What are Muay Thai gloves?

Muay Thai aka Thai boxing is a global sport known for its effectiveness in the ring and its brutality. This Combat Athlete Gear blog post will go over what Muay Thai is as well as what Muay Thai gloves are. It’s important to know what makes Muay Thai gloves unique as you continue your combat sports journey. Let’s start by covering some basic info about Muay Thai gloves.

What are Muay Thai gloves?

Muay Thai gloves are specialized gloves designed specifically for the sport of Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing. They are made of leather and are designed with extra padding to protect the fighter’s hands, knuckles and wrists during training and sparring. The gloves also feature a long cuff (with a velcro strap on each glove) to protect the wrists from injury. Muay Thai gloves come in a variety of sizes and weights, ranging from 8 oz to 16 oz, and are available in both open- and closed-finger designs. The heavier the glove, the more protection it provides, but lighter gloves allow fighters to move more freely and perform punches and kicks with more speed and accuracy.

Some Muay Thai fighters have different pairs of gloves for a variety of goals. It’s not unusual for a Muay Thai fighter to have a set of Muay Thai gloves for sparring and another pair of gloves for heavy bag work. This is due to the wear and tear on Muay Thai gloves that happen from intense heavy bag work.

Now that you have a better idea of what Muay Thai gloves are, let’s go over the top Muay Thai glove brands. You may have already heard of some of these brands like Venum which is the official gear brand for the UFC.

Top Muay Thai Glove Brands [brands you may or may not have heard of]

Here are some of the best brands in the world for Muay Thai gloves:

1. Twins: Twins is one of the top Muay Thai glove brands in the world and is known for its high quality, durable and comfortable gloves. They are made with cowhide leather and foam padding to provide maximum protection and comfort. The interior lining is soft and breathable and the velcro closure ensures a secure fit. Twins gloves are available in a variety of colors and sizes and are perfect for both amateur and professional Muay Thai fighters.

2. Venum: Venum is another leading Muay Thai glove brand that is beginning to transcend the sport thanks to the global attention they’ve received through the UFC. Their gloves are made with premium quality leather and feature multi-density foam padding for extra protection and shock absorption. The interior is lined with soft microfiber material for extra comfort and the velcro closure ensures a secure and snug fit. Venum gloves come in a variety of colors and sizes and are great for beginners and experienced fighters alike.

3. Fairtex: Fairtex has been producing some of the best Muay Thai gloves for over 30 years. Their gloves are made with premium quality leather and are promised to last you a long time. The interior is lined with soft microfiber material for extra comfort and the velcro closure ensures a great fit. Fairtex gloves can be found in gyms around the world.

4. Top King: Top King is a Thai-based Muay Thai glove brand focused on total commitment to having the best design with cutting edge technologies. Their gloves are made with 100% cowhide leather and feature triple-layer foam padding for extra protection and shock absorption. The interior is lined with soft material for extra comfort and the velcro closure ensures a secure and snug fit. You can count on a variety of styles and colors to choose from when it comes to Top King gloves.

5. Hayabusa: Hayabusa is one of the top Muay Thai glove brands in the world and is known for its excellent quality and affordability. Their gloves are made with high-grade cowhide leather and are built to last. The interior is lined with soft microfiber material for extra comfort and the velcro closure ensures a secure and snug fit. Hayabusa gloves come in a variety of colors and sizes and are great for hobbyists and high-level fighters.

A brief history of Muay Thai

Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing, is an ancient martial art and combat sport that originated in Thailand. The origin of Muay Thai dates back to the 16th century, when it was used by Siamese soldiers as a form of self-defense. Muay Thai was developed as a military hand-to-hand combat system and adopted as a national martial art.

In the 18th century, Muay Thai began to be used in competition. Thai kings sponsored tournaments in which the best fighters from each region competed against one another in order to determine the best fighter in the country. Many of the key rules of Muay Thai, which are still in use today, were developed during this time.

In the early 20th century, Muay Thai was introduced to the West, and it quickly gained popularity. In the 1950s, Muay Thai was featured in the Ring Magazine, which helped to spread the popularity of the sport even further. Muay Thai has since become a popular sport all over the world, and it is now featured in mixed martial arts competitions such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship and One Championship.

Due to its effectiveness and increased awareness on a global level, Muay Thai continues to grow in popularity around the world. Muay Thai gyms can be found everywhere from South Korea to Canada.

What makes Muay Thai different from Western boxing?

There are a few key things that make Muay Thai different from western boxing. The first is the use of kicks. In Muay Thai, kicks are a very important part of the fighting style, and are often used to score points. In western boxing, kicks are not used. Another difference is the use of elbows and knees. In Muay Thai, these are often used in conjunction with punches and kicks to make the strikes more effective. Elbows and knees are not used in western boxing. Finally, Muay Thai is a more fluid and versatile style than western boxing. There are a greater number of techniques that can be used in Muay Thai, and the style is more adaptable to different situations such as MMA.

What makes Muay Thai different from Karate?

There are key differences between Muay Thai and karate. One of the major differences is the stance since karate fighters tend to be more bladed compared to the squared off approach of Muay Thai fighters. Many karate dojos also teach weapons systems while Muay Thai gyms do not. Depending on the type of karate, a karateka may learn ground techniques such as sweeps and basic submissions.

What makes Muay Thai different from wrestling?

The main difference between Muay Thai and wrestling is the type of techniques used. Muay Thai uses stand-up striking techniques such as punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. Wrestling involves grappling techniques such as throws, take-downs, and holds. Muay Thai also involves clinching techniques such as clinching, sweeps, and trips.

Another difference between Muay Thai and wrestling is the rules that govern the sport. Muay Thai has a set of rules that are specific to the sport. These rules include the use of protective gear, the length of rounds, and the number of rounds per match. Wrestling has a set of rules that require certain equipment such as wrestling shoes and the use of a singlet.

Finally, the scoring system for Muay Thai and wrestling is different. In Muay Thai, the winner is determined by the number of points accumulated during the fight. Points are awarded for strikes, takedowns, and clinching techniques. In wrestling, the winner is determined by pinning the opponent or forcing them to submit.