The gear rabbit hole in Judo — what you actually need

When I started Judo I had no idea what to buy. I over-researched, bought the wrong things, and wasted money. Here's what I've learned: start with basic ear guards for groundwork sessions. Don't spend serious money until you know you're committed and until a coach has watched you move.

The premium version of everything in Judo is genuinely better — but only once you've developed enough o-soto-gari to feel the difference. Beginners can't feel it. grip fighting exhaustion is where the right gear actually matters early on, so prioritise that. the judo community warmth has nothing to do with gear — it's purely about time and repetition with nage-waza throwing techniques.