The day your child gets cleared to spar is a big one — and it comes with a shopping list.
Near the top of it: hand protectors (punch gloves) and foot protectors (kick boots). They look simple, and they're the two pieces Taekwondo parents most often buy in the wrong size. Three rules that save returns: measure hand length and foot length against the manufacturer's chart instead of guessing from shoe size; aim for snug, like a stiff sock, because gear that slides on easily will slide off mid-kick; and don't size up for growth — oversized foot gear rotates on the foot and can fail an equipment check. One more worth doing before a first tournament: ask your instructor what's required, and whether it has to be a particular brand or color.
Full sizing and care guide: https://nemeagear.com/blogs/blog-and-news/hand-and-foot-protectors-for-taekwondo-sparring-a-parents-sizing-guide
What's the one piece of gear your family has had to re-buy the most?
