The Best Muay Thai Brands for Training and Protective Gear – When hunting for Muay Thai training and protective gear, you’ll quickly realize there are just too many brands to choose from. While it’s great to have a wide selection, it can be a bit daunting to figure out where to start. Here, you can read up on all the major established Thai brands that have the most experience in Muay Thai products, as well as a few international brands that have entered the market. There are also new brands that are quickly making waves in the Muay Thai world. You’ll learn what each brand has to offer and what makes them unique.
Established Thai Brands
These are the Made in Thailand brands that have been at it for decades. Their vast knowledge and experience feeds into every piece of gear, creating top-of-the-line products that professional Muay Thai fighters and enthusiasts swear by. Their gear is worn by millions around the world, and you won’t be able to find a Muay Thai gym or pro tournament in Thailand that doesn’t feature their equipment. Let’s find out who they are.
Fairtex
Originally started in the 1970s as a garment factory producing branded t-shirts, its founder, Phillip Wong, was a passionate follower of Muay Thai. He created the Fairtex Muay Thai camp as a way to give back to the community to help those in poverty rise above it by training and competing in the sport. In the early 90s, Wong took his camps to America, where he realized that top-quality training and protective equipment would be needed to dispel the misconception that Muay Thai was too dangerous.
Equipement was initially manufactured at the Fairtex garments factory, and was supplied to their gyms in Thailand as well as North America. As word of mouth spread quickly about the high bar set by Fairtex equipment, Fairtex Gear Inc. was established in 1998 to cater to this growing demand. Today, Fairtex is one of the most popular brands in Muay Thai and has a global presence, distributing their gear to over 50 countries. Fairtex Muay Thai gloves, shin guards, heavy bags, Thai pads, clothing, and accessories are well-known for their durability.
Yokkao
Founded by Philip Villa and Doungjaj Tananan in 2010, Yokkao can best be described as the disruptor that really pushed many of their competitors to adopt modern design sensibilities and marketing strategies. Yokkao’s Muay Thai clothing and gear had vivid designs that caught everyone’s attention, and they were one of the first companies to utilize social media marketing to capitalize on this. They also collaborated with many famous professional fighters, including the legend himself, Saenchai, to take the brand to new heights.
Yokkao has a strong presence around the world with their training seminars and gyms. They are known for creating premium leather gear, handmade in Thailand with visually appealing designs that set them apart from the more traditional brands. Yokkao Muay Thai gloves, shin guards, and heavy bags have been extensively refined by the pro fighters on their team to maximize safety as well as comfort.
Twins Special
Twins Special is as classic Muay Thai as you can get. While their online and social media presence isn’t as strong as some of the more modern brands, Twins Special have been making great quality, reliable Muay Thai gear since 1992.
Their brand is synonymous with excellent quality Muay Thai gloves, which have gained approval for use in major sporting events organized by international bodies such as the World Boxing Council and the Internal Boxing Federation. Twins Special boxing gloves are made to the highest standards, providing great wrist support as well as unmatched durability, which makes them perfect for bag work, sparring and competitions.
Apart from gloves, their Muay Thai shin guards, hand wraps, and other fight gear remain popular as well. While viewed by younger fighters as a more traditional brand, Twins Special has been catching up to their modern competitors in recent years by putting out trendy colors and designs for their Muay Thai gear.
Raja Boxing
While not as visible on the consumer side as some of the other brands, Raja Muay Thai equipment has been a popular choice for Muay Thai gyms in Thailand since the late 90s. They use real cowhide in all their protective gear, which makes them tough enough to withstand intense Muay Thai workouts but flexible enough to move around with. All the EVA and latex foam Raja uses in their protective gear is properly balanced in terms of density to get the best response when hit.
Raja’s General Manager, Maturos Hutasevi, is an expert in garment design, and she introduced the Songkran Muay Thai shorts for the Thai New Year festival. The shorts, which come in a variety of eye-catching designs, quickly became an international bestseller. Apart from this surprise success, Raja has some of the best Muay Thai gloves which remain very popular among pro fighters for the comfort and protection they provide.
