Best Muay Thai Gloves

Fairtex BGV1 Muay Thai Boxing Gloves

Fairtex has a really broad range of gloves and some universally appealing designs to match. From my experience of working with beginners new to Boxing / Muay Thai Fairtex Gloves tend to be well received and are a great entry-level glove for bag work and pad work.

They are reasonably priced and also widely available and their two main glove designs accommodate all hand/fist shapes and sizes. The quality is great and generally with heavy fight style training (5 – 6 times per week) will last around 3 – 4 years.

You can read our full in-depth breakdown in our Fairtex BGV1 Muay Thai Boxing Glove review.

Best Muay Thai Gloves For Heavy Bag

Twins Special

Twins have always had a very durable glove with a hard outer leather design. Their gloves, albeit a bit wider in shape, are very solid and protective which is perfect for working power punches on those hard, dense heavy bags.

There’s just something about that feeling of satisfaction you get when you land a perfectly placed shot into one of the hard Thai heavy bags that have been molded for impact by literally thousands of strikes before you.

This feeling of satisfaction is amplified when you do this with a pair of Twins gloves. The shape, the sturdiness, and just overall design - feel and sound amazing as you slam your fist into those bags.

Best Muay Thai Gloves For Sparring

Top King – Super Air

I’ve used a lot of different brands for sparring and my number one always remains the Top King Super Air range. The 16oz (sparring size) gloves have a very light feel to them and are highly breathable with an intuitive design – hence the name 'Super Air'.

Our hands being one of our centers of heat, can during hard spars overheat and give us a feeling of fatigue. These gloves eliminate this and make you feel as if you could spar all day. The Velcro wrist strap is quite expansive which also gives an added degree of support at the wrist, which is an area susceptible to injury in heated exchanges.

Lastly, the glove has a lot of padding over the knuckles which are great for hard sparring as it prioritizes padding over your main point of contact. These gloves under heavy usage have lasted me about 2 – 3 years before starting to deteriorate.

Best Muay Thai Gloves For Beginners

Yokkao Matrix

If you are looking for a glove that combines comfort, durability, and support with a large range of styles and prints to choose from – look no further than a pair of Yokkao Matrix boxing gloves (you can find my full review of these gloves here). They have a slick and durable design made from high-quality cowhide leather which is very protective and enduring.

The curvature of the glove allows for optimal force absorption so no one area takes too much punishment. The Velcro strap is long-lasting and the gloves themselves just seem to go on forever. These gloves have personally lasted me over 4 years now with me using them on average 3 times per week, a great purchase for someone looking for a well-rounded pair of gloves.

Yokkao sets itself apart by combining arguably the best features of each brand and streamlining it into a glove perfectly suited to a variety of use cases.

What To Look For In Your Next Pair Of Gloves

Size

If you are new to the sport of Muay Thai and just wanting a good pair of gloves that you can use for most training then anywhere from 12 – 14oz for bigger hands and 8 – 10oz for smaller hands will do perfectly. If you are looking at getting into sparring or about to start sparring you will need 16oz gloves as this is the size used universally for sparring at fight gyms.

If you feel like in general you are a bigger person with bigger hands opt for a larger glove – up to a max of 16oz. If you are a smaller person and you know you don't have super big hands getting a smaller-sized pair of gloves will be important. You’d also want one that has good wrist support as wrist sprains can be an issue when throwing hard punches.

Material

Synthetic material gloves are good for those out there who are ethically conscious and don't want to use leather gloves, but in general, they won't last as long as their leather counterparts.

They also often don’t provide the same degree of protection to your hands, so if you know you have a hard punch either go for a high-quality leather glove or get some really solid hand wraps to go underneath.

Padding And Support

When it comes to padding and support a lot of it is based on personal preference as everyone has a slightly different hand structure. That being said a good place to look is around the thumb and wrist.

Does the glove feel firm, padded, and supported around the thumb? This is an area that often can get injured, especially if you are new to Muay Thai and still learning how to punch.

The wrist is another area that can often get sprained when people are new to throwing punches so the more support the better in this category. You want a glove that feels like it has a good degree of support around the wrist in terms of the Velcro strap.

Design

When looking at the design of the glove you want to make sure that the glove isn't too wide, the padding is in the right places, and the shape of the glove contours to that of your hand and wrist.

There are lots of different options for varying use cases as mentioned above but ultimately it comes down to your individual structure.

