Best Muay Thai Pads
These are the best Muay Thai Kick Pads that can absorb hits easily without letting the wearer feel much impact.
What are Muay Thai pads?
Muay Thai pads are more commonly known as “Kick Pads” or “Thai Pads”. They are the primary pads for Muay Thai training. They can also be used for training other striking skill sets that involve knees and kicks.
Thai Pads come in different shapes and sizes. All are designed to bear impact from heavy kicks.
There are a few factors that make a great Thai pad. The most important factor is the thickness of the pad. A thinner pad can be easier to hold and will not tire your arm as much but will not provide the same level of protection as a thicker pad. With cheap and thin Thai pads, you will feel the shock up your arm with every impact. This may result in your arms ending up bruised. In extreme cases, you could even break your arm.
The next factor to look at is the size of the pad. Most brands offer 4 sizes starting from small to extra large. Small size is suitable for smaller built practitioners and women. The size of the pad will determine how it fits when you hold it.
The shape can slightly vary from brand to brand. Some pads are shorter giving you less surface area to land your hits. The longer ones could be a little bulky and heavier to hold. It all comes down to personal preference as to which Thai Pad works best for your particular holding style.
Hybrid Thai pads are a cross between Thai and boxing pads which allow the thigh holder to maneuver more easily during punches. These are less thicker than the standard Thai pads so you can be sure to feel the strong impact if they are being used for landing kicks. They can be great secondary pads.
The curvature of the pad is another factor to look at. Pads that have no curve are more difficult for beginners and even experienced fighters may not find it comfortable. They usually take a month or two to break in, depending on the frequency of use. The top brands usually add curves to their pads but they come at a little higher cost.
Thailand is where Muay Thai originated and products connected to this martial art form that are manufactured there are usually of much better quality. Brands like Fairtex and Twins Special are Thai brands and their pads are of very high quality.
Best Muay Thai Kick Pads
1. Fairtex Curved MMA Muay Thai Pads
Fairtex is one of the biggest names in combat sports equipment. With their reputation for high quality, you can be sure that any genuine Fairtex equipment will last through many years of heavy use. The standard kick pad from Fairtex is very lightweight. You can use this lightweight punch shield to train leg and knee strikes safely and with ease. It is made of genuine leather so it is very durable. The fit is tighter because of the curved design. This also allows for the pad to better accept leg strikes making it an essential tool for all disciplines and combat styles in your home or commercial gym.
Each pad comes with a reinforced riveted handle and two forearm support straps to ensure stability and balance. MMA athletes will be better protected with the solid target focused kick pad during fight training.
The Fairtex Standard Kick Pad can be used for training in Muay Thai, MMA, and kickboxing. It has soft padding on the head so it can be used for practicing a combination of kicks and jabs. There are no sharp edges or angles. The weight of the pad is lesser than the standard weight. The padding is generous so you will not walk away with generous. Some users might find it to be too bulky for their liking though since it can be harder to maneuver. It comes as a set of 2. These are highly recommended for anyone looking for an excellent, versatile set of Thai pads.
2. Combat Sports Leather MMA Muay Thai Pads
Combat Sports is not the most well-known brand but this does not take anything away from the quality of its products. Most people are familiar with brands like Fairtex and Twins.
You will see that these are very commonly found in commercial gyms. The leather construction ensures that they will last a long time. The padding is made of ultra-lightweight foam. The thick padding makes them ideal if you are consistently holding pads for big kickers and heavyweights. They may be a little clunky for faster fighters. The surface is not curved so they work well with straight kicks like sidekicks and front kicks.
These pads are larger than the Fairtex ones. Each pad measures 16 inches tall, 8 inches wide and 4 inches thick. The Combat Sports Thai Pads are a cheaper alternative without compromising on quality.
3. Ring to Cage GelTech Deluxe Thai Pad
The Ring to Cage GelTech Deluxe Thai Pads are the kick pads of choice for many. The company does not specialize in Thai Pads but for whatever reason, they did really well with these. These are lighter, faster and smaller and do not have too much protection. They feel comfortable on the forearms and the handle. The all-leather construction ensures durability.
The handle is durable and less likely to catch and rip because of the seamless design. It has been sewn into the outside stitching of the pad. Pads have been added to the forearm straps for extra protection but you could find that they move around too much. You can remove the pads if that is the case.
