Best Wrestling Singlets Reviewed & Rated
Wrestling singlets are at once one of the most iconic pieces of wrestling equipment as well as the most lamented. Those outside the world of wrestling often make a joke of the snug-fitting garments. And, if they’re being honest, so do people within the world of wrestling. Any wrestler will quickly point out the importance of the bodysuits, however. As much as some may dislike these iconic garments, their design is important for everything from counting points in matches to making sure wrestlers compete fairly and avoid injury. The best wrestling singlets are those that take the wearer’s comfort into account while allowing them to remain in line with competition guidelines.
Featured Recommendations
- Asics Solid Modified
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Our rating - Flat-Lying Seams
- Gripper Elastic
- Price: See Here
- Adidas Stock
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Our rating - High-Cut
- Flatlock Seams
- Price: See Here
- Asics Legit
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Our rating - Anti-Odor Fabric
- Flatlock Seams
- Price: See Here
It is important to note that not every product listed here will conform to the rules of every competition. Buyers should keep the necessary regulations handy when shopping for equipment and contact that manufacturer with any questions they may have. With that said, most of the items listed here are variations on the classic design. There is little chance that there is not at least one item in this list that will meet a buyer’s requirements. In addition to criteria, it is important to keep personal comfort in mind when shopping for garments of this type. There is a wide range of items that can be worn beneath a singlet such as compression shorts, jock straps, and standard undergarments. Buyers should make sure that their chosen product is compatible with whatever they would prefer to wear beneath it.
10 Best Wrestling Singlets
1. Asics Solid Modified
Bodysuits are fantastically useful in wrestling but they present a very specific problem for their wearers. This problem is, as any wrestler will tell you, chafing. Wrestlers have their own ways to avoid the irritation of chafing but Asics took measures to prevent chafing before it became their customers' problem. Their products feature flat-laying seams that will cause less friction against the wearer's skin. This helps reduce the risk of chafing without the customer having to give it any extra thought.
Textured Grips
Stretchy material has a tendency to bunch and roll. This is uncomfortable at the best of times and can cause problems during wrestling matches up to and including disqualification or injury. Asics follows an industry standard in their method of addressing this issue. They have added textured grips around the inside of the legs, essentially trimming the seams with a material that will keep the garment from bunching or rolling up the wearer's leg.
Cost and Value
Asics is a company generally known for selling quality products at affordable prices. Their wrestling gear continues this admirable tradition. THeir singlet is available in a few prices, all of which are on the low end of average compared to the other offerings on this list. They do seem to have an issue with weak seams, but that is an issue reported by a relatively low number of users and may be remedied by ordering larger sizes.
Trusted Company
Flat-Laying Seams
Gripper Elastic Around Legs
Weak Seams
2. Adidas Stock
Seams are the weakest point of any garment. This is particularly true for skin-tight garments because the seams are under more tension as the fabric stretches around its wearer. Garments such as these are even more prone to broken seams because of the motions required in wrestling. Adidas is well aware of these issues and chose flatlock seams for their product. Flatlock seams are incredibly strong and provide more leverage for the fabric than normal seams do. This reduces their chance of breaking and extends the life of the product.
High Cut
There is no denying that the skin-tight nature of wrestling uniforms has spawned many, many jokes both in and out of wrestling communities. Some uniforms on the market don't make this any easier to deal with by utilizing a low cut in the front and back. This is likely to reduce the negative impacts of the garment on a wrestler's chances to score points, but it also makes some wrestlers uncomfortable. Adidas opted for a different approach and designed their uniform with a high profile front and back, akin to a standard tank top or undershirt.
Cost and Value
Adidas might be a company known for its quality but it is also a company known for its prices. Their wrestling uniforms are no exception and this, in particular, can be purchased at a range of prices, the high end of which is one of the highest on the markets today. There is also a large number of fakes in circulation, so buyers must be careful to get their item from a trusted Adidas retailer or straight from Adidas itself.
High Cut
Flatlock Seams
Adidas Quality
Beware Fakes
3. Brute Maverick
Most companies know that the weakest point on any garment is the seams. The seams on skin-tight garments are at an even higher risk of tearing because of the pressure necessary to keep the garment stretched across its wearer. Sports suits such as this one have the additional issue of contorting along with its wearer, which only adds more strain to the seams. Brute wanted their product to last, however, so they opted for strong seams that will stand up to the pressures of wrestling.
