What gear is needed for sambo
Jacket, shorts, wrestling shoes — and then the differences between sport and combat sambo begin. We have put the kit together item by item: what a beginner should buy and what to add for competitions.
·6 min read
A sambo kit comes together in two steps. First, the basic set without which an athlete will not be allowed on the mat: jacket, belt, shorts and shoes. After that, it depends on whether it is sport sambo or combat sambo: in the latter, protective gear is added to the basics, because striking techniques are permitted.
The rules of the International Sambo Federation (FIAS) define the uniform directly: “sambo jacket, sambo shoes, sambo shorts.” Everything else is derived or colloquial naming, which is easy to get confused by on a first purchase.
What the sambo uniform is called
The official name of the jacket in the rules is sambo jacket. In gyms and classified ads it is called a sambovka: this is a colloquial synonym that does not appear in the federation’s regulations. The footwear in the rules is sambo shoes, commonly known as “wrestling shoes.”
A sambo jacket is not a judogi and not a kimono. The differences are in construction:
- Shoulder wings — distinctive projections that may be grabbed. A judogi has none.
- Belt slots at the waist — the belt is threaded through the jacket rather than simply wrapped around it.
- Shorter sleeves and a close fit to the body: the jacket must not hang loose.
The word “kimono” applied to sambo is colloquial and inaccurate: a kimono belongs to other disciplines and has a different cut.
Basic kit: what you need for training
| Item | Purpose | What to look for when choosing |
|---|---|---|
| Jacket (sambovka) | The main item: grips are taken on it, and all technique is built around it | Fabric density and stitching quality at the wings — that is usually where it tears |
| Belt | Holds the jacket in place, threaded through the slots | Length matched to height: after the knot, 20–30 cm should remain on each side |
| Shorts | The lower part of the uniform, chosen to match the jacket color | Elastic waistband, no rough seams on the inner thigh |
| Sambo shoes (wrestling shoes) | Footwear: grip on the surface and ankle support | Soft sole with no protruding hard parts, high lacing, size exactly matched to the foot |
What to add to a club order beyond the basics
For a section, knee pads and elbow pads are usually added. They are not required by the regulations, but they noticeably reduce scrapes and bursitis in groups that do a lot of groundwork.
What is added for competitions
At official events the uniform is regulated by color: jackets and belts are made of cotton fabric in red and blue, and one of the two is assigned to the competitor. Combined red-blue shoes are permitted. The practical takeaway for an athlete and a club: the kit is needed in two colors, otherwise you will have to buy the second one in a rush at the first tournament.
Female athletes compete in a T-shirt, which must be plain white; T-shirts with images or inscriptions, as well as dirty, torn ones or ones with a stretched neckline, are not allowed. The rules also provide for a protective groin guard for men and a sports bra for women.
Combat sambo: what is added to the kit
Striking techniques are permitted in combat sambo, so combat shorts are worn instead of sport sambo shorts, and protective gear is a mandatory addition to the kit. The FIAS rules list it item by item:
- Combat sambo helmet — with an open chin and face.
- Combat sambo gloves — striking-and-grappling: they protect the hand while still allowing a grip.
- Shin guards — cover the front of the shin and the lacing of the sambo shoes.
- Mouthguard — protects the teeth and jaw.
- Hard groin guard (cup), and for women, an additional protective chest guard.
| Sport sambo | Combat sambo | |
|---|---|---|
| Sambo jacket, belt, sambo shoes | yes | yes |
| Shorts | sambo shorts | combat sambo shorts |
| Helmet | no | yes |
| Striking-and-grappling gloves | no | yes |
| Mouthguard | no | yes |
| Shin and shoe-lacing guards | no | yes |
| Hard groin guard (cup) | no | yes |
How to choose the size
The jacket is chosen by height and chest circumference, shorts by height and waist circumference, and shoes strictly by foot size: loose ones wrinkle and chafe, tight ones take away the feeling of support. The size ranges for jackets, shorts, wrestling shoes, helmets and protective gear are collected in a separate size chart, which also explains how to take measurements.
For a club order it is easier not to pick sizes item by item, but to send a list based on the group’s roster: we will assemble the kit and calculate the price based on volume.
What the All-Russian Sambo Federation and FIAS marks mean
Some gear is produced under a license from the All-Russian Sambo Federation or the International Sambo Federation. The practical meaning is eligibility for competitions of the corresponding level: at all-Russian events and on national teams, gear must be licensed. It is not required for the training process.
- SAMBO gear — full category — jackets, shorts, wrestling shoes, protection
- Sambo jacket with All-Russian Sambo Federation license
- Sambo jacket with FIAS license
- Sambo shorts
- Wrestling shoes
- Combat sambo helmets
- Combat sambo gloves
- Size chart
Outfitting a club section or a national team? Send us the group roster and sizes, and we will assemble the kit and quote a price based on volume. In-house production, RSM brand.
In brief: frequently asked questions
What is the sambo jacket called?+
Under federation rules, it is a sambo jacket. In gyms it is called a "sambovka", but this is a colloquial synonym that does not appear in the regulations. It differs from a judogi in its cut: shorter sleeves, belt loops and shoulder wings that may be grabbed.
What does a beginner need for their first training session?+
A sambo jacket, belt, shorts and sambo shoes (wrestling boots). That is enough to get started; everything else is added as the program moves on to full-force throws and sparring.
How does a combat sambo kit differ from a sport sambo kit?+
Special combat sambo shorts are used, along with protective gear: an open-chin helmet with a face guard, striking and grappling gloves, shin guards and shoe lace covers, a mouthguard, a hard groin protector and, for women, chest protection. Striking techniques are allowed in combat sambo, so protection is mandatory.
Can I train in sneakers?+
No. The rules describe sambo footwear as made of soft leather or synthetic fabric, with a soft sole and no protruding hard parts. The hard, ridged sole of sneakers tears the mat cover and catches on the surface during rotations.
How do I choose the right size?+
Sizes for jackets, shorts, wrestling boots, helmets and protective gear are collected in a separate size chart on the website, which also explains how to take measurements. For a club order, it is easier to send a list of sizes for the members of your group.
