Muay Thai can be a fun, adventurous and healthy activity for you. You should always have the best gear when taking up Muay Thai to ensure complete protection when training or during bouts. The best Muay Thai headgear will offer unparalleled support and protection. We explore a few of our top picks.
Your boxing headgear might not be ideally suited for Muay Thai. As we will explore later on, either combat sport requires a special profile headgear that offers support and security while being suited to the needs of the particular option. The best Muay Thai headgear will reduce the risk of injury and ensure healthy competition and training. There are many potentially confusing options available on the market. How do you determine which Muay Thai headgear is best suited for your needs? This product review and buying guide explores the best Muay Thai headgear options available. We also look into Muay Thai to help you understand the demands of this sport, as well as explore the top features to look for in an ideal headgear for your needs.
A comparison review of the best Muay Thai headgear
Headgear | Material | Brand | Check on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
Farabi leather Muay Thai headgear | Leather | Farabi | |
Ringside foam filled competition headgear | Leather | Ringside | |
Fairtex Super Muay Thai Sparring Headgear | Leather | Fairtex | |
Venum Challenger 2.0 high density headgear | Skintex leather | Venum | |
Fairtex Sparring Headgear | Leather | Fairtex |
Farabi leather Muay Thai headgear
The visual aesthetic of the Farabi leather Muay Thai headgear makes it a very attractive option for people looking for a stylish and comfortable headgear. This headgear is designed for durable use, thanks to its selection of very high quality material. The comfortable fit boosts the impact protection offered by the headgear, ensuring great value all around. The leather exterior covers multiple layers of padding, allowing for secure and protected use even from kicks which are popular in Muay Thai. The strong Velcro closure will ensure this headgear stays on at all times, and also allows you to take it off with ease. The Farabi leather Muay Thai headgear could be a great value buy for you if you are looking for heavy duty Muay Thai gear.
Pros
- Very impressive design
- Budget friendly option
- Comfortably padded for maximum impact absorption
- Lightweight for convenient consistent use
Cons
- Thicker padding than other Muay Thai options might make it easier for opponents targeting your head
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Ringside foam filled competition headgear
The versatile performance of the Ringside foam filled competition headgear makes it a high value pick for people who engage in Muay Thai and other combat sports. It works just as well with MMA and boxing, even though it has a sleeker profile than many boxing options. The sleek design combines with heavy duty multilayer padding that ensures thorough protection for your face and eyes. The design supports increased visibility without increasing the unprotected target area on your face. It is a durable, comfortable and securely fitting with high action density foam. Ringside is a popular boxing brand, but the Ringside foam filled competition headgear is a great all rounder that could be just suited to your Muay Thai needs.
Pros
- Value for money buy
- Made out of very durable materials
- Laminated foam filling for added impact protection and durability
- Specially designed to absorb maximum damage
Cons
- Some customers have complained of a shorter chin strap
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Fairtex Super Muay Thai Sparring Headgear
Our first pick by a leading brand for combat sports, the Fairtex Super Muay Thai Sparring Headgear is specially built for Muay Thai. Unlike other versatile options that feature heavier padding and a baggier look, the Fairtex Super Muay Thai Sparring Headgear’s sleek and features high density foam could be great perks by an unbeatable option. It offers the best design for optimum visibility and provides great quality support and protection. The tough build and heavy duty padding do not affect the weight of the Fairtex Super Muay Thai Sparring Headgear, with this option being very lightweight. It will remain comfortable throughout its use, and allow for lengthy Muay Thai sparring sessions. Some customers have complained about the bright aesthetic which raises the opponent’s ability to track your movement and connect with your head. However, it is an overall great pick for Muay Thai that will ensure comprehensive protection with use.
Pros
- Great aesthetic and finish
- Specially designed for increased visibility
- Handmade with high end craftsmanship
- Very easy to put on and take off
Cons
- Flashy colors could make your head easier to target
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Venum Challenger 2.0 high density headgear
Made by one of the most popular combat sports brands, the Venum Challenger 2.0 high density headgear lives up to the high expectations. This protective headgear is made from very high quality materials and features impressive construction. It is visually pleasing, thanks to the stylish aesthetic. The Venum Challenger 2.0 high density headgear is very lightweight and comfortable throughout consistent use. It offers great impact absorption levels, allowing for comprehensive protection when sparring or training.. The model is made from skintex leather, which offers the durability of real leather without the maintenance. It also features a Velcro closure that supports a convenient fit for many head shapes and sizes. While some customers have complained of an unusual fit, the Venum Challenger 2.0 high density headgear could be a great option for your Muay Thai needs.