Top King
Top King’s founder left Twins Special to establish Top King as a brand that can match the superb quality of Twins products but with modern improvements to their design. While one of the newer companies in the Muay Thai industry, Top King quickly rose to fame through their shin guards and gloves, which remain some of the best in the market.
The Top King brand can be seen in popular Muay Thai competitions around the world, and they are even recognized by many professional sporting organizations. While their vast range of lightweight Muay Thai shin guards are known for their comfort and protection, Top King is also a maker of excellent Muay Thai boxing gloves and head guards for Muay Thai practitioners of all skill levels. They also make dazzlingly colorful Muay Thai shorts, which few can match.
If you’re interested in knowing more about the Top King Muay Thai gloves, or high-quality Muay Thai gloves from other brands for beginners training Muay Thai, check out our list of recommendations on our blog, Top 10 Muay Thai Gloves for Beginners.
Boon Sport
Starting small in 2002, Boon Sport is a family-run business in Bangkok and works closely with professional gyms to create quality Muay Thai gear. Their focus is less on fancy designs and more on getting the basics right by sourcing the best leather, foam, and fabrics to manufacture their equipment. The excellent craftsmanship is clear to see with Boon Sport Muay Thai gear being endorsed by many famous fighters, such as Petchboonchu Benz and John Wayne Parr.
Boon Sport’s ergonomically designed cowhide Muay Thai gloves are some of the best on the market, with the durability to last many intense training sessions. They have also expanded their product catalog to include kickpads, heavy bags, and focus mitts, which are highly preferred by many professional instructors in Thai gyms. Boon Sport has an extensive collection of training gear for kids that are starting on their Muay Thai journey.
Sandee Boxing
Sandee Boxing is one of the original Muay Thai gear manufacturers that started out in the 1970s and is still relevant today. Their name is well known in the world of combat sports for their boxing gloves, which marry traditional Thai craftsmanship with the latest innovations in multi-layer foam padding. With both premium leather and synthetic PU leather options, there is a vast amount of choice at any budget level, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced Muay Thai fighter.
While manufacturing is still done in Bangkok, Sandee has shifted its worldwide distribution operations to the UK, where it has its own loyal fanbase there. Famous international Muay Thai fighters as well as mixed martial arts champions such as Jo Calderwood and Michael Bisping have endorsed the brand. Sandee have also opened up their product range to include shin guards, heavy bags, kick pads, and more, with many kids’ options available as well.
Windy
Windy is even older than Sandee, making reliable Muay Thai training and protective gear since 1951. While their products mainly appeal to the older generations of fighters with a plain and simple look, they are nevertheless widely regarded for their reliability as well as their high quality. Of special note are the Windy Muay Thai gloves, which are designed for a secure fit to absorb the harshest of beatings while being super easy to clean.
Windy makes a whole range of training gear, including focus mitts, kicking pads, and heavy bags. While not highly visible online like some of their trendier competitors like Yokkao, Windy is present at many local Muay Thai competitions and stadiums like Channel 7 as the official glove supplier. With over 70 years in the business, you can be certain the designers at Windy know how to make really good quality Muay Thai gloves that will last a very long time.
Thaismai
Thaismai is a family business operating out of Bangkok that has been around since the 1960s. They have been known to supply Muay Thai gloves and shorts to the famed Lumpinee boxing stadium during the golden era of the sport. With decades of expertise, Thaismai has a wide range of products, from protective gear like gloves and hand wraps to training equipment such as kick pads.
The downside to Thaismai gear is that they have not yet adopted some of the modern marketing and e-commerce advancements like other brands. As a result, their online presence is virtually non-existent. The best way to find Thaismai gear is to visit their physical store in Bangkok, where you can still find great quality Muay Thai gear with an old-school look and feel.
New Brands to Watch Out For
Apart from the giants in the business like Fairtex and long-running favorites like Windy, there are some hot new brands that have started to gain traction in the world of Muay Thai equipment. They may not have decades of experience or the instant brand recognition of the older, more established brands, but their innovative spirit makes them worthy of attention.
Primo
Primo was started by passionate Muay Thai fans, Jon Jordan Fung and Kyle Ching. Their goal in starting the company was to create Muay Thai gear that has a retro look that stays true to traditional styles but with modern materials and manufacturing methods. Their Classic series boxing gloves are the perfect example of this design philosophy. These handmade leather gloves include the latest foam padding and ergonomics for maximum protection in an old-school, no-nonsense package.
