Muay Thai training is intense, some would even argue it’s more intense compared to boxing. This is why trainers need to have the right equipment when teaching students.
A Muay Thai belly pad is as important as a handheld Muay Thai pad. This piece of protective gear makes sure that punches, knees, and kicks don’t land on the trainer.
We’re going to bring you 10 of the best Muay Thai belly pads that you can buy online. Keep reading to find out which models we recommend.
Contents
- 0.1 Combat Sports Dome Tech Belly Pad
- 0.2 Venum Elite Belly Protector
- 0.3 Fairtex Leather Belly Pad
- 0.4 RDX Belly Pad With Straps
- 0.5 Contender Fight Sports Belly Protector
- 0.6 RDX Body Protector
- 0.7 Farabi Belly Protector
- 0.8 Windy Belly Protector
- 0.9 Wesing Muay Thai Body Protector
- 0.10 Ring 2 Cage Belly Pad + Thigh Pads
- 0.11 Revgear Belly Pad
- 1 Muay Thai Belly Pad FAQs
- 2 In Summary
Combat Sports Dome Tech Belly Pad
First, is a Muay Thai belly pad from Combat Sports. This brand is known for its quality, yet affordable Muay Thai gear.
This belly pad comes in one size so it accommodates people of all sizes. People with 42-inch waists say that it fits them, whilst others with 30-inch waists say it’s loose. This is the situation with other brands too, though.
The Combat Sports belly pad uses dome air technology. This just means that impact is dispersed well. It uses synthetic leather instead of real leather, which is why it is cheaper than other models. Even still, it will last you a long time and won’t break easily.
There are three contact points on the pad. A large one in the middle, and two smaller striking surfaces on the side. The two on the side are good for kicks, knees, and also low hooks.
You can’t go wrong with this well-made, affordable Thai belly pad from Combat Sports.
Pros
- Very well priced
- Buckle strap closure
- Uses Dome Air Technology
Cons
- Big for people with small waists
Product Specs
| Materials | Synthetic leather |
Venum Elite Belly Protector
Next up is a Muay Thai belly pad from Venum, the famous MMA brand. This belly protector is quite expensive as Venum has used high-quality materials. If you are willing to spend extra, then pick this one. Although, it is almost double the price of the Combat Sports belly pad.
Though the price is higher, this belly pad is handmade in Thailand and it’s made from real leather. Whilst wearing this Thai belly pad, you can be sure that you’re protected as it has a triple-layer of padding. Also, it has an anatomical design that makes sure all vital organs remain protected.
Venum’s Elite belly pad comes in one size, but with the addition of adjustable straps. This allows the user to tighten or loosen the protector to fit them.
Pros
- Triple padding for extra protection
- Adjustable strap
- Made with real leather
Cons
- Quite expensive
Product Specs
| Materials | Semi leather |
Fairtex Leather Belly Pad
Now for a belly pad from Fairtex, one of the best Muay Thai brands. Fairtex’s model also uses real leather, like the one from Venum, which makes it more expensive. This means that it will most probably last longer.
The belly protector uses many layers of padding for reinforced protection. As well as being great for Muay Thai, it’s also great for kickboxing and boxing as your ribs are covered. It comes in one-size with a hook-and-loop velcro closure at the back, making it easy to wear.
For us, Fairtex’s design is the best out of all Muay Thai belly pads on this list. Its black and blue color along with the Fairtex design make it look professional. The branded logos on either side of the protector are to be used as targets for punches, knees, and kicks.
If you don’t mind spending a bit more on a high-quality option, this is the right Thai belly pad for you.
Pros
- Multi-layer padding
- Attractive design
- Made from real leather
- Secure hook-and-loop closure
Cons
- Long shipping times as it comes from Thailand
- Expensive
Product Specs
| Materials | Real leather |
RDX Belly Pad With Straps
This is the first Muay Thai belly pad from RDX, which offers a couple of different models. This belly pad is also the first on the list that has shoulder straps instead of being fixed around the waist.
As well as this, it comes in two different sizes, S/M or L/XL. If you are 176cm or under, RDX states to pick the smaller size. If you’re taller than this, then go for the larger option. Some people will feel that the shoulder straps are more secure than the waist strap. It comes down to personal preference, at the end of the day.
It is made from Maya Hide leather which is why it’s cheaper than the real leather options above. It’s still a great product though, as it keeps you protected with dense EVA foam. Even the shoulder straps have this foam added for a comfortable fit.
