Sport Sambo vs Combat Sambo: What Gear Do You Actually Need for Each Discipline?

In this article

• What gear does Sport Sambo require?
• What does Combat Sambo add?
• Full gear comparison: Sport vs Combat Sambo
• Which discipline should a beginner start with?
• Can you use Sport Sambo gear for Combat Sambo training?
• Frequently asked questions

What gear does Sport Sambo require?

Sport Sambo is a grappling discipline. Striking is not permitted. The gear list is straightforward:

• Kurtka: the sambo jacket. Hip-length with shoulder epaulets for grip. Must be FIAS-approved for sanctioned competition. Available in red and blue. Colour is assigned by draw before each bout.
• Shorts: close-fitting sambo shorts in competition colour (matching the kurtka). No pockets, no loose material.
• Sambo shoes: low-cut, covered laces, grippy split sole. FIAS-approved designs only at sanctioned events. Wrestling shoes are not permitted.
• Belt: worn over the kurtka in competition.

The only FIAS-approved sambo uniform manufacturers are DSI (Dutch Sambo Innovation) and Green Hill Sports, both confirmed on the FIAS suppliers list at sambo.sport/en/suppliers/. Sambo Store Australasia is the authorised DSI stockist for Australia and New Zealand and carries the full Green Hill range.

Competition-Ready Bundle

Sport Sambo Bundle

Everything required for Sport Sambo competition. FIAS-approved. Save $36 versus buying each item separately. Stocked in Australia, dispatched within 24 hours.

$279 Shop Sport Bundle →

What does Combat Sambo add to the gear list?

Combat Sambo incorporates striking, so it requires protective equipment that Sport Sambo does not. The additional gear required at a FIAS-sanctioned Combat Sambo event is:

• Open-finger gloves: allow for grappling while providing hand and knuckle protection for striking. Standard boxing gloves are not permitted because they prevent effective grip.

  

• Headguard: full head protection covering the ears and temples. Required for all competitive bouts.

  

• Shin guards: protect against leg kicks. Must allow full foot articulation for sweeps and foot locks on the ground.

  

• Groin protector: mandatory for male competitors.
• Mouthguard: required for all Combat Sambo competition.

The kurtka, shorts, shoes, and belt requirements are identical to Sport Sambo. Combat Sambo is built on the same uniform base with protective equipment layered on top.

Full Combat Competition Kit

Combat Sambo Bundle

Every item required for FIAS-sanctioned Combat Sambo competition in one bundle. Kurtka, shorts, shoes plus full protective gear. Stocked in Australia.

$479 Shop Combat Bundle →

Full gear comparison: Sport Sambo vs Combat Sambo

Sambo uniform must comply with the FIAS International Rules. Source: International Sambo Federation

Which discipline should a beginner start with?

If you are new to sambo, start with Sport Sambo. The gear list is shorter, the cost of entry is lower ($279 for the Sport Sambo Bundle versus $479 for Combat), and Sport Sambo builds the grappling fundamentals that underpin everything else in the sport. Most clubs in Australia structure their programmes this way.

Combat Sambo makes sense once you have a foundation in Sport Sambo and at least one striking discipline. The two skill sets need to be integrated, and that integration is much harder to build when both are new simultaneously.

If you have a background in boxing, Muay Thai, or MMA and are adding sambo specifically to improve your grappling, Combat Sambo may be the right entry point. Discuss your background with your club instructor before committing to the discipline and the gear.

Can you use Sport Sambo gear for Combat Sambo training?

For training sessions, yes. The kurtka, shorts, shoes, and belt from your Sport Sambo kit carry directly into Combat Sambo training. You will need to acquire the protective equipment before competing in Combat Sambo bouts, but you do not need it on day one of training. Many athletes train in their Sport Sambo kit for weeks or months before buying Combat gear, acquiring items progressively as they move toward competition.

For competition, no. Every item in the Combat Sambo gear list is mandatory. Arriving without the protective equipment means you cannot compete.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between Sport Sambo and Combat Sambo gear?

The uniform base (kurtka, shorts, shoes, belt) is identical. Combat Sambo adds open-finger gloves, a headguard, shin guards, a groin protector, and a mouthguard because the discipline includes striking. Sport Sambo is grappling-only.

Do I need red and blue versions of the kurtka?

In competition, colour is assigned by draw. If you only own one colour and are drawn to wear the other, you will need to borrow from your club. Most experienced competitors own both. For your first competition, check with your club coordinator whether colours are supplied by the club.

Can I compete in Combat Sambo without a headguard?

No. A headguard is mandatory for all FIAS-sanctioned Combat Sambo bouts. Arriving without one means you cannot compete in that session.

Is there a Beach Sambo gear list?

Yes. Beach Sambo uses a rashguard or discipline-specific tight shorts instead of the kurtka, with FIAS-approved sambo shoes. See the Beach Sambo Bundle for the full kit.

Is the sambo kurtka the same for Sport and Combat Sambo?

Yes. The same FIAS-approved kurtka is used in both disciplines. The difference is entirely in the protective equipment worn alongside it.