Real quick, Let me just start by saying: Stay away from TWINS USA/twinsfightgear.com
They have a long history of scamming people and are NOT affiliated with TWINS SPECIAL/TWINS FIGHT GEAR.
I LOVE twins gear, and I order my equipment from either amazon or muaythaifactory.com
STAY AWAY FROM TWINS USA.com
Reference:
Also, I typically stay away from MMA brands.
Reason being: Although striking, and by proxy, Muay Thai is a component of the sport, the quality and standards for the products are not up to par to the quality of Muay Thai centric brands.
You have to consider the volume of training for Muay Thai versus MMA and the amount of wear that the products sustain.
Thus, the materials and build quality *I* believe are a bit superior to their MMA counterparts.
No Offense.
Now, without further adieu, Allow me to begin at the beginning…
Thai Pads.
No, I’m not talking about the delicious noodle based Thai food dish that I promptly hear about whenever I mention ‘Thai Pads’ (har har har).
I am talking about the number one training tool for Muay Thai:
THAI. PADS.
These are pads that trainers use to develop many aspects of an athlete.
From stamina and conditioning, to precision, to technique acquisition and retention. Thai pads are a super versatile tool and absolutely necessary when training Muay Thai.
Not saying you can’t train Muay Thai without thai pads, but that would be like having a great meal without dessert 😉
If you are at a school that requires you to learn how to hold pads; That’s awesome- and congrats!
On top of learning the sport of Muay Thai, you are also learning an important skill in being a pad holder. A great pad holder is a treasure…. Let that be an inspiration to you.
Ok cool, now what?
Consider the scenario: You have been using the loaner pads and they are worn out, the velcro isn’t sticking anymore and your significant other is complaining of the stank on your forearms despite the vigorous washing you give them before heading home.
Is this you?
So, now you are here, reading this, and thinking of making an investment on your own pair of Thai Pads.
YES.
How do we choose a good pair of pads?
I have a very simple criteria.
As with any initial investment one has to consider cost.
A good pair of Thai pads doesn’t have to break the bank, but a good pair of Thai pads aren’t cheap either.
Don’t let that last sentence scare you. If you care for, and maintain your equipment properly, your investment should last you quite a long time.
Entiendes?
So, cost aside, what are things to consider?
- Material/Build
- Brand
- Dimensions
- Material/Build
Generally speaking, pure cowhide or genuine leather is the best and will last you the longest. You can keep the leather from cracking by moisturizing it with vaseline and as long as you are wiping it down after use and letting it air dry, the equipment should be free from odor.
If you are ethically opposed to using animal based products, there are few Thai pads made with synthetic material that offer the same durability and sustainability as leather based products.
Please check with the manufacturer before purchasing products if this is a consideration you’re taking.
Velcro Vs. Buckle Forearm Straps.
I personally use velcro based straps, for ease of equipping them, and likewise, there is less time spend futzing around with the thai pads in a class setting, less time wasted and more time spent learning and practicing.
If you are casually training or are a personal trainer, I think the buckles are fine.
Just be mindful of wasting people’s time having to fuck around with putting the buckles on.
- Brand
There’s a reason why some of these brands have been around decades: They consistently put out high quality, affordable products.
No need to reinvent the wheel.
I always look for products that are made and developed in Thailand, the country of origin for the sport of Muay Thai.
Why? Logically speaking, they have been involved with the sport since it’s inception and have developed many of the products still use today so they have the most experience in this area.
I am a huge fan of Twins, but Fairtex is a good brand. So is Thaismai and Top King.
The aforementioned brands have always been consistently good. Their build, durability, and velcro quality.
Nothing is more annoying than paying a certain amount for a product and maybe a few months later the velcro stops sticking, or the seams of the pads bust open. >(
- Dimensions
I’m a bit of a slight person. 5 7”, 145 lbs of suppleness.
I prefer small, lighter pads. There was a time that I exclusively used the medium ‘Twins Thai Pads’ but have out grown them and prefer the lightness of the small ‘Fairtex Thai Pads’.
That’s not without consideration of the length of the pads and the risk of injury from a missed kick.
I think the medium pads are great for beginners to use since they’re not bulky enough to be heavy and clumsy, nor are they small enough to risk injury from an overzealous training partner.
Pad sizes vary from brand, but generally fall into three categories:
Small (For advanced use)
Medium (Good overall)
Large (For heavyweight use)
The various sizes will also have different force absorption/resonance profiles.
For example, Thinner pads will absorb less impact and require a little more technique for use, if that makes any sense.
Ok, here are the results:
#1 Choice: Best for Beginners/All Around Use/Commercial Use
Twins Special Kick pads
Nearly two decades using these thai pads, they have lasted the longest in any gym that I have owned for been involved in, and they have consistently been made with durability in mind.
These will last you forever!
My criticism for these is that they tend to be a bit heavy, but that means that the material used on the outside and the inside is top notch. Very rarely have a used a pair of these that have been kicked in through the middle.
Good Stuff!!
#2 Runner-Up: Fairtex Curved Muay Thai Pads
These are cool too! Fairtex has a long history within the sport and I use the small version of these pads for speed, lightness and ease of use.
Now, I have a ton of experience with pad holding, and years of conditioning to my forearms and even with all that said, I still will receive a missed kick to my arm or elbow, so heed my warning when I say that the small versions will yield similar results.
Furthermore: The small version are single strapped meaning they require extra grip strength to keep the pads stabilized. Just a heads up.
Ok. The medium ones are great and I would say maybe depending on your body dimensions they will be the perfect fit.
I think for me they are a bit bulky and clumsy.
I prefer the tighter profile Fairtex pads which I believe aren’t made anymore 🙁
Now, my criticism for Fairtex pads is that they get kicked through fairly quickly so shelf life and turnaround time for them is quick.
Good for enthusiast, bad for business. 🙁
They’re cool though- Up to you!
Honorable Mention:
Too ‘Poofy’ or ‘Pillowy’ for me, but people love them cos they’re light. 🙂
Bonus: Thai pad holders
Find a 2”x2”, bolt onto studs in wall, measure thai pads and add a hook in the middle of where the handle would be. Boom. You have a Thai Pad/Equipment holder.
So that’s it! Let me know what you guys think. If there’s any brand you think I should try out. Let me know!
Thanks for reading and thanks for watching!