Everyone who’s trained in Muay Thai knows the importance of a good pair of muay thai shin guards. You don’t want to have to deal with an injury during sparring, but you also don’t want something that will slow you down either.
Shin guards are essential fight gear or protective gear if you want to stay safe and have a truly great training session. Especially when it comes to doing drills with heavy bags or punching bags. Or perhaps even when you’re sparring with a friend. If you’re just starting out in Muay Thai, it’s all the more crucial. This is because many muay thai fighter beginners don’t have a very good feel of their strength and power when they kick.
A good pair of Muay Thai shin guards should be the perfect balance between size and protection to help your training move smoothly. Kind of like a good pair of well fitting boxing shoes.
Table of Content
- 1 Quick Summary – 5 Best Muay Thai Shin Guards
- 2 Choosing Good Shin Guards
- 3 Muay Thai Shin Guard Reviews
- 3.1 1. RDX Shin Guard MMA Muay Thai
- 3.2 2. Top King Protector Muay Thai Shin Guards
- 3.3 3. Fairtex SP3 Pro Style MMA Shin Guards
- 3.4 4. Venum Elite Standup ShinGuards MMA
- 3.5 5. Hayabusa Muay Thai MMA Fightwear Shin Guards
- 3.6 6. Anthem Athletics Shin Guards for Muay Thai
- 3.7 7. Hayabusa Tokushu Striking Shin Guards
- 3.8 8. Fairtex Competition
- 4 More Things To Consider
- 5 Conclusion
Quick Summary – 5 Best Muay Thai Shin Guards
- Top King Protector
- RDX Gel Instep Shin Guard
- Fairtex SP3 Pro Style
- Venum Elite Standup Shin Guards
- Hayabusa Muay Thai and Kickboxing Fightwear
- Anthem Athletics
- Hayabusa Tokushu Fighting Guards
- Twins Special
- Meister Edge
- Hayabusa Mirai
- Venum
Choosing Good Shin Guards
The top choice depends on your specific needs in combat sport. You might want more protection to be sure that you won’t be injured, but you may not like those heavier options. Whatever you choose, you’ll need to be sure that your shin guard protects the shin and ankles so that even rough sparring partners don’t cause injury.
If it’s too heavy though, you may find that your kicks are slower, and more prone to being blocked. Beginners may need the extra protection at first especially. Regardless however, everyone should know how important the right shin guard really is.
1. Shin Guard Size and Weight
I’ve already told you a little bit about this, but the more protection your shin guard offers you, the heavier it will be. These types of muay thai shin guards have a tendency to be a little more bulky when you strap them on, and may feel more unnatural on your feet.
Of course you want protection for your shins and ankles, but you might be feeling even more frustrated when your agility lowers and it’s more difficult to move around. On the other hand, you certainly don’t want your shins and ankles to be bruised and busted either.
2. Shin Guard Hook and Loop vs. Sleeve
Generally, there are two main types of muay thai shin guards: hook and loop, and sleeve. The most common is the hook and loop, which have straps at the back. These straps will certainly help the guard stay in place, and should keep you feeling comfortable when you’re wearing it.
The sleeve is pretty much like a large sock. You simply slide your foot in and pull it up. Compression keeps it in place so that it doesn’t slip.
3. Shin Guard Foot and Ankle Protection
They are called shin guards, but they need to protect around your ankles too. Not all muay thai shin guards are created equal. Some just don’t provide the all around protection to your ankles as well as your shins.
It’s not the end of the world if you don’t have ankle protection too, but having it will be a big help. You won’t need to worry about swollen ankles if you happen to kick in the wrong areas during training.
4. Shin Guard Quality vs. Price
Everyone has a budget to be aware of. We all understand, although you get what you pay for.
Cheaper options don’t always provide the top products, and it’s no different with muay thai shin guards. Substandard guards are common for low prices. They may break or provide poor protection.
Ultimately, it’s a lot better to spend the money on a quality product you can use over the long run.
5. Brand
The brand has a lot to do with the quality. Usually brands made in Thailand make the top products because they use the highest quality of materials. These are even individually handmade to be sure you’re getting exactly what you pay for.
Muay Thai Shin Guard Reviews
Here are my top picks the best Muay Thai shin guards for sparring, training and fighting.
1. RDX Shin Guard MMA Muay Thai
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RDX is known for their equipment, and their Muay Thai Shin Guards especially provide great padding for enhanced protection in Muay Thai. The lightweight nylon helps you kick with ease while the dual padding keeps you safe.