Textured Grips
Like many products on this list, Brute's offering features textured grip fabric around the cuff of both legs. This measure ensures that the garment will stay where it is supposed to be instead of bunching or rolling up the wearer's legs. Not only would these create discomfort for the wrestler in question but it could also cause injury, either directly or through distraction that leads to injury.
Cost and Value
Brute is one of the most affordable companies on this list. They offer their product in a range of prices, the lowest of which is in the low end of this list's spread while the highest barely breaks into the "medium priced" range. The biggest complaint among those who favor the Brute bodysuit is that the tag is in the front. This can be uncomfortable, unsightly, and confusing at first. Minor sewing can fix the issue, however, making this suit a great option for just about any wrestler.
Gripper Elastic Around Legs
Affordable
Strong Seams
Tag in Front
4. Adidas Reversible
Not all wrestlers are concerned with the specific color of their uniform. Those that are concerned likely have to adhere to team, school, or division color regulations. For those that do have a color preference, however, this product offers a very unique option. It is reversible, allowing the user to wear either color depending on their mood or the rules of wherever it is they are wrestling.
Accurate Sizing
Sizing charts are notoriously tricky, to the point that some sites have taken to placing warnings next to certain products that state how often buyers report the sizing to be accurate. Adidas manages to avoid most of these issues, however. Their products fall in line with the sizing chart perfectly, giving their customers a little more piece of mind during the buying process.
Cost and Value
Adidas' prices are generally higher than normal. This offering is actually higher priced than their stock bodysuit but some users may find the dual color option worth the higher investment. Adidas' accuracy in sizing is particularly important in this instance because these uniforms tend to become slightly sheer when stretched too tight.
Adidas Quality
Reversible
Reliable Sizing
Material Thin in Some Places
5. KO Release the Beast
Most wrestling uniforms are designed as one solid color. A few feature design elements and a few others have basic designs. KO Sports Gear is not a company to do things by halves. Their bodysuits come in a range of shocking and unique designs from the "Release the Beast" design featured here to zombies clowns. These products might not align with uniform regulations, but they are definitely the most interesting prints on this list!
Quick-Dry Material
People who have never wrestled often assume that wrestling is less intense than most sports because there is no running or jumping involved. Those who wrestle will quickly point out how wrong this is. Wrestling is intense and, because of this, wrestlers perspire just as much as other athletes. KO Sports Gear is well aware of this, which is why they designed their products using quick-drying fabric. Their bodysuits draw moisture off the wearer's skin before releasing it faster than most other fabrics to help keep the wearer cool and dry.
Cost and Value
KO Sports Gear offers their products at a static single price which is a little bit more reassuring than having to navigate a variety of prices for one product. Their price falls just about in the center of this list's price range but the flatlock seams, quick-dry fabric, and unique prints are sure to make the purchase more than worth the investment for many wrestlers.
Unique Design
Flatlock Stitching
Quick-Dry Material
Few Reviews
6. Elite Sports Standard
Elite Sports is a company whose entire reputation is based on quality. Protecting that reputation often means making design choices that will help their products last longer under the strain that athletes and martial arts practitioners put on their gear. Their use of flatlock seams is one such choice. This seam style reinforces the area around the seam as well as the stitching of the seam itself so that the strain along the stitching will not cause breaks or tears as easily as it does with other stitch styles.
Antifungal and Antimicrobial treatment.
Everyone knows the benefits of physical activity. But everyone knows the downsides just as well, namely the odor that comes along with someone exerting themselves. There's a reason "dirty gym sock" is a joke that just about everyone knows. This tell-tale odor is caused by bacteria that settles in the weave of a garment. It builds up over time and eventually causes the odor that offends so many. Elite Sports puts a barrier between their customers and unwanted odor by treating their products with an antifungal and antimicrobial treatment that will kill odor-causing bacteria before they can build up.
Cost and Value
This is very nearly the most affordable product on this list. Only one is more affordable! Elite Sports is a company that offers affordable quality across the board and their products stand up to just about anything their customers can throw at it.
Flatlock Stitching
Antimicrobial and Antifungal Treatment
Comfort Fit
Sizes Run Small
7. 4-Time All American
All bodysuits are made of stretchable material but not all are made of Lycra specifically. 4-Time All American chose their material carefully, however. Not only are their suits made of Lycra but they are moisture-wicking as well. This means that any sweat produced by the wearer will be removed from the skin more quickly than other materials could do the job, cooling them faster and keeping their head in the match.
