Muay Thai shin pads are probably the most important piece of gear that you will buy for the sport.
They are used for all sparring and training including freestyle sparring or Dutch drills and these are probably one of the first pieces of gear you will need to buy besides a pair of gloves and some hand wraps.
2 Types Of Shin Pads
Shin pads come in two different types, with leather or synthetic material and velcro straps holding them in place or as a sock style shin pad which is more often used for amateur contests and for MMA training where the Fighters were like to practice Muay Thai and the ground game in the same session.
For Muay Thai, we will largely recommend the shin pad type of guards and another thing to consider is that the quality between the different brands does tend to differ quite a bit.
Stick To The Tried And Tested Thai Brands
Where we can, we will stick with the tried and tested Thai brands that have been known to last through the years with high quality and good performance.
The velcro strapping on your shin pads is what’s likely to wear down first, the sweat from a heavy session, if left on the pads will quickly cause them to deteriorate and that is a reason why you should buy a good pair and not go to cheap so you don’t have to replace them again in 6 months time but that instead they would last you for 2 to 5 years of heavy use.
1. Venum Elite Muay Thai shin pads
Venum have quickly risen through the ranks in MMA and Muay Thai Gear and we’ve been really impressed with the good quality, protection and durability we get from their amazing products.
Padding And Protection
These are handmade in Thailand which is always a plus and they are molded from hybrid synthetic leather and they will last for a number of years.
The Elites are not too wide and not too narrow so they should suit most shin types. The high density foam allows for maximum shock absorption and they come right down to cover your toes as well which is very important for me as I’ve had plenty of toe injuries and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
One of the key things that we really liked about these is that they don’t move around when you’re sparring, the velcro strap is high on the back keep to them tightly secured which one of my biggest complaints about my old pair of Top Kings and we find a Venum set a bit better.
Design and Price
The design of these lovely, with the venom logo on the front and on the toe guard and he’s lightweight shin pads come in many different colours from black and white, to dark grey, to blue and white or even yellow or orange.
The Venum elite cost $99 but you get excellent quality for the price.
Check Out The Reviews Here:
2.YOKKAO Matrix Muay Thai Shin Guards
Yokkao are a new enough name on the Muay Thai scene but one that is quickly becoming associated with high quality and one of our favourite brands, especially the Matrix range.
Padding and Protection
These pads are mid-sized, not too narrow and not too wide. They contain triple density impact form for maximum shock absorption.
The Yakkao Shin Pads are made from genuine cowhide leather and hand crafted to the highest standards in Thailand.
Another thing that we loved the most about these pair is that they don’t move around when you spar, the velcro straps on the back and around the bottom of the foot hold the pad tightly in place even for heated and intense sparring sessions once you get the right size.
Design and Price
These are beautifully designed yet simple, the colour is plain and they feature the Yakkao logo on the front.
The beauty of these pads is in the quality and protection they provide for the shins, knees, ankles and toes.
This pair will set you back $100 but for the quality involved they are well worth it.
Check Out More Reviews Here:
3. Fairtex Muay Thai Competition Shin Pads
Fairtex are impossible to leave out of the equation when it comes to high quality and white Thai training gear.
All of their goods are handcrafted in Thailand with genuine leather and are of the highest quality.
Padding And Protection
These offer a huge amount of production and are suited for wider shins covering around the sides and also offering great protection for the toes, ankles and knees.
Fairtex have engineered these pads to come up and cover your knees which may be vulnerable to clashes during sparring and the result is a product with over 200 5-star reviews an Amazon.
Design and price
Fairtex pads have been around for over a decade and we know that they will last 2 to 5 years every time and that the construction is top quality.
The design is simple with the Fairtex logo on the front and some small white designs down the side and they come in plain black, red, yellow, white and many others.
You can get a pair of Fairtex at the moment for only $70 in the extra large size which is an absolute bargain.
If we have to recommend one pair of shin pads based on value and quality it would be the Fairtex.
Check Out More Reviews Here:
4. Top King Muay Thai shin pads
This was my first pair of shin pads that I bought on my first day of training in Thailand and little did I know I was buying one of the best pairs on the market.
Padding and Protection
These are quite narrow and tall which actually suits my long and skinny legs and have you got many different sizes to choose from Medium to Xl and they offer protection right up to the knee once you get the sizing right along with covering the toes.
These are made from synthetic leather and are handcrafted in Thailand for legendary quality.
The quality of the Top King shin pads is known to many and this pair lasted me 5 years without any signs of strain.
They have a lot of protection focussed on the areas just under the kneecap and the most vulnerable area of the shins and there are also lightweight for fast pace sparring
Design And Price
The Top Kings come in plain black with the Top King logo at the top or you can get various colours from black and gold to white and gold to red or even yellow.
They are long and slender and suited for tall fighters and these are one of the best pairs around coming in at around $70 to $85 depending on the size.
Check out the reviews here:
5. Twins special Muay Thai shin pads
Another name out of the top drawer of famous Muay Thai brands are the Twins Specials and these are another name associated with high quality.
