Just Starting Out / Wondering What Kind of Gear? / Questions

[BoxerEGomez]

Hello boxers, I am just getting into this sport and was wondering what equipment I should buy in order to get serious. I think I know the basics as in getting some gloves, hand-wraps, ect. Do you guys think I also need some headgear and a mouthpiece yet? If you could give me some specific links / brands / prices that would be great as well! Also I was wondering if I could box even though I am little of the short side, 5'6", or is that not considered short in the world of boxing? Any tips that you guys could offer me would be greatly appreciated, as in joining an amateur league and such! Thanks a lot for reading through this and I hope you guys can help me out with some of my concerns.

- E. Gomez

[greynotsoold]

Get some handwraps and go to a gym. They will probably even have wraps at the gym that you can buy. Same with a mouthpiece. Once you start sparring, the gym will most likely also have head gear and other protective gear. No point in going out and spending a ton of money until you try it out and see if works for you.
Ruben Olivares was 5'3" and Chiquita Gonzalez was 5'1". They did pretty well.

[remy]

Just some good handwraps and a decent set of 16oz. gloves will do. I recommend you avoid the big chain department stores and look for the smaller specialty martial arts stores or boxing gyms in your area that sell gloves as I find you generally get more value for your money. I personally prefer 5m wraps over 3m wraps, but try out both and see which one you prefer.

Good gear can be found at decent prices at some online stores too. Title boxing if you're in USA is quite good, Adidas boxing gear is alright too and they're international. Don't spend too much money but make sure whatever you buy is made from real leather and not that fake pleather stuff.

See how you like the sport and give sparring a try before you go all out and buy heaps of gear. If you find that you do like it, then headgear mouthguard and shoes should be next on your list. Groin guard once you get serious.

[BoxerEGomez]

Just some good handwraps and a decent set of 16oz. gloves will do. I recommend you avoid the big chain department stores and look for the smaller specialty martial arts stores or boxing gyms in your area that sell gloves as I find you generally get more value for your money. I personally prefer 5m wraps over 3m wraps, but try out both and see which one you prefer.

Good gear can be found at decent prices at some online stores too. Title boxing if you're in USA is quite good, Adidas boxing gear is alright too and they're international. Don't spend too much money but make sure whatever you buy is made from real leather and not that fake pleather stuff.

See how you like the sport and give sparring a try before you go all out and buy heaps of gear. If you find that you do like it, then headgear mouthguard and shoes should be next on your list. Groin guard once you get serious.

Thanks to both of you for the replies, my gratitude for giving me some tips on what to buy. Was thinking maybe trying out something of Everlast, and not the cheapie stuff they sell at chain stores.