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The purpose of shin guards is to provide protection to the wearer’s ankles, shins, and feet when they are kicking. No matter your level of experience, the use of shin protection is key in avoiding injury in the sport. Finding the top brand is also an important factor in shopping.
When you first start out with sparring, it may be crucial to get a shin guard that comes with a thicker pad. As time goes on, however, you will eventually find the perfect shin guard that fits your Muay Thai needs. Don’t be fooled, find the best quality products reviewed here!
Top 10 Shinguards for Muay Thai
Best Thai Boxing Shin Pads For Sparring and Competition
1. Fairtex Competition Thai Boxing Shin Guards
These Fairtex Competition Muay Thai Shin Guards have been completely redesigned to give the wearer maximum protection while provided the support needed. Now only are they lightweight, but these shin guards have been made to give the best protection for the shin and the instep.
While the design allows for both sparring and competition, these Muay Thai shin guards by Fairtex can also be great for beginners. The sizes for use range from 5’3” to 6’4”, with a maximum weight of well over 200 lbs.
No matter your size or proficiency, these are definitely a great buy for the price. These shinguards come in a variety of colors as well, with black, blue, red, white, and yellow offered. Top-notch foot and knee protection, along with great underfoot support make this a great buy in terms of quality and value.
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2. Venum Elite Standup Shinguards
These Thai Kickboxing Shinguards by Venum Elite are no joke. Obviously these are the choice of professionals, according to professional fighters. These shin guards are created for the elite fighter with top quality material to match. Again these shin guards are not recommended for the amateur.
Featuring a premium construction that uses Skintex leather, the material absorbs contact with great resistance. They resist contact but offer great comfort to the wearer with large velcro for a non-slip fit that will last through many rounds. Handmade in Thailand, these are a great design for the money.
Lightweight designs like the Venum Elite Standup shinguards make it easy for a fighter to use their natural body motions. The unrestricted mobility along with lightweight construction makes this a great addition to the locker by offering unmatching striking ability and protection.
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3. Hayabusa T3 Striking Shin Guards
These shin guards are created specifically with striking in mind, and you can kind of tell by the look of them. Not to be confused with any competitors, the Hayabusa T3 Striking Shin Guards are the choice of professional MMA, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai fighters. These will definitely give you the protection you need to put your competition on the mat.
Created with mobility in mind, these shin guards come featuring a very secure fit. A design that is pre-curved, flexible, and allows maximum protection for every block or strike was created with this brand. Not only are they very highly rated for protection, but they are also ergonomically designed as well.
Shin guards that protect the leg and knee are important in such a dangerous sport. You can’t go wrong with these, however, as they are sturdy and well-built from top to bottom. On the inside is a silicone grip, so that you can indeed have a secure fit while the round intensifies.
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4. Venum Predator Standup Shinguards
Talk about a design! The intimidating viper on the front of these guards will definitely make your opponent think twice before they strike. That along with the fact that these Venum Predator Standup Shinguards are made of 100% premium materials is enough to make you order at least two pairs.
Synthetic leather combined with buffalo leather material creates a very durable product. These things can definitely take a beating and deliver too. The high quality of these materials makes for great protection during any match and can hold up round after round as well. Don’t worry as these will perform under pressure.
A high-density foam gives extra padding along the shin and instep areas, with an enhancement in the shock absorption department. When connecting on leg strikes this is very important. High speed and mobility can also be achieved by way of the new design as well. Great price and great quality for the price.
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5. Top King Shin Guard Protector
Made with protection in mind, the Top Kind Shin Guard Protector comes in many sizes for you to choose from. Starting at 15” (without including length of the foot), these shinguards can be worn by nearly anyone as they go up to XL in size. That isn’t the best part about these protective guards either.
While protecting yourself in any contact sport is very important, in sports where striking is the job you must take more care in that regard. These shin guards are built with protection in mind as there is added padding to create a buffer between the outer and inner pad. This, in turn, limits the absorption of hits and will give the wearer better stability.
The best part about these other than the protection is definitely the size choices available. This means that these shinguards can be a great use for anyone. Whether you have years in the sport or are just a beginner, these will be a great fit for you to get things done in the octagon.
