The belly pad is one of the most unappreciated Muay Thai training gear available. The pad holders see it more necessary to make use of the Thai pad than the belly pad. This isn’t meant to be the case.
The belly pad should be an essential piece of equipment for the pad holder. It should be worn to absorb the shock impact from all the punches and kicks. Without this belly pad, the full effect of the strikes thrown at you will be felt.
It would be best if you had this to strengthen your midsection. You can also check body protectors which are a little bit bigger and cover more of your upper body.
I will briefly elaborate on some necessary critical points related to the Muay Thai belly pad in this simple yet complete guide. I will also provide you with a list of some of the best belly pads on the market today. Keep reading to find these out. So, let’s take it on a step-by-step process. Firstly;
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Last update on 2024-03-31
Table of Contents
What Is a Belly Pad Used For?
A Muay Thai belly pad is a sports gear used by Muay Thai pad holders to help absorb and disperse kicks and punches’ impact. It will absorb shock from the knees and spread the force from punches and strikes aimed at the midsection (of the pad holder).
A pad holder is simply a Muay Thai trainer. The goal of the pad holder is to help improve the skills of the students. The trainee will use the pad holder as a means to enhance striking and punching. Now the pad holder must absorb all that ‘punishment’ during the pad rounds. The skilled pad holder knows the necessity of the belly pad and Muay Thai pad.
Without the belly pad, it will be challenging for the trainer to land a safe strike at the pad holder. This will reduce the effectiveness of such a session. This means that this equipment isn’t an exceptional one. It is a necessity. In Thailand, you won’t find a trainer without one. It is an essential item!
What Are the Features Of a Good Belly Pad?
Since a Muay Thai belly pad has to absorb impact force, the most important feature should be padding around the midsection. Right? It should be adequate to perform that task effectively. This means that a cheaply made belly pad will be lacking in that aspect. This would be a disaster, especially if your trainee is a heavy hitter. I don’t want to think about that.
But that’s not all. There are other features to look out for when choosing a belly pad. They are;
Quality of the Material
These belly pads are usually made of synthetic or real leather construction. The real leather ones will cost more than the synthetic ones. I would advise those made from genuine leather as they provide excellent durability, strength, and comfort compared to synthetic leather.
However, the price will depend on the quality of the material used. That means if you want to get a high-quality product, prepare a reasonable budget.
The Fastenings and Closures
There are usually two types of closures on a Muay Thai belly pad, which are considered durable. They are either the Velcro or buckle enclosures. Anything out of that might lead to getting a belly pad that will wear out quickly.
The Velcro closure is easy to take off at any time since they are designed in loops and hooks. They are the most effortless straps to deal with, which puts a price you have to pay. They are more expensive than the buckle enclosure. However, they wear out faster than the buckles.
For the buckles, you need to be ready to spend time putting them on. But they are way long-lasting than the Velcro fastening. They do not wear out quickly. A key point to note when using the buckles is that you need to purchase a belly pad that fits nicely around your waist. Unlike the Velcro closure, they can’t be adjusted easily.
There are still other features to look out for. They include weight, cushions around the padding, and protection coverage. Those are just the available features to consider when purchasing any Muay Thai gear at all.
The Best Muay Thai Belly Pad for You
Now that we’ve talked about the Muay Thai belly pad basics, we can go ahead to talk about some products from reliable brands. To be a bit specific, I will inform you beforehand that most of the best products are made in Thailand.
So you can take a pick from these. I assure you that you can’t go wrong with them!
1. Twins Special Belly Protector
We wouldn’t be talking about belly pads without mentioning a top brand- the Twins Special. They are a well-known brand based in Thailand, and they hand-make their gears. With tests and experiments carried out, we can say for sure that you can never go wrong with their products. Their Muay Thai belly pad wouldn’t be an exception.
There isn’t anything too flashy about this product, but it is very durable and long-lasting. It comes with a Velcro waist fastening at the back, which enables users to wear it quickly. It is made with genuine leather with very high-density padding to absorb impact during training.
I am especially fond of this product because I can trust the brand with quality and affordability. I can say it is about 30% more effective in terms of quality than some other brands to be mentioned later.
My Verdict
You can go for this product if what you seek is a high-quality product that will do the job correctly.
2. Fairtex Leather Rib Guard
Another high-grade brand in Thailand is Fairtex. I am a huge supporter of this brand because they are known to provide the best aesthetically appealing products. I love how the products catch my attention. Not only that, but they are also high-quality.
From my perspective, I would love to express the similarity between this product and that of the Twins Special. They are so alike in the belly padding design and structure and the hook and loop closure at the back of the belly pads.
Fairtex is also known to charge a little more for their products, so I refer to them as the ‘premium brand.’ So, if you are a fan of this brand, you should be ready to pay a higher price for their Muay Thai belly pad.
My Verdict
If you don’t mind spending a little more on quality gear, you can buy it. Check the belly pads for your most preferred requirements. If it fits, then go with it.
3. Combat Sports Dome Air Tech Belly Pad
In terms of price, this is the best budget product. When compared to Fairtex and Twins special, this might even cost about half the price. Regardless of this, it still provides excellent padding and protection. I love this because getting a Muay Thai belly pad of high quality at such a price is incredible.
Unlike the others in this review, this product is made from synthetic leather (which probably makes it less expensive). However, it still serves in durability. It differs from the others in the type of closure. This product features a buckle closure that lasts for a very long time.
A unique feature about this product is the Dome Air Technology that combines foam arranged in air pockets to absorb profound impact from punches and kicks. This makes it exceptionally lightweight and breathable. It also has perforated holes between the padding to enhance comfort and breathability.
My Verdict
For me, I would say that the Fairtex and Twins Special belly pads are better. Those were made in Thailand while this is a Chinese product. But, if you still prefer a cheaper product, you can buy it as they are probably the most affordable in the market.
Final Verdict
When choosing the best Muay Thai belly pad, I would personally recommend either that Fairtex or Twins. However, it still boils down to what you prefer. The price might be a determining factor, but it shouldn’t be the only thing you consider.
I hope what you end up buying is a favorable one. Remember, you should ensure that this essential item isn’t left out of any pad session you get involved in.
Train hard, fight best!
Last Updated on May 31, 2022 by Deni
