Why Every Stunt Performer Needs Their Own Protective Gear and Training Equipment

Starting your stunt career is exciting, but it also means taking responsibility for your safety, professionalism, and readiness on set.

One of the most important steps? Building your own kit—starting with protective gear and gradually adding training equipment and props.

Start with the Basics

As a stunt performer, you are self-employed. You’re expected to show up prepared, even if you’re not working every day yet. That means having at least the bare minimum for safety.

Essential Protective Gear:

• Knee pads

• Elbow pads

• Back pad (especially for fights and falls)

These will keep you safe during training, auditions, and stunt work involving impact or contact.

Build Your Kit Over Time

We understand you might not land work right away—and that’s okay! You don’t need to buy everything at once. Start small and upgrade as you go.

Stage 1: Foundation

• Basic knee and elbow pads

• Back pad (borrow if needed)

• Fitted activewear for training and reel footage

Stage 2: Intermediate Add-Ons

• Helmet (especially for car hits, wires, or driving)

• Padded shorts (hip/tailbone protection)

• Wrist guards or shin guards (depending on your training focus)

• Fingerless gloves (for tactical work or fights)

Stage 3: Scene-Specific Equipment

• Wetsuit, mask, and fins (for underwater or water-based work)

• Tactical vest or military costume pieces

• Costumes/outfits for demo reels (black or neutral colors are best)

Start Collecting Your Training Weapons

Having your own training props lets you practice safely at home and show up prepared for fight choreography training or action auditions.

Recommended Props to Collect:

• Bo staff (wood or foam for basic drills)

• 2 Training stunt swords

• 2 Rubber knives or daggers

• 2 Rubber handguns (weighted optional)

• Rifle or long gun for tactical roles

These are not only useful in training but can also help you create your own stunt reel or prep for specific roles.

For Reels & Self-Tapes

• Neutral training outfit (ideally all black)

• Tripod + phone holder

• Optional gloves for tactical/fight scenes

• Compact lighting (if self-filming indoors)

• GoPro (optional for POV or training reviews)

Fitting Tip

When you go for a fitting on a job, bring your own pads! Some production wardrobe may not work with bulkier styles, so you’ll want to test fit and choose the best option for comfort and safety. Sometimes slimmer pads fit better under costumes.

Why It All Matters

• Safety – The right gear protects you and helps you train longer and harder

• Professionalism – Showing up with your own kit shows commitment and reliability

• Trust – Coordinators are more likely to trust performers who come prepared

• Independence – You’ll be ready for training, auditions, and jobs without relying on borrowed gear

Bonus Tip: Label Your Gear!

Sets can get busy and messy, marking your gear with your name helps prevent loss or mix-ups.

Conclusion

You don’t need to buy everything at once—much of this gear is optional, and there are always ways to borrow, improvise, or share with training partners while you're getting started.

But if you're serious about going all-in on your stunt career, having your own reliable gear is a game-changer.

Start with the basics. Build up over time. And know that the list of equipment you can collect is virtually unlimited—from fire suits to tactical gear, weapon props, and specialty rigs.

The goal isn’t to have it all from day one—it’s to build wisely, safely, and in a way that reflects your commitment to the profession.

If you are based in NZ, visit our pads shop here or contact us if you have any questions.