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Heavy punchers who want to train need a lot of protection for their sparring partner during practice. Boxing Punch Pad or pads are essential for ultimate protection.
They come with a comfortable yet firm padding that absorbs most of the blows and spreads evenly over the large surface of the pad.
This also leads to less pain for the pad holder. It's more of a cardiovascular exercise and a technique-building session at the same time, provided you have the right technique.
Being my absolute favorite these Legend Pro Speed focus mitts that provide enough padding for the holder to really focus on the boxer's technique, and they have the right curve for both boxing and kickboxing to practice technique.
Pads give you the opportunity to get hit and still relax and focus on how the movements are coming at you, how they look and feel, and what happens right before they are flung at your head.
They are useful in training. Coaches use pad training sessions to assess and correct their boxers.
They see first-hand the boxer's punching technique, timing and form and can provide immediate feedback and correction to help the student improve faster.
Let's take a quick look at the best training materials, then I'll cover each of these choices in more detail:
| Pad / boxing pad | Images |
|---|---|
| Best padding: Legend Pro speed focus mitts |
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| Most authentic look & feel: Adidas Training Curved Focus Mitt |
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| Best MMA Boxing Pads: RKA |
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| Best gel filling: Matsuru Focus Pad Gel Regular |
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| Best Cheap Boxing Pads: Everlast Mantis |
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| Real cow leather: RDX boxing pads Jab and pads |
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| Best lightweight boxing pads: Windy medium |
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| Best fit: Valleycomfy MMA Curved Focus Pads |
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| Best for pros: Fairtex Muay Thai / MMA Curved Pads |
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| Best cheap pad: Everlast Thai Pad |
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| Most Durable Pad: Legend Power Pro Army Line |
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| Best leather pad: Twins Special Arm Pad |
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| best vinyl: Contender Fight Sports Kickboxing Muay Thai Pads |
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What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
- 1 What is the ideal boxing pad?
- 2
- 3 8 Best Boxing Pads Reviewed
- 3.1 Best Padding: Legend Pro Speed Focus Mitts
- 3.2 Most Authentic Look & Feel: Adidas Training Curved Focus Mitt
- 3.3 Best MMA Boxing Pads: RKA
- 3.4 Best Gel Refill: Matsuru Focuspad Gel Regular
- 3.5 Best Cheap Boxing Pads: Everlast Mantis
- 3.6 Genuine Cow Leather: RDX Boxing Pads Jab and Pads
- 3.7 Best Lightweight Boxing Pads: Windy Medium
- 3.8 Best Fit: Valleycomfy MMA Curved Focus Pads
- 4 Best Pads and Thai Pads
- 5 Conclusion
What is the ideal boxing pad?
- The material used: The set of pads you have in mind should be as comfortable to hold as it is to hit. Some types of material, such as leather, are more durable and last much longer. Cheap materials don't last as long, nor are they effective at absorbing impact.
- Wrist strap closure: This helps lock your hands into the pad so they don't come off easily. Adjustable straps allow you to adjust the cushions to your personal preferences, giving you more control.
- Flat or curved: curved boxing pads absorb the punches better, because the shape fits nicely with the boxing gloves of the trainee. This offers a wider range of boxing angles.
- Ventilation: opt for a mesh or open finger pads to let your fingers breathe and prevent sweating. This can lead to a foul odor after using the pad for a while.
8 Best Boxing Pads Reviewed
So that you don't feel overwhelmed by the countless variety of options when choosing the best boxing pads, we've gathered everything here for you to choose the right pads for your needs.
Here's what you can practice with a good pair of boxing pads:
Best Padding: Legend Pro Speed Focus Mitts
By: Legend Sports
These pads are made with boxers and kickboxers in mind to help them practice speed and accuracy.
They have 35% more padding, so you should expect more comfort and less painful practice sessions from the get-go.
More foam is tailored to the upper hand and wrist region so that your knuckles, fingers, thumb and wrist are well protected from the impact. It is covered in leather to ensure it will serve you for years to come.
The pads are slightly curved so you can hit them firmly at different angles without having to bend the pad holder backwards to handle the punches.
Additional features:
- The Velcro closure ensures a tight and secure fit
- The inner lining is sweat-resistant for a dry and odor-free feeling
Most Authentic Look & Feel: Adidas Training Curved Focus Mitt
By: adidas
Expect unlimited possibilities to improve your boxing and improve your cardiovascular health and fitness with this punch pad mitt from Adidas.
With an inch of impact-minimizing foam combined with a 2,5-inch wrist arch, you can be sure to train and exert yourself for long hours without feeling any pain in your palms.
The leather used is sturdy and designed to store seriously. The finger guard is also foam lined to protect your vulnerable knuckles from injury.
The double hook and loop straps not only make the gloves easy to wear and put on, but also provide ample wrist support and a snug fit.
It is lightweight and makes it comfortable to wear.
