What Do You Actually Need?
One of the most common questions new students (and parents) ask at Om’s Martial Arts & Fitness Studio is:
“What do I need to buy?”
The honest answer: not much, especially at the beginning.
For your first month, you need comfortable athletic clothing and a water bottle. Om’s provides shared equipment for trial and beginner classes.
After enrollment, you will progressively acquire your own gear. This guide covers every piece of Taekwondo equipment, what it does, what to look for, approximate Indian pricing, and how to maintain it.
[↑ Back to: The Complete Guide to Taekwondo]
Equipment by Priority
Tier 1: Essential (Buy Within First Month)
| Item | Purpose | Approx. Price (India) |
|---|---|---|
| Dobok (uniform) | Training attire; required for all classes | ₹800 – ₹3,000 |
| White belt | Rank identification; provided with enrollment at Om’s | ₹100 – ₹300 |
| Water bottle | Hydration | ₹200 – ₹500 |
Tier 2: Important (Buy Within 2-3 Months)
| Item | Purpose | Approx. Price (India) |
|---|---|---|
| Mouthguard | Dental and jaw protection (for sparring) | ₹200 – ₹1,500 |
| Groin guard (men) / Chest guard (women) | Body protection | ₹300 – ₹1,500 |
| Forearm guards | Forearm protection during blocking/sparring | ₹400 – ₹1,500 |
| Shin guards | Shin protection during sparring | ₹600 – ₹2,500 |
Tier 3: Competition / Advanced (Buy When Needed)
| Item | Purpose | Approx. Price (India) |
|---|---|---|
| Head guard | Head protection (sparring/competition) | ₹1,500 – ₹5,000 |
| Chest protector (hogu) | Torso protection; electronic scoring (WT) | ₹2,000 – ₹8,000 |
| Sparring gloves (WT-style) | Hand protection; punch scoring | ₹800 – ₹3,000 |
| Foot protectors (WT competition) | Foot protection; electronic scoring | ₹1,500 – ₹4,000 |
| Competition dobok | WT-approved uniform for tournaments | ₹1,500 – ₹4,000 |
Detailed Buying Guide
1. Dobok (Uniform)
The dobok is the Taekwondo training uniform. It consists of a V-neck jacket, pants, and belt.
What to look for:
| Feature | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Material | Cotton or cotton-polyester blend (65/35 or 70/30). Pure cotton is comfortable but wrinkles. Poly-blend is durable and easy to maintain. |
| Weight | Lightweight (6-8 oz) for daily training. Heavyweight (10-14 oz) for competition/demonstration (crisper appearance). |
| Fit | Jacket should reach mid-thigh. Pants should reach the ankle. Sleeves should reach the wrist. Not too tight (restricts movement) or too loose (flaps during kicks). |
| Color | White (standard). Black trim is common. Some schools allow black doboks for advanced students. |
| Brand options (India) | Mooto, Daedo, Adidas, Kwon, Tiger, local Indian brands |
| Price range | ₹800 (basic) – ₹3,000 (branded) – ₹5,000+ (competition-grade) |
Care tips:
- Wash in cold water after every session (sweat damages fabric)
- Air dry (do not tumble dry — shrinks and weakens fibers)
- Do not bleach
- Iron on low heat if needed (for competition appearance)
- Own at least 2 doboks if training 3+ times per week
2. Belt (띠 – Tti)
What to look for:
| Feature | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Material | Cotton or cotton-polyester. Should be stiff enough to hold a knot. |
| Width | 4-5 cm (standard) |
| Length | Should wrap around the waist twice with 20-30 cm hanging on each side after tying |
| Color | Corresponds to your geup level (white → yellow → green → blue → red → black) |
| Price | ₹100 – ₹300 per belt |
At Om’s: Your white belt is provided with enrollment. Subsequent belts are purchased at promotion. Black belt (dan) belts are available through TFI.
Care tips:
- Do not wash your belt. (Traditional belief: the belt carries your training spirit. Practical reason: washing fades the color and weakens the fabric.)
- Air it out after training.
- Replace when frayed or faded.
3. Mouthguard
What to look for:
| Type | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Stock (pre-formed) | One-size-fits-all. Cheapest. Least comfortable. | ₹100 – ₹300 |
| Boil-and-bite | Softened in hot water, then molded to your teeth. Good fit. Most popular. | ₹300 – ₹800 |
| Custom-fitted | Made by a dentist from a mold of your teeth. Best fit and protection. | ₹1,500 – ₹5,000 |
Recommendation: Start with a boil-and-bite mouthguard (₹300-800). Upgrade to custom if you compete regularly.
