When training for the enormously popular sport of Muay Thai, only the best Thai pads will do.
An essential piece of equipment for training sessions. By selecting a high-quality Muay Thai pad you can be assured of a great training session every time.
This allows you to practice well and gain more experience as you do so, while ultimately improving your fluency throughout.
Our Top Picks
Here we offer no less than eight of those highly sought after Muay Thai training pads currently retailing online.
All tested and approved by expert trainers, these are the best choice of pads that will help you take your Muay Thai training to the next level.
Contents
- 0.1 Winner: Fairtex Curved Muay Thai Pads
- 0.2 Runner-Up: Sanabul Battle Kick Pads
- 0.3 Everlast Black Thai Pad
- 0.4 MeisterMMA Curved Thai Pads
- 0.5 Contender Fight Sports Muay Thai Pads
- 0.6 Combat Sports Leather Muay Thai Pads
- 0.7 RDX Curved Muay Thai Pads
- 0.8 Overmont Muay Thai Kick Pad/ Training Shield
- 1 Muay Thai Pads FAQ
- 2 Conclusion
Winner: Fairtex Curved Muay Thai Pads
Our first choice here is a pair of Fairtex Thai pads. It isn’t just our winner, they are an Amazon Choice winner for the Best Muay Thai Pads. Fairtex ensures a top-quality product as always.
Available in a choice of standard or thick sizes, these are a modern looking pair of pads that offer a practical curved design.
This design allows for a tighter fit as well as accepting those better leg strikes throughout training. They’re also a good size to wear a Muay Thai belly pad underneath for practicing combos.
This further ensures that the Thai pads are an essential piece of kit for all styles and disciplines.
Ideal for use in the home or gym, these pads have two forearm support straps. They are also reinforced with a riveted handle. Which works to help balance and stabilization.
Allowing safe training of leg and knee strikes, these pads are lightweight but durable due to their leather construction
Pros:
- Curved design for better target
- Balance and stability increased
- Durable leather construction
Cons:
- High price tag
Product Specifications
Weight | 2 Ibs each |
Dimensions | Standard or extra thick |
Shape | Curved |
Material | Leather |
Single or pair | Pair |
Runner-Up: Sanabul Battle Kick Pads
Our next worthy contender and runner-up comes from the makers at Sanabul with their battle-tested Muay Thai kick pads.
These also come in a pair and a selection of colors, including black, white, and brown, and are available in the standard sizes.
Claimed to be the choice of those UFC fighters as daily gear, these are tested by pros and created for use within the home environment or gym.
Designed to go the distance, these are ultra-light pads, which Sanabul believes is important as bags can become heavier over time when you’re amid kicks, punches, and elbows!
For this reason, each pad here weighs simply 1.5 Ibs, yet will still accept even those biggest of hits from your kicks and Muay Thai gloves. This is all due to the San-Air Ultra-Light Foam employed throughout the pads.
Working to effortlessly combine traditional Thai style with new updated technology, these are engineered leather pads with a new hook and loop closure system.
Pros:
- Tested and used by many professional fighters
- Ultra-light pads
- New velcro loop closure system
Cons:
- Some don’t feel they hold up well to heavier kicks
Product Specifications
Weight | 1.5 Ibs each pad |
Dimensions | Standard |
Shape | Slight curve |
Material | Engineered leather |
Single or pair | Pair |
Everlast Black Thai Pad
Another fabulous choice here is the Everlast black Thai pad. This pad also gets an Amazon Choice award.
A professional-grade type of pad choice, this is an ideal selection for training in a variety of martial arts.
Boasting an authentic Thai fighting design on the pad, this is a premium and high-quality build.
Ensuring it’s hard-wearing throughout use, the material here is a constructed synthetic leather. This assures greater functionality.
Complete with a dense foam padding, which is also multi-layered, this pad benefits from an impact-absorbing action.
With safety optimal throughout use, the Everlast Thai pad works to protect those elbows and knees during all training sessions.
