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The water polo bag is simple and smells of chlorine: a suit (or two, because one always gets stretched), a cap with ear guards, a mouthguard in its case, a towel, a water bottle and a ball that rolls around the bottom. Water polo needs less water polo gear than most team sports, but some of it is required by the rules and some of it keeps teeth and ears in one piece. This water polo equipment list covers caps, suits, mouthguards, the goggles question, balls by size, a few training extras and the recovery gear worth packing for tournament weekends.
Buying guide · Our Water Polo buying guide compares the gear we'd pick, with prices and sizing:
Prices change often. The prices below are what we saw at the maker or a major retailer in October 2026; check the current price before you buy.
What the rules require
- A cap with ear guards, all game long. World Aquatics requires caps fitted with malleable ear protectors, fastened under the chin and numbered on both sides; goalkeepers wear red. High school (NFHS) and NCAA rules require every player, in the water or on the bench, to wear a cap with protective ear guards, and high school caps now need a third number, preferably on the back.
- A proper suit. World Aquatics requires non-transparent suits. NFHS rules call for one-piece competitive suits for girls that fully cover the buttocks and breasts with a solid high back, and suits that fully cover the buttocks for boys.
- Nothing that could hurt someone. NFHS rules say to remove jewelry, medical or religious medals, watches and swim goggles, and to trim sharp fingernails and toenails. World Aquatics also bans grease or oil on the body.
- Protective gear that is allowed: a mouthguard needs no special permission in high school or college. Prescription goggles made for contact sports, face masks and nose guards need advance approval.
Our top picks
KAP7 Turbo No Number Water Polo Practice Cap
- Chlorine-resistant PBT
- Sold individually
- About $15
Turbo Standard Water Polo Cap Set with 3 Numbers
- 3 numbers per cap
- Includes #1, #1A, #2-18
- Chlorine-resistant PBT
KAP7 Turbo Comfort Women's Water Polo Suit
- Dual lined
- YKK sealed back zipper
- Chlorine resistant
KAP7 Turbo Men's Water Polo Classic Brief
- Turbo Comfort fabric
- Drawstring
- Chlorine resistant
Shock Doctor Gel Max Mouthguard
- Gel-Fit liner
- Youth and adult sizes
- About $12
KAP7 HydroGrip Water Polo Ball (Size 4)
- Size 4
- Official NCAA women's ball, NFHS (maker)
- About $40
Caps with ear guards
Game caps are a team purchase: each team needs a white set and a dark set, numbered, with red goalkeeper caps. The Turbo Standard cap set by KAP7 comes with three numbers per cap, as current high school rules require, and includes caps #1, #1A and #2 to #18 in chlorine-resistant PBT. Players usually also keep their own practice cap; the Turbo No Number practice cap is sold individually in bright colors, for about $15 on Amazon. Ear guards matter: a ball or hand to the side of the head can hurt the ear, so replace a cap with cracked or bent ear guards and fasten the strings under the chin.
Check the Turbo practice cap price on Amazon
Water polo suits
Water polo suits take a beating from grabbing and holding, so the ones made for the sport are built tougher, often fully lined front and back. For women and girls, the KAP7 Turbo Comfort suit is dual lined with a sealed YKK back zipper, which NFHS rules allow as long as it stays fully zipped. For men and boys, the KAP7 Turbo Classic Brief has a drawstring to keep it snug. KAP7 calls Turbo the official suit of USA Water Polo. Sizes vary by brand, and many teams order matching suits, so check with your team before you buy.
Mouthguards
Mouthguards aren’t required, but the case for them is strong. In a survey of 347 players, 57.9% had at least one mouth or face injury in a single season, mostly cuts inside the mouth, yet only 1.2% wore a mouthguard regularly. Players who tried one found custom-made guards more comfortable than boil-and-bite ones, which can get in the way of talking and breathing. A dentist can make a custom guard; for an easy start, the Shock Doctor Gel Max has a gel liner that molds to the teeth and comes in youth and adult sizes, for about $12 on Amazon.
