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Wrapping Your Hands for Muay Thai: A Guide
Whether you’re entering a gym for the first time, or your a seasoned fighter, correctly wrapping your hands for Muay Thai is crucial to your longevity in the sport and the health of your hands. As one of the most important weapons in your arsenal, wrapping your hands also benefits your power and performance. This blog post will highlight the benefits of wrapping your hands, how best to do it, and how to select the best Muay Thai hand wraps to meet your needs.

Muay Thai Hand Wraps 101

It’s important to understand why wrapping your hands for Muay Thai is so crucial. Whether you’re hitting a bag, pads or another person, the repeitive impact on the knuckles and wrists can take a toll. One misplaced punch can lead to severe hand or wrist strains, even fractures or breaks Hand wraps provide a the knuckles with bit more cushion, while stabilizing the hand and wrist to help prevent additional bending of the joints. This allows for more confident and comfortable training, without worrying about the possibility of injury.

Guide to Wrapping Hands for Muay Thai
1. Anchor at the Thumb: Start by tucking your thumb into the loop at the end of the hand wrap. Place the wrap across the back of your hand, slightly above the knuckles, and hold it in place with your thumb.
2. Supporting the Wrist: Wrap the hand wrap around your wrist 3-4 times, ensuring a snug fit without cutting off circulation. The wraps should be tight enough to provide support, but not so tight that they restrict blood flow or cause discomfort.
3. Cushioning the Knuckles: Extend the wrap diagonally across the back of your hand, covering the knuckles. Repeat this step a few times, ensuring the knuckles are adequately protected.
4. Secure The Thumb: Loop the wrap around the base of your thumb and across your palm. Again, ensure that it is tight enough to provide support, but shouldn’t affect circulation. Continue wrapping around the back of your hand and across the palm several times, creating a crisscross pattern for added support.
5. Reinforce the Wrist: Continue by wrapping the hand wrap around the wrist once again. This step provides extra stability to the wrist, while reducing the risk of sprains.
6. Secure Using the Velcro: Once you’ve wrapped the wrist a few times, finish by fastening the wrap around the wrist. Ensure the wrap is snug but not too tight, allowing for proper circulation. (This is CRUCIAL.)
Best Types of Hand Wraps for Muay Thai: Traditional vs. Quick Wraps

When shopping for new hand wraps, you’ve surely come across what essentially look like gloves. These are usually marketed using the term “quick wraps,” because instead of manually having to wrap your hands, they slip onto the hand (like a glove).

While some people (especially beginniners) like these for their simplicity, they do have a few drawbacks. Considering they slip on and off, it’s difficult to ensure the same amount of support provided to the hand as a whole. The same can be said for the wrist. While there is usually a hook and loop velcro closure around the wrist, you are unable to wrap it around the wrist for additional support. This leaves the padding to be focused around the knuckles. This can be beneficial, and is usually marketing as having a “shock absorbing” gel of some sort, but you can achieve a similar amount of padding with more advanced hand wrapping techniques.

It can be appealing to lean into the simplicity and ease of quick wraps, but if you’re serious about the sport, it would be more beneficial to get comfortable wrapping your hands in a more secure fashion.

Final Tips on Wrapping Your Hands for Muay Thai
- Keep your hand and fingers relaxed when wrapping your hands. That way, when you flex your hand when your wraps are on, they help fill out the wraps. If you are flexing your hand and spreading your fingers when putting on the wraps, they can end up being loose when you go to relax your hand.
- Ensure that you focus the majority of wraps around the wrist, thumb and knuckles. These areas are the most prone to injury when left unsupported.
- Wear wraps every day! Even if your hands and wrists feel fine after one workout, damage can accumulate over time, leading to joint issues down the road.
- Practice! That way, you will spend less time on them and feel less pressured to get them done in a hurry before starting class.
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

FAQs on Muay Thai Hand Wraps

What a the Best Length Hand Wraps for Muay Thai?

