Top 5 Muay Thai pads for any budget.
I have been since 2013. Holding pads has been an entirely separate learning process from fighting. Aside from learning combinations, correct placement of pads, alternative ways to hold for the same technique, using pads for various objectives like offense or defense, there is also the discovery of what pad to use. What brand feels best? What type of pad do you like? All these questions are part of the learning process. Now, if you are a gym owner like me, there is also the added experience of learning what works best for your gym,
For instance, at first, I use to carry very hard, high quality leather pads from a well known Thai brand. I liked them because they were hard and tough and that is what you need for conditioning the shins. I liked them because they would last longer through hours and hours and months and even years of pad holding, making them economical, and I loved them because they looked nice. But what I discovered is that it scared many a beginner away. They were so hard that newbies would get bruised forearms after the first day and not return. So what works for a gym, being a business, is not the same as what works for that hardened fighter transitioning to coaching. We are also not taking into account the size of the pads versus the person, buckles vs velcro, cowhide verse buffalo hide, etc.
So here it is, 5 Muay Thai pads for every occasion and budget and how best to use them;
Ring to Cage MUGHALS Elite Curved Thai Pad $60.00-$175.00
This is my gym pad. I love it. Flat out it is the best pad available for sixty bucks or less. What makes it so great is its all around ease of use and cost. It’s a soft pad, but sturdy. You will not feel a thing with strong kicks. It is super easy on the forearms with this nice cushion placement underneath the straps, and the straps themselves are very sturdy. When I had the fancy brand pads, people were very intimidated when it came to holding pads, but with these, it seems people are just responding better. They are light at 3 lbs per pad, also the velcro on these pads lasted much longer than on my fancy brand. I originally bought these because the velcro on my Thai Cowhide leather fancy pads were dead after one years use. The pad itself was fine, except no one could keep them on their forearms well enough to use them. I tried all kinds of velcro saving techniques that I found online but it seems the velcro was just dead. The velcro on these however are working super well on their tenth month mark of activity. The only flaw is that they are buffalo leather, so they can shred easily from impact. After about six months I started getting lots of flakes all over the place. Yea, you know what I am taking about. Shredded leather flakes that fall off in small strips that you have to sweep up after class. Still, even shredded they are fully functional. Mines are entering their tenth month of high demand use as a gym pad, and I estimate they will hit one year at least. That is pretty good for sixty bucks. When I consider short term investment, and if you are just getting started opening up a gym, this is your budget alternative. If you are doing well you can replace them in a year and your costs will be spread out over two years rather than a heavy lump sum investment on something that as in my case, may still not last you long enough to warrant the investment on a way more expensive pad. And if you really love the pad, then you can upgrade to the hi end version offered by ring to cage that is made out of cowhide leather and will last you longer. As it stands, they would have to last twice as long to warrant the purchase. I will get a pair and investigate them and update this review. Both versions are also a good pad to buy if you are training and your gym’s pads are dying and you want to bring your own pads.
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2. Fairtex Thai Superior Kickboxing Curved Kick Pads-KPLS2-Black/red - Cowhide Leather $160.00
What can I say about Fairtex. They know their stuff. This is their top tier pad, and it is a work beast. Has all the best of everything. Lets start with the feel. The perfect blend between hard and soft. They aren’t rocks like some of the harder style pads you see out there in Thai gyms, but they aren’t pillows either. So taking kicks from Buakaw will be cake if you have the triceps to match. Now, I am not saying Fairtex can’t do wrong. The Fairtex KPLC5 Muay Thai Kickboxing Lightweight Thai Pads - Black, Black/Gold I definitely do not like. The forearm cushion is too tall and bends my wrists in really uncomfortable ways when holding on to the handle, they are too “smooshy” and feel weak, and a bit too short for my monkey arms. But these pads feel really nice and the cowhide leather will last you years before shredding up to the point of being done. If anything you may get leather cracking first, but not before years of use. These pads are good for the professional pad holder. If you are a coach at a gym doing a lot of privates with some tough fighters that can really smash pads, these are a worthy investment.
To buy click below.
3. Ring to Cage MUGHALS MiM-Foam Curved Muay Thai Kicking Pad $70.00-$130.00
I wanted to get my assistant coach a pair of Thai pads to do his privates with and I liked the Mughals Elites so as I was searching for them I found these. They were ten bucks more but where also a different design and I was curious so I ordered him a pair. I was not disappointed. This was actually the perfect pad to buy. First, the forearm design is super cushioned. You feel nothing. They are thicker but shorter than the Elites and at 2 lbs per pad are a pound lighter than the Elites and so faster. With their speed and cushioning you can really lay in some good cardio pad sessions while not fatiguing yourself. Good for those newbie clients that cringe at the thought of hitting hard leather or that massive kicker that makes you cringe because your arms are going to feel like noodles at the end of the session. They are made of the same Buffalo leather so don’t expect more than a year and a half from them at full industrial gym use, but they should last you a couple years of privates depending on your type of clientele and at seventy bucks, that is sixty percent cheaper than a high end pad. Also a great personal pad if you are looking to get your own on a budget to take to the gym with you. But as with the Elites, Ring to Cage also makes a Higher end Cowhide Leather version, so if you loved them and want more durability, you can upgrade!
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4. Ring to Cage Platinum Elbow Cushion GelTech Muay Thai Pad, with. Professional Thai Pads for Muay Thai, MMA, Kickboxing $150
While companies like Fairtext and Yokkao are the gold standard in Muay Thai gear, I have an issue with the rise in prices of their gear. So if I can save a few bucks and get an equal or better product, I will. Ring to Cage offers gear for every level at every quality range and cheaper than most. Enter these Cowhide leather pads. Yes they are pricey at one hundred and fifty dollars, but that is still a few bucks cheaper than other flagship brand pads and they offer a lot of nice details. This is a fighters pad first of all, They are tough. Don’t expect a soft, cushy landing. The shins need to be prepared as with any real Thai Pad. On the other side is a gel pad that absorbs that tough kick with good cushioning and absorption. At just under three pounds, they are a light pad for those of you that like five minute rounds of pads and feel that arm fatigue. The elbow pad absorbs additional pressure and protects you somewhat from those “oops” moments when the kicks go to low (even though I tend to hurt my partners more than they hurt me when accidentally kicking my elbows, it’s still good to not have to worry so much). The natural leather look of the wrist straps is attractive, making this pad attractive as well as effective. If you are looking for a hi end pad but want to save a few bucks, here it is.
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5. RDX MMA Strike Shield Pair Kick Target Focus Bag Thai Pads Boxing Mitts Punching Kickboxing $70.50
As I said before, while I love the Fairtex KPLS2’s, the KPLC5’s “lightweights” not so much. And the reason is largely the forearm cushion that makes it weird to hold the pad and the low quality feeling (for the price). Enter RDX, a company aggressively expanding with quality, inexpensive gear. These pads are very similar to the Fairtex lightweights, but with an option without the poorly designed forearm cushion, but if you like it and it fits well then you can order them with the cushion. Either way the curved designed helps to mitigate much of the power from kicks. At about 2.7 lbs, and with the oval shape, they are really good for punching.
To buy click below.
Comment below and let us know what your experiences have been with your pads!