How to Choose a Pair of Muay Thai Pads
The use of Muay Thai pads is a very important part of training in Muay Thai. Thai pads are unique to Muay Thai and are not a traditional part of any other martial arts training. However, as the usefulness of Thai pads have been demonstrated by fighters with a background in Muay Thai, Thai pads have become a staple of training in other martial arts as well.
When choosing a pair of Thai pads, it is important to take a number of things into consideration. First, one should consider what kind of material the exterior of the pad is made of. Most Thai pads have a 100% leather exterior. However, some Thai pads have an exterior made of some synthetic material. Leather pads are generally more durable than pads covered with synthetic materials.
Another thing to consider is how the straps hold onto the user’s forearm. There are basically two different designs, pads with velcro straps or pads with leather straps and buckles. Both designs can fail over time with heavy use. Velcro can wear down and lose its ability to bond the straps together, and leather straps can wear through and tear away from the buckle. The velcro design also usually has thicker straps than the buckle design, but whether that is good or bad is a matter of personal preference.
Thaismai Muay Thai pads with leather buckle straps
Another obvious thing to consider is how thick and solid the padding feels inside the pad. Considering your pads are going to be subjected to hundreds of thousands of kicks over their lifetime, the padding has to be very dense and durable. If a pair of pads is soft to the touch when it’s brand new, it will get flat as a pancake after it gets used. A good pair of Thai pads should maintain their padding over time.
The last thing to consider is what color to choose. Thai pads generally don’t come with fancy graphics and wild colors like gloves or shin pads do, which tends to limit one’s choice.
I suggest Thaismai or Twins Special Muay Thai pads. They are both constructed well, covered in 100% leather, with tight stitching all around. The padding inside the pads is very dense and durable, assuring that the pad maintains its shape and thickness over time. Thaismai, Twins Special and other Muay Thai pads can be found at:
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