Pros
- Great quality foam filling and materials used
- Very easy to put on and take off
- Impressive padding for comprehensive impact protection
- Lightweight and comfortable
- One-size-fits-all for added convenience
Cons
- Some customers have complained of an unusual fit around the chin
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Fairtex Sparring Headgear
The use of a real leather exterior boosts the great build of the Fairtex Sparring Headgear. This lightweight and low profile headgear is slim but secure, and offers high levels of impact protection. Due to its use of real leather, it will require some maintenance. However, this is not too difficult and will extend the lifespan of your Fairtex Sparring Headgear for greater longevity than any other option we’ve featured. The durable and heavy duty Fairtex Sparring Headgear will not be a great option for smaller budgets, but it will deliver very effective action. The design supports increased visibility, while enabling for a secure fit. The hook and loop closure is also the most secure one we’ve faced yet. The Fairtex Sparring Headgear is an impressive performer that provides great quality protection and support, allowing you to engage in your Muay Thai training and sparring with significantly reduced risk of injury.
Pros
- Well designed for improved visibility
- Hook and loop closure for a secure fit across different head shapes and sizes
- Real leather exterior is very durable
- Attractive aesthetic finish
Cons
- Might be higher end in terms of pricing
View price on Amazon
Everything you need to know about Muay Thai
As combat sports become more popular around the world, the interest in Muay Thai has grown significantly. Muay Thai, which is also called the art of limbs, is a combat sport that features clinching and stand up kicks. Unlike boxing, which strictly uses the fist, and other combat sports, which use hands and feet, Muay Thai makes use of eight contact points. It could be a key reason why the sport is also called the science of eight limbs. The foot thrust will feature a forward knee thrust with a quickly extended foot. The increased reach allows for easier disruption and the implementation of other attacks.
Muay Thai offense
The use of 8 contact points facilitates great attacking diversity in Muay Thai. There are a number of offensive techniques that will be key to your Muay Thai arsenal. The kick can be the most devastating weapon of all. With the right coordination, flexibility, posture and movement, you can kick faster and harder. The knee can be just as lethal in Muay Thai. Knees are generally very tough and will cause significant damage when well placed. Learning the different Muay Thai knee techniques will help sharpen your skills. The elbow, although often overlooked by beginners, could be an effective agent against any body part. Elbows are easier to control than knees, allowing for more continuous application.
There are up to eight punching techniques allowed in Muay Thai. Due to the prevalence and danger of other limbs, punching is not usually the primary form of attack. However, it can be combined with other offensive actions for an outstanding effect. Clinching, our final offensive technique, revolves around a secure hold of the opponent’s neck and head. Using the clinch strategically will boost your energy reserves, wear out your opponent and protect against potential counters.
Muay Thai defense
Success in Muay Thai, like any other combat sport, will revolve around a good defense. You will need to learn the six categories of defensive action to improve your game. Blocking will prevent any hard blows from reaching their target, and could even facilitate a counter attack. Blocks will stop attacks from reaching their target, ensuring no hits to your person. If you are unable to block a hit, redirection could be your best bet. This defensive technique changes the course of an attack to a less sensitive area, while taking out some of the sting with it. Avoiding hits altogether may be a better defensive technique than blocking and redirection, but it requires some mastery. With the right training and experience, you should be able to avoid hits relatively easily in no time.
Evasion, through a swift rotation of your hips, will be a great way to escape any hits. You can have as much success by throwing your opponent off their game through calculated disruption. For instance, a simple foot thrust could disrupt a close attack, allowing you some maneuver room for offensive action of your own. The last defensive technique, anticipation, will require Muay Thai expertise. It revolves around catching or countering an attack before it is successful. You should be able to pick up these handy defensive techniques in no time. With the right training
How to choose the best Muay Thai headgear for your needs
The common misconception that headgear will offer complete protection against concussions could play a big part in your getting injured. Combat sports should be all about safety, but it is important to understand the limits of protection on offer to ensure great value. Concussions are caused when your brain rocks against the side of your skull, which means that a very powerful hit will increase your risk of a concussion. This is true with headgear too, which means that you need to be careful when sparring and training to minimize the risk. Your headgear will offer some protection, but it will not make you invincible to damage from hits.
