I get a lot of messages, asking what gloves to buy. What shinpads I use. What kinds of pads are “the best.” I know people are just looking for some guidance in a sea of options, but for the the most part these questions are not answerable with any kind of honest authority. It depends. And it depends on lots of factors. I’m 100 lbs and petite, so what I like or works well for me might not be ideal for a 180 lbs guy. I don’t hold pads, so what I know is the pads that are held for me, and that’s by incredibly experienced and skilled Thai trainers, which might not be the same pads you’d want if you need to buy in bulk for a gym that has students holding for each other. These are just some of the factors that go into what makes equipment “good.”

So, I decided I’d just do a walk through at my home gym in Pattaya, Petchrungruang, and talk about the equipment we have there. We have lots of different brands, all different ages and states of deterioration, which is pretty normal for fighter’s gyms in Thailand. Woody Muaythai sponsors the gym with equipment, so we have lots of their stuff, but it’s good quality and has characteristics that are really good for our gym and you can find those characteristics in other brands as well. I’m basically talking about what elements to look for, rather than necessarily hawking a particular brand. But I like Woody. They’re good people, good quality, not expensive, and local. I like all those things. I’m basically just talking about what I know about my own equipment, what I know about the things my trainers like and dislike about their equipment, and a few factors that are different between Thai gyms where there are stadium fighters, vs more fitness oriented gyms or gyms where equipment won’t be taking the same kind of beating.

You can go to the Muay Thai Roundtable to talk about what equipment you like, which brands are good, or ask questions. You can order online from Woody Muaythai or visit their shop here in Pattaya. Bleeding Edge is in Colorado, so if you’re in the States and don’t want crazy shipping costs, you can order from them.