Padding And Protection
Twins are another brand that are handcrafted in Thailand with genuine leather and have stood the test of time as a leading brand in all types of Muay Thai gear for the past decade +.
Shin pads are a perfect fit with secure velcro strapping on the back with coverage from the knee down to the toe with various sizes to suit any fighter.
The Twins Special Muay Thai shin pads are complimented with heavy-duty impact foam for maximum shock absorption and all around protection.
Design and Price
This is a very simple design, you get the plain colour you need in black, blue, yellow or red, and the two velcro straps around the back and one under the foot secure a tight fit that doesn’t move around as you spar.
All in all, these are the highest quality pads and you can get a pair for around $100 which is a great price for real leather and a high-end shin pad.
Check Out More Reviews Here:
6. Hayabusa T3 Striking Shinguards
Hayabusa have quickly become a leading brand in MMA and Muay Thai Gear. They have amassed many die-hard fans who go to the gym decked out in their gear from head to toe and it’s easy to see why with the high-quality they produce.
Padding and protection
Hayabusa are a premium brand and these are a premium pair of shin pads.
They are wide fitting, offering a ton of protection to suit a wider leg.
Despite the heavy protection and high absorption impact foam, these remain lightweight while covering the knees, toes, ankles and shins.
This product is made out of Vylar which Hayabusa say is more durable and real leather and once you get the sizing right these will fit in a non slip fashion.
Design and Price
They are designed really well with two straps around the back and one under the foot and they have inner silicone gel to ensure that it stays in place fully.
The T3’s come in loads of beautiful colours from plain white, to black and red, to black and blue which is my favourite and they have tons of positive reviews.
These are on the Premium side costing $129.
Check Out All The Positive Reviews Here:
7. Sanabul Battle Forged Muay Thai Shin Pads
Sanabul have quickly become leaders in the budget MMA, boxing and Muay Thai Gear space with top quality for knock down prices. The battle forged range have been particularly popular and we really like them.
Padding And Protection
The battle forged shin pads offer plenty of protection from the knee down to the ankle and the instep and they are constructed using a durable one-piece shock-absorbing foam to get the job done really well.
You get triple stitching for reinforced durability and they come with two hook and loop velcro straps on the back and one around the foot to secure a tight fit.
Design And Price
They are made with synthetic leather which is actually sometimes preferred in shin pads and have a vintage look and feel.
Sanabul test their gear with real fighters and these are almost as good as the real Thai brands but they cost a lot less at $54.
They come in brown, black or white and they have tons of positive feedback online.
Check Out The Reviews Here:
8. RDX Muay Thai Shin Guards
RDX are another name that have become very popular in the boxing and Muay Thai gear markets in recent years with good quality and great prices.
Padding And Protection
RDX can be a bit hit and miss but these shin pads are really quite good. There’s suit a taller and more narrow leg and they are light weight for fast sparring.
They offer protection from just under the knee down to the instep and ankle, they are made from plastic and nylon and they have shell shock gel inside for good shock absorption.
Design And Price
These shin pads have two hook and Loops on the back as standard with one around the bottom of the foot and one around the ankle for a tight fit.
What we like most about these is that the cost $46, they’re really light weight with good protection and they have tons of positive feedback online.
If you’re in the market for a bargain, this could be for you.
Check out the reviews here:
9. Meister EDGE Leather Instep Shin Guards
Meister are quickly becoming one of my favourite brands with good quality real leather products for affordable prices and their shin guards are also quite good.
Padding and protection
The meister shin pads are another budget pair and they can be good for beginners who want to try out the sport but maybe not as suitable for high volume and intense training.
They come with two hook and Loops around the back, and straps around the back of the ankle and under the foot for a tight fit.
They come with gel and foam padding for good shock absorption and they’re very lightweight as suit and narrower, longer leg.
Design and price
They are well designed and a good first product for meister but there is definitely some improvement to be made on these guards, so if this is your price range, go with the RDX or the Sanabul.
Check The Reviews Here:
10. Fairtex SP3 Pro Style Shin Guards
Fairtex need no introduction in the Muay Thai Gear market and this is the second time they appear on our list due to their outstanding quality.
Padding and Protection
These are made out of the same genuine leather and also hand stitched in Thailand. The SP3 suits a longer, more narrow leg so if you are a taller fighter this could be the perfect pair for you.
They have double layers of foam and they can be used in competition as there is no metal on the loops.
Design and price
They have a very simple design with the logo on the front and they come in black, red or blue.
It is no surprise to see all the positive reviews for these as Fairtex really is one of the top my Thai brands.
Check out the reviews here:
Conclusion
It’s really hard to move away from the genuine Thai brands.
If you have a long, narrow leg, consider going with the Venum Elite, the Top Kings or the Fairtex SP3.
If you have a medium width leg, check out the Yakkao Matrix pair and if you have a wider foot, go with the Fairtex or the Hayabusa.
If you’re on a budget, RDX and Sanabul are both quality pairs.