Each pad measures 15 inches tall, 8 inches wide and 3 inches thick. The weight of each pad is 2.85 pounds. The Thai pads are curved and can comfortably handle all types of fighters. You may feel some of the impact come through the pad of heavyweight fighters since the padding is not too thick. UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre has used these pads in UFC Primetime against Jake Shields.
4. Twins Special Muay Thai Kick Pads
Twins Special is another well-known name in the field of boxing equipment. These kick pads are a contender for the best Muay Thai Kick Pads. The surface is straight instead of curved so you might wonder what makes them so special.
Being one of the biggest names in Muay Thai gear, Twins Special products are all made in Thailand. They have been in the industry for almost 30 years constantly upgrading their gear. The price is on the higher side, especially for the extra-large ones.
The make is 100% genuine leather. Every inch is made of durable leather that can take a beating without showing any sign of wear and tear. The pads are sold as a pair and are available in 4 different sizes- small (33 x 16 x 5 cm), medium (38 x 18 x 5 cm), large (40 x 20 x 6 cm) and extra-large (44 x 23 x 8 cm). The price increases with bigger sizes. The large size is the ideal choice for most people.
The pads are easily adjustable to the wearer. You can slip your arms into the straps and tighten them like you would tighten a belt. A handle at the top which can be used to grip the pad is coated in leather too. Straight pads may not be ideal for beginners. The pads will take some time to break in. On average, it will take a month to have them broken in with daily use. A variety of color options like red/blue, black/red and black/blue are available. The secondary colors are mostly around the stitching and the straps.
The padding is pretty thick which makes them capable of easily absorbing blows from kicks, elbows, and knees while giving sufficient protection to the person holding the pad. The weight is on the heavier side, especially for the large ones so you need a strong pair of arms to keep them held up. This is a great option if your training incorporates a lot of kicks.
5. Fairtex KPLC5 Lightweight Thai Pads
Fairtex KPCL5 Lightweight Thai Pads are a popular option for serious Muay Thai practitioners. The price is pretty high but it is justified and you will find out why.
They have been handmade in Thailand. Each product goes through strict quality control checks before being shipped. The chances of you receiving a faulty product are greatly reduced and you can count on Fairtex for high quality. The upfront investment will pay off in the long run.
The gloves are made of a blend of synthetic and genuine cowhide leather. It should be noted that the area which is going to be struck is made of genuine leather. Synthetic leather is added wherever possible to reduce the price a little bit.
The pads are curved which can be helpful for beginners as well as experienced practitioners who do not wish to take time to break in new pads. The size is also generous measuring 38 x 20.5 x 6 cm. They are designed to be lightweight making them ideal for dynamic training. Lighter materials have been added to the core, with a newer foam that provides better cushioning. The design is also revamped making it easier for the wearer to hold them up. This makes the pads stronger and lighter, both for the wearer and the trainee. To make it even more convenient for the wearer, a microfiber inlay has been added under the straps so you need not worry about excess sweat or bad odor.
All the good things of the previous model have been improved. A new stitching method has been used to reduce the likelihood of injuries for the practitioner. The stitches are on the backside of the pad so that no edge is formed on the front.
There are only 2 color schemes available- black/gold and gold/black. They are a little pricey but there are not too many such high quality lightweight Thai pads.
6. Meister XP2 Professional Curved Thai Pads
A great pair of Thai pads need not necessarily be from a well-known brand. This is exactly the case with the Meister XP2 Professional Curved Thai Pads. The material used is genuine leather which has been stitched but is still pretty decent quality.
The price is on the low end. You can buy a single pad or a set of 2. This makes them good for replacements and budget-friendly if you are getting a starter piece of gear.
The outer shell is made of premium leather which means they will not tear or get worn out for a long time. You will get long-lasting Thai pads at a very affordable price.
The size is pretty standard at 37 x 19 x 11.5 cm giving you plenty of surface area to land blows. The curved surface means you do not have to spend time breaking them in and they will feel comfortable right from the start. It would have better if the curve was a little more pronounced.
The design incorporates a target dead center in the middle of the surface. This can be used as a point of focus, especially for beginners. At 2 pounds each, these are lighter than most Thai pads in the market so they are more suited for lighter, faster blows. You can work on the speed and timing of your shots by pushing the pace of your training.
The color scheme is black and white with a red target in the middle of the striking surface. In summary, the noteworthy features of these Thai pads are reinforced center for added protection, premium leather construction, lightweight design (2lbs), sold as single or pair. The low cost, decent quality, and neat design make these a great value for money purchase.
Last update on 2024-11-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API