Finally, there is nylon mesh across the entire protector which keeps the trainer cool. It also helps the product to get a bad smell.
Pros
- High-quality EVA foam
- Shoulder straps for increased comfort
- Well-priced
- Nylon mesh throughout
Cons
- Not real leather
Product Specs
| Materials | Maya hide leather |
Contender Fight Sports Belly Protector
Contender Fight Sports offers another Muay Thai belly protector with shoulder straps. This model is great for using whilst training with focus mitts as there are many combinations to try.
The product itself is made from synthetic leather, and the straps are nylon. This is a bit of a letdown after seeing that RDX offers padded straps.
There are two buckle clasps on the back to secure it in place for use. Inside this boxing body protector is heavy-duty foam so that you remain protected. The team at Contender claims that users can take full power punches with the amount of padding.
It comes in a one-size option so may come up big or small on some people. The RDX model above is recommended for shorter users.
Pros
- Dense foam protection
- Easy to put on and take off
- Shoulder straps for comfort
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Straps may rub with extensive use
Product Specs
| Materials | Synthetic leather |
RDX Body Protector
Time for another body protector from RDX. This model offers protection from the chest, down to the waist. Like the other RDX belly pad, this one is also made from Maya hide leather.
EVA foam is used for protection across the whole body. Even in the shoulder straps, there is some foam for extra comfort. The protector comes to the top of the shoulder, so it’s larger than typical Muay Thai belly pads. The straps are only visible from the back, and it’s secured with two plastic fastening buckles.
It is the ideal body protector for Muay Thai, boxing, kickboxing, and other martial arts. The fact that it’s lightweight makes it easy to move around whilst training.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Protects the full torso
- Quick-EZ hook-and-loop closure
Cons
- Not a typical Muay Thai belly pad
Product Specs
| Materials | May hide leather |
Farabi Belly Protector
Farabi Sports offer another great Muay Thai belly pad. Although this brand isn’t well-known, the product has been well-designed as seen in the image.
For example, the shoulder straps have protection pads for increased comfort. The belly and ribs are protected, and there are protruding side targets for kicks and punches. The belly pad is made from synthetic leather which makes it easy to clean.
Users remain protected via the CGR-padding and shock absorption technology throughout the product. It also has quick-release buckles on the front and a velcro fastening on the back for added support.
Pros
- Padded shoulder straps for comfort
- Comes in two color options
- CGR-padding technology
Cons
- Not a well-known brand
Product Specs
| Materials | Synthetic leather |
Windy Belly Protector
Windy is one of the most famous Muay Thai brands in Thailand. With that said, it’s a belly protector to consider. A large Windy logo is displayed in the center of the belly pad with two fight logos on either side.
Windy makes all their products with real leather, and this one is no different. That does mean that the price is more expensive than others on the list, though. This is one of the most expensive of them all, but the quality is high. It’s also handmade in Thailand.
The padding is dense and covers the entire oval design of the pad. At the back is an adjustable buckle closure meaning that it comes in only one size.
Pros
- Made from real leather
- Densely padded across the entire product
- Handmade in Thailand
- Traditional buckle closure
Cons
- Extra shipping charges to the US
- Expensive model
Product Specs
| Materials | Genuine leather |
Wesing Muay Thai Body Protector
Time for the most affordable Muay Thai belly pad on the list which comes from Wesing. This is a full-body protector that is available in three colors:
- Black
- Red
- Blue
What we like about this model is the fact that there are many sizes available, five exactly. Here’s a breakdown of the sizes with measurements:
- Small – height (150-160cm) weight (48-52kg)
- Medium – height (161-170cm) weight (56-60kg)
- Large – height (171-175cm) weight (65-70kg)
- X-Large – height (176-180cm) weight (75-80kg)
- XX-Large – height (181-185cm) weight (85-90kg)
The outer layer is oxford leather, and inside is XPE foam with bamboo chips for shock absorption. It’s important to note that the padding on this belly pad isn’t as protective as some of the other models. It is a third of the price, though. This model from Wesing would make a great protector for light training.
Pros
- Good range of sizes
- 3 color options
- Extremely affordable
Cons
- Not as much padding as other models
Product Specs
| Materials | Oxford leather |
Ring 2 Cage Belly Pad + Thigh Pads
Ring to Cage is the next brand on the list, and they bring with them a dual set. As well as the belly protector pad there’s the addition of two Muay Thai thigh pads too. All you need is a Muay Thai pad or focus mitts to complete the training protection.