Typically, 180-inch hand wraps are the standard in Muay Thai. Individuals with smaller hand sizes may prefer shorter lengths, such as 120 or 150 inches. 200-inch hand wraps are also fairly common, especially in boxing. While the extra padding might sound tempting, it might be overkill for some athletes, and cause the notoriously small Muay Thai glove hand compartments to feel even smaller. Therefore, It’s generally recommended to go with 180-inch wraps.

How Can I Wash Muay Thai Hand Wraps?

Be sure to wash your muay thai hand wraps in cold water on a gentle cycle. For longevity, it’s best to air dry them, in order to maintain elasticity. Use a mesh laundry bag when putting them in the wash, to avoid them tangling, and maybe even damaging the washing machine.Every set of hand wraps should come with their own care instructions, so be sure to follow those.

Where Can I Buy Muay Thai Hand Wraps?

A wide selection of muay thai hand wraps can be found on Amazon. Otherwise, most muay thai brands carry them, such as Fairtex. As always, also check with your gym or local fight shop!
May 29, 2023

Uncategorized
5 Best Shin Guards for Muay Thai (2023 Guide)
When you’re ready to start sparring, you’ll need some protection to pad those tender shins! That’s where having a pair of reliable, quality shin guards come in handy. With so many options out there to choose from, we’ve narrowed it down to a few of our favorites.
What are Muay Thai Shin Guards?

Muay Thai shin guards are protective gear specifically designed for practitioners of Muay Thai. They are typically worn by athletes when sparring or doing drills that involve throwing kicks at their training partner. In most part of the world, shin gaurds are also used to prevent extra damage in early amateur competitions.

Shin guards used for sparring and drills typically consist of an outer shell made of materials such as leather or synthetic fabrics. The tough, outer shell is reinforced with padding and foam to absorb impact and protect the shin. Muay Thai shin guards are beneficial for both new and experienced athletes alike.

When choosing a new pair of shin guards for Muay Thai, you should take into consideration factors such as material quality, padding density, fit, and mobility. It’s important to find a pair that suits your body, training needs and provides a secure fit while allowing for proper mobility and flexibility.

Our Picks – Top 5 Muay Thai Shin Guards for 2023

Combat Corner – Supreme Synthetic Leather Shin Guards

Combat Corner always puts out quality products. Their Supreme Synthetic Leather Shin Gaurds are no exception. These shin guards offer dense, but lightweight protective padding, that will keep your shins from getting too banged up whether you’re kicking or defending.

With their dual hoop and lock closure system, these shin guards offer a secure fit so you won’t have to worry about them sliding around on your leg during sparring sessions. They are made even more secure by the elastic bands that hold the shin guards snug underneath the foot and behind the ankle.

Venum – Elite Shin Guards

Between becoming the primary gear sponsor of the UFC and their wide-spread influence across the world of Muay Thai, Venum has long been associated with high quality products for combat sports.

Venum Elite Shin Guards offer multi-layered, dense foam across the shin and the top of the foot. The padding on the top of the foot helps avoid those nasty knocks from accidentally catching your sparring partners elbows when throwing a kick.

Their anatomically designed to fit the shin perfectly, securely fastened with their velcro straps behind the calf, and elastic bands under the foot and behind the ankle. The Venum Elite Shin Guards also come in a range of awesome colors and designs. I’ve had two pairs of these shin guards and loved them!

RDX Shin Guards

While these RDX Shin Guards are added to the list as a more affordable option, that doesn’t mean that they are a low quality product. RDX is a long-recognized name in the sport.

The RDX Shin guards feature dense, layered foam that helps dispurse the force of impact across the shin, to avoid the accumluated damage from repeated impacts to one spot. They also feature quality, synthetic leather on the exterior, with a breathable nylon interior to stay cool and dry against the skin, which helps prevent slipping.