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6. Fairtex SP3 Pro Style Shinguards
These shinguards only come in pairs and are sold in sizes from small to extra large. This is great for the wide range of people who enjoy the sport of Muay Thai. While this particular pair of shin guards may not be the most visually appealing, they are definitely designed for the job. Nothing flashy to see here folks, but this is a pair of high-quality pads for a great price.
The elastic that fits underneath holds the footpad very well, and every fighter knows the importance of this in the ring. If you don’t have good support, there is a very good chance you will have trouble keeping up with your opponent. Whether sparring or in a match, these will provide you with what you need to succeed.
The small size measures around 12 inches with a foot size of 4.75 inches. The extra-large is a 15-inch shin and the foot size measures 5.5 inches. This range is what makes this a good overall brand for practical applications. No matter your experience, you can get great use out of these Fairtex SP3 Pro Style Shin Guards.
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7. Top King Muay Thai Shin Pads
These handmade Muay Thai Shin Pads by Top King are definitely a great buy for the price. These combine a simple, yet eye-catching design with 7 different colorways to choose from. You can get a custom-designed pair of quality shin pads for half of the price of many competitors. Let’s take a look at what specifics make these pads so good for the money.
These pads pay much closer attention than the leading brands by paying attention to what is important to the wearer. The specific design is a focus on the protection of the delicate tendons and muscles near the lower leg. Under the knee cap, these Shin Pads will provide an added layer of protection as well, giving the user a sense of security.
No matter how much you search, you won’t really know if it is a fit until you try it out. These highly rated Thai Boxing shinguards will definitely stand the test of time, and with the safety standard surpassed, you can be sure that these will not let you down. Conforming to your body and applying the right support is a big reason why these are so popular.
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8. RDX Cowhide Shin Guards
There have been many advancements made in the world of Thai Kickboxing. Shin pads now come with a variety of additions and even tech that wasn’t available years ago. Take the RDX Cowhide Shin Guards for example.
These shin guards feature a thick gel that replaces the foam like in many other brands of shin pads. The foam in shin guards are the main way, aside for the outer leather, to provide shock absorption to the wearer. In these, that foam was replaced by a gel that gives improved support and protection without the added weight.
Hook and loop closures keep the guards in place, this added security is key when striking. Not only will you stay well put together, you can trust the design one allows for dislodging. A secure and comfortable shin fit is what keeps these pads at the top of the list. Not only are they advanced, but they are definitely great for the defensive fighter and striker.
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9. Combat Sports Washable Instep Padded Shin Guards
The Combat Sports Washable Instep shinguards are good for the practical user. Not really big on upper leg, or knee protection, these are the minimal shin guards for the experienced fighter. You won’t want to play around in these unless you know what you are doing.
Keep in mind that these are completely washable, meaning that you can forget about the difficulty you may have with traditional shin guards. In Muay Thai defense is key, and these shinguards provide plenty of foam padding that will protect the wearer from any strikes.
The way that you wash these guards is by removing the inner foam, and you can wash with other clothes on a low cycle wash. The comfortable material is great for those long matches, and they hug you tight for a great fit. Coming in 4 colors, these will definitely get the job done with minimal extras, just the essentials.
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10. ARD Shin Instep Protectors
An elastic cotton material was used to make the ARD Shin Instep Protectors. This specific material is breathable since it is cotton, but the elastic properties give additional benefits as well. By being breathable and elastic, these can handle the punishment placed upon them by any fighter with any skill set.
Don’t be fooled by competitors, or the simple design either. While these guards don’t cover more than the shin and foot, that is more than enough for you to get busy in the ring. Excellent price for the quality and design, you just can’t go wrong with these protectors.
Coming in a variety of colors like black, blue, orange, red, white, and yellow, they can fit any wardrobe and kick some serious behind. Not ready to try out the minimalist style of this particular pair, it’s okay. If you are, be prepared for a great fit and a great way to save your money.
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Final Thoughts
Whether you are a seasoned veteran in the professional fighting arena or just looking for a great way to stay in shape, have no fear. The right pair of shin pads is definitely the most important piece of equipment that you will need for the sport of Muay Thai.
Not every single pair is the same, as noted above. There will be some that protect some areas more than others, while there will also be pairs that feature better protection. Don’t get too caught up in the designs and colors, however.
One way to distinguish whether or not a pair of shinguards is right for you is not by how cool they look. You can also take the time to design them yourself after you buy them. Just focus on the specifics and you will be protected in the ring!