Best kickbox pillow | Top 7 Kick Pads and Kick Pads Reviewed

Kickbox cushions are an absolute necessity for someone who wants to training in kickboxing or Muay Thai. They help increase your pedaling power, accuracy and speed.

In any case, using kickboxing kickbags feels more authentic than using standard boxing sandbags. In addition, you can practice different types of stairs.

While many gyms do not require you as a customer to bring your own kick pads, there is nothing wrong with buying your own equipment. If you take a look at online stores, you will notice that there are thousands of models available.

My favorite is this Matsuru Large due to its versatility in use and sturdy construction. It is a stair cushion that you will be able to spar with for many hours, and sometimes a more expensive purchase is ultimately a saving with a lot of use and good durability.

So how do you differentiate between the good and the bad? Better yet, how do you know which model best suits your needs?

The main differences between a good pair of kick pads and a bad pair are how long they last and how comfortable they are to use. Another important factor is the level of protection offered.

In this post we tell you everything you need to know about choosing the right kickbox cushions and take a look at the 10 best models right now.

What are Kickbox Kick Pads?

Muay Thai Kicking Pads, also known as kickbox kick pads, help fighters develop kicking techniques against stimulated opponents. They provide extra protection against injuries and are an essential part of kickboxing training.

Quality Muay Thai kick pads are handcrafted and durable enough to absorb powerful shocks from the elbows, knees, shin kicks and punches for a long time. They are considered the big brother of Boxing Focus Mitts.

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In addition to kickboxing training, these pads are also good for Muay Thai fighting and MMA training.

Best kickbox cushions reviewed

Top Rated Kickbox Kick Pad: Matsuru Large

The top stair cushion you can buy right now is the Matsuru stair cushion, which will cost you a little more than some of the others on this list. Sold as a single pad, it is designed to provide optimal training and comfort.

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It is the choice for professionals.

The Matsuru kick pad is a professional training device with an authentic Thai design. It has a durable construction with synthetic leather for long-lasting functionality. The high-density foam padding in multi-layer padding that absorbs the impact of powerful kicks and punches.

View the most current prices and availability here

Best Kickbox Arm Pads: Fairtex Standard Curved Kick Pads

Fairtex is a Thailand-based company that produces a variety of fighting equipment, most of which are focused on Muay Thai kickboxing. Founded in the 1970s, it has a long history of manufacturing high quality handcrafted equipment.

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One of their best offerings is the STPAD4 curved kick pads.

The Fairtex STPAD4 Curved Kick Pads are designed to help you safely train leg and knee strikes. Their curved design provides a tighter fit and their ability to absorb leg kicks better makes them essential for all disciplines in the gym.

Highlights include a durable leather construction and plenty of padding to ensure impact protection. The panels are held together by extra thick stitching and the handle is riveted. Everything about these pads screams expert craftsmanship.

Fairtex have done a great job making sure the forearms fit comfortably against the back of the pads. In addition, these kickbox pads are wonderfully light, which makes them easy to hold. They are a pleasure to touch and don't take much time to break in.

There are two forearm support straps and a riveted handle, which provide extra stability and balance. At over €200, these are not the cheapest pads on the market. The good news is that they are of good quality and will get you through serious training sessions.

Featured Features:

• Beautiful black and white color
• Curved design for versatility
• Made of cowhide leather
• Two forearm support straps
• Reinforced riveted handle

Check them out here at Amazon

Best Cheap Kickbox Kick Pad: Vanpower Chunlong

Vanpower is a brand that has always been synonymous with great gear at an affordable price. Their products are known for quality and good price. One of their most notable offerings is the Vanpower Chunlong kick pad.

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Whether you want to train legs and knee thrusts, these pads have you covered. The pad is made durable with easy-to-clean vinyl. They are designed to withstand hard knocks at the gym or at home. The high-density foam padding is good at absorbing shock from hard kicks and punches.

The vinyl construction helps maintain dexterity. These pads are 390x195x90mm. This provides solid protection during sparring sessions.

