Shin Guards for Kickboxing and Muay Thai: How to Choose Size and Type

Short answer

• Kickboxing and Muay Thai training – velcro shin guards that cover both the shin and the instep.
• To start – Royal Start (cotton) or Royal STD (synthetic leather) from our own brand.
• Frequent sparring – Venum, King, Twins or Top King guards with multi-layer padding.
• Amateur competition – elastic, sock-style guards, if the rules require them.
• Karate – light fabric guards, such as Royal Kyokushin or WKF-approved Hayashi.
• Size – by shin length from the knee to the foot, not by body weight.

Types of shin guards

Entry-level shin guards cost 20–30 €, mid-range 45–70 €, and top-class guards, often handmade in Thailand, 100–170 €.

Material: cotton, synthetic or genuine leather

Cotton guards are light and cheap, good for starting out and for karate. Synthetic leather guards (PU, Skintex, microfibre) are more durable, easy to wipe clean and the most common choice for kickboxing and Muay Thai. Genuine leather guards last the longest but cost more.

How to choose the size

Shin guard size depends on the length of your shin, not your body weight. Sit down, bend your knee to a right angle and measure from the bottom of the knee to where the shin meets the foot. A guard that fits covers the whole shinbone without pressing on the knee, and the foot part covers the instep without restricting the ankle.

Other brands size slightly differently, so always check the size chart of the model before buying. If you are between two sizes, choose the smaller one: it will hold better on the leg. Go up a size only if your calf is very muscular and the straps dig in.

Which to choose for kickboxing, Muay Thai and karate

The same velcro shin guards work for kickboxing and Muay Thai. To start, Royal Start (cotton with a harder outer shell) or Royal STD (synthetic leather with a double foam layer) from our own brand are enough. In Muay Thai you block more with your shins, so if you spar often choose multi-layer padding such as Venum Challenger, King, Twins or Top King.

Amateur Muay Thai competitions often use elastic guards that you pull on like a sock: Fairtex Elastic and the IFMA-approved TopTen Competition. They are light and do not slip, but always check the rules before competing.

For karate, choose light fabric guards: Royal Kyokushin for training, or WKF-approved Hayashi guards for competition, whose shin and foot parts can be worn together or separately.

Shin guards for kids

Kids' shin guards are also chosen by shin length. Light Royal Kyokushin guards in size S suit the youngest, and for kickboxing training there are kids' velcro models such as Leone JP Smart or Venum Elite kids. Choose a simple velcro closure so the child can put the guards on alone. All models are in kids' shin guards.

Care

• After training, take the guards out of the bag and air-dry them.
• Wipe synthetic and genuine leather guards with a damp cloth. Fabric guards can usually be hand-washed, but check the manufacturer's label first.
• Antibacterial fresheners in the bag with the guards reduce odour.
• Keep the velcro straps closed so they do not wear out or stick to other things.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need shin guards with instep protection?
For kickboxing and Muay Thai training, yes: the instep takes as much impact as the shin. Many amateur competitions also require instep protection, so check the rules.

Can I use football shin pads?
No. Football