Both products use dense foam padding so that the user is protected. They’re also both made from synthetic leather on the outside. As well as this, the belly and thigh pads both use dome air technology. This means that the impact is better dispersed.
The fact that you get the extra thigh pads does make the price more expensive. You don’t have to use them on each occasion, but it’s recommended when practicing leg kicks. We also recommend a top Muay Thai groin cup like the Diamond MMA cup.
Pros
- Traditional Muay Thai belly pad
- Extra thigh pads included
- Uses dome air technology
Cons
- Expensive set
Product Specs
| Materials | Synthetic leather |
Revgear Belly Pad
The last Muay Thai belly protector that we’ve reviewed is Revgear’s combat series belly pad. This product is pricier than some of the others, but the quality of the build is excellent.
This Thai belly pad is for trainers that are going up against heavy hitters. There are three layers of padded foam equalling 3-inches of protection to the stomach. That doesn’t include the three targets either which have more padding. There is a large target in the center, and then two smaller gel targets on either side.
It comes in one size with an adjustable buckle strap for tightening. The traditional buckle and leather closure helps to prevent irritation on the skin.
Yes, this model from Revgear is expensive, but it’s one of the best constructed out of them all. It’s perfect for Muay Thai, kickboxing, boxing, and Tae Kwon Do.
Pros
- Made from 100% real leather
- Traditional buckle closure
- Heavy foam padding for ultimate protection
Cons
- It’s expensive
Product Specs
| Materials | Real leather |
Muay Thai Belly Pad FAQs
How to use a Muay Thai Belly Pad
A Muay Thai belly pad should be fixed around the waist. But, not too tight near the chest of the trainer as it can restrict movement. If it’s correct, the upper part of the pad will protect the chest when the trainer ducks.
A belly pad is key for when using focus mitts, as if a punch or kick slips off the pads, it could hit the trainer’s lower torso. Ouch!
The student training should work the belly pad whenever they feel like it. Unlike with mitts, the trainer is guiding them when and where to punch, the belly pad can and should be hit whenever.
Some of the typical Muay Thai techniques to train whilst using a belly pad are:
- Teeps
- Clinch knees
- Straight knees
- Hooks to the body
In this video below you can see a good range of kicks and punches targeted at the belly pad and mitts.
Velcro vs Buckle Closure
The two closure systems on a belly pad are velcro or buckle closure. There are pros and cons to both variations, and that’s what we’re going to discuss.
The velcro closure is great as it enables users to take the belly pad off and put it on quickly. The downside to buying a velcro strap is that with extensive use it will lose some grip. Otherwise, the velcro strap gives a secure fit when it’s combined with a hook-and-loop closure.
Looking at the buckle closure, this takes longer to put on and take off. This closure is the traditional fastening and most pads are made from real leather. This type of fastening will outlast the velcro alternative, but it doesn’t offer the same ease of use. Also, the leather and buckle cause less skin irritation.
With or without shoulder straps?
As you can see in the list of Muay Thai belly pads, some come with shoulder straps and some without. Having a belly pad with shoulder straps adds extra stability when wearing it. Though it must be said, that traditional Muay Thai belly pads don’t come with shoulder straps.
The two models from RDX both have foam padding in the straps for extra comfort. This also stops any irritation from forming with extensive use. If it’s your first time using a belly pad, then you may want to go with one that has straps. Either model will still do the job.
How much should I look to pay for a good quality belly pad?
Prices for a Muay Thai belly pad can differ greatly. The main reason for this is if they are made with real leather then they are more expensive. It’s the same with real leather punching bags compared to synthetic ones.
Muay Thai belly pads cost between $50 and $130 depending on the material. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t be paying over $80 for a synthetic leather belly pad. Generally, ones made from leather will cost $100+. The material will last longer so paying that bit extra can save you having to buy another one in a couple of years.
In Summary
A Muay Thai belly pad is an important part of your Muay Thai training equipment. There are lots of combinations to be practiced on a belly protector along with focus mitts.
There are many variations of belly pads available as you can see in the list above. If you want to pick a leather option then we suggest picking the Venum or Fairtex model. Remember that these two are a bit pricier than the others.
Otherwise, the well-priced synthetic leather choice from Combat Sports is well-designed.
