TOP TEN Fight and TOP TEN Avantgarde are the two headguards most Norwegian kickboxers and taekwondo athletes end up choosing between. Both are made in Germany, both are approved by ITF and NTN, and both last for years. The price difference is about 40 kr. So price shouldn't be the deciding factor – what you will use the headguard for should.
Here is a direct comparison: what sets them apart, what applies to WAKO approval, and what you should know about fit before you decide.
Both in brief
TOP TEN Fight is one of the most widely used competition headguards on the market for kickboxing and ITF taekwondo. It is made of PUR foam tested to 100,000 strikes at the Technical University of Berlin, and is approved by ITF and NTN for competition. A flexible back edge and adjustable hook-and-loop closure at both the chin and the neck mean it can be fitted individually, children included.
TOP TEN Avantgarde is the headguard for those who take kickboxing, taekwondo or boxing seriously. It is made of Bayflex PUR foam in Germany and is approved by ITF, NTN and WAKO, from club training to international competition. It is also the only one of the two that can be used with the SAFESTRIKE visor.
The comparison
| Fight | Avantgarde | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | PUR foam, tested to 100,000 strikes | Bayflex PUR foam |
| Made in | Germany | Germany |
| Approvals | ITF and NTN | ITF, NTN and WAKO |
| Adjustment | Chin and neck, flexible back edge | Adjustable fit |
| Visor | No | Yes, SAFESTRIKE as an accessory |
| Best suited for | Kickboxing and ITF taekwondo | Kickboxing, taekwondo and boxing |
| Price | 1449 kr | 1490 kr |
Approval and the WAKO tag
This is the point that causes the most surprises in the gear check: the headguard is not supplied with a WAKO tag. For the headguard to be WAKO-approved at a sanctioned event, it must have a strap with a WAKO label, and that is sold as a separate product.
This applies to both models. Buy the strap at the same time as the headguard if you know you will compete under WAKO rules, so you don't find out the day before the event.
Visor on the Avantgarde
SAFESTRIKE is a transparent protective visor developed for light-contact sports, and it is fitted to the Avantgarde. It is used especially by athletes who train with contact lenses or glasses, and by those coming back after a facial injury who want an extra margin for a while.
The visor is an accessory, not standard, and can be fitted and removed as needed. It must be kept clean to give good visibility, especially in bright light. If you need that option, the choice between the two headguards is in practice made for you: it has to be the Avantgarde.
Size and fit
A headguard should sit firmly without squeezing. Shake your head: the headguard should move with it, not slide. If you feel pressure on your forehead or ears after ten minutes, it is too small.
Measure your head circumference just above the ears and forehead, and compare with the size chart on the product page. If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one and tighten with the straps. A headguard that is too small can't be made bigger. The Fight model has adjustment at both the chin and the neck, which gives a little extra leeway in the fit.
Who should choose which
Choose Fight if you compete in ITF taekwondo or kickboxing, want a headguard that can be fine-tuned at both the chin and the neck, or are buying for a child who will grow into it.
Choose Avantgarde if you will compete under WAKO, want the option of a visor, or train boxing as well as kickboxing or taekwondo.
If you only need one headguard for club training and will never enter a competition, both are the right choice. Then you can let the fit on your own head decide.
Our recommendations
Most popular
PUR foam tested to 100,000 strikes. Approved by ITF and NTN, with adjustment at the chin and neck.
Most widely approved
Bayflex PUR foam from Germany. Approved by ITF, NTN and WAKO, and ready for a visor.
Accessory
Fits the Avantgarde. Developed for light-contact sports.
Buy with the headguard
Required for the headguard to be WAKO-approved at events. Sold separately.
Frequently asked questions
Are both headguards WAKO-approved?
The Avantgarde is approved by WAKO. Both models also require a separate strap with a WAKO tag to be used at a WAKO-sanctioned event.
Can I put a visor on the Fight model?
No. The SAFESTRIKE visor is made for the Avantgarde.
Which is best for ITF taekwondo?
Both are approved by ITF and NTN. Fight is the most widely used competition headguard in these communities.
Which size should I choose?
Measure your head circumference and compare with the chart on the product page. If you are between two, choose the larger one and tighten with the straps.
How long does a headguard last?
Many years with normal use. Replace it when the padding has become hard or flat, or after a heavy impact.
What other gear is required in WAKO?
See our overview of WAKO-approved gear.