Check the latest prices here

Best Curved Kickbox Kick Pad: Super Pro Combat Gear

I always recommend investing $130 and buying high quality kick pads. However, if you can't afford that, the Super Pro Combat gear is also extremely suitable. Its biggest selling point is that it costs less than $70, making it an excellent purchase for beginners.

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It is much cheaper than most Thailand brands and great value for money. They don't offer as much quality as more expensive models, but the synthetic leather construction is as much as you'd expect for under $70.

The good news is that they make up for lack of quality with some hip MMA style elegance. Super Pro combines black, white and red in beautiful patterns.

Also included are three layers of gel integrated into the thick foam padding. These go a long way towards improving shock absorption. Especially considering the curved construction.

This ensures safe training while sparring. The integration of Aero Punch technology provides more effective shock absorption. This innovation includes molded foam that absorbs shock and helps reduce the risk of injury.

Featured Features:

• Made with sturdy synthetic leather
• Filled with IMT three layers of gel integrated foam
• High impact foam
• Aero Punch Technology

View it here at bol.com

Best Kick Pad With Targets: BOX-TEC Fight Gear

This is a kick pad that is useful for precision MMA training, kickboxing and even Muay Thai training. It has a durable construction with PU leather and high strength foam. The ergonomic design and sophisticated appearance are a nice touch.

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The thick foam padding ensures that the BOX-TEC can absorb shock and impact in an anatomically correct foot position. This, in turn, provides more stability.

The extra targets on this pad make for an easy target, especially for the person kicking the pads. The handle is riveted to ensure stability and the straps can be loosened or tightened as needed.

Featured Features:

• Durable PU Leather Construction
• Powerful foam for shock absorption
• Lightweight, portable and compact design
• riveted handle
• Adjustable straps

Check the latest prices here

Farabi Curved Kick Pad

The Farabi Curved Kick Pad is a professional pad designed for kickboxing, punch shielding, Muay Thai training and kick training. They have a curved design that minimizes the break in the period and offers more comfort.

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The pad is durably made from fine quality synthetic leather for long-lasting functionality. The handle is very strong and has excellent Velcro straps. It provides a firm grip during kickstrike training.

The thick, high-density padding provides unprecedented shock absorption and the reinforced stitching ensures long-lasting usability. The straps are adjustable for a secure fit, while the riveted handle provides more stability.

Featured Features:

• Curved Kick Training Cushion
• Made with fine quality faux leather
• Strong handle with adjustable Velcro strap
• Thick, high-density cushioning

Check the most current price here

Combat Sports Contoured Muay Thai Pads

Available in a blue and black combination, the Combat Sports Muay Thai Kickboxing MMA training pads feature a durable construction and maximum protection. They are made of high quality leather, which can withstand prolonged use. There are two hook and loop straps for a secure fit.

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The straps can be loosened and tightened as needed to fit different sizes. Also included is a riveted handle that provides extra stability. Reinforced stitching keeps the high-density padding in place and provides added durability.

The built-in Dome Air Shock technology goes a long way toward minimizing shock absorption.

The gloves use ultra-light foam that is four centimeters thick for ease of use by the holder.

Featured Features:

• Exclusive Dome Air technology for shock absorption
• Reinforced stitching
• Two hook and loop straps
• riveted handle
• High-quality leather construction
• Ultra lightweight 4" thick foam

Check the latest prices here

Kickbox Kick Pad Buying Guide

There are a few factors to consider before purchasing a pair of kickbox or Muay Thai Kick Pads. This will ensure you pick the right pads to take your skills to the next level.

Stair cushion size

The first factor to evaluate when shopping for stair cushions is size. Most manufacturers offer four standard sizes ranging from small to extra large.

The size of your pillow affects how well you can hold it. That's why it's important to choose a size that you and your training partner can use.

Keep in mind that many models come with an adjustable strap that allows you to tighten or loosen them for different sizes.

Pillow thickness

Another important factor to consider when choosing Muay Thai Pads is the thickness. We recommend thicker pads over thinner pads.

Many fighters opt for smaller pads because they are easier to hold. They don't exhaust the holder that much either. The downside is that smaller pads don't offer much impact protection.

You expose yourself to the risk of injury from strong and powerful kicks if you go with smaller and thinner pads.

