If
you're buying a wrestling singlet for the first time or replacing
an old one this article will help ensure you get the most from
your purchase.
Today, wrestling
singlets come in a number of different styles, fabrics, colors,
sizes, and designs to please every wrestler. Designed for durability
and comfort, most singlets are made from either lycra or nylon.
Generally the singlet should fit close to the body and cover all
appropriate body parts.
Size
The first step is to establish the size you need. The following
chart will help match the right singlet to the right size athlete.
If your daughter or son is on a border weight it's best to go
up rather than down. This way the singlet will last longer.
Size &
Weight Comparison
| Size |
Weight |
| XXXS |
45-60
lbs (20-27 kg) |
| XXS |
60-90
lbs (27-40 kg) |
| XS |
90-110
lbs (40-49 kg) |
| S |
110-130
lbs (50-59 kg) |
| M |
130-155
lbs (60-69 kg) |
| L |
155-185
lbs (70-84 kg) |
| XL |
185-225
lbs (85-102 kg) |
| XXL |
225-275
lbs (103-125 kg) |
Style
There are number of different styles to choose from including
a high cut and a low cut version. Generally high cut singlets
are used predominantly in folkstyle or collegiate wrestling (US
high school/college wrestling) while the low cut singlets are
used for freestyle and greco-roman wrestling. Collegiate singlets
are cut higher in the neckline as well as in the arms while freestyle
singlets are cut lower in the neckline and lower in the arms.
Both styles tend to extend to just above the knee.
Prior to the
last few years, there were very few choices for women. Recently
though, some manufactures have started to design singlets exclusively
for women including Summit Sports, Cliff Keen, Asics, and Applause
Apparel. Today's female singlets are made to fit the contours
of a women's body and cover the appropriate body parts.
Color
Wrestling singlets come in many different colors including maroon,
scarlet, gold, white, green, black as well as the more traditional
red and blue. In fact, all most every sport color imaginable is
available. Although you tend to pay more for not traditional colors.
If
your son or daughter is wrestling freestyle or Greco-Roman they
will likely need both a blue and a red singlet (as required by
the international wrestling federation, FILA). Other colors are
available for these styles, but red and blue are required at most
national and international wrestling tournaments. For best value,
you may want to purchase a reversible (red and blue) singlet.
A reversible singlet will usually save you at least one third
to one quarter of the full price of two separate singlets.
For
collegiate wrestlers, only one singlet is usually required which
allows you to choose almost any color. Some manufacturers will
even custom design your singlets to match your schools colors
and allow you print school logos, mascots, or lettering on the
singlet.
Fabric
Singlets are made predominantly from either Lycra, nylon or a
combination of the two fabrics. The all Lycra singlets are usually
lighter and generally tend to fit better.
Price
Like wrestling shoes, wrestling singlets vary in price to fit
most budgets. At the low end, singlets start around $20 and may
go as high $90.00 for some brands. Generally, reversible singlets
are more expensive but worth the extra cost if your son, daughter
or team needs more than one singlet.
If
you're still unsure of which shoe to buy, try asking those around
you who have been wrestling for a while. Sometimes the best recommendation
will come from someone you know.
Return
to the list of How-To Guides.
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