Pro Muay Thai fighters like Panpayak Jitmuangnon and Thanonchai Thanakorngym have endorsed Primo gloves, with the brand quickly making a name for itself. While their product range is still limited, Primo has introduced shin guards, hand wraps, and Muay Thai shorts in addition to their excellent gloves. Primo has a long way to go, but is definitely a brand to watch out for in the future.
Pryde
Pryde is a maker of high-quality Muay Thai clothing such as shorts, t-shirts, and hoodies for fighters. Their Muay Thai shorts are made from the finest premium satin to be lightweight and soft, making them perfect for training or competing. There’s a wide variety of unique designs, with the highlight being the signature editions made for fighters like Petchmorakot, the Muaymunwansuk event held at Lumpini stadium, and the famous Muay Thai gym, Petchyindee Academy.
Pryde has also introduced a line of training gear such as Muay Thai gloves, hand wraps, focus mitts, and kick pads. There’s not much choice in terms of color or flashy designs here, but the Pryde gloves, made from authentic leather, are of very high quality, providing excellent wrist support and protection. The same can be said for their shin guards, which will keep you mobile without compromising safety. You’ll want to know what Pryde will be up to next.
Other International Brands
The immense popularity of Muay Thai in the past decade has generated a lot of interest around the globe, with new fighters everywhere lacing up gloves to learn the Art of Eight Limbs. This naturally increased global demand for high-quality training and protective gear, which Thailand’s established Muay Thai brands are unable to meet on their own. Seeing an opportunity, many international boxing gear manufacturers have also joined the fray.
Venum is a French manufacturer of equipment for combat sports and fitness that has entered the Muay Thai gear market. The Venum elite boxing gloves are made of synthetic leather that provide good quality at an affordable price for beginners, while also making pro-level gear for advanced fighters. Venum Muay Thai gear is known for its stylishly modern design and bright, eye-catching colors.
Hayabusa, which is based in North America, is known for making excellent gear such as gloves, shin guards, and hand wraps. While a bit on the pricey side, their equipment is extremely durable. Hayabusa gear includes many innovative features, such as the synthetic Vylar material used to make their gear super light and the micro-fiber thumb in their gloves to wipe away sweat.
Why You Should Go with A Well-Known Muay Thai Brand
While many international brands are making quality gear suitable for Muay Thai, they also make boxing and MMA equipment as well. If you’re a beginner, you might get a bit confused when browsing their sites, since it’s not immediately obvious which combat sport each set of gear is meant for. This is why going for a well-known Thai brand is your best bet when it comes to Muay Thai training and protective gear.
The brands based in Thailand have all started with the primary objective of making Muay Thai equipment for their local fighters. Whether it’s Fairtex Muay Thai gloves, Top King shin guards, or Yokkao heavy bags, the products from these brands are purpose-built for Muay Thai. Many of them have decades of experience and know-how to make great gear.
Established Thai brands are endorsed by legends of the sport and used every day in gyms across Thailand. While international brands do offer affordable gear and new features, you can’t put a price on authentic Muay Thai products made in the country that spawned the art.
FAQs
While there is no Muay Thai uniform, it is recommended that you wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. This can include muay thai shorts, sweatpants or even gym shorts. However, Muay Thai shorts is mandated for professional Muay Thai competitions.
For women, it is also advisable to wear a sports bra for additional support. When it comes to footwear, many muay thai practitioners prefer to train barefoot. However, if you are new to the sport, you may want to wear wrestling shoes or other protective footwear. Ultimately, the most important thing is to be comfortable and able to move freely in your chosen attire.
The most important factor that Pro Muay Thai fighters look for in boxing gloves are comfort, impact, and durability. Many pro fighters use special boxing gloves like Fairtex or Twins Special. These gloves are designed to provide the perfect amount of protection and padding. Another important factor is the grip. Some fighters prefer a glove with a textured grip, while others prefer a softer material. Ultimately, it’s up to the fighter to decide what works best for them. Regardless of the brand or style of glove, pro muay thai fighters demand the highest quality equipment to help them perform at their best.