The hoop and lock closure system helps the RDX Shin Guard remain snug against the shin, while elastic bands keep it in place around the foot and ankle. These shin guards are the perfect choice for a beginner in the sport!

Yokkao Shin Guards

Thanks to their modern designs and savvy marketing, Yokkao is one of the sports most recognized brands in Muay Thai right now. However, the fantastic quality of their gear helps sell itself.

While on the pricier end, the Yokkao Shin Guards are no exception when it comes to a fantastic product. They use high quality, microfiber leather that offers durability and breathability where it matters.

Their triple-layer, shock absorbing foam across the shin and foot help avoid unnecessary scratching and bruising. Meanwhile, their non-slip interior help the shin guards from moving around on your shins once you start sweating.

Fairtex SP5 Muay Thai Shin Guards

The Fairtex brand has been around for a long time in the sport of Muay Thai. You’ll even recognize the name gracing some of the best fighters in Muay Thai, such as Stamp Fairtex or Yodsansklai Fairtex. Just like the fighters that represent them, Fairtex always makes quality gear.

The Fairtex SP5 Muay Thai shin guards are surely to be seen in almost any Muay Thai gym you walk into. With their ergonomic fit and shock-absorbing foam, they offer a satisfactory amount of protection to all levels of Muay Thai athlete, from beginner to pro.

These shin guards are handmade in Thailand using real leather, so you know that the quality of product will be high. They also use two velcro straps across the back of the calf, and elastic bands around the ankles and feet, to ensure a snug, comfortable fit.

How to Choose the Best Muay Thai Shin Guards

Muay Thai Shin Guards are an investment that makes sense not to skimp on. They are important pieces of equipment that help protect one of the highest areas of impact during training, your shins. That being said, choosing the best Muay Thai shin guards for you ultimately comes down to personal preference. Here are some things to keep in mind as you make your purchasing decision:

Size

Most shin guards come in different sizes. Shin guards should extend from your ankle to just below your knee. On your foot, the instep guard should end just above your toes. The velcro and elastic straps should be just tight enough to be snug, but shouldn’t affect your blood circulation.

Materials and Construction

On the exterior, shin guards are typically constructed using real leather, synthetic leather or other synthetic blends. Typically, synthetic materials will be cheaper, but slightly less durable.

Mobility and Comfort

The right pair of Muay Thai shin guards should allow for full range of motion. This means not covering the knees or toes, and allowing for proper flexion at the ankle. Breathable materials will also help with comfort and prevent the shin guards from shifting around too much once you start to sweat.

Budget

When it comes to price, there is a wide-range for Muay Thai shin guards. For example, the RDX shin guards on our list are currently $45.99, while the Yokkao shin guards are $135.99. Any cheaper, and you will definitely notice a substantial drop in quality. More expensive, and you might be paying for more than you really need (or just fancy marketing).

Brand and Reviews

There are so many brands to choose from when it comes to shin guards these days. Many brands that you’ll find online will merely be cookie-cutter products from factories with low quality control. When buying protective equipment, it’s important to buy from recognized brands, and consult online reviews (and reviews from your friends/training partners).

MMA Shin Guards vs. Muay Thai Shin Guards

While it’s common to see one used in place of the other, there are a number of key differences between MMA shin guards and the type that are designed for Muay Thai. To get the most out of your training, you should use the correct type of shin guard for your training. Here are some of the things that make MMA shin guards a little bit different:

Padding and Coverage

Due to amount of kicks thrown in Muay Thai, and the power behind a kick, Muay Thai shin guards typically have much thick padding. Meanwhile, MMA shin guards are much more compact, both in terms of padding thickness and size. MMA shin guards typically don’t go as high up the shin, or extend as far down the foot.

Mobility For Grappling

Less padding on MMA shin guards allows for much more comfortable transitions from striking to grappling. Once on the ground, Muay Thai shin guards can leave you feeling bulking, and unable to achieve the full range of motion you might need for MMA training.