Flatlock Seams
4-Time All American is a company dedicated to quality so it is no surprise that they chose flatlock seams. This seam style is stronger than most others, making it ideal to help garments stand against the strain put on them by athletes and martial artists. This not only helps prevent embarrassing and frustrating tears but helps the garment last longer which means more bang for the customer's buck.
Cost and Value
This is one of the most affordable companies on this list. Their products are priced at the low end of average as far as this list is concerned and their quality makes their reasonable price that much more valuable. From flatlock seams to moisture-wicking fabric and texture leg cuffs, this bodysuit is a sound investment.
Moisture-Wicking Lycra
Flatlock Seams
Gripper Elastic Around Legs
Colors May Be Off
8. Matman 83
Nylon is an incredibly versatile manmade substance that was actually so precious during World War Two that women were asked to donate their pantyhose to the war effort so the military could have as much nylon at their disposal as possible. Things have changed a little since then but one thing that hasn't changed is the versatility of nylon and double-knit nylon in particular. This material is less prone to breaking or tearing than many other synthetic materials, which is what makes Matman's use of it so ideal.
Color-Fast Fabric
A quick peek at reviews of most wrestling uniforms reveals an across-the-board tendency for the fabric to shed dye and stain anything that is washed with them. While it is true that most wrestling uniforms are best washed by hand, a color-fast fabric would reduce the risk of the wash container of the washer's hands to become stained with dye while the color of the fabric fades wash by wash. Matman had the same idea and made sure that their products are color-fast, meaning they will not shed dye when washed.
Cost and Value
Matman is a dedicated wrestling company but their prices are like those of their more diverse competitors. They fall at the low end of average for this list's price range and that is before their quality and attention to detail are taken into account. It is also worth noting that their products will resist tears and hold onto their color longer than most competitors' products will.
Double-Knit Nylon
Color-Fast Fabric
Comfort Cut
Relatively High Price Point
9. Tri-Titan Awesome Sauce
The important of seam strength is hard to overstate, but we've probably come close by now. Tri-Titan takes things a step further than every other company on this list, however. Not only did they design their product with flatlock seams but they double stitched them. If a tear ever does develop on a Tri-Titan product, it isn't likely to be along a seam, that much is certain!
Quick-Dry Material
Not only was this product designed for durability but for comfort as well. Tri-Titan chose a quick-drying fabric that will wick moisture away from the wearer's skin before releasing it more efficiently than other materials would. This feature serves a surprising variety of purposes from helping the wearer stay dry to reducing odor buildup over time to keeping the wearer comfortable and focused on the match at hand.
Cost and Value
Tri-Titan's products are a little pricier than many on this list, placing them at the high end of average. The product's durability, unique design, and comfort-ensuring features make the price much more reasonable, however. This company might not be as well known as those that led this list, but their products mean quality at relatively affordable prices.
Unique Design
Double Stitched
Flatlock Seams
Quick-Dry Material
Few Reviews
10. Asics Legit
A uniform could be the most durable, comfortable, and eye-catching thin in a wrestler's closet. But if it smells bad, there's little chance it's going to be worn as often as it could or should be. And that means wasted money. Asics is not in the business of wasting their customers' money and took this issue in hand through the use of anti-odor fabric. Anti-odor fabric tends to have anti-bacterial treatments applied prior to sale so that bacteria cannot build up and cause odor over time as the garment is used.
Flatlock Seams
As with all their uniforms, Asics used flatlock seams when designing this product. It is a choice that gives the product a longer lifespan than other, similar products. This makes the astonishingly low price for this gear even more appealing given the longevity and durability it will exhibit.
Cost and Value
Not only did the Asics Legit take the title of "Best Value" but it is packed with features. Every one of them adds a little bit of value to this option until it is one of the most sound purchases to be made in the market today.
Asics Quality
Anti-Odor Fabric
Flatlock Seams
Huge Price Range
Whether someone is in the market for a regulations-standard singlet or something suitable for a showy performance (or Halloween costume), there is almost certainly an entry on this list to fit every wrestler’s need. Certain offerings may have more features than others but they all share the most important trait. That trait is quality. Every single item listed above is a quality product based on the reviews of people who have put the garment through its paces and can attest to how well it holds up under both casual and intense use. Because it doesn’t really matter how regulation-specific or visually appealing a piece of equipment is. What matters is that, in the middle of a match, it keeps pace with the wrestler wearing it and sees them through to the very end.
