Independent research. Buyer-focused comparisons. Reader-supported.

How We Test & Review Gear

Last updated: July 22, 2026

StrikeGearHQ participates in the Amazon Associates Program. We earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

How We Select Products

We don’t review everything on the market — we focus on gear that matters. Our selection process includes:

  • Bestseller analysis — We track what’s actually selling across major retailers
  • Reader requests — If you ask us to review something, it goes on the list
  • Expert recommendations — Our network of coaches and fighters flags gear worth reviewing
  • New releases — Major brands update lines, so we re-check specs, availability, and buyer-facing claims

Our reviewing Process

Every review is built from visible specs, retailer details, buyer-facing claims, category fit, and practical use-case checks. No unverified hands-on claims are passed off as reviewing. Here’s what reviewing looks like:

  • Multiple testers — Different body types, skill levels, and fighting styles
  • Real training sessions — Sparring, bag work, pad work, drilling — actual use
  • Extended use — We test over weeks, not hours. Durability matters.
  • Comparative reviewing — We test alongside competitors in the same price range

Our Scoring System

Every product receives an overall score out of 10, broken down into four sub-categories:

  • Quality (/10) — Materials, construction, stitching, overall build
  • Value (/10) — Performance relative to price point
  • Protection (/10) — How well it does its primary job (impact absorption, support, coverage)
  • Durability (/10) — How it holds up over extended training

The overall score is not a simple average — we weight categories based on the product type. Protection matters more for headgear than for hand wraps, for example.

How We Stay Independent

  • No pay-for-play — Brands cannot buy higher rankings
  • No sponsored reviews — Every review is our honest assessment
  • Editorial independence — Our reviewing team has final say on all ratings
  • Full disclosure — We clearly mark affiliate links

How We Update

Gear changes. Prices shift. New models drop. We keep our content current:

  • Regular re-reviewing — We revisit top picks to confirm they still deserve the spot
  • Price monitoring — We update pricing and flag deals
  • Reader feedback — Your experiences help us refine our recommendations
  • Model updates — When brands release new versions, we test and update accordingly

Editorial Standards and Scoring Rubric

StrikeGearHQ focuses on boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, and striking gear for fighters, coaches, and home-gym strikers. We prioritize practical buyer decisions over broad product roundups.

  • Fit: checked against the article’s use case, buyer risk, and available source details.
  • Protection: checked against the article’s use case, buyer risk, and available source details.
  • Durability: checked against the article’s use case, buyer risk, and available source details.
  • Training Use: checked against the article’s use case, buyer risk, and available source details.
  • Value: checked against the article’s use case, buyer risk, and available source details.

How We Choose Products

Products and categories are selected from buyer-intent demand, visible retailer information, available manufacturer/spec details, adjacent category coverage, and whether the item solves a clear training or coverage problem.

How This Site Makes Money

Correction and Update Policy

If a price, availability note, specification, or recommendation becomes outdated, we update the page and keep the article focused on the safest current buying decision. Material refreshes should show a current update date near the top of the page.

What We Do Not Do

We do not publish fake hands-on claims, hidden brand sponsorships, copied manufacturer language, fabricated product images, or brand hype, unsafe shortcuts, and generic fitness claims.