Hey there, glad to have you here. If you’re a regular reader then you already know how much I love Muay Thai and talking about it with people.
One thing I find amazing about the sport is how it has hidden gems for every skill level. For example, even though elbow strikes have always been a part of Muay Thai, it’s very rare to see them.
That’s because elbow strikes are dangerous, they can easily knock a person out or break bones. But that also makes elbow strikes a must-know for anyone who wants to go all out.
If you’re in this camp, you’ll need elbow pads so you don’t accidentally give someone a concussion. Read on to find the 5 best Muay Thai elbow pads out there.
In a hurry?
If you don’t have much time check the table below to quickly find the best Muay Thai elbow pads for you on Amazon. You can be assured I only choose the best products…
Last update on 2024-03-31
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need Elbow Pads?
All Nak Muays (Muay Thai practitioners; pronounced “knock mu’ee”), especially competitors in full rules fights, need Muay Thai elbow pads.
Here’s why:
- Falls: With Muay Thai, chances are you’ll fall on your elbows once or twice and that stings like heck if you use anything less than the best Muay Thai elbow pads.
- Personal Protection: Imagine hitting your funny bone against a human skull, yikes!! Enough said.
- Partner Protection: Elbow strikes are dangerous; an elbow pad will help keep your partner safe.
Things to Consider When Buying Best Muay Thai Elbow Pads
Believe me, you don’t want to pick the wrong elbow pads.
Consider these factors when buying pads:
- Size: Pads that shift or cut off circulation are a no-no. Because they are designed primarily for an Asian market, large sizes work best.
- Padding: Padding should be reasonably thick and soft.
- Material: Pads should be made of durable materials.
Here Is My Top 5 Pick
Now that that’s done with, here’s the part you’ve been waiting for. After trying out a bunch of Muay Thai Elbow Pads, here are the 5 best Muay Thai elbow pads I can recommend.
1. RDX Forearm Guard
These bad boys go above and beyond in protecting your forearm. This feature alone makes it unlike most Muay Thai elbow pads out there.
That being said, these elbow pads’ selling point is their padding and how far it goes. My elbow strikes tend to hurt quite a bit when I go all out but with the RDX forearm guard, I could go almost nonstop.
That’s probably because these pads are made of a special foam (EVA foam) that covers everything from the middle of your arm to the middle of your fingers. It doesn’t slack on style either.
The sizes available are large and extra-large, so you won’t have to worry about fit unless you’re a pretty big guy. They also have a hook and loop strap so they hardly slip during use.
Want to know what’s even better? They are made of a carbon-fiber which is lightweight and impressively resistant to tears. That means you can get a pair of elbow pads that’ll last for years.
If you’ve been looking for all-in-one protection for your arms, forearms, and hands, this is the closest you’ll ever get.
2. Bodyprox Elbow Protection Pads
Honestly, when I first saw these pads, I didn’t think much of them. Boy, was I wrong? Their combination of comfort and protection is second to none.
These pads offer a level of mobility and comfort that’s just phenomenal. These pads come with a padded foam grid that not only offers protection from hits but also provides relief for sore muscles.
These pads’ compression fabric material makes them uniquely suited for protecting your elbows and arms from falls and injuries.
They come in a wide range of sizes ranging from 7.5 to 14 inches so you have nothing to worry about unless you’re a particularly beefy dude. It only comes in black but that’s well worth it for its slick design.
Another nice feature is that it’s a little bit elastic so it can be slipped on and off without any issue. It doesn’t slip off during use if you have the right fit though.
If you’ve been having issues with falling during practice sessions, these are the best Muay Thai elbow pads. If you’ve been having sore elbows for a while and need something that adds a little bit of relief, you should also get these gems.
3. RDX Pro Elbow Pads
Honestly, there aren’t many companies making good Muay Thai elbow pads. But of the few that do, I have to give props to RDX. These elbow pads offer the same soft padding found in the RDX forearm guards.
The selling point, is they don’t go all the way to the hands which is perfect if you want to use the pads with Muay Thai gloves.
Can I just mention how cool their design is too? These pads come in black, blue, or red with the golden RDX logo neatly sewn into the fabric. As far as design goes, I couldn’t ask for anything more.
These pads’ carbon-fiber build makes them sturdy and lightweight. So, it’ll last for years and won’t trap sweat. Just like the RDX forearm guard, they come with a hook and loop that stopped them from shifting whenever I used it.
But the best part is they come in small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes so you’re guaranteed to find one that fits. It’s a fair deal in my opinion.
If you’ve been looking for awesome protection for your elbows but still want to be able to comfortably put something else on your forearms and hands, this is for you.
4. Venum Kontact Elbow Protector
If you’ve been a Nak Muay for a while then you’ve probably been waiting to see a Venum on this list. True to Venum’s usual performance, these elbow pads are the coolest looking on this list.
They come in black, red, blue, grey, and a mix of some of these colors so you won’t have a hard time choosing a pair that fit your style. They also come in a wide range of sizes so no matter your body type, you won’t be disappointed.
I couldn’t help but notice how uniquely tailored these gloves are for full-rules fights. From the feel and firmness, you can tell they are made from high-quality cotton. That means they hit well (but not too well) and are machine washable.
Another nice feature is the precision cutout hole in the inner elbow that helps to reduce the force hitting you and your opponent during a hit in a full-on fight. They also don’t slip thanks to their nifty Velcro closure.
I found these very useful for no holds barred fights and I recommend them for this specific purpose.
5. HiRui Elbow Pads
I have to admit, I hadn’t heard of HiRui up until I saw these elbow pads and I was fully expecting to have to return them. After using them for a couple of sessions though, I’m keeping them for life.
These pads’ selling point is their honeycomb pads without a doubt. These pads provide the ultimate protection during sparring sessions (when you’re able to restrain yourself a bit).
Its dual-layer wicking design kept my arms dry all through and its non-slip inner silicone strip meant that it was the only pair of pads that never shifted, even a little, during my test runs.
One thing I’m bothered a bit about is its strange design; it’s nothing like any other Muay Thai elbow pads you’ve ever seen. If you want to call attention to yourself, that’s a plus though.
Its polyamide flat-lock seam stitching protected my skin from chafing and I appreciated that. The only major downside of these pads is they aren’t good for much else besides elbow protection.
So, if you’re planning a sparring session to work on your elbows only (forearms excluded), then please get these; they are for you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many elbow pad options out there and there’s something for you no matter your needs. Go try out a pair and get in a bit of Muay Thai for the day. Stay safe out there.
Last Updated on May 23, 2022 by Deni
