One of the most important accessories for a successful Muay Thai training is shin guards. These are special protection on the legs, which are considered strictly mandatory everywhere: without them, a fighter will not be allowed even to the very first training session, because it is the shin guards that create reliable protection. It is also impossible to fight without protection. But in order to achieve the desired effect in both simple exercises and competitions, it is important to choose these elements correctly.
Contents
- 1 Here Our Compilation of 10 Best Shin Guards for Muay Thai – Editor’s Choice
- 1.1 1# Venum “Kontact” Shin and Instep Guards – Amazon’s Choice
- 1.2 2# Sanabul Shin Guards Essential Hybrid Kickboxing MMA – #1 Best Seller
- 1.3 3# Meister Shin Guards EDGE Leather Instep w/Gel Padding
- 1.4 4# ProForce Cloth Shin Guard for Sparring
- 1.5 5# RDX Shin Guards for Kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA Fighting and Training Pads
- 1.6 6# Fairtex SP3 Pro Style Shin Guards
- 1.7 7# Elite Sports shin Guards Muay Thai MMA Kickboxing
- 1.8 8# Top King Shin Guard Protector
- 1.9 9# Hayabusa T3 Striking Shinguards
- 1.10 10# YOKKAO Shin Guards with Knee Guards
- 2 Shin Guards, What is it?
Here Our Compilation of 10 Best Shin Guards for Muay Thai – Editor’s Choice
Let’s take a look at the top 10 models on the market. I spoke in detail about each and identified their pros and cons so that you make the right choice.
1# Venum “Kontact” Shin and Instep Guards – Amazon’s Choice
Venum “Kontact” shin guards are the perfect combination of functionality and protection. Consist of cotton with a stocking system. The foot and lower leg are well protected. Thanks to its flexibility, you will get great mobility during combat. Ideal for all types of martial arts (MMA, Thai boxing, kickboxing, karate). Machine washable. They are available in a variety of colors so they are suitable for both men and women.
2# Sanabul Shin Guards Essential Hybrid Kickboxing MMA – #1 Best Seller
Sanabul foot protection. Made from the quality leather substitute. Due to the dense inner filling, shinguards provide a high level of protection. The lining is soft and pleasant to the touch, which makes it comfortable to wear. Professional product at an affordable price. They have an attractive design: bright colors on the outside and a completely black model is also available.
3# Meister Shin Guards EDGE Leather Instep w/Gel Padding
Reinforced shin guard specially designed for Muay Thai and Kickboxing. The protection covers the shin and additionally the lateral surfaces of the legs, thereby reducing injuries. The foot protector is made of 100% premium quality cowhide using a special technology. In addition, high-density impact resistant foam is used. The gel pad provides excellent shock absorption to help protect your foot.
4# ProForce Cloth Shin Guard for Sparring
High-quality foot protection that withstands shock loads. Suitable for all types of martial arts. Especially good for muay thai, MMA, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, and combat sambo. The extended flap protects the foot as much as possible. Prevents injuries and strains. An excellent combination of product quality and price. This protection is essential in the training and competition process. Thanks to the classic design, it will please and suit any athlete.
5# RDX Shin Guards for Kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA Fighting and Training Pads
Shinguards RDX is designed for single combats. They are suitable for beginners and advanced fighters. An excellent variant of protective equipment for training Muay Thai and kickboxing. Lightweight design for optimal mobility and performance. The RDX Shinguards are made from durable and lightweight materials – 50% lighter than standard models. The model’s 26mm padding consists of molded foam and an integrated IMT gel with a 3D embossed design above the shin bone to provide good protection for the legs during hard training. Shin guards are upholstered in premium leather, lined with anti-microbial fabric to absorb odor. Elastic shoulder straps and Velcro fasteners keep the shin guards securely in place.
