| KINGTOP Muay Thai Shin Pads | Fairtex Competition Muay Thai Shin Guards | Venum Predator | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Pros | Premium quality leather Knee protection Affordable |
Affordable Light-weighted Durable |
High-quality leather Enhanced shock resistance Light-weighted |
| Price | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
One of the most important aspects of starting out in any field of sports is to familiarize yourself with all the necessary equipment that you’ll be using. You can’t really train effectively unless you’re equipped with all gadgets that are actually used during the match.
Similarly, when it comes to Muay Thai or MMA, it’s important to have all the required tools in order to train properly. One such item is the shin guard. Shin guards are designed to protect your shins, feet, and ankles during kicking.
In addition to this, they also work effectively to reduce the impact of the opponent’s kick. Considering its importance, shin guards are made a compulsory safety item to wear during kickboxing and MMA.
Now that we know what shin guards are designed for, let’s move forward and discuss about how to buy a suitable shin guard. When it comes to buying something online, you’ll probably end up with hundreds of different brands that are promising the same quality.
It usually becomes a pretty frustrating task to compare those brands with each other when you don’t already have much knowledge about the product itself. In order to make this step easier for you, we’ve filtered out 5 bestselling shin guards that you might be interested in.
Best Muay Thai/MMA Shin Guards Reviewed
#1 KINGTOP Top King Muay Thai Shin Pads
Kingtop shin pad is a medium-priced product so it may not be the most suitable option if you’re looking for something cheap. However, its price is absolutely justified for the quality it offers.
These shin pads are made up of high-quality leather which is durable enough to resist strong impacts. This ensures that the product lasts for a long period of time.
These pads are available in 8 different colors so they’re suitable for both men and women. The best part of Kingtop shin pads is that the quality is also suitable for rough use, therefore, this product is recommended for both beginner and experienced players.
Moreover, Kingtop shin pads come in 4 different sizes (small, medium, large and extra-large) so it easily manages to target kids, teens, and adults. Moving forward to its weight, it weighs around 15-16 oz per shin pad, which is enough to prevent any kind of added pressure while practicing your kick.
It also offers an important feature which is mostly overlooked by many brands, and that is raised knee guard. Raised knee guard works effectively to protect any injury resulting from knee-to-knee contact. Lastly, this shin guard is heavily pre-curved – making it difficult to slide to the other side on strong blows.
Overall, this is one of the best options if you’re looking for something to cover all regular features and provide quality.
Pros
- Made up of premium quality leather
- Comes in 8 different colors
- Comes in 4 different sizes
- Provides protection from knee-to-knee contact
Cons
- Not the most affordable item on the list.
- The weight could be an issue of kids
#2 Fairtex Competition Muay Thai Shin Guards
This is a low price shin guard that is suitable for those who are looking for something budget-friendly while enjoying all the basic features that come along.
Fairtex competition Muay Thai shin guards come in 4 different colors that are suitable for both men and women. In addition to this, there are 4 different sizes that target everyone from kids to adults.
These shin guards are made up of high-quality materials that are durable enough to withstand strong impacts without tearing – increasing their overall longevity.
Moreover, the thick straps that come attached will ensure that the guard sticks firmly without sliding off to the other side. In case, you need to adjust the guards, it wouldn’t take longer than a few seconds.
As for its weight, its light enough not to add any extra pressure on your feet and help you out with the movements during your training or in the ring.
One of the main downsides of Fairtex Competition Muay Thai shin guard is that you may feel a bit of pain for strong impacts since the guards are not as thick as buyers would normally expect.
That being said, they’re still flexible enough not to tear during these impacts.
Pros:
- Most affordable shin guard of the list
- Light-weighted
- Comes in 4 different sizes and sizes
- Made up of high-quality materials that increase its durability
Cons:
- It’s not recommended to wash
- The guard is pretty thin
Also Read: Best Muay Thai Pads
#3 Venum Predator Standup Shinguards
When we’re talking about MMA and boxing accessories, Venum is probably one of the first brands that come into our mind. Throughout the years they’ve released numerous products that are well known for their features and quality.
That’s exactly what we can say about Venum Predator Standup shin guard. This is a mid-range product in terms of price and it comes along with all the basic features that you can expect for.
These are multi-purpose shin guards that are suitable for Muay Thai, MMA, Kickboxing and Grappling. In terms of quality, these shin guards are made up of high-quality material that is flexible and easily resists a strong impact. This flexibility makes it pretty easy to follow through with your movements.
As for its size, it only comes in medium and large due to the fact that Venum is only targeting teens and adults for this product. This shin guard consists of large Velcro straps that prevent it from slipping during your training. Additionally, its high-density foam offers enhanced shock absorption.
Lastly, the pads are light-weighted and comfortable enough not to put any added pressure on your feet and can be moved around easily.
Pros:
- Made up of high-quality leather.
- Enhanced shock resistance
- Light-weighted
- These pads don’t slip off easily
- Durable enough to provide a long-lasting quality
Cons:
- Not recommended for kids
- Not the most affordable option of the list
- Doesn’t come in many different colors
#4 Hayabusa T3 Shin Guards
Since this is the most expensive shin guard on the list, it’s not a suitable option for those who are looking for something budget-friendly and fit to serve just the basic features.
Being such an expensive item, you’re guaranteed to get the most out of it in terms of quality. Hayabusa shin guard is an ideal choice for pro fighters who are more concerned about the quality of the product. This shin guard comes in 5 colors and 4 different sizes, making it suitable for everyone regardless of their age and height.
