Shin guards are the piece of gear people put off buying, and the one that ends a training block fastest when you skip it. Check a few kicks in sparring without pads and you will feel it for a week.
This is a short guide to picking a pair in Lebanon: what the differences actually are, how to size them, and what we stock.
Slip-on or strapped?
Two styles cover almost everything:
- Slip-on, sometimes called sock style. You pull them on like a sleeve. They stay put well, feel light, and are the usual choice for Muay Thai sparring. They are slower to get on and off.
- Strapped. Velcro straps behind the calf. Faster to put on, easier to adjust, and easier to lend to a training partner.
What we stock
Venum Kontact
The entry option, $11 to $15 depending on colour, sizes XS to XL. Lighter padding and a simpler build. If you train once or twice a week and mostly do pads and technique work, these are enough.
Venum Elite Standup
$29.99, sizes S to XL, in matte black, pink, red, white, white and gold, white and black, and black and gold. More padding across the shin and a closer fit, which is what you want once sparring gets harder.
Fairtex Competition
$35, sizes S to XL, in black or white. Fairtex is a Thai brand, and the SP5 uses a stitching-free method that joins the shin and instep sections. Built for competition and heavy sparring.
Getting the size right
Shin guard sizing follows your height and build, not your shoe size. As a rough starting point, most adults under about 170cm are a Small or Medium, and most over about 180cm are a Large or Extra Large. Build matters as much as height, so if you are between sizes, message us on Instagram at @fitfight.coo with your height and weight and we will tell you which to order.
A guard that fits covers from just below the knee to the top of the foot, and does not rotate around your leg when you kick. If it spins, it is too big.
How long they last
At two or three sessions a week, a decent pair lasts a couple of years. Replace them when the foam stops springing back or the stitching starts opening. Padding that has gone flat is not protecting you, even if the guard still looks fine from the outside.
Looking after them
- Take them out of your bag after training. Leaving them zipped in is what makes them smell.
- Wipe the inside down and let them air dry.
- Keep them out of the washing machine and the dryer. Heat breaks down the foam and the glue.
What else you need
If you are putting a first kit together, shin guards sit alongside gloves, hand wraps and a mouthguard. Our Muay Thai gear checklist covers the full list.
Browse the full range in shin guards, or see everything in protective gear. Cash on delivery anywhere in Lebanon, delivered in 1 to 5 days, or come and try sizes at the store in Hazmieh, near Center Mar Elias.