Criteria Used for Evaluating the Best Wrestling Singlets
Seam Style
When athletic gear gives out, it is almost always due to a blown seam. Some companies choose to ignore this issue and let nature take its course, so to speak. Others are more proactive and make design choices that limit the risk of a seam blowing out. Some even take additional measures and give their seams extra utility.
- Flatlock Seams
Flatlock seams are the most common option among companies that try to mitigate the risk of a seam blowing out on their products. These seams are more durable than other seam styles and often reinforce the fabric around them in addition to reinforcing the seam itself. A few select companies use double-stitched flatlock seams. This often makes the seams to durable that the product more likely to split at a random point in the fabric than along a seam.
- Flat-Lying Seams
Flat-Lying seams are different from flatlock seams and though they don’t make a seam more durable, they do bear mentioning. Seams are the most likely points on skin-tight garments to cause chafing. This is especially true for athletic garments. Flat-lying seams are the least likely to cause chafing as they do not create as much friction against the wearer’s skin.
- Textured Seams
Textured seams might not seem like an important feature but they are common among the better-made wrestling uniforms. A textured gripping substance is applied around the cuff of the uniform’s legs prior to sale. When the garment is worn, these textured seams grip the wearer’s skin to ensure that the legs do not bunch or roll during competitions or practice. This not only helps avoid discomfort but potential injury either from the shifted uniform or from the wrestler’s opponent when the wrestler is paying more attention to their uniform than the match.
Style
- Solid Colors
Most wrestling uniforms are sold in solid colors. This is mostly to ensure that the company’s product will adhere to the widest possible range of competition guidelines and give customers the opportunity to buy a uniform in the same shade as their team colors without extra designs involved.
- Striped
When a traditional wrestling singlet is decorated, it is usually with piping or stripes down the sides and legs. This detailing can extend up onto the should straps or around the legs of the uniform but it rarely impacts the chest or back of the garment.
- Printed
A few of the products on this list feature unique printed designs that are unlikely to meet visual requirements for many competitions but would certainly make practice fun. These designs range from hot sauce logos to American military symbols to comic book characters and zombie clowns. Printed uniforms work well for practice, private competitions, or even costumes!
- Reversible
A select few companies offer reversible singlets. This means that the interior is one sold color and the exterior is a different solid color. The fabric is rarely two-ply but rather is double-sided. It may seem like an odd design choice at first, but a reversible uniform means that the wearer has two color options and can switch from one to the other for different practices of competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What can be worn under a singlet?
A: Wrestlers have several options as to what they can wear under their uniforms. These options may be limited by the team or competition they are connected to, however. Some of the options include a jock strap, compression shorts, or standard undergarments. Some wrestlers prefer to wear nothing beneath their singlet as well, though there are often rules against this for the sake of safety as well as modesty.
Q: Are these garments absolutely necessary?
A: The answer to this mostly depends on the team or organization whose rules a wrestler must follow. For the most part, however, yes, this sort of uniform is necessary. Some schools and organizations are moving towards short-sleeved versions that cover more of the wrestlers’ body but the uniforms are still the same tight style. This is an important element, in spite of how uncomfortable it may make some people, because loose clothing could potentially cause loss of points in a match or, more importantly, harm for either wrestler.
Q: How do I care for a singlet?
A: Each product should come with its own care instructions. A general rule, however, is that these are the sorts of uniforms that should be hand washed. They are not very large and can be washed quickly so long as nothing worse than sweat got onto the fabric. All someone needs is a bucket or sink large enough to submerge the garment entirely and a little bit of laundry soap to give the garment a quick hand wash. It then must be rinsed and either hung to dry or laid out to dry to avoid mildew and odor.
Q: Why do these have to be so tight?
A: Tight garments are traditional in wrestling. But, more importantly, they also ensure safety and fairness in matches. Looser clothing can be a liability and has the potential to cause serious harm if it gets caught around either wrestler. Loose clothing also presents the risk of a referee missing points or giving points unfairly because the wrestlers cannot be seen as clearly as they can be seen in tight clothing.
Q: What other gear should I wear with this?
A: The most common wrestling gear would be a protective headset, sturdy wrestling shoes, a jockstrap for some athletes, and a mouth guard. There is not as much necessary equipment as there is for other sports, but the safety equipment is absolutely key as the potential for harm is higher in martial arts than in most other kinds of physical activity.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrestling_singlet
https://www.eastbay.com/arc/default.cfm?article=knowledgebase_wrestling_howtobuy
