When it comes to excelling in sports, every advantage counts. Athletes are constantly seeking ways to improve their performance, whether through refined techniques, optimized nutrition, or the latest equipment innovations. One often overlooked but critical piece of gear is the mouthpiece. Far from being just a protective tool, modern performance mouthpieces can enhance breathing, reduce stress on the jaw, and even improve endurance and strength during intense physical activity.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the top 5 performance mouthpieces for athletes in 2024, exploring what makes each option stand out. Whether you’re a weightlifter, a high-intensity interval trainer, or an athlete in contact sports, there’s a mouthpiece that can boost your game.
1. New Age Performance 6DS Heavy Lifting Mouthpiece
For athletes engaged in heavy weightlifting and strength training, the New Age Performance 6DS Heavy Lifting Mouthpiece is a game-changer. Designed with the specific needs of lifters in mind, this mouthpiece focuses on providing stability and improving alignment during lifts, which can enhance both safety and performance.
Key Features:
- Enhanced Stability: One of the standout benefits of the 6DS Heavy Lifting Mouthpiece is its ability to stabilize the jaw. During heavy lifts, such as deadlifts and squats, proper jaw alignment reduces the risk of clenching and tension, which can negatively impact performance.
- Improved Breathing: When lifting heavy weights, every breath counts. This mouthpiece is designed to open up the airway, allowing for better oxygen flow and reducing the fatigue that can set in during longer training sessions.
- Custom Fit: The 6DS mouthpiece offers a custom-like fit, ensuring it stays securely in place even during the most intense movements. This provides comfort without compromising functionality.
- Muscle Fatigue Reduction: By reducing jaw tension, athletes can avoid the fatigue that often comes from clenching the jaw during lifts. This leads to better focus on the task at hand and improved overall performance.
Whether you're a powerlifter, bodybuilder, or CrossFit enthusiast, the New Age Performance 6DS Heavy Lifting Mouthpiece is an excellent choice for anyone looking to take their strength training to the next level.
2. New Age Performance 6DS Low Profile HIIT Mouthpiece
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) demands peak performance and endurance. The New Age Performance 6DS Low Profile HIIT Mouthpiece is designed specifically for athletes who participate in fast-paced, high-endurance sports. Unlike traditional mouthguards that can feel bulky and restrictive, the low-profile design of this mouthpiece is lightweight and allows for optimal breathability.
Key Features:
- Low Profile Design: As the name suggests, this mouthpiece is slim and lightweight, making it ideal for activities that require quick movements and high levels of endurance. It won’t interfere with breathing or communication, which is essential during fast-paced activities.
- Enhanced Oxygen Flow: During HIIT or similar endurance workouts, maintaining proper oxygen flow is crucial for performance. This mouthpiece is designed to improve airflow, allowing athletes to maintain their stamina throughout high-intensity sessions.
- Perfect for Endurance Sports: Whether you’re a runner, a cyclist, or engaging in interval-based workouts, the 6DS Low Profile Mouthpiece ensures that you can push through intense exercise without worrying about your equipment slowing you down.
- Durable and Comfortable: Made from high-quality materials, this mouthpiece is designed to last through even the most grueling workouts, while still offering a comfortable fit.
The New Age Performance 6DS Low Profile HIIT Mouthpiece is an excellent tool for athletes looking for lightweight protection that won’t compromise on performance, making it a top choice in 2024.
3. Shock Doctor Gel Max Mouthguard
If you’re an athlete who engages in contact sports such as football, hockey, or boxing, the Shock Doctor Gel Max Mouthguard is one of the best mouthpieces on the market. Known for its high level of protection, it’s favored by athletes who need a combination of comfort, durability, and safety.
Key Features:
- Multi-Layer Construction: The Gel Max uses a triple-layer design that enhances both comfort and protection. The outer layer is tough enough to withstand impacts, while the inner gel layer provides cushioning and molds to the shape of the teeth for a more comfortable fit.
