Muay Thai is one of the most dangerous combative sports globally. Therefore, wearing and using protective gear is a must. It’s highly likely that you’ll end up hurting yourself if you don’t train or protect yourself properly, which includes using the best training pads.
In this article, we’ll review the five best Thai pads you want to get a hold of. Each and everyone that I’ll list has unique benefits and is considered one of the best currently available on the wide market.
But first, why should you even use Muay Thai pads? Well, the answer to that is quite simple. It’s one of the best dynamic training tools you have in all striking-based martial arts. It’ll help you practice offense and defense while ensuring a realistic training experience. That is, of course, if your partner knows to use pads properly, which we’ll also cover soon. If you want to know how to hold Thai pads properly, stay tuned.
So now, I want to dive into the five best Muay Thai pads already, as I know that’s why you’re here for. Once you choose the one that you like most, you can get it and continue reading this article, as I’ll cover various drills you can use that many Boxers and Muay Thai disciples said were the ones that helped them progress and learn the most.
Let’s dive into the first one!
Best Overall
Sanabul Muay Thai Pads
| Colors/Designs | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Black | Lightweight |
| Brown | Gritty and Durable |
| White | Reliable Company |
| Best Overall Pads |
Sanabul is a popular brand known for producing a wide range of combat sports equipment, including Muay Thai pads. They have gained a reputation for offering good quality products at affordable prices. Many users have found their Muay Thai pads to be durable, comfortable, and capable of withstanding intense training sessions. In regards to the company itself, they’re more than trustworthy and worthy of investing in it.
The reason I listed these pads specifically as the best overall is because I believe, from my experience, that it’s the most cost-effective pair you’ll find. There are actually more expensive pads on the market and they provide a similar value and quality as Sanabul did. Therefore, I would argue that this is, in my eyes, the best pair of pads on the market.
It’s an incredibly durable and gritty item. Many pads will wear off rather quickly, especially if you and your partners hit them hard enough. Therefore, while it might be more beneficial to punch or kick with more power, you’ll avoid doing so not to wear off your pads quickly. However, this is no concern with what Sanabul forged. It’s an incredibly gritty pair of pads and you’ll be able to use them effectively and without worrying.
And these are the reasons I listed this pair as the best overall Muay Thai pads.
Best Budget
Farabi Sports Thai Pads
| Colors/Designs | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Black | Affordable |
| Blue | Durable |
| Red & White | Reliable Company |
| Best Budget Thai Pads |
Farabi Sports is another brand that produces various combat sports equipment, including Thai pads. They offer a range of products for different martial arts disciplines, and many of their customers have found their Thai pads to be of good quality and suitable for training.
These pads are made from synthetic later, which are exceptionally durable and gritty. I was surprised to find out that these are relatively high-quality, which was surprising to me since they’re cheaper than most other pads on the market and it’s the cheapest one on our list.
These pads are easily controllable and maneuverable, which is fantastic for novice fighters. Likewise, they’re comfortable to hold. All in all, I chose this as the best budget pick because they provide sufficient quality while being suitable for, I would say, anyone’s budget.
This pair is best suited for novice Muay Thai trainees who want to start using pads to train either at home or in their Muay Thai gym with a partner. It’s also suitable for disciples who are simply unwilling to spend a lot on pads.
Best for Beginners
Contender Fight Sports Muay Thai Pads
| Colors/Designs | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Black | Safe to use |
| Suitable for kicking and punching | |
| Reliable Company | |
| Durable |
The next pads we’ll review are distributed by Contended Fight Sports, which is a brand that constructs equipment for martial arts. They sell all kinds of Boxing, martial arts, Muay Thai, and general fitness equipment; they’re a trustworthy and respectable company in the realm of martial arts.
I’m always confident when I recommend a product I found to be helpful for many people and trainees when the company behind it is solid and trustworthy, which is one of the reasons I chose it to be the most suitable for beginners.
Anyways, this is a more affordable set of pads, as, unlike the upcoming pads, they arrive as a pair. Therefore, you won’t have to buy two singles to match them up, which will make the overall purchase more costly (assuming you want a pair of two and not a single, which I encourage you to do.)
It’s suitable for beginners because it provides everything you need while providing high-quality and overall excellent quality, which is everything you really need. I know you’ll enjoy using this item with the drills I’ll list after we finish covering the five best pads (2 more to go!) so stay tuned for that.
RDX Muay Thai Pad
| Colors/Designs | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Black | Made from protective and gritty leather |
| Blue | Exceptionally Durable |
| Red | Reliable Company |
| White | Premium Pads |
The next pad we’ll review is sold as a single, which means that it’s going to end up costing more for a pair. Actually, you only need a single pad to execute many drills. However, having two is always more beneficial.
So while it’s more costly, it’s much higher quality than the ones we’ve reviewed thus far. It’s made from Maya Hide Leather, which is extremely durable and suitable for the purpose it’s made for – to get hit many times.