Fit

MMA shin guards tend to fit on the wearer as an elastic sleeve, rather than using velcro hook and loop straps. This can make MMA shin guards fit a bit more tightly around the entire calf, which can help them stay in place during scrambles and grappling exchanges. However, this can make getting them on and off quickly to become quite the pain, and can start to affect circulation if they are incorrectly sized.

When choosing between Muay Thai and MMA shin guards, it’s important to take into consideration how you will most often be using your shin guards and the amount of protection required. For those interested in MMA, I recommend getting both. That way, you have a pair of Muay Thai shin guards that offer more protection for stand up drilling and sparring, and MMA shin guards for when you know grappling will be involved, but still need shin protection.

How to Clean Muay Thai Shin Guards

Keeping your Muay Thai shin guards clean will help your gear stay intact for longer, and keep you from being that smelly person at the gym that no one wants to partner with. Here are some tips on keeping your Muay Thai shin guards clean:

Clean After Every Use

After each training session, you should immediately wipe down your gear to remove excess sweat and dirt. Use a soft cloth or wipe to clean the interior and exterior of your shin guards.

Soak

Intermittently, try soaking your gear in a mixture of water and white vinegar (or sports cleaning solution) for 15-20 minutes. After soaking to loosen sweat and dirt, scrub them with a gentle cloth or brush, rinse them with water and leave them to air dry.

Deodorize

If you shin guards start to stink, you can sprinkle them with baking soda (or sports cleaning solution) and leave them to sit over night. Be sure to shake off excess powder before using them to train again.

Additional Muay Thai Shin Guard Cleaning Tips
- Do not machine wash or dry your shin guards.
- Avoid using bleach or harsh chemicals, as these can negatively affect the longevity of the shin guards’ materials.
- Be sure to immediately clean any blood or body fluids off of your shin guards, in order to prevent a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
Tips on Finding the Best Muay Thai Shin Guards for You
1. Go with a reputable brand that is known for making quality Muay Thai products.
2. Make sure you find the right fit! Most brands of Muay Thai Shin Guards have different sizes, so make sure you consult the sizing chart.
3. Determine whether you will be using them for primarily Muay Thai, or if you need a pair of MMA shin guards to be compatible with grappling.
4. Shop around! Make sure you check to see what your gym or local gear store has in stock.
5. Ask your friends and training partners to try on their equipment. It’s hard to get a sense for what will fit best just looking at measurements. Don’t be shy! (Just don’t try their shin guards when you’re sweaty.)
In conclusion, there are plenty of options out there when it comes to finding a quality pair of shin guards for your Muay Thai training. If you buy a pair of quality shin guards, they should last you awhile if you take care of them! They’ll also make sure your training stays safe and comfortable.

See you on the mats!
May 21, 2023

Buying Guides
Best Muay Thai Gloves (2023 Guide)
With any sport, having the right gear makes all the difference. When it comes to Muay Thai or any combat sport, gloves are one of the most important pieces of equipment you can have.

Best Overall Best for Beginners Best for Heavy Bag

We have used our years of experience in the sport of Muay Thai to gather our top picks for some of our favorite gloves. There is something in the list for everyone, from newer athletes to experienced fighters.
Best Muay Thai Gloves for 2023 – Combat Corner Thai Gloves

Our Top Pick: Combat Corner Thai Gloves

Combat Corner is one of the most reputable equipment manufacturers in the game right now. They are constantly pushing the boundaries and developing Muay Thai gloves the provide both comfort and protection. The Combat Corner Thai Gloves are no exception.

Coming in 14 and 16 ozs, these gloves are perfect for bagwork, pad rounds or even sparring. A great multi-purpose Muay Thai glove, made with 100% cowhide leather. With multi-layer foam padding and hook-and-loop wrist closures, these gloves provide ample protection for both the knuckles and wrists, even for larger athletes.