- Boil-and-Bite Technology: This mouthguard uses boil-and-bite technology, allowing users to customize the fit at home. After softening the mouthguard in hot water, it can be molded to the athlete’s bite, offering a snug fit and better protection.
- Breathability: While providing robust protection, the Shock Doctor Gel Max also includes integrated breathing channels to enhance airflow, making it easier to breathe during high-intensity activities.
- Great for Contact Sports: Whether it’s football, hockey, or MMA, this mouthguard is designed to absorb shocks from direct hits, reducing the risk of dental injuries.
Affordable and effective, the Shock Doctor Gel Max is a popular choice among athletes in contact sports.
4. SISU Aero Mouthguard
The SISU Aero Mouthguard is perfect for athletes who prioritize comfort and communication while still requiring robust protection. Its ultra-thin design and innovative material set it apart from bulkier mouthpieces, making it a go-to choice for athletes in sports like soccer, basketball, and lacrosse.
Key Features:
- Ultra-Thin Design: One of the key features of the SISU Aero Mouthguard is its incredibly slim profile. At just 1.6mm thick, it’s far thinner than traditional mouthguards, yet it still offers strong protection. Athletes can talk, breathe, and even drink without having to remove it, which is ideal for team sports.
- Custom Fit: Like many modern mouthpieces, the Aero uses a moldable material that allows for a custom fit. After softening in warm water, the mouthguard is shaped around the teeth, ensuring it stays in place during activity.
- Durability: Made from a high-tech thermoplastic material, the SISU Aero is surprisingly durable for its size. It can withstand heavy impacts, offering reliable protection despite its thin design.
- Good for Non-Contact Sports: While the Aero provides sufficient protection for many sports, it’s especially popular among athletes in non-contact or low-contact sports who want to protect their teeth without compromising comfort or breathability.
The SISU Aero Mouthguard offers a balance of protection, comfort, and convenience, making it one of the top choices for athletes who prioritize ease of use.
5. Venum Challenger Mouthguard
For athletes in combat sports like boxing, MMA, and jiu-jitsu, the Venum Challenger Mouthguard is designed to provide maximum protection while allowing for optimal breathability. Venum is a well-known brand in combat sports, and this mouthguard lives up to the brand’s reputation for high-quality gear.
Key Features:
- High-Density Rubber Frame: The Venum Challenger is built with a high-density rubber frame that can absorb and disperse impacts from heavy hits, protecting both the teeth and jaw from injury.
- Gel-Fit Liner: The mouthguard’s inner gel-fit liner ensures a comfortable, secure fit. It molds to the athlete’s teeth, reducing movement and enhancing protection.
- Breathability: The mouthguard includes specially designed breathing channels that make it easier to breathe during intense activity, which is especially important during long rounds in combat sports.
- Affordable Option: The Venum Challenger is an affordable mouthguard that doesn’t compromise on quality. It’s a great choice for athletes who want reliable protection without breaking the bank.
The Venum Challenger Mouthguard is an excellent option for combat athletes who need both protection and performance in the ring or on the mat.
Conclusion
Mouthpieces and mouthguards are essential for athletes, offering not just protection but also improved performance. From heavy lifters to combat athletes, the right mouthpiece can enhance endurance, increase stability, and prevent injuries.
In 2024, the top mouthpieces cater to various needs. Whether you're a weightlifter looking for stability and improved oxygen flow with the New Age Performance 6DS Heavy Lifting Mouthpiece, or a HIIT enthusiast who needs a slim and breathable option like the New Age Performance 6DS Low Profile HIIT Mouthpiece, there’s a product to suit your specific athletic demands.
Other popular options like the Shock Doctor Gel Max, SISU Aero, and Venum Challenger provide robust protection for contact sports, ensuring that athletes can focus on their game without worrying about their safety.
Investing in a high-quality mouthpiece is a small change that can make a big difference in your performance and safety on the field, in the gym, or in the ring. Explore these top picks for 2024 and elevate your game with the right protection.