Muay Thai and boxing may both be combat sports, but they feature different techniques that dictate gear options. When it comes to gloves, for instance, Muay Thai options will better support grappling and will feature lighter padding since the sport revolves around more than just punching. When it comes to headgear, the high tendency for fighters to lock their opponents in a clinch means that the headgear needs to be light enough to support quick maneuvering. If your headgear is too thick, you will have a hard time escaping from clinches and locks. This means that Muay Thai headgear needs to be lightweight and thinner than boxing alternatives, but still provide sufficient levels of impact protection from any shots aimed at your head. When you are looking for the best Muay Thai headgear, these are some of the key factors you will need to consider to find the best option.
Visibility
The eyes are as important as your limbs when it comes to Muay Thai. You cannot defeat your opponent if you cannot see them. Worse still, you may not be able to bloc out shots and could be greatly inconvenienced. This is why visibility is a key feature to look for in your ideal Muay Thai headgear. For many headgear options, increased visibility will come at the cost of padding and support. You have to strike the right balance, allowing for great visibility while still being well protected. As you gain more experience, you will be able to keep away shots to your face, but will still need to be able to see clearly for best results. This means that you have to consider your headgear’s visibility before purchase to ensure great value in the long term.
Comfortable fit
If your headgear is constantly shifting on your head, you will be too distracted and could be unable to focus on your activity. If you are in a bout, there is a high chance that you may not be able to keep your head in the game. If your headgear is too tight, your visibility will be limited and the discomfort could affect your performance levels. Finding a well fitting and secure option will help avoid any distractions and ensure full support with use. You will need to look into available sizes to find an ideal fit, or opt for headgear with Velcro closure systems for an easier time.
Level of coverage and quality of build
The level of coverage refers to the surface area of your head covered by your headgear. Options with more coverage will generally offer protection for lager areas, allowing for comprehensive impact protection. This will limit their visibility, and could affect their value for in-ring use and professional application. You need to balance visibility and level of coverage to ensue your headgear offers full support without any limitations. The quality of materials used will determine your headgear’s lifespan and level of protection offered. Inferior options will wear out quickly and could have you needing a replacement within a short time. Great quality options, although they may end up taking a larger chunk out of your budget, will ensure great protection and durable use.
Padding
The quality of padding is a crucial factor to look at for all relevant combat sport gear. From your gloves to your headgear, great padding will be key to optimum protection. However, heavier padding will limit the effectiveness of a headgear for Muay Thai. You need to find lightweight options with high density padding to support comfortable use with the sport. If you are just starting out or are more prone to injuries, heavier padding will be better suited for you.
Final word
These options are very well suited for Muay Thai. They are designed to minimize damage and feature high density padding which absorbs impact taken from shots to the face. The options are considerably lighter than boxing headgear options but are sturdy and durable. We like the versatility and high quality of the Ringside foam filled competition headgear. This option is the best Muay Thai headgear because it offers a firm foam filling and is made out of very durable materials. It is a versatile option that will work well for boxing, and features a specialized design for a comfortable fit throughout its use. While some customers have complained of a shorter chin strap, the Ringside foam filled competition headgear offers great value and could be the next best addition to your gear.
Arlo Mcmurran
Arlo Mcmurran, a previous boxing trainer reviews sports gear; he has worked with various sporting companies and carries out intensive product analysis. Having trained with and used various boxing equipment Arlo is able to recommend quality training gear for your boxing needs. Many companies nowadays manufacture boxing gear that cannot stand serious training. He, therefore, samples the best boxing gear from different countries that engage in the sport and can thus distinguish original from imitation. Arlo runs a sports shop that sells genuine sporting gear, but since many industries focus on maximizing profits, instead of quality, Arlo decided to dedicate his life to ensuring that beginners and professional boxers can access quality gear.
