' boxing gloves.
UK picks: Blitz
Blitz is a UK martial arts store and one of our partner stores. It sells point-fighting gloves and foot protectors in two materials, and two reversible body protectors sized by height. Blitz is not on WAKO's approved-maker list, so these are for club training and sparring; for a WAKO-sanctioned event, check what the organiser accepts.
Blitz Semi Contact Open Palm Gloves
Blitz's leather open-palm glove for point fighting and semi-contact sparring.
- Open palm with thumb and finger pockets, elasticated Velcro wrist strap (Blitz)
- Nama Hide synthetic leather that wipes clean (Blitz)
- Sized by hand circumference, XS 15 cm to XL 24.9 cm (Blitz)
Blitz Semi Contact Foot Protector
The matching foot pad for semi-contact kickboxing and sparring.
- Covers the top of the foot; wraparound Velcro heel strap and elastic underfoot strap (Blitz)
- Anti-slip Nama Hide synthetic leather (Blitz)
- Sized by UK shoe size, XS 2 to XL 11.5 (Blitz)
Blitz Dipped Foam Gloves and Foot Guards
EVA foam dipped in PVC resin: light, cheap and easy to wipe, aimed at young and beginner students (Blitz).
- Gloves sized by knuckle width, from XXS (6.4 cm) for small children (Blitz)
- Foot guards from UK child size 13 to adult 11, cut away at the Achilles and instep (Blitz)
- Listed for karate, taekwondo and other martial arts (Blitz)
One reviewer on the Blitz page found the leather foot protectors far better than the dipped foam ones; dipped foam suits growing children who will outgrow them.
Blitz Intercept Reversible Body Protector
A light reversible (red/blue) protector for the chest, upper abdomen and ribs in sparring and competition (Blitz).
- Small 134 to 152 cm, medium 152 to 170 cm, large 170 to 188 cm wearer height (Blitz)
- Adjustable nylon and elastic straps at the back with Velcro (Blitz)
- Nama Hide synthetic leather (Blitz)
Blitz Club Reversible Body Armour
The same job in six sizes, from XXS for small children, in plain or spot print (Blitz).
- XXS 120 to 135 cm up to XL 185 to 195 cm wearer height (Blitz)
- Reversible blue/red; covers the chest, upper abdomen and ribs (Blitz)
- Nama Hide synthetic leather (Blitz)
US picks: Revgear
Revgear, a US store and one of our partner stores, sells kickboxing kits rather than point-fighting gloves.
Revgear IKF Kickboxing Starter Bundle
Five pieces for IKF-style kickboxing (Revgear).
- IKF-approved gloves, shin guards and headgear, plus a mouthguard and hand wraps (Revgear)
- Gloves in 12, 14 or 16 oz; you pick each size (Revgear)
- For gloved kickboxing, not open-palm point fighting
Revgear Kids Deluxe Kickboxing Kit
Youth headgear, shin guards and boxing gloves in one order (Revgear).
- Gloves 6, 8 or 10 oz; each item sized separately (Revgear)
- Blue, green or pink (Revgear)
Revgear Deluxe Reversible Chestguard
A blue/red sparring chest guard that Revgear lists for taekwondo, karate and other striking styles.
- Dense foam over the chest, ribs and stomach (Revgear)
- Adjustable shoulder and waist ties; child to extra large (Revgear)
On Amazon (US)
If you are in the US and want other makes, check the weight and fastening on the listing; WAKO events need Velcro, not laces.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
FAQ
What gear do you need for point fighting?
Under WAKO rules: head guard, mouthguard, 8 oz open-palm gloves, elbow pads, groin guard (men and women), shin guards and foot protectors, plus breast protection for women and a face mask for children and younger cadets. Hand wraps are optional.
What gloves are used in semi-contact kickboxing?
Open-palm point-fighting gloves: the fist and first half of the fingers are padded and the palm is open. In WAKO competition they weigh 8 oz and fasten with a Velcro wrist strap.
What is the difference between point fighting and light contact gear?
Light contact and kick light use closed 10 oz kickboxing gloves with mandatory hand wraps instead of open-palm gloves, and do not need elbow pads. The head guard, mouthguard, groin guard, shin guards and foot protectors are the same.
Do kids need a body protector for kickboxing?
It is not on WAKO's kit list, but many clubs ask for one in junior sparring. Body protectors are sized by height; Blitz's Club armour starts at 120 cm.
Are dipped foam gloves allowed in point fighting?
Not at WAKO events, which require 8 oz open-palm gloves from an approved maker. Dipped foam gloves are fine for club training where the club allows them, mainly karate, taekwondo and young beginners.
What size foot protectors should I get?
Most are sized by shoe size. Blitz's semi-contact foot protector runs from UK 2 (XS) to 11.5 (XL); if you are between sizes, go up so your toes stay covered.
Sources
- WAKO, Equipment Book (safety equipment, Articles 2.3 and 5)
- WAKO, Point fighting rules (Article 2, equipment; age categories)
- WAKO Deutschland, Point fighting: Schutzausrüstung
- WAKO Schweiz, Sport-Reglement 2026
- Blitz, Semi Contact Open Palm Gloves
- Blitz, Semi Contact Foot Protector
- Blitz, Dipped Foam Gloves
- Blitz, Dipped Foam Foot Guards
- Blitz, Intercept Reversible Body Protector
- Blitz, Club Reversible Body Armour
- Revgear, IKF Kickboxing Starter Bundle
- Revgear, Kids Deluxe Kickboxing Kit
- Revgear, Deluxe Reversible Chestguard
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