Care tips:
- Rinse with cold water after each use
- Store in a ventilated case
- Replace every 6 months or if damaged
- Do not chew on it during training
4. Head Guard
What to look for:
| Feature | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Certification | WT-approved (for competition). Look for the WT logo. |
| Fit | Snug but not tight. Should not shift during movement. Measure head circumference. |
| Coverage | Should protect the temples, ears, forehead, and back of the skull. Face must remain open. |
| Material | PU leather or synthetic leather exterior; foam padding interior |
| Color | Red or blue (for competition, matching your corner). Training: any color. |
| Price | ₹1,500 (basic) – ₹5,000 (WT-approved, branded) |
Brands available in India: Daedo, Mooto, KPNP, Adidas, Tiger
Care tips:
- Wipe the interior with an antibacterial wipe after each use
- Air dry thoroughly (do not store in a closed bag while damp)
- Check padding regularly for compression/damage
5. Chest Protector (Hogu / 호구)
What to look for:
| Feature | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Certification | WT-approved with PSS sensors (for competition). Training hogus may not have sensors. |
| Fit | Should cover the entire trunk (chest, ribs, abdomen). Measure chest circumference. |
| Material | PU leather exterior; foam padding; embedded sensors (WT competition) |
| Color | Red or blue (competition). Training: any color. |
| Price | ₹2,000 (training, no sensors) – ₹8,000+ (WT-approved, PSS sensors) |
At Om’s: The studio provides hogus for all sparring sessions. Competition fighters purchase their own WT-approved hogu.
Care tips:
- Wipe clean after each use
- Do not fold or compress (damages sensors)
- Store flat or hanging
- Check sensor functionality before competition
6. Gloves (Sparring)
| Feature | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Type | WT-style open-finger gloves (allow gripping and hand movement) |
| Weight | 4 oz (senior competition). Training: 6-8 oz for more padding. |
| Fit | Snug. Wrist strap for security. |
| Price | ₹500 (basic) – ₹3,000 (WT-approved) |
7. Shin Guards & Forearm Guards
| Feature | Shin Guards | Forearm Guards |
|---|---|---|
| Material | PU leather + foam | PU leather + foam |
| Fit | Cover the shin from below the knee to above the ankle | Cover the forearm from wrist to elbow |
| Closure | Velcro straps / elastic | Velcro straps / elastic |
| Price | ₹600 – ₹2,500 | ₹400 – ₹1,500 |
8. Foot Protectors (WT Competition)
| Feature | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Certification | WT-approved with PSS sensors |
| Fit | Cover the top and sides of the foot. Secure ankle strap. |
| Color | Red or blue (matching corner) |
| Price | ₹1,500 – ₹4,000 |
Equipment by Level – Summary
| Level | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Beginner (White-Yellow) | Dobok, white belt, water bottle. Om’s provides everything else. |
| Intermediate (Green-Blue) | + Mouthguard, groin/chest guard, forearm guards, shin guards |
| Advanced (Red) | + Head guard, sparring gloves, personal hogu |
| Competition | + WT-approved hogu (PSS), foot protectors (PSS), competition dobok, WT-approved head guard |
Indian Brands & Where to Buy
| Brand | Type | Price Range | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daedo | International (Spain) | ₹₹₹ | Online, select sports stores |
| Mooto | International (Korea) | ₹₹₹ | Online, martial arts stores |
| KPNP | International (Korea) | ₹₹₹₹ | Online (WT competition gear) |
| Adidas | International | ₹₹₹ | Online, retail stores |
| Tiger | Indian | ₹₹ | Online, local stores |
| Local / unbranded | Indian | ₹ | Local sports markets |
At Om’s Martial Arts & Fitness Studio, we maintain a small equipment shop with doboks, belts, mouthguards, and basic protective gear. For WT-approved competition equipment, we guide students to verified suppliers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to buy everything on day one?
A: No. For your first month, you only need a dobok and a white belt (provided at Om’s). Protective gear is purchased progressively as you advance toward sparring.
Q: Can I use second-hand equipment?
A: Dobok and belt: Yes (if clean and in good condition). Mouthguard: No (hygiene). Protective gear: Only if in excellent condition with no compressed/damaged padding. Hogu with sensors: No (sensor integrity cannot be verified).
Q: How often should I replace equipment?
A: Mouthguard: every 6 months. Gloves: every 12-18 months. Shin/forearm guards: every 18-24 months. Head guard: every 2-3 years. Hogu: every 3-5 years (or when sensors fail). Dobok: every 1-2 years (or when torn/faded).
Q: Is expensive equipment better?
A: For competition, WT-approved equipment is mandatory regardless of price. For training, mid-range equipment (₹1,000-3,000 per item) offers the best value. The most expensive gear does not make you a better fighter. Training does.
Q: Does Om’s provide equipment for trial classes?
A: Yes. We provide shared gloves, pads, and protective gear for all trial and beginner classes. You only need comfortable clothing and a water bottle.
[→ Full FAQ: 500+ Taekwondo Questions Answered]
Gear Up at Om’s
The right equipment keeps you safe, lets you train harder, and prepares you for competition. But remember: the best equipment in the world cannot replace consistent training, good coaching, and a willing spirit.
At Om’s Martial Arts & Fitness Studio, we guide every student on what to buy, when to buy it, and how to maintain it — so you never waste money on gear you don’t need yet.
[→ Book Your Free Trial Class at Om’s Martial Arts & Fitness Studio]
[→ Read the Complete Guide to Taekwondo]
[→ Next Batch: Taekwondo for Kids / Adults / Women]
Om’s Martial Arts & Fitness Studio – The right gear at the right time. No more, no less.