6# Fairtex SP3 Pro Style Shin Guards
These muay thai shin guards are crafted with durable Fairtex Syntek Leather with a triple layer of high strength foam padding that is hard on the outside and soft on the inside for maximum cushioning. Contoured construction for a natural feel with fully adjustable leg hooks and loops. They are equipped with an elasticated webbing strap for maximum secure fit, comfort, and protection. They are made of durable cotton fabric to prevent slipping.
7# Elite Sports shin Guards Muay Thai MMA Kickboxing
These lightweight tire guards are great for MMA, kickboxing, and Muay Thai. They are made of high-quality material and are non-irritating. Comfortable, adjustable straps keep the shin guards securely on your feet. With its high-density foam padding, you can hit and withstand any force of impact. These shields can be used by both men and women and children.
8# Top King Shin Guard Protector
If you are looking for shin guards that do not lose their performance over the years, then this is the perfect option for you. They reliably protect both the lower leg and the foot. The densest foam padding allows you to take the strongest blows on the shin, as well as carry out the most aggressive attacks yourself. The pads on the legs are held in place thanks to the Velcro fasteners, which perfectly fit the fighter’s leg. They are great for Muay Thai, Boxing, Kickboxing, MMA.
9# Hayabusa T3 Striking Shinguards
These shin guards are made from lightweight, pre-curved material that wraps around the contour of your foot. They are made in such a way that they protect the shin and foot, as well as part of the knee, the shin guards will not move during strikes and blocking with the legs. Double straps and elasticated shoulder straps provide a secure fit to prevent slipping. The design promotes air circulation and minimizes overheating.
10# YOKKAO Shin Guards with Knee Guards
These shin guards are professional and are great for training in martial arts such as Muay Thai and Kickboxing. This equipment is used by both beginners and world-class professional fighters. Shin guards fit perfectly on the lower leg, do not slip or twist. Genuine leather will allow the equipment to withstand the most severe workouts. Adjustment loops with hooks allow you to adjust the height to your desired height and lock the flaps in the places you want.
Shin Guards, What is it?
Shin guards are special protective pads that protect the lower leg and arch of the foot from injury. They also protect joints and ligaments from various injuries and even more ruptures. As a rule, protective plates are made exclusively from high-quality materials. Most often, this material is genuine leather. By the way, it must undergo antibacterial treatment without fail.
What are They Needed for?
Shin guards are used by fighters in completely different directions. In Thai boxing, for example, they perform with shin guards at competitions in order to maximize the safety of athletes during the strongest kicks. And MMA fighters use shin guards only during training and all for the same purpose. However, in competitions, they perform without them. For jiu-jitsu or karate, shinguards are also necessary. They are also actively used by beginners, because their shins are not yet accustomed to serious loads and, accordingly, are at increased risk of injury.
Design
Inside the shinguards themselves, there is a layer of soft foam material, like polystyrene. Outside, the equipment is sewn with natural leather, which ensures the reliability of the structure and its durability. And from the side of contact with the skin, the shin-guards are covered with high-quality fabric, which ensures air circulation. Otherwise, due to the lack of ventilation, an unpleasant odor will occur.
Types of best Muay Thai Shin Guards
They are of three types:
- Shin protection
- With shin and foot protection
- With shin, foot, and toe protection
For beginners, the third option is better suited. Having gained experience, the fighter himself will be able to decide what is more important for him: protection or freedom of movement.
Secrets of the Correct
Having chosen the design itself, it is important to pay attention also to the material from which it is made. As a rule, protection is sewn off from materials such as leatherette, suede, vinyl, and genuine leather. Models made from real leather are distinguished by their durability, good air permeability, plasticity.
Of course, such material is quite expensive, but its price is justified: genuine leather wears out much longer than leatherette. Moreover, it prevents the leg from sweating, which only increases the intensity of the workout. Shin guards made from other materials can also last a long time, but this is possible with light exertion and proper care. The inner part of the shin guards is filled with a special filling, which softens and dissipates the force of the impact.
Another important aspect is the size of the shin guards. It is measured in length, and finding the optimal performance is just as important as when you want to buy Muay Thai shorts. The better the protection adheres to the body, the less it constrains the movements, the more successful the training will be, and the more significant the progress in the fighter’s technique will be.