Best Muay Thai Gloves for Beginners – Venum Challenger Gloves

Just getting started with Muay Thai, and looking for a pair of gloves that won’t break the bank? Check out the Venum Challenger Gloves.

These gloves are made with synthetic leather, offering a triple layer of dense foam to protect those sensitive knuckles. The elastic velcro closure will also help in providing some extra wrist protection, as you learn to keep that wrist straight when you’re punching!

Available in sizes from 8-16 ounces, these gloves are perfect for an athlete of any size, with plenty of cool colors to choose from. I still have a pair of these in 16 oz. that I use for sparring on occasion!

Best Muay Thai Gloves for Hitting the Heavy Bag or Pads – Yokkao Matrix Gloves

For a great pair of all around gloves, I had to go with the Yokkao Matrix Gloves. Like all Yokkao products, these are on the pricier-side (currently $145). However, also like all Yokkao products, the quality of these Gloves are well worth the price.

These gloves are manufactured in Thailand with real leather. Each seam is double stitched to ensure these things can take a beating without starting to leak stuffing all over the gym. The leather used in these provides a great “pop” when hitting the bag, generating a good deal of response and spring back.

Like most Thai brands, the hand compartment runs a little small, especially into the thumb. I don’t find it to be suffocating, even when I put on my wife’s 14 oz. pair. However, be aware that they could feel a bit snug once you put on your hand wraps, especially before breaking them in.

How to Choose The Best Muay Thai Glove For You?

When it comes to picking out the best Muay Thai glove for your size, punching power, experience, etc., there are a number of factors to take into consideration. Don’t rush your purchasing decision, just because you want a cool new pair of gloves. Make sure you get a pair that fits well, protects your hand and wrist, and is applicable for the types of training that your most likely to use it for.

Size

Muay Thai glove size is important for both comfort and safety. Gloves that are too big or too small can lead to injuries or discomfort. Typically, heavier weight gloves (ie- 16 ounces) have larger hand compartments than lighter gloves. Most brands will have a sizing chart, so you can always measure if you’re worried about finding the right fit.

It’s also important to consider your body weight when determining the right Muay Thai glove size. Heavier individuals have more weight behind their punches, leading to a harder impact. When hitting the pads or a heavy bag, having a properly-sized glove will help provide protection for your knuckles and prevent nagging injuries. For sparring, it’s especially important to wear heavier gloves for ALL participants. No one wants to spar the heavyweight who is wearing 10 ounce gloves. While 16 ounces is considered the “universal standard” for sparring, as a guide, here’s what you should wear for appropriate sparring gloves:

Body Weight Glove Size
Less than 135lbs 14 ounces
135-185lbs. 16 ounces
Over 185lbs. 18 ounces

Padding

The amount of padding in your gloves can affect both comfort and safety. Gloves with more padding are better for sparring, while gloves with less padding are better for bag work. Make sure to consider your training needs when choosing the amount of padding in your gloves.

Brand

Different brands, and even models of gloves within the same brand, have different features and levels of quality. Typically, Muay Thai gloves that are manufactured in Thailand or Europe have higher qualities of material and construction. These gloves are also higher priced, usually over $100. Gloves manufactured in countries like Pakistan or Bangladesh usually aren’t manufactured up to the same standards, but can be found at a cheaper price.

Do some research and read reviews before making a purchase to ensure that you’re getting a high-quality pair of gloves. Overall, choosing the right Muay Thai glove is about considering your needs and preferences. By taking the time to research and choose the right pair of gloves, you can ensure that you’re comfortable and safe during your training sessions.
May 18, 2023

Buying Guides
Welcome to Muay Thai Resource

Your ultimate destination for all things related to Muay Thai gear and reviews. After spending many years in the Muay Thai community, I understand how important it is to find the right gear, training tips, and news related to the sport.

My goal is to provide guides for gear, highlight athletes and events, and help the sport grow. Stay posted, to discover the best Muay Thai gear and take your training to the next level!

May 16, 2023

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