Hey you, it’s nice to have you here. Today, I want to tell you about one of the most exciting parts of Muay Thai: kicks. Well, sort of. Today, I’ll be talking about low kick pads aka kick shields. Not as exciting, but absolutely necessary to refine your kicking technique.
I love Muay Thai for the sheer versatility of style it offers. There’s a lot you can do with your legs in Muay Thai but the foundation of every move is in pad work.
I love dishing out a flurry of well-executed low kicks and I know you do too. If you want to be able to do that to the best of your ability, you need the best low kick pads. Read on to find out the 5 best low kick pads for Muay Thai.
In a hurry?
If you don’t have much time check the table below to quickly find the low kick pads for Muay Thai. You can be assured I only choose the best products…
Last update on 2024-03-31
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need Low Kick Pads For Muay Thai
First things first, you need to know what low kicks are for. I use low kicks for two things: destabilizing my opponents and creating an opening for a flurry of punches.
Here’s how low kick pads help you get good at low kicks:
- Self Protection: To get good at low kicks, I had to do the thousands of times. Imagine slamming your shin against another person’s bones thousands of times? That’s a no-go.
- Train Your Footwork: When I first started out with low kicks, I thought I was a hotshot till I practiced with a moving opponent. I was on my ass in seconds; don’t make the same mistake. Practice with kick pads and a moving target.
- It is Good Cardio: Muay Thai isn’t just about strength and technique; it’s about speed and endurance. Aiming at moving kick pads is a surefire way to improve your cardio quickly.
Things to Consider When Buying Low Kick Pads for Muay Thai
I’ve learned the hard way that getting the best results demands the best low kick pads for Muay Thai, using the best exercises.
Here’s what you should look out for when choosing a pad:
- Curvature: Curved low kick pads are better for kicks. So-called flat “kick pads” are actually for catching punches. A flat pad doesn’t catch kicks as well and is harder to break in.
- Thickness: The whole point of a low kick pad is that it allows you to train the strength, speed, and technique of your kicks. You won’t be able to do that if what you’re kicking can’t stand the heat. Make sure they are dense too; good density kick pads protect your pad-holder.
- Forearm Padding: I swear by forearm padding. Typically, forearm padding gets you an extra hour of help from your pad-holder which is pretty awesome if you ask me. Keep your pad-holder happy and he’ll keep you happy.
- Construction: It isn’t very common these days but nothing beats real leather. The fact is leather low kick pads are just better at taking hits and standing the test of time. Also, no one’s going to use real leather on crappy pads; it’s too darn expensive.
The Top 5 Low Kick Pads for Muay Thai
That being said, it takes a lot of effort to consistently pick the right pair of low kick pads the first time around. To make things easier, here’s my list of the best low kick pads for Muay Thai.
1. Mytra Fusion M1 Kick Shield
These pads are the MVPs of low kick pads. From the subtle curve to the full thickness, I had high hopes for the Mytra Fusion M1 kick pads and they did not disappoint.
Their glossy design is quite nice but the unique selling point of these pads is their ability to absorb large kicks with ease while protecting both you and your pad-holder. These pads are a worthy long-term investment.
They only come in blue and black which isn’t ideal but the color scheme and logo are awesome and you’ll have them for the next couple of years. From the feeling alone, you can tell they are quality. Though thick, these pads are so light you can hold them for hours.
Their design is also impressive; I couldn’t distinguish them from natural leather low kick pads from Thailand. Apparently, they are made from engineered leathered with a nylon-vinyl blend and that helps to mirror the feel of the real deal.
If you take nothing else away from this post, take this: if you need one-size-fits-all low kick pads, get the Mytra Fusion M1 kick pads. They are perfect for day-to-day use. If you’re looking for versatility, choose these babies.
2. MaxxMMA Kick Shield
The MaxxMMA Kick Shield doesn’t do as many things as the Mytra Fusion M1 but what it does, is it does exceptionally well.