Consider purchasing high-quality kickbox cushions that provide adequate padding and protection against the impact of each kick. The last thing you want is to end up with a broken arm.

pillow shape

Pillow shapes vary widely depending on the manufacturer. Some have smaller heights with the same amount of thickness. Such models call for greater accuracy, as failing to hit the target accurately can lead to injury.

Other Muay Thai kick pads have a longer length. They offer a larger area to land kicks, but the downside is that they are heavy.

You can also opt for a hybrid stair cushion. This combines the best of hand pads and kick pads to give you more mobility and flexibility. Unfortunately, they are thinner than traditional pillows.

Cushion handle

Kick pads usually come with two handles to push your arms through and secure. The handles of the pillow should be of high quality and able to absorb the shock of impacts coming at you.

Stiffness of the pillow

It is also important to consider how hard or soft your kickbox cushions are. Some pads are softer and absorb more energy. Such assistance minimizes the shock of impact on your legs.

Unfortunately, softer pads may not be able to provide the bouncy feedback offered by harder pads.

On the other hand, harder cushions last longer and don't absorb as much impact energy as softer ones.

Straight Cushions vs Curved Cushions

You have to decide whether you want to buy straight or curved pillows. Curved cushions provide full, hard contact. They are more comfortable for the kicker and offer more safety.

Straight pads take some time to break in and can be difficult to kick. Think of new shoes that need to be worn and broken in before they fit comfortably. Straight pads require a similar amount of time to adjust.

Because of the increased safety and immediate ease of use, curved cushions are usually more expensive than straight ones.

Quality versus price

The last factor to consider is quality versus price. Does it make more sense to spend more money on high-quality pads or save money on low-quality pads?

You can make an argument to buy cheap and save hard earned money when it comes to different products. kickbox kick cushions do not belong to those product categories, however. Your health and safety as well as that of others are of the highest priority when preparing for a fight.

Muay Thai kick pads produced in Thailand are of much higher quality than anywhere in the world. Some models are manufactured in Mexico and China, but do not last long and can be dangerous.

Thailand has been producing Muay Thai kickbox cushions for hundreds of years. Muay Thai is also an important sport in the country and as such no one understands the importance of health and safety in this regard than Thai people.

Your wallet will be happy if you decide to buy a pair of Muay Thai kick pads made in China or Mexican. However, your arms will hate you for that decision due to minimal padding.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is it time to replace your stair cushion?

While high quality kickbox kick pads will last a long time, heavy use will lead to their eventual disintegration. They bend inward and cause the pillow to disintegrate in the middle.

You'll know for sure it's time to change your pads when you feel the kicks through the pad on the forearm. If the side stitching falls apart, you will also need to replace your kick pad.

How should you maintain your kickbox kick pad?

Keeping your pillow dry is the best way to make sure they last. This means that they are thoroughly dried after each training session.

If your pads are not dried before you put them back in the bag, they will become damp. Over time, the leather will begin to separate from the stitching.

Use a natural disinfectant such as Dettol to clean your pads. This effectively kills all bacteria. Be sure to wipe them clean between uses if other people are using the pads as well.

If Muay Thai pads are cleaned regularly and a kicker with an infection uses them, that infection will spread to other kickers using the pad. That's why it's so important to clean stair cushions when more than one person uses them.

What are the advantages of high-quality stair cushions?

Kick pads allow users to sharpen skills and perform powerful attacks, which is not always possible during sparring. Padwerk also provides the ultimate cardiovascular workout. Sparring non-stop for three minutes can burn a lot of calories. In addition, pad smashing is also an effective way to train footwork.

Conclusion

The temptation to buy cheap stair cushions can be strong. However, it is important to note that a more expensive pair will last longer and provide additional benefits.

The right pads provide maximum protection. If you're having trouble making a decision, check out the comprehensive buyer's guide section.

Also read: the best martial arts for self defense discussed

Joost Nusselder, the founder of referees.eu is a content marketer, father and loves to write about all kinds of sports, and has also played a lot of sports himself for most of his life. Now since 2016, he and his team have been creating helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with their sports activities.