How to Build Your First Sambo Kit in Australia: Sport, Combat and Beach Sambo Explained
If you are starting sambo in Australia, here is the gear list in plain terms. For Sport Sambo you need three things: a kurtka (the sambo jacket), shorts in your competition colour, and a pair of FIAS-approved sambo shoes. For Combat Sambo, add a headguard, open-finger gloves, shin guards, and a groin protector. For Beach Sambo, athletes wear a white kurtka with red or blue competition shorts, plus knee guards and ankle protection. That is the full picture. Everything below explains why each item matters, what makes gear competition-legal under FIAS rules, and how to get it without waiting three weeks for an international shipment.
In this article
- What gear does a sambo beginner actually need?
- Does your discipline change the gear list?
- Does your gear need to be FIAS approved?
- How much does a complete sambo kit cost in Australia?
- Do you need both a red and blue kurtka?
- Frequently asked questions
What gear does a sambo beginner actually need?
The core sambo kit for Sport Sambo has three mandatory items:
- Kurtka: the sambo jacket. Shorter than a judo gi, hip-length, with shoulder epaulets (fabric loops sewn onto the shoulders) that allow an opponent to establish grip. FIAS rules specify exact dimensions for sleeve length, jacket length, and collar width. A judo gi is not a substitute in competition.
- Shorts: worn in competition colour (red or blue). Not standard board shorts. Sambo shorts sit close to the body and have no pockets. In competition, one athlete wears red, the other blue. Colour is determined by the draw.
- Sambo shoes: are low-cut leather competition shoes with covered laces and a thin, flexible split rubber sole for grip on the mat. For FIAS-sanctioned competition, athletes must wear FIAS-approved SAMBO shoes. Standard wrestling shoes, boxing boots and other martial arts footwear are not permitted.
A belt is also required for competition. Belt colour indicates rank and is worn over the kurtka during bouts.
Kurtka, shorts, and FIAS-approved sambo shoes in one bundle. Saves $36 versus buying each item separately. Stocked in Australia and dispatched within 24 hours.
Does your discipline change the gear list?
Yes, significantly. Sambo has three competition disciplines and each has its own gear requirements under FIAS rules. The table below covers what each discipline requires at the point of sanctioned competition.
| Discipline | Required gear |
|---|---|
| Sport Sambo | Kurtka, sambo shorts, FIAS-approved sambo shoes, belt |
| Combat Sambo | Everything in Sport Sambo, plus: open-finger gloves, headguard, shin guards, groin protector, mouthguard |
| Beach Sambo | White kurtka, red or blue competition shorts, knee guards, ankle protection, FIAS-approved sambo shoes |
Sambo uniform must comply with the FIAS International Rules. Source: International Sambo Federation
Most Australian clubs enter new athletes through Sport Sambo. Combat Sambo is typically introduced once a practitioner has an established base in Sport Sambo alongside at least one striking discipline. Beach Sambo is a growing category with its own competition circuit. For a full breakdown of what changes between disciplines, including which gear carries across, see our comparison guide: Sport Sambo vs Combat Sambo: What Gear Do You Actually Need for Each Discipline?
The complete Combat Sambo competition kit. Every item required for FIAS-sanctioned Combat Sambo events. Stocked in Australia.
Does your sambo gear need to be FIAS approved?
For training, no. You can drill in any kurtka that fits and any shoes with appropriate grip. For sanctioned competition, yes. FIAS (the International Sambo Federation) maintains a verified list of approved suppliers at sambo.sport/en/suppliers/. As of 2026, two manufacturers appear on that list for sambo uniforms: DSI (Dutch Sambo Innovation) and Green Hill Sports. Both are stocked at Sambo Store Australasia. No other Australian retailer carries either brand.
Showing up to a FIAS-sanctioned event in a non-approved kurtka means being asked to change before your bout. In Australia, with limited local options, that can mean borrowing gear from a teammate or being unable to compete. Buying FIAS-approved gear from the start removes that problem entirely.
How much does a complete sambo kit cost in Australia?
Buying items as a bundle is consistently cheaper than purchasing individually. Below are the current bundle prices for Australian athletes purchasing FIAS-approved gear in stock, with no international shipping or customs delays.
| Discipline | Bundle price (AUD) | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Sport Sambo | $279 (save $36) | Kurtka, shorts, FIAS-approved shoes |
| Beach Sambo | $199 (save $25) | White kurtka, red or blue shorts, knee guards, ankle protection, sambo shoes |
| Combat Sambo | $479 (save $41) | Full competition kit including protective gear |
All stock is held at the Sambo Store Australasia warehouse in Sydney, and typically dispatched within 24 hours of Australia & New Zealand orders.
Do you need both a red and blue kurtka?
In FIAS competition, each athlete is assigned a colour by draw before their bout. You do not choose. If you arrive with only one colour and are drawn to wear the other, you need to borrow or use club-supplied gear. Many experienced competitors own both red and blue kurtkas. If you are entering your first Australian Sambo Federation event, check with your club coordinator whether colours are supplied by the club or whether you are expected to provide your own. For individual purchase, the kurtka and bundles on this site are available in both red and blue. Select your colour at checkout.
Competition sambo requires one athlete in red, one in blue. Colour is assigned by draw."Exactly what the Australian community needed. Fast shipping, responsive service, quality gear."
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum gear I need to start training sambo in Australia?
For club training, a kurtka and appropriate shoes are enough to start. For your first competition, you need the full Sport Sambo kit: kurtka, shorts, FIAS-approved sambo shoes, and a belt. The Sport Sambo Bundle covers all of this in one purchase for $279, saving $36 versus buying separately.
Can I use a judo gi for sambo training or competition?
Many clubs allow a judo gi for early training sessions while you source your kurtka. For any FIAS-sanctioned competition, a judo gi is not permitted. It is too long, has no shoulder epaulets, and fails FIAS gear inspection on multiple grounds. See the full explanation: Can You Use a Judo Gi for Sambo Competition?
Do I need FIAS-approved gear to train at a sambo club?
Most clubs do not require FIAS approval for training. For grading and competition at Australian Sambo Federation-affiliated events, FIAS-approved gear is required. Buying approved gear from the start means no upgrade cost later.
What colour sambo kurtka should I buy first?
Either colour works for training. If you are buying one kurtka before your first competition, check with your club about which colour they are most likely to need from you. Many clubs supply a second colour for competition use if you only own one.
How do I size a sambo kurtka?
Sambo kurtkas are sized primarily by height rather than chest measurement, which surprises most first-time buyers. For a full explanation of how to measure and what a correct fit looks like, see our guide: How to Size a Sambo Kurtka.
Ready to build your first sambo kit?
The Sport Sambo Bundle includes everything you need to train and compete. FIAS-approved. Stocked in Australia. Dispatched within 24 hours. Save $36 versus buying each item separately.
Shop the Sport Sambo Bundle →Not sure what you need? Contact Nick directly at Sambo Store Australasia for personalised gear advice.