If you have a long and slender wrist you want to get a glove that has a long wrist strap. If you are going to be sparring more you don’t want gloves that are going to be too big and clunky as this will slow you down in crucial moments.

You will also see lace-up and Velcro strap gloves. The main difference between the two is that the lace-up gloves give you a greater ability to control how much support you get around your wrist but take longer to put on (and you need a training partner to tie them for you).

Velcro straps are very efficient to use but don’t offer that same degree of customization when it comes to wrist support. It really boils down to how serious you want to get into it and also how much time you have to prepare before training.

Lastly, on the topic of design, you want to find a pair of gloves that truly resonates with you from an aesthetic perspective as you are going to be looking at them a lot and will inevitably create some epic memories with them. Find a pair that reflects who you are as a martial artist!

Muay Thai Gloves vs Boxing Gloves – What’s The Difference?

There isn't too much difference when it comes to traditional boxing gloves brands and Muay Thai gloves brands. In Thailand for example there are a lot of Western Boxers and they use all the brands listed above. Most of them are designed for universal use.

For example, combat sports training as a whole includes both Boxing and Muay Thai. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and what you feel the most comfortable using.

Yokkao Muay Thai Gloves Review

Comfort and Fit

What really stands out in the Yokkao boxing glove range is how comfortable and protective they are of your hands. There aren’t many gloves that I personally feel comfortable to train full power with and not have to wear hand wraps – the Yokkao range would definitely be one of them.

The inside of the glove feels very protective whilst the outside is solid and made of high-quality material which gives you a lot of confidence in the gloves to do the job during those harder sessions when you really need to unload.

In terms of similar fits, you could say that the Yokkao brand is a fusion of Twins and Top King boxing gloves – having a slightly wider design with a very durable outer material similar to that of Twins but utilizing the ergonomic inner structure that has made Top King gloves so popular.

A modern hybrid of durability and comfort.

Quality and Durability

The Yokkao gloves definitely have a premium feel to them being made out of high-quality cowhide leather, although they do offer a synthetic option if you prefer it.

From my experience high quality cowhide leather is the longest lasting and more durable choice for glove material as it tends to protect the inner padding for longer, keeping your knuckles (valuable assets as a fighter) protected for longer.

The stitching is all still intact and the Velcro still sticks perfectly which is surprising because normally from past experience, after I’ve used a pair of gloves for around the 3 year mark this tends to depreciate a lot.

Design

In terms of design the Yokkao Muay Thai gloves have a really nice curvature to them that ensures the force from the impact is evenly dispersed throughout your fist, rather than certain areas being overloaded due to poor design.

This allows for greater shot selection when it comes to throwing your punches as you aren’t restricted to throw your shots from specific angles due to the shape and size of your gloves. If the glove is more brick (block) like and lacks curvature, often your thumbs can get crushed when throwing shots like uppercuts or body rips.

When looking at competitor brands like Top king, Twins and Fairtex – Yokkao sets itself apart by combining arguably the best features of each one and streamlining it into a glove perfectly suited to a variety of use cases.

Top King gloves have a great overall design, great aesthetics and a slick streamlined feel but lack support in key areas and lack the long-lasting durability Yokkao gloves have.

Twins Muay Thai gloves are incredibly durable, have some very signature designs and provide a good degree of support but can be a little bit clunky due to their wider design and shape.

Fairtex Muay Thai gloves original leather range is very similar to twins in a lot of ways, great durability, very protective but can be a little wide. The Synthetic gloves they have are similar to that of Top Kings in terms of design and shape but are little less protective from my experience.

All of the top brands of Muay Thai boxing gloves have some really cool designs but the Yokkao gloves really differentiate themselves with a funky, vibrant and unique look and feel whilst also having your standard color options (black, blue, red, etc).

Size Options

There are a wide range of sizes available and generally speaking if you are wanting to use your gloves for sparring as well as training you want to get 16oz gloves or larger.

This is the standard size requirement for people looking to get into sparring at Muay Thai fight gyms.
If you are just wanting a nice comfortable pair of gloves but have big fists like me then I’d recommend going for a size 12 – 14oz pair of gloves.

If you have smaller hands then 8 – 10oz gloves should be perfect.

Price

When looking for a standard pair of black 16oz boxing gloves, here is how each brand ranks from lowest to highest price:

As can be seen Yokkao is slightly more expensive than Top King and Fairtex. This can be attested to their high quality product and the sheer longevity that accompanies the brand.

Best Heavy Bag For Muay Thai

Yokkao Heavy Bag

Muay Thai is the art of 8 limbs and having the freedom to work each limb in your strikes effectively is essential.