The rules in this case are simple:
- Small shin guards will not protect well, so it is better to pay attention to larger accessories.
- At the same time, excessively large shields can jump off or slide onto their side, so it is worth choosing a strictly optimal option, taking into account the individual characteristics of the athlete.
- When choosing, it is easiest to focus on your own height and size.
As a rule, different manufacturers have their own dimensional grids, and all of them are “adjusted” to the growth indicators of fighters, based on traditional values:
- Height up to 157 cm – size S
- Height within 157-175 cm – size M
- Height 175-185 cm – size L
- Height over 187 cm – the largest size XL
In the overwhelming majority, these indicators will necessarily be indicated on the protection, and therefore it will not be difficult to choose it. At the same time, over time, an athlete can change his shinguards, choosing the most suitable option for the most successful training and competitions.
Is it possible to do without protection at all?
Most of the blows in Muay Thai are applied precisely to the shins, and the fighters themselves do not wear shoes during training. Even one lesson without properly selected protection is enough to get injured, and you can completely forget about the pleasure of learning the subtleties of Muay Thai.
It is also important that the wearing of shin guards by both fighters allows them not to focus on controlling the power of blows and not to injure the enemy.
How to Clean?
Like any other equipment, shin-guards don’t last forever. At a certain point in time, they will have to be changed to new ones. But with proper care, the life of the equipment can be extended.
Moisture Protection
Odor-causing bacteria thrive in humid environments. Therefore, the shin guards should be as dry as possible at all times when they are not on your feet.
Here are some guidelines for doing this:
- Fill the inside of the shinguard with crumpled newspapers. Leave them like this for at least 2 hours. The paper will absorb moisture.
- Place cedar sachets next to the shields. They cope well with moisture and odor. The back of the shields can be dried with a hairdryer. But no longer than 5 minutes, otherwise prolonged exposure to hot air may damage the product.
- After training, leave the shin-guards in the sun for about 30 minutes. This is a common practice in many halls.
- After handling, keep the sports protection in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight.
General Care Instructions
Wipe down the shin guards with a cloth or paper towels immediately after exercising. Use disinfectant wipes to kill germs. After wiping, leave them in the sun or blow dry as described above.
Other recommendations:
- Keep shinguards away from wet clothing, shoes, and other accessories. It is better to wear the shin guards in a mesh cover to allow air to enter.
- When you return home, remove the equipment from your bag and leave them in the air. Do this after every workout to avoid bad odor.
- It is not recommended to wash the shinguards in a washing machine. Soaking them in water is also undesirable. Drying and airing will be sufficient.
Minor (but regular) efforts will help keep the shin-guards intact. It will also help get rid of the bad smell. With proper care, quality accessories will last for at least several years. So try to find time to take care of your shin guards, no matter how difficult your workout is.
Conclusion
Muay Thai shin guards are special pads on the legs, necessary to prevent injuries, including bruises during training, another function of the pads on the legs is to ensure the safety of your opponent from injuries during sparring. As you already understood, these are essential sports equipment for your workouts. I advise you to check out the Venum “Kontact” Shin and Instep Guards.
European and world record holder in different versions: UPO (EPA, IPA), WPC, GPF, UDFPF (WDFPF), WPA and others.
- World and European Powerlifting and Bench Press Absolute Champion
- More than 50 world records
- Master of Sports of International Class
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About the author: Each article on our website is checked and edited by a professional and expert in the field of sports (boxing, athletics and weightlifting). Nikolai Sergeev is a multiple world champion and record holder: during his sports career Nikolai set more than 50 world records among youth, juniors, adults, in different weight categories and in different versions (NPA, IPA, WPC, GPF, WUAP, WPA, IPO, RPS, etc.). The author has more than 30 victories and more than 30 gold medals received at competitions of the international level, the European and World championships. Read more at «About» page. Official website / Wikipedia.
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