Why It’s So Popular:
– Comfortable and stable during sparring
– They are quality made, and can take a good hit
– Perfect for beginners especially who need protection
Keep In Mind:
– The straps run a bit short
– The elastic bands that wrap around the foot do not last long
– Padding is a little on the light side for some
2. Top King Protector Muay Thai Shin Guards
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These Top King Muay Thai Shin Guards specifically pay extra attention to the lower leg muscles and the area under the knee caps for extra protection in Muay Thai. The hook and loop closure makes sure that they stay on tight. They also have velcro straps that hold the shin pads firmly in place on your legs
Why It’s So Popular:
– The protection and padding is thick enough
– The grip is perfect, and stays in place
– They cover high on the knee with ample foot coverage
Keep In Mind:
– The instep pads can become detached over time
– People mention that they can be a bit on the pricey side
– They may not hold up well for more intense training
3. Fairtex SP3 Pro Style MMA Shin Guards
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Fairtex Muay Thai Shin Guards makes it easy to kick without feeling like your shin guard is in the way. Pick any size of these high-quality, genuine leather shin guards for Muay Thai sparring session.
Why It’s So Popular:
– They stay below the kneecaps for more maneuverability
– The leg pad padding is thick and the whole product is solidly constructed
– The position of the heel strap ensures that it won’t dig into your foot
Keep In Mind:
– They can twist on your leg when you kick a certain way
– If they’re on too tight, they can cut into you
– There’s a lot of slipping around sweaty legs
4. Venum Elite Standup ShinGuards MMA
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The high density foam shin protectors including additional padding on both the shinbone and the instep provide enhanced shock absorption. At the same time, the lightweight design in this muay thai shin guard allows for normal speed and mobility.
Why It’s So Popular:
– They fit great and protect the whole lower leg
– Quick and easy to put on
– Great toe protection and easy to clean
Keep In Mind:
– There is no size small
– Issues with the sizing make it difficult for them to stay on solidly
– They can be a little pricey, but the quality usually makes up for that
5. Hayabusa Muay Thai MMA Fightwear Shin Guards
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Hayabusa keeps you fighting in style with their pre-curved, elevated Muay Thai shin guards. The hook and loop closure will keep it fitting comfortably, with an anti-slip back for increased stability.
Why It’s So Popular:
– Great design and protection, but are still lightweight
– Very comfortable; soft and velvety on the inside
– Completely covers the entire shin and the toes
Keep In Mind:
– Quality inspection has been an issue; some arrived damaged
– Those people with big calves have trouble fitting them
– Sizing is often the biggest issue
6. Anthem Athletics Shin Guards for Muay Thai
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The superior leather of Anthem is meant to make sure your sparring goes smoothly. Triple density, high-performance foam provides maximum impact absorption while remaining lightweight and secure.
Why It’s So Popular:
– They have adequate padding to protect you and are high quality
– They feel comfortable and light when striking
– Compact and well-built
Keep In Mind:
– The straps are too short
– Medium is the smallest size rather than small
– They do not always stay on securely over time
7. Hayabusa Tokushu Striking Shin Guards
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The Tokushu striking guards from Hayabusa are perfect when it comes to lightweight design and protective coverage. The double back straps are meant to make sure that they stay on for even the hardest of kicks.
Why It’s So Popular:
– Absorb enough impact while blocking kicks
– Fit all types of builds well without slipping or being too tight
– They cover more area than most shin guards
Keep In Mind:
– The length of the straps could be a little longer
– The loops may rust after a few months
– The sizing is just a little small when you buy them
8. Fairtex Competition
Fairtex Competition doesn’t have any metal parts or rough edges. Handmade in Thailand, this pair of shin guards has high density foam and gives some great shock-absorption. Lightweight, you’ll find that they provide great protection for your instep and shin. Whether you want it for competition or just for sparring, you’ll be happy with this option.
More Things To Consider
You need to consider things like size and weight especially when it comes to your shin guards. But design is also something important to look into.
It can’t be something that doesn’t feel comfortable or that takes you forever to slip on. To get the greatest training experience you can, there are a few things to consider for the right shin guards.
If you’re serious about muay thai, you should definitely learn more about conditioning your shins too.
Conclusion
There’s no reason to compromise your ankles and shins when you continue to practice your Muay Thai. Simple and lightweight protection will keep you fighting while ensuring that your ankles are safe. Just like boxing gloves, focus mitts and your head guard, shin guards are here to protect you.