The Yokkao Heavy Bag has been a staple in traditional Muay Thai gyms across Thailand for generations now. Most fighters that have trained in Thailand gyms will have unforgiving memories of working this hard (based on filling and years of usage) and robust heavy bag.

Although a little smaller than some other heavy bags, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in versatility and the options it gives the user in terms of training style – from knee drills to timing and rhythm drills with kicks to power body shots to non stop teep drills.

Over time with effective usage, this bag becomes more oblong-shaped and indented around the bag's midsection on each side. This means that you have to be precise with your timing when you throw your kicks and punches so as not to hit the dense and compacted edges painfully.

The bag is heavy enough to be considered a heavy bag. Still, at the same time, with enough force, it can begin to swing, which is excellent for improving rhythm and timing while reaping the benefits of hitting a heavy bag—for example, improving power.

One of the main reasons this bag is so popular is because, in Muay Thai, body kicks are a very high scoring and effective strike. This bag allows the practitioner to work their body kicks to significant effect along with many other strikes from well-timed knees and elbows to power teeps and power straights.

Rhythm, timing, and power are essential attributes to improve combat sports performance and, more specifically, Muay Thai. This bag allows you to work all three simultaneously.

Best Banana Bag For Muay Thai

Fairtex HB6 Banana Heavy Bag

Banana bags are a great training tool to help work low kicks as often their base will rest on the ground. When you throw a Muay Thai low kick, most coaches will often use the analogy of "chopping down a tree," and the banana bag is a great way to simulate just this.

In particular, the Fairtex HB6 Banana Bag is battle-tested and used in many gyms worldwide as a staple for this style of bag. It is durable, robust, and facilitates its purpose beautifully.

These bags are an essential part of any gym with a low kick heavy style as it allows the fighters to refine and perfect their low kicks through 1000's of solid and precise reps.

If you have more of a westernized Muay Thai style, e.g., you like heavy punch combos followed by chopping low kicks, then this is the perfect bag for you.

You can read our full in-depth breakdown in our Fairtex HB6 Banana Bag review.

Best Tear Drop Heavy Bag For Muay Thai

Yokkao Tear Drop Heavy Bag

Tear drop bags are a great tool to use when focusing more on boxing (punch) specific combinations in Muay Thai and elbows. This style of bag allows you to work body rips, uppercuts, and overhands perfectly due to the curvature of the bag and how they are designed.

Out of all the teardrop bags I've used, the Yokkao one is by far my favorite. In general, many teardrop bags are often too soft or overly bouncy on impact and too wide – this makes the bags less realistic compared to striking an actual body or an opponent and less practical as a training tool.

The Yokkao Tear Drop Heavy Bag is the perfect size, simulating the shape of a body beautifully. The way it's designed means with regular cloth filling, it is very firm and hard upon impact.

It's important to note that fighters often use teardrop bags to work on their punching power, specific punching combinations, and head kicks that are less practical on conventional heavy bags. Therefore, this is a good purchase as an additional bag to work in conjunction with your standard heavy bag or banana bag.

Best Wall Mounted Heavy Bag For Muay Thai

The Yokkao Wall Mounted Heavy bag

Wall-mounted heavy bags are great tools for working specific boxing combinations that are almost impossible to throw on traditional bags. There is no section that simulates the shape of a body and head with conventional heavy bags.

Wall-mounted bags are a solution to this. They provide fighters the option to work body rip and body hook to uppercut combinations with a more realistic placement of where the target's head would be.

The Yokkao Wall Mounted Heavy Bag is a solid and very durable piece of training equipment that I have first-hand used for years at the Yokkao flagship gym in Bangkok, Thailand, by elite level Muay Thai strikers like Saenchai and Singdam.

The Yokkao wall-mounted heavy bag is perfect for someone with limited space or who wants to supplement their heavy bag training with a bag that favors punch-specific techniques.

Factors To Consider When Buying A Heavy Bag

Material

If possible, always opt for leather bags as they will have a longer life and last a lot longer under heavy usage.

This being said, there are some great synthetic options nowadays that are also very high quality and will last well under light to moderate usage.

Brand

Always try to opt for a more reputable and well-known brand. With these comes a standard of quality that has been battle-tested by multiple generations of Muay Thai Fighters and is highly regarded by them.