Here you can see Adidas boxing pads in action:
In addition, the style is absolutely superb, just like all other boxing gear from the Ringside Heritage range. These are some boxing pads to impress!
Additional features:
- D-ring added for a more personalized fit
- Beautiful details make it more attractive
Best MMA Boxing Pads: RKA
By: R.K.A
This pair of boxing pads has just as much to give to the boxer as it does to the sparring partner.
People who constantly suffer from knuckle pain or pain after training will certainly find these gloves practical thanks to the high-quality foam.
The cushion inside not only absorbs the hard kicks and punches, but also protects the holder's knuckles from injury.
The strong PU leather used ensures that you enjoy the long-term benefits while keeping the punch pads light and supple.
Their versatility makes these pads a go-to option as you can use them for training karate, martial arts, Muay Thai among others without having to buy special pads for these sports.
They're not too big so you can throw them in your gym bag for extra training while traveling.
Additional features:
- There are different colors for different preferences
- They are very affordable
Check prices and availability here at bol.com
Best Gel Refill: Matsuru Focuspad Gel Regular
By: Matsuru
This pair of boxing pads from Matsuru promises excellent protection, meaning you have a minimum of pain during training.
It features an ultra-light Santec shape that absorbs most of the shock and prevents fatigue on the trainer's side.
They are designed with a hand-molded shape to fit smoothly in your hands and provide a natural, snug fit, while the ergonomic design provides a secure hold without damaging the holder's wrist or risk of a pillow flying off after a heavy blow.
It has an adjustable wrist strap so you can tailor the pads to the natural shape and contour of the holder's hands and make them super easy to put on and take off.
The leather trim indicates longevity while the reasonable size means lightweight and suitable for both speed and strength training.
Additional features:
- Gel filling
- Leather version
Best Cheap Boxing Pads: Everlast Mantis
By: Everlast
If you're a coach who wants to move very quickly and naturally so that the trainer gets a more natural and effective striking workout, you can't beat these punching gloves.
They are excellent for training and prompting with agility and precision. The firm and durable three-layer foam padding gives you the impact without taking a hit and thus protection for the wrist.
The curved design conforms to the shape of the boxer's hand and offers more comfort and more angles of strike.
The raised palm grips allow the pads to grip your hands even as you take one punch after another.
Additional features:
- Includes mesh lets your hands breathe and keeps them from smelling
- They don't rely on straps, so you can easily slip them on and off
Genuine Cow Leather: RDX Boxing Pads Jab and Pads
By:RDX
With such a functional pair of mitts, you just have to go slow, focus and work on the precision and accuracy of your punches and you'll get the ultimate training experience you've always wanted.
RDX is also a brand that is known for coming up with a lot of advice and being deep in the sport, so is about the use of boxing pads.
The shock-absorbing shape and Shell-Shock gel are excellent at minimizing the force on every impact, protecting both the trainer and the trainee from wrist and knuckle injuries.
Their curved construction contributes to low pressure dissipation on the trainer or back to the learner's hand, providing greater comfort and safety.
The cowhide leather makes them durable, washable and odor resistant while making the pads hard and providing resistance and feedback to the boxer.
Additional features:
- The belt closure promises a tight and comfortable fit
- The perforations on the top layer provide ventilation and breathability
Best Lightweight Boxing Pads: Windy Medium
By: windy
These pads are small, light and precisely designed to protect your wrist from pain.
With its 3 inch thick contoured, shock absorbing padding, making them fairly comfortable mitts to wear, no matter how hard the punches and kicks throw you.
It was thoughtful of the company to use leather for the cover, this has ensured that the gloves are strong and durable and do not need to be replaced quickly.
The strap at the back provides a snug fit and makes it very easy to put on and take off.
Inside, you'll find a moisture-wicking liner that keeps your palms cool, comfortable and ventilated.
Additional features:
- The curved design absorbs impact in an anatomically correct hand position
- They are very light and comfortable
These boxing pads are for sale here
Best Fit: Valleycomfy MMA Curved Focus Pads
Boxing is much more brutal and grueling than regular jogging. For excellent impact protection, perfect wrist support and undeniable durability, this is the best option money can buy.
It comes with a 2-inch thick padding that works effectively at absorbing the shock and protecting your wrists from soreness after exercise.
It has a curved design so that the boxer gets more angles to work with and practice different types of punches instead of the usual straight jabs.
The filling is enclosed in 100% premium cowhide, so you are free to take punches and kicks without the pillow warping or losing its shape.
It has adjustable straps that ensure a comfortable fit and easy on and off the gloves.
Additional features:
- It's contoured to make sure the punches stay within the center
- Breathable mesh for ventilation
Check availability here at Amazon
Not a sparring partner for a while? Read our post about the best standing punching bags review
Best Pads and Thai Pads
Kicks are an essential part of the MMA game. You can train them by kicking the heavy bag and banana bags in your gym and of course by using them while sparring.