Finishing off the pad is an adjustable hook and loop strap. This assures a secure fit while allowing you to put the pad on and take it off in a quick time.
Pros:
- Professional grade pad type
- Impact-absorbing stuffing
- Adjustable hook and loop strap
Cons:
- Suggestions it could benefit from another strap
Product Specifications
Weight | 1.05 Ibs |
Dimensions | 15” length, width 7 – 8” |
Shape | Straight |
Material | Synthetic leather |
Single or pair | Single |
MeisterMMA Curved Thai Pads
Both our choice as one of the best MMA Thai pads and Amazon’s choice for Best Meister Thai Pads, these are the professional and curved style pads from Meister MMA.
Available for purchase in either a pair or just as one single pad, these are visually modern in design and available in one professional size for all.
Designed to provide a higher level of professional kickboxing training, these pads are slightly curved in design. This means they offer a reinforced power center target while encouraging all-round performance and better aim for kicks and punches.
Working hard to do all this safely and securely for those elbows and knees, these pads are constructed from an ultra-durable premium leather material. This makes sure they remain intact over prolonged use.
They are a versatile and lightweight pair of kick pads, with each one weighing just 2 Ibs.
Making sure the pads sit comfortably in place throughout use, padded forearm straps and reinforced leather handles finish off brilliant design features here.
Pros:
- High-level professional pad type
- Slightly curved design
- Reinforced and durable construction
Cons:
- Some claims of being too lightweight regarding strong kicks
Product Specifications
Weight | Each pad 2 Ibs |
Dimensions | 14.5″ x 7.5″ x 4.5″ |
Shape | Curved |
Material | Premium leather hide |
Single or pair | Single or a pair |
Contender Fight Sports Muay Thai Pads
For a pair of exceptional and highly rated Muay Thai kick pads, look no further than the Contender Fight Sports set.
These are a pair of striking black MMA style pads that also receive Amazon’s Choice Award for Bests Muay Thai Pads Pair.
Claimed to hold up to as much abuse as you give them, these are suggested as working perfectly with both kickboxing and Muay Thai classes.
Constructed of durable vinyl, which makes them easier to care for, these are aimed at both home use and for use in a commercial gym setting.
A standard professional size, these pads make use of two hook and loop strap systems that fasten securely around the riveted handle. This works to increase stability throughout use.
Thus when training legs and working on those knee strikes, it allows for a safer and protected environment all round.
Pros:
- Highly rated pads
- Durable and clean construction
- Two hook and loop straps
Cons:
- Many mentions of a distinct lingering odor
Product Specifications
Weight | 5.8 Ibs in total |
Dimensions | 16-Inch tall x 8-Inch wide x 3.5-inch thick |
Shape | Straight |
Material | Vinyl |
Single or pair | Pair |
Combat Sports Leather Muay Thai Pads
Combat sports offer a refreshing blue colored pair of Muay Thai pads that are completely leather constructed for wonderful durability.
Marketed as training specific pads, the Combat Sports pads benefit immensely from the inclusion of DAT. This is Dome Air Technology, and its addition to such pads means a better all-round ability to maximize shock absorbency.
Ultra-light in weight throughout use, the foam in these pads is as light as possible but continues to be effective.
Wrapped in a leather construction to ensure the pads can withstand continual abuse, these also boast two hook and loop straps in the design features.
This ensures that not only is the protection offered at its greatest, but the fit is more secure and ultimately more comfortable for the wearer.
Pros:
- Use of Dome Air Technology
- Leather material
- Two hook and loop straps on each pad
Cons:
- Some issues noted with the velcro straps
Product Specifications
Weight | 3.2 Ibs |
Dimensions | 16” tall x 8” wide x 4” thick |
Shape | Straight |
Material | Leather |
Single or pair | Pair |
RDX Curved Muay Thai Pads
RDX present its single curved Muay Thai pads, which also receive Amazon’s Choice Award for Best Muay Thai Pads.
Available in one simple size and a choice of three color types, this is an all-inclusive lined pad which benefits from no less than three layers of gel integrated foam padding!
