Muay Thai has always been synonymous with fierce training regimes. In the goal of producing tough-as-nails fighters, body conditioning plays a huge role in developing your ability to overpower your opponents.
You probably think that Muay Thai fighters are worth their salt— being able to chop tree trunks with their shins.
And while most fighters hold on to the idea of hardening the body using obsolete and usually dangerous methods to devastate their opponents with their kicks, the truth is if you wish to enjoy practicing Muay Thai for a long time, you need to be sure that your body will be able to carry you.
Anyone who has trained in Muay Thai knows how important it is to get the best Muay Thai Shin Guards.
Hitting your shin against your opponent’s elbow or knee is simply too painful to even for the seasoned fighters. And an appropriate pair of shin guards can help you avoid ugly bruises and swollen shins and ankles.
The market offers various Muay Thai shin guards— not created equally. To ensure that you choose only the best, below are some of the top models on the market today!
A quick look at the best Muay Thai shin guards
- Best Overall: Venum Elite Shin Guards
- Runner-Up: Top King Shin Guard Protector
- Budget Pick: Venum Kontact Shin Guards
- Fairtex Competition Shin Guards
- Sanabul Essential Shin Guards
How we chose
- Quality. We included items produced by reputable manufacturers that adhere to good manufacturing processes.
- Vetting. We take product selection seriously. We only want to recommend the highest quality products, which is why we carefully vet every potential supplier.
- Price. We try to provide options for everyones budget preferences.
Best Muay Thai Shin Guards
Here is my list of the best Muay Thai shin guards this year.
Best Overall
1. Venum Elite Shin Guards
Coming on top of our list and boasting a 4.7-star rating on Amazon alone, popular brand Venum offers the Elite Shin Guards that are specially created for the elite Muay Thai fighters looking for a superb fighting performance.
There is not much to say about the protection level of the Venum Elite other than that “elite” pretty much sums it up.
It features pro-anatomical reinforcement on key areas – instep and shinbone – delivering the ultimate protection while increasing the optimum striking surface. Its high-density foam with extra padding ensures superb shock absorption.
Constructed from 100% Skinlatex leather, this pair of shin guards combines superior durability with excellent comfort to the wearer.
And while the Elite offers you full lower leg protection, Venum keeps things nice and compact so you will not be burdened with excess weight, so your mobility and speed will not be restricted.
Lastly, the Elite features a reliable securing system following the double Velcro strap path and combined with the standard underfoot elastic band.
This offers a comfortable fit, requiring little to no adjustment even during long training sessions.
- Premium Skinlatex leather construction
- Lightweight design offers unrestricted speed and mobility
- High-density foam with extra padding or better shock absorption
- Handmade in Thailand
- Velcro straps for a non-slip fit
- Elite price too
Runner-Up
2. Top King Shin Guard Protector
Top King is no rookie in the Muay Thai gear market. And these premium, high-quality leather shin guards from Top King are constant toppers in most Muay Thai safety gear reviews.
Offering good leg coverage that reaches around your shins completely as well as the high-density foam padding, this pair of shin guards will offer you superior protection.
It is also specially designed that focuses on areas around the lower leg muscles and under your kneecaps for better protection.
Being on the traditional side, this pair of shin guards use the loop strap and double hook system. Although they hug your legs pretty snuggly, occasional adjusting during long sparring session might be needed.
In addition, the sleek silhouette of these shin guards is another reason why it is a favorite. They don’t just fit better, but they also look and feel better, giving you superior mobility and do not compromise on speed.
What’s more, is that Top King offers these shin guards in various colors and high-density styles to choose from. There’s also an option to pick a size for the best fit.
- Constructed from premium leather
- Durable and lightweight
- Traditional Muay Thai design
- Various colors available
- May feel tight at first
- Metal loops are prone to rust
- Expensive
Budget Pick
3. Venum Kontact Shin Guards
Another reliable shin guards from Venum, Kontact is a much cheaper alternative to the Elite. With a 4.3-star rating, the Venum Kontact is Amazon’s Choice for “Shin Pads Muay Thai”.
The Kontact focuses more towards minimal weight, comfort and favoring mobility and speed over protection.
These are shin guard sleeves, you won’t expect that same protection that you get than the standard shin guards, however, it is the best value-for-the-money option for light sparring.
With these on, you will not have to compromise in the least in terms of speed and mobility.
In terms of fit, the Kontact fits snugly on your legs like reinforced socks, so they stay in place.
Since these are sleeves, you can just throw them in the washing machine for a quick clean.
Being lightweight, its protection is not that good, making it a good option for light sparring. Nevertheless, the Kontacts is best paired with leather shin guards, when you decide to go pro.
- Stretch fabric
- Comfortable use
- Precise fit
- Easy to clean
- Offers great speed and mobility
- Not the best for protection
4. Fairtex Competition Shin Guards
These shin guards from Fairtex are more on the “armor-tastic” zone of shin protectors and this particular pair is neither weightless not small.
In return for its bulkiness, this pair offers maximum coverage, extending from the top of your knees to your toes, making them the best choice for beginners.
Featuring synthetic leather shell, Fairtex even added a considerable amount of padding for better shock absorption while the armor-like design offers complete protection. There’s also the extended instep for better foot protection.
These shin guards are also re-designed to remove all metal fixtures and rough edges that can irritate your legs as you move and kick around. Meanwhile, the double hook and loop strap system ensures a nice fit while still making your legs look good.
These have excellent comfort though take a few sessions to break-in. They are made of durable leather, have good mobility and are perfect for competition and intense sparring. Fairtex is the way to go.
5. Sanabul Essential Shin Guards
Being the #1 Best Seller in Martial Arts Shin Guards, these shin guards from Sanabul is another reliable shin protector.
It has enhanced protection with the one-piece high-impact foam specially designed to protect your shins and legs. Meanwhile, articulated in-step padding contours to your foot ergonomically.
While they do have added reinforcement and protection foam, these shin guards will not last you years of intense training. Thus, it makes a suitable choice for light sparring and for beginners.
Boasting excellent durability, this pair of Essential Hybrid Shin Guards is triple-stitched for added reinforcement.
And there’s no need to keep adjusting it during long training hours— it features a neoprene slip-on design complete with the proprietary middle leg fastener and top leg fastener ensuring a snug fit and minimizing the movement of the shin guards as you kick and move.
Very light and mobile, this pair of shin guards will never fail you in terms of speed. It is available in XS size, making it suitable for kids who weigh less than 110 pounds and measuring 4’4” – 5’1”.
Available in various colors. Light shin guards that are not too bulky. Inexpensive. A great choice for kids and beginners.
Final Words
Shin guards are important if you wish to keep on throwing kicks. And while it is not that easy to find the best Muay Thai shin guards, finding a shin guard for sparring or training that’s comfortable but also allows you to move naturally should be your first and foremost goal.
For the best shin protection, I highly recommend Venum’s Elite Shin Guard. And although it does have an elite price tag, you will have the utmost protection for intense sparring sessions making it worth every penny.
Plus it is also highly durable to last you for years to come and prevent higher costs buying another pair of shin guards every now and then.
However, if you are still testing the water and just want to try out if Muay Thai is for you or just need something affordable with enough protection, then the Venum Kontact makes a nice choice as well as the Sanabul Essential Hybrid Shin Guards for all-around protection with 1/3 the price.
Nevertheless, I can say that every shin guard included on this list are reliable and of high quality. I hope that this article was helpful in your search for the best Muay Thai shin guards.
Do you have another pair of shin guard you use not included in the list, feel free to share it in the comment section below?
Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and fellow Muay Thai fighters!