However, if the bulk of your kick training is just kicking punching bags and then trying to land the same strikes in sparring sessions, you might be disappointed.
You might even feel like there's a huge gap between being able to land kicks against a bag and then trying to make contact with an opponent with those same kicks who can think and move intelligently and defend themselves.
Also read: these are the best boxing gloves for sparring and personal training
This is where punching and kicking pads comes into play.
Your trainer will use pads and like focus pads to simulate how your punches and kicks will arrive in real life as he walks around, occasionally hitting you to check your head movement etc.
You can think of hitting and kicking on pads as the bridge or stepping stone between training with the heavy bag and full, live sparring.
With kicks, however, the above focus boxing pads will not make it.
Focus mitts are specially designed and shaped for punches and boxing. In fact, trying to block round kicks with focus mitts can be dangerous. You need a good, quality set of Thai pads.
And it's important to hold onto these:
Thai pads or fenders are much larger and longer than focus pads and are designed to withstand the brunt of heavy kicks and knees without hitting off and accidentally kicking the sparring partner.
Also read: the best shin guards for kickboxing
We've selected five of the best products that will enable sparring against whatever penalty you can throw them out.
Best for Pros: Fairtex Muay Thai/MMA Curved Pads
These are the pads used by the pros. If you were to travel to Thailand and train at the source, it is very likely that your Muay Thai trainer would hold some pads just like this one.
Fairtex has been producing the highest possible quality of Muay Thai training material for years.
They know exactly how to make pads that can withstand a beating and provide you with the optimal hitting surface for kicks, knees, punches and elbows.
They've even included a target on the surface of the pads so you can try to be as precise as possible.
The lightweight pads and sturdy forearm supports allow the holder to comfortably and safely hold the pads for longer.
Holding pads for someone can be harder than it looks, so it's great that these pads are optimized for both the kicker and holder.
Check prices and availability here
Best Cheap Pad: Everlast Thai Pad
Everlast has made these professional pads from professional materials for the best possible longevity and impact dispersion.
They are made from premium, sustainably constructed synthetic leather for that long-lasting durability and functionality.
Everlast is more than just a name with this product.
The dense foam padding is arranged in several layers to better absorb the impact, so that your hands, feet, shins and the like do not get an unnecessary impact.
There's nothing worse than being in the middle of a pad workout and having to stop because of sore wrists or joints. Let the pad absorb the impact.
The pads are designed with authentic Muay Thai style in mind and Everlast optimizes them for taking heavy kicks and knees.
Most Durable Pad: Legend Power Pro Army Line
Aesthetics and visual style are often completely overlooked when creating Muay Thai and MMA gear. Most of the pieces look the same, with the same colors and the same boring designs reused over and over again.
Legend has one of the simplest looking pads you've ever seen, but very effective. Though minimally designed, they somehow manage to look both beautiful and top of the range.
Beyond the visuals, these pads are incredibly strong and durable while remaining lightweight, which is perfect for the sparring partner/trainer. These pads can withstand any kind of strike you can throw at them.
Best Leather Pad: Twins Special Armpad
The cheap/entry-level MMA market has been completely flooded by providers and the above are certainly top-of-the-range products.
But there are times when you want the best of the best. Like with this Twins special.
They are destroying their competition by producing top-of-the-line equipment that feels and performs so much better than cheap stuff.
Twins uses its technology with three layers of gel-integrated foam padding for heavy-duty shock absorption. Combine that with the 100% leather exterior and you have pads that will last a lifetime.
It can withstand heavy rigors and extended use without tearing or falling apart.
Best Vinyl: Contender Fight Sports Kickboxing Muay Thai Pads
These Contender Fight Sports pads are made with nothing but functionality in mind.
No vibrant colors or crazy styles. No gimmicks and no frills.
If you want a set of pads that will take an absolute hammering from people of all sizes, day in and day out, for months or years at a time, these are the pads for you.
They are made from durable vinyl that resists tears and breakage and is also easy to clean as an added bonus. The aged black color also better hides any wear and tear that will occur over months of use.
It comes complete with two hook-and-loop straps that you can adjust and worry about once you're buckled up.
You don't have to worry about them slipping or moving back and forth mid-workout, you're strapped in tight and secure. Despite this, they are also quick and easy to put on and take off with no hassle.
Check Contender Pads Here at Amazon
Conclusion
Thai pads are invaluable to your training and are considered a mandatory piece of kit. If you never practice your kicks on a set of pads, you are always behind.
Buy a set and you can expand your skills with a lot of practice without endangering your sparring partner.
You can do it without a punch if you plan to work on your technique and timing and practice some solid punches and kicks.
The models we've covered are the most reliable and functional option the market has to offer right now, offering extra protection for longer training sessions.
It is therefore certainly advisable to buy a good pad for sparring and improving your technique.
Do you also want to practice your footwork? read more about the best shoes for boxing