The inclusion of such versatile padding allows for some major force throughout training with the pad being designed to absorb even those heaviest of blows without showing any deformity throughout use.
What’s more, this foam inclusion works hard to dispense all impact evenly across the pad’s surface area.
With a solid grip on the shredded textile material handle, the forearm handle here is also reinforced.
Reinforced stitching ensures the RDX pad goes the distance while increasing its durability. This, combined with its Maya hide leather, makes it an ideal pad type for many kinds of training sessions.
Pros:
- Curved design
- Three-layered gel foam padding
- Reinforced stitching
Cons:
- Most customers would prefer a pair of these pads
Product Specifications
Weight | 2.3 Ibs |
Dimensions | 37 cm long and 19 cm wide |
Shape | Curved |
Material | May hide leather |
Single or pair | Single |
Overmont Muay Thai Kick Pad/ Training Shield
For a Muay Thai Pad with a difference, the Overmont kick pad is larger than the average choice, which will certainly stand out when in use!
This is designed for use by all ages, even for kids boxing gloves, and is a safe choice for any beginner to Muay Thai and many other martial arts.
Visually distinct in a bright red color, this is bigger than a standard pad, which not only securely covers your arm but ultimately ensures all-round safety and protection when in use.
A lightweight and entirely durable model, this is a high-quality PU leather type of pad that is packed with a thick sponge. This ensures it can withstand even the strongest of kicks and punches.
Ideal for daily use, this is a user-friendly choice of pads with its ergonomically designed handle for increased comfort.
Pros:
- Larger than the average pad size
- Suitable for all ages and levels
- Increased comfort for holder and user
Cons:
- Suggested as not strong enough for teenagers/adults
Product Specifications
Weight | 9 oz |
Dimensions | 15.7” x 7.9” x 3.9” |
Shape | Straight |
Material | PU leather |
Single or pair | Single |
Muay Thai Pads FAQ
Shapes to consider
Muay Thai pads come in a selection of shapes. This is primarily because each supplier will produce a slight variation when constructing their pad.
For this reason, you can expect differences, including:
Smaller pads – These offer the same levels of thickness but can be the less forgiving of pads if they aren’t kicked on the exact spot!
Longer Pads – Can be bulky and, therefore, more difficult to hold for longer periods. But these offer more surface areas for kicking.
Hybrid pads – Usually, a cross between that of boxing and Thai pads. These allow for more active punches. However, they are usually thinner than traditional pads, so you many feel the kicks more.
Curved vs. straight pads
Some users prefer their pads to offer some form of curvature in their designs.
A curve in a Muay Thai pad is designed to make kicking easier and allow for a quicker break-in. Therefore, some people find them more comfortable pads to use.
However, straight pads are still popular choices among many users, and the choice should come down to how comfortable you feel with using each pad type. It may also be determined by the person holding the pad here!
How to select the size
Most Muay Thai pads offer four standard sizes from small to extra-large. The size you select for use will be dependent on your own physical stature.
Thus, small sizes will suit younger members, smaller women, and those smaller of men.
Medium-sized pads tend to work well with average builds and heights. The larger pad sizes suit those who are a lot bigger than average.
It’s also worth looking at how comfortable the pad feels when holding it to ensure the best overall size.
How thick should the pads be?
The thickness of these pads is extremely important as the thicker the pad, the more protection it can offer you throughout use. Those thin pads tend to allow the user and the holder to feel every kick!
The best pad is one that prevents you from feeling the shock of each kick and keeps both user and holder adequately protected throughout use.
Conclusion
A fantastic and most practical piece of kit, if you’re looking to improve your performance and accuracy, no doubt selecting the best Muay Thai pad can help immensely.
With all these reviewed pads offering a vast selection of sizes, thickness, and shapes, you can be assured of finding the most suitable Muay Thai pad to match your current training requirements.
Thai pads probably won’t be your first equipment purchase if you’re a beginner, so check out our other reviews.