It’s made up of high-quality materials that would ensure its longevity and durability. Hayabusa shin guard consists of a thick layer of leather that works effectively to minimize the impact of strong kicks. In addition to this, the overall design allows it to stay firm and preventing you from re-adjusting it after every blow.
The best part of this shin guard is that it can also be used for MMA and kickboxing. Due to its thick layer of leather, one of the potential downsides of Hayabusa shin guard is its weight, which can be a problem for some people.
Pros:
- Highly durable and long-lasting quality
- Multipurpose
- Resists strong impacts
- Recommended for pro fighters
Cons:
- Most expensive item on the list
- Its weight could be a problem from some people
#5 Venum Elite Standup Shinguards
This is another mid-range shin guard by Venum and it comes in 15 different colors and 3 sizes, making it a suitable option for all sizes and genders. Venum elite standup shin guard is made up of skintex leather on the outside and thick layer of foam on the inside, providing the desired density and the ability to resist strong impacts.
Its light weightiness prevents from adding any extra pressure on your feet while and also makes it easy to carry around. In addition to this, it also contains large Velcro straps which will ensure its overall grip, adjustability and preventing it from slipping during your training.
Since Venum elite standup shin guards are not specifically designed for Muay Thai, they can be used for a wide range of similar sports such as karate, MMA and kickboxing.
Pros:
- High-quality leather
- Durable enough to withstand strong impacts
- Comes in many different colors
- Multiple sizes
- Thick straps for enhancing grip and preventing slip
- Suitable for a wide range of sports similar to Muay Thai
Cons:
- Not the most affordable item on this list
How to Choose the Best MMA Shin Guards?
Price: Price is probably one of the most important factors for many people. If you’re just starting out with any sports, it’s best to go for the most affordable option so that you could easily familiarize yourself with its usage.
However, it does not mean that you choose to buy a low-quality product that fails to fulfill the very basic features that are offered by shin guards. Look out for something that provides enough quality while effectively performing the basic functions of shin guards.
Once you feel ready to invest more in order to avail additional benefits then you may go for something more expensive.
Quality: Shin guards come in a wide range of different qualities. Usually, the quality correlates equally with the price. More expensive products tend to offer better quality and features.
However, that’s not always the case. Before buying a shin guard, you should thoroughly check the material it’s made up of. Thick leather usually lasts longer and is also able to resist strong impacts.
Whereas the majority of other materials are not as effective as leather. Make sure that the guard feels strong on the surface and is light weighted.
Usage: Your usage type is another important factor that determines the shin guard to buy. There is a significant difference between the guards that are designed specifically for newbies and the ones for pros.
Similarly, the price and quality of both shin guards would vary accordingly. If you’re just starting out with Muay Thai or MMA, it’s best to go for the shin guards that are made for beginners. This way you’ll spend less and would be able to avail all basic features and quality.
After you’ve familiarized yourself with its usage, you may opt for a better quality product that also offers additional features.
Sizes: Another important factor that many buyers tend to overlook is the size. Some Muay Thai shin guards are only available in a limited number of sizes so it’s very important to confirm this detail.
In addition to this, sometimes the sizes are also labeled incorrectly so in order to prevent yourself from ordering an inaccurate size, it’s best to go through the review section and choose accordingly. Lastly, there’s always an option to return back the product if you’ve mistakenly ordered the wrong size.
Weight: When it comes to the weight of shin pads, it best to go for a light weighted product. It will help to prevent any extra pressure and weight on your feet and will also make it easier to move around.
Of course, some people prefer more weight but that’s pretty rare. Start off with a less weighted product and if that doesn’t work out for you, you may opt for a heavier one.
Features: Shin guards with additional features will usually cost more so it’s not suitable for those buyers who are looking for something affordable. In addition to this, it doesn’t make much sense to try availing more features if you’re a beginner.
Some of the main features to consider are, curved top to prevent the guard from slipping, thicker layer of pads and, knee and ankle protection.
See also: Yokkao Matrix Shinguards Review
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do shin guards normally last?
The longevity of shin guards totally depends upon the usage, its quality, storage and how you maintain it. It’s important not to bend the guards while storing.
Similarly, make sure to buy choose good quality products to train with. If you’re careful with these few important factors, the shin guards would last for years.
Are shin guards necessary to wear?
Due to their immense importance, shin guards are necessary to wear in order to train properly. If you decide to train without wearing a shin guard, there will always be a risk of an ankle injury.
Furthermore, it won’t be the standard way to train either.
What is the difference between multi-purpose shin guards and shin guards that are specifically designed for Muay Thai?
The main differences between MMA and Muay Thai shin guards are their design and weight. Since MMA shin guards are designed to work effectively for rolling and scrambling on the floor, they usually consist of a sleeve-like design that stays firm.
Considering this scenario, strap shin guards that are normally used in Muay Thai, won’t make a suitable option for MMA. In addition to this, Muay Thai shin guards require bulky guards that are heavier.
Is it worth it to buy expensive shin guards?
It depends upon your skills in Muay Thai. If you’re just a beginner, buying an affordable shin guard that fulfills only the basic features would be a more suitable option.
However, if you’re looking for something more suitable for pro training, it’s definitely worth to go for high-end shin guards that offer better quality and overall features.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt about the fact that shin guards are one of the most important equipment in Muay Thai. As mentioned above, it’s practically impossible to train correctly without these guards or you may end up getting injured.
If you’re interested to buy any particular item from this list, it’s important to go through the Q/A and customer reviews section on the product page. It will most probably answer any question that you might have related to the product.
On a final note, make sure to consider all important factors that are required in order to buy the most suitable shin guard or else you may end up buying an inaccurate product. In case this happens, it’s best to ask for a replacement without wasting any time.
