Protecting Fighters, Generation After Generation

From basement beginnings to worldwide protection – 40+ years of keeping fighters on the mat.

When “Tiger” Schulmann opened his first martial arts school, he’d drive to a small supply shop in Clifton, New Jersey, to buy the gear his students needed. Back then, protective equipment was nothing more than flimsy, paint-dipped foam — cheap, chemical-laden, and barely durable enough to last a couple classes.

Wanting to help, Danny’s father, David, bought gear wholesale and stored it in his basement, turning his home into an unofficial supply hub. Students would stop by the house to pick up their orders for gloves and shin guards, and in those moments, the seeds of Tigear were planted.

As the Schulmann family saw firsthand how inadequate gear would lead to injuries and sidelined fighters, they made the bold decision to reinvent protective equipment. Passed down to David’s only daughter, Ruth, she and her husband Rick Ruffman led Tigear into a new era — developing Shocktek gear, a revolutionary leap from the old foam. For the first time, fighters could slam shins and walk away smiling: “I didn’t even feel it.”

For the next 30 years, Tigear was never about profit — it was about purpose. The mission was simple yet profound: keep every student on the mat, safe and thriving. Injuries weren’t just physical setbacks — they were stolen opportunities to grow, to test, to transform. Tigear became the quiet, driving force behind one of the largest martial arts organizations in the world by ensuring every fighter had the best gear without the burden of searching for it.

Now led by Jordan and Erica Ruffman, David’s grandchildren, Tigear stands proudly in its third generation. Jordan grew up training in Tigear — he’s not just the Head of Product Development; he’s the end user. Every single piece of gear goes through rigorous testing with Jordan and the elite professional fighters that make up Tiger Schulmann’s vast fight team; Evolving through constant feedback to push the limits of safety, comfort, and performance.

Today, Tigear is ready to expand its promise beyond the walls of Tiger Schulmann’s schools. For 40+ years, we’ve safeguarded one of the toughest martial arts communities in the world. Now, we’re opening our arms to every fighter, everywhere. Because we believe every martial artist deserves the confidence to train without fear — and the gear to make it possible.

At Tigear, our mission is to keep every martial artist — from beginners to elite professionals — safe, supported, and in training.

For over 40 years, we’ve crafted high-performance protective gear that allows fighters to train with confidence, eliminate injuries, and focus on growth. Born from a family legacy of martial arts, we continue to innovate with the same core purpose: to protect every fighter on their journey.

We envision a world where no fighter has to choose between passion and protection. Our goal is to be the global standard in martial arts safety — delivering gear so trusted, no athlete wants to train without it. From local dojos to world championship arenas, Tigear will be there, one round at a time.