Some reputable brands with an excellent reputation for making high-quality boxing bags are:

What It’s Filled With

Most heavy bags will be filled with a mixture of sand or sawdust and ripped pieces of fabric. This is an excellent combination as using only sand can make the bag too dense. Using a combination of sand and fabric allows for a firm yet absorbing feel upon striking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Heavy Should A Muay Thai Heavy Bag Be?

Generally speaking, a heavy bag like the Yokkao heavy bag will be anywhere from 45 - 60 kg. However, banana bags will be between 60 kg - 100 kg.

The reason for this is the heavy bag is designed to move around as you strike it. The banana bag hangs to the floor, allowing you to throw devastating low kicks without the bag swinging.

Should You Get A Hanging Or Free Standing Heavy Bag?

If you have the option to choose, then a hanging bag will always be a better option as this allows you to work a much more comprehensive range of techniques and drills. The main reason for this is the bag swinging which requires you to work your timing and rhythm along with your speed, power, and precision.

If, however, you have nowhere to hang a heavy bag, then a free-standing bag is a fantastic alternative. It gives you many of the same options as a banana bag from a training perspective, as they are often tall and long with the option of working your low kicks.

What Type Of Punching Bag Is Best For Muay Thai?

Ultimately the best bag for Muay Thai is the Yokkao heavy bag. This style of bag combines versatility, the ability to work power and timing, and a fantastic array of options when it comes to strikes.

Can I Use A Boxing Bag For Muay Thai?

Yes, you can use a boxing bag for Muay Thai. Although the number one determining factor will be is the bag heavy and solid enough to handle power round kicks, teeps, and heavy knee strikes. If the bag is too light, it will swing around too much and become impractical as a Muay Thai training tool.

Summary

In conclusion, the Yokkao heavy bag is such an excellent option for Muay Thai due to the design and incredible array of options you get in terms of what strikes you can throw.

From power round kicks to heavy knees, sharp elbows, and power punches, the sheer variety of strikes you can implement makes this bag the best option for training Muay Thai – the art of 8 limbs!

3 Exercises To Kick Higher For Muay Thai

Couch Stretch

Our first port of call is to improve hip extension as this helps us to maintain a more neutral pelvis position that doesn’t overload our adductors which attach at the base of our spine and act as secondary hip flexors.

When the pelvis is tilted forward (anteriorly) due to “tightness” in the front of the hip we place our adductors (groin muscles) in a pre-lengthened position which makes it harder for us to lift our leg upward to the heights we want to be kicking without overloading them or triggering a strong stretch reflex.

In layman’s terms, when our hips are “tight”, our groin muscles will also feel stiff and restricted which will limit how high we can kick without feeling pain.

The couch stretch is a great static stretch to improve hip extension.

From there, draw your ribcage down by contracting your abdominal muscles and squeeze your glute on the hip you are trying to stretch (same side as knee that is wedged against the wall).

This will create a powerful stretching sensation through the front of the hip and quad.

Try to breathe diaphragmatically (into your belly through your nose) to create a parasympathetic (rest and relax) response and to enhance the effects of the stretch.

Once you have finished this stretch it’s important to understand that the increase in hip extension range of motion is only a temporary one and won’t be long lasting unless you both stabilize, strengthen and integrate that range of motion into your Muay Thai Skills training.

Hip Airplane

The hip airplane stabilizes the hip joint and spine through internal and external hip.

When performing hip airplanes, we are balancing on one leg and firstly internally rotating and then externally rotating our hip whilst keeping our pelvis in a neutral position with our ribcage drawn down and generating the movement from the hip.

This has a great carry over to our ability to kick higher as it improves our perception of stability through ranges used in kicking and teaches us to do so with a neutral pelvis position which, helps us to prevent overloading our adductors (groin muscles) – a common area where people complain about tightness.

Single-Leg RDL

The single leg RDL helps to strengthen hip extension.

Working to maintain a neutral pelvic position, holding a kettlebell in your opposite hand, hinge your hip backward whilst extending the opposite leg back so you are only balancing on one leg.

From there press down into the ground, engaging your glute to drive you back up into hip extension.

Integrating To Muay Thai Kicking

Lastly, we need to integrate. What does this mean? Just get those damn hours in at the gym! At home on the bag, at the park on the pads with your friends. Just drill, drill, drill.

The more repetitions you can get in the better. And over time you will be able to kick higher as your body slowly accommodates to the ranges you are wanting it to function within.

The above three exercises are great. But if you aren’t kicking consistently, you won’t see the transfer to higher Muay Thai kicks.

“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times”
- Bruce Lee