No other pad got my blood pumping as fast as these pads. My pad-holder was considerably faster and more dexterous while using these pads. That was due in no small part to its extra foam padding on all handles and ergonomic design.
The workout I got with these pads was simply exhilarating. These babies aren’t made from real leather, but the synthetic leather used in their manufacture is pretty decent.
These low kick pads also use EVA-polyethylene technology. This means they are particularly good at protecting pad-holders from injury and that probably played a part in how long I was able to go with these.
The designs available are cool so there’s not much to say about that. They are also made from a really high-density material which is great for my pad-holder.
If you’re thinking of buying low kick pads for Muay Thai just to get in some cardio, this is for you.
3. Everlast Muay Thai Kick Pad
This brand is more popular in Muay Thai circles than the ones I’ve already mentioned and for good reason. The Everlast Muay Thai low kick pads offer quality where it counts the most.
The selling point of these pads is definitely their durability. I’ve been using these pads for a while now and I still haven’t been able to break them in.
Granted, in some ways, that’s a bad thing but it also means they are strong and firm. When you combine this with its price, what you get are low kick pads that offer you the most bang for your buck. It’s a great deal.
The thick sponge within these pads means you’ll be able to hit them for as long as your body can manage and the striking black design makes the target easily visible.
They come with ultra-grip straps that allow the pad-holder to easily maintain his grip on the pads. This and the large surface area are important because the pads stop any indirect slip, leading to serious injury.
They are just as effective when used by skinny dudes as by bigger guys (I’ve seen these sorts of guys use these pads) so you don’t have to worry about hitting too hard.
All in all, if you’re cash strapped and need a pair of pads that will last you a very long time, then these are the low kick pads for you.
4. Jayefo Muay Thai Low Kick Pad
These are the first low kick pads on this list made from veg leather and that says a lot. Unsurprisingly, these Jayefo kick pads don’t disappoint.
Everything about these low kick pads for Muay Thai speaks quality. The feel of the veg leather alone makes it so much more enjoyable to use than the other pads.
Their unique side-hole system dissipates force the way only a quality set of kick pads can. It’s hard to put it into words but the shock absorbent abilities of these pads are out of this world.
These low kick pads also have a quick and simple 3-grip design that makes putting on these pads the easiest and fastest of any low kick pads on this list.
After repeated bouts of punishment, these pads look brand new but I feel like they are breaking in quite nicely. That’s probably due to their high-impact foam padding which is designed to make them look new but feel just perfect.
These pads also contain A/X shock gel designed to protect you and your pad-holder while remaining lightweight.
If you are looking for quality pads that’ll stand the test of time and break in well, these are your go-to low kick pads.
5. RDX Curved Muay Thai Kick Shield
Surprise, surprise, RDX makes the cut. There probably isn’t anyone in the Muay Thai community who hasn’t heard of RDX and when I got my hands on these pads, it was easy to see why.
The selling point of these pads is simple; these pads are where kicks go to die. Not once did I feel my pad holder’s bones when I tested out these pads. Between its premium curved design and its thick padding, it can absorb any kick.
Just like the Jayefoes, they aren’t made from real leather but these pads prove that leader is available in grades. The Jayefoes are quality, these are premium.
The forearm straps are nylon but are reinforced with steel buckles, fortified stitching, and high-quality sponge padding. They also have straps all over which made them easy to hold no matter what my pad-holder was trying to do.
Unlike the other low kick pads, they also come with soft padding on their heads, just in case you want to make an extra jab or two. If that isn’t enough for you, they come in different sizes, unlike the other low kick pads on this list.
If you are a heavy kicker or just want to go all out with heavy pad work, buy these pads.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you now know the “whys” and the “hows” of buying low kick pads for Muay Thai. Trust me on this, if you get the right pair of low kick pads, you’ll love them for years to come. I hope to see you again soon. Till next time, stay safe out there.
Last Updated on May 25, 2022 by Deni