This pad is suitable for all martial arts out there, including Karate, Kickboxing, Boxing, and all other striking-based martial arts. The truth is, this is one of the highest-quality pads you can get your hands on. So if you want to invest more in getting a rather premium item, this is one you definitely want to consider.
Fairtex Curved Muay Thai Pads
| Colors/Designs | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Black/White | Highest Quality |
| Black/Red | Exceptionally Durable |
| Premium Company | |
| Premium Pads |
Fairtex is one of my absolute favorite martial arts companies, especially for Muay Thai equipment. They’ve been able to outperform their competition time and time again, which makes me trust them so much more.
Fairtex Curved Muay Thai pads, in particular, have garnered positive reviews from many practitioners and trainers. These pads are designed with a curved shape, which allows for better ergonomics and a snug fit on the holder’s arms. The curved design helps to absorb and disperse the impact of strikes, making them comfortable for both the pad holder and the striker.
Many users appreciate the durability of Fairtex products, as they are made with high-quality materials that can withstand intense training sessions. The padding inside the pads provides sufficient protection for both the trainer and the fighter during drills and sparring sessions.
Who are these pads suitable for? I would genuinely say that these are suitable for fighters who want to invest in the best of the best. You might find higher-quality pads if you look for them long enough. However, you won’t find it at the price they’re currently listed at.
Therefore, I’m confident that Fairtex’s Muay Thai pads will provide you with anything you need to start training, getting results, and enjoying the electrifying and powerful world of Muay Thai.
And these are the five best Muay Thai pads you want to get a hold of.
Muay Thai Pad Drills
So now that you have a Muay Thai pad, it’s time we review some drills you want to use to maximize and optimize your progression and learning rate. So without further introduction, here are the best ones.
- Jab–Cross–Hook–Kick: The striker starts with a jab to the pad holder’s left pad, followed by a cross to the right pad, then a hook to the left pad, and finally, a roundhouse kick to the pad holder’s right side. This drill focuses on combinations and proper weight transfer during strikes.
- Teep-Knee–Elbow–Teep: The striker starts with a front teep (push kick) to the pad holder’s midsection, followed by a knee strike to the same pad, then an elbow strike, and finishes with another front teep. This drill helps improve versatility and close-range striking.
- Dutch Style Knees: In this drill, the pad holder holds both pads close together, creating a target for the striker to deliver a series of alternating knees with speed and power. This drill helps develop strong knee strikes and clinch techniques.
- Kicking Combinations: The pad holder calls out various kicking techniques (e.g., roundhouse kick, push kick, or switch kick), and the striker responds quickly with the appropriate kick. This drill helps enhance kicking precision and reaction time.
- Combinations with Defensive Movements: The pad holder throws light strikes at the striker, who responds with a defensive movement (e.g., slip, bob and weave, or parry) before countering with a combination of strikes. This drill improves defensive skills and counterattacking abilities.
- Speed Pad Work: The pad holder holds the pads at varying heights and angles, and the striker delivers quick and explosive strikes in rapid succession. This drill helps develop speed, agility, and coordination.
- Pad Control and Feints: The pad holder randomly changes the pad’s position to simulate the unpredictability of a real opponent. The striker must adjust their strikes and use feints to set up their combinations effectively.
How to Hold Muay Thai Pads Properly
Understanding how to properly hold Muay Thai pads is critical both for the holder and the striker. Therefore, it’s critical you read this section before moving on with your day. Indeed, before you consider using the pads you now have, make sure you completely understand this section.
- Hand Positioning: Position your hands correctly inside the pads. Use a boxing glove or a pad holder’s glove for added protection. Place your hands firmly on the backside of the pads, ensuring your fingers are spread out and your thumbs are wrapped around the back edge.
- Stance: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Keep a solid base for stability and mobility during pad work.
- Angle and Height: Hold the pads at the appropriate height and angle corresponding to the striker’s strikes. For example, when holding for punches, position the pads near your forehead at a slight angle. For kicks, present the pads at hip height or lower, depending on the type of kick.
- Communication: Clear communication is essential during pad work. Talk to the striker and establish a signal for them to start and stop their strikes. This helps prevent any misunderstanding and allows the striker to focus on their technique.
- Absorb the Impact: As the striker hits the pads, absorb the impact by allowing the pads to move slightly with the force of the strikes. Avoid holding the pads too rigidly, as it can cause unnecessary strain on both you and the striker.
Final Words
This article was all about using Thai pads properly. You now possess the ability to train in a unique way, which is more complicated to use. However, it will also be more rewarding, diversify your training session, and will provide you with tons of benefits.
There’s one last point I want to address. There’s no replacement for real-life training. Although you can watch videos and read guides and articles and become a more knowledgeable fighter (which is very important), you also want to pair that up with real training experience.
And I’ll leave you off to your Muay Thai journey!
If you want to know what equipment is necessary to get for your Muay Thai training, I wrote the ultimate guide to equipment and protective gear for Muay Thai, which you want to read!
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