Check the Shock Doctor Gel Max price on Amazon
Goggles: practice yes, games no
Ordinary swim goggles are not allowed in water polo games: NFHS rules list them among the items players must remove before playing, and the NCAA says plainly that ordinary swim goggles are not acceptable. The only exception is prescription goggles made for contact sports, which cover the bone around the eyes and are approved in advance. In practice, goggles are fine for swim sets; our swimming gear page has the picks, and our swimming guide covers the swim side of training.
Water polo balls by size
| Size | Who uses it | Our pick |
|---|---|---|
| Size 5 (men’s) | Men, college men, high school boys; 16U and 18U boys at the Junior Olympics. 68–71 cm around. | KAP7 HydroGrip size 5 |
| Size 4 (women’s) | Women, college women, high school girls; girls 14U–18U and 14U boys. 65–67 cm around. | KAP7 HydroGrip size 4 |
| Size 3 | 12U boys, girls and mixed | KAP7 HydroGrip size 3 |
| Size 2 | 10U | Ask your club |
Official balls weigh 400–450 grams. The KAP7 HydroGrip has a grippy, hand-buffed surface. According to KAP7, the size 5 is the official NCAA men’s game ball and is NFHS and USA Water Polo approved, and the size 4 is the official NCAA women’s game ball and NFHS authenticated; each was about $40 on Amazon in October 2026, and the size 3 about $34. A ball at home for passing and shooting against a wall is one of the best buys for a young player.
Check the KAP7 HydroGrip size 5 price on Amazon
Training extras
Some coaches use heavy balls for leg and core work. The KAP7 Heavy Trainer is a size 4 ball that weighs 1 kg (2.2 lb), about $51 on Amazon; use it only as your coach directs, and go easy on a sore shoulder. For a shoulder band program like the one described on the water polo hub, a light band set like the THERABAND resistance band kit (about $19) is all you need. More in our resistance bands guide and on the water polo training page.
Recovery gear for tournament weekends
Three or four games in a weekend leave shoulders, backs and legs tight. Recovery slides like the OOFOS OOahh (about $60, washable, with the APMA Seal of Acceptance) work well on a wet deck. A foam roller such as the TriggerPoint GRID 1.0 (about $40) is a favorite for lats and upper back, a Theragun Mini (about $220) fits in a team bag, and a big bottle like the Nalgene Sustain 32 oz (about $16) keeps you drinking between games. These are comfort tools, not treatment: shoulder pain that lasts needs a sports medicine doctor, physical therapist or athletic trainer. Ear pain or discharge after long pool days can be swimmer’s ear; the CDC suggests drying ears well and never using cotton swabs in the ear canal. Compare more in our best recovery shoes, best foam rollers and best massage guns guides, and see the water polo recovery page.
OOFOS OOahh Slide
- OOfoam slide
- APMA Seal of Acceptance
- Machine washable
TriggerPoint GRID 1.0 Foam Roller
- 13 x 5 in
- Multi-density surface
- Hollow core keeps its shape
Back to the water polo hub, or see the water polo rules, youth water polo and soccer gear if you have a multi-sport kid.
Water polo gear questions
What gear do you need for water polo?
A water polo suit, a cap with ear guards (teams supply numbered game caps), a mouthguard, a water bottle and a towel. A ball of the right size for practice at home is a good extra.
Can you wear goggles in water polo?
Not ordinary swim goggles in games. Only prescription goggles made for contact sports, approved in advance, are allowed. Goggles are fine for swim sets in practice.
Do water polo players have to wear ear guards?
Yes. World Aquatics, NCAA and high school rules all require caps with ear guards, worn and fastened under the chin for the whole game.
What size water polo ball should I buy?
Size 5 for men and high school boys, size 4 for women, high school girls and 14U boys, size 3 for 12U and size 2 for 10U. If in doubt, ask your coach which ball your league uses.
Should water polo players wear a mouthguard?
It’s a good idea. Mouth and face injuries are common in water polo, and mouthguards are allowed in high school and college without special permission. Custom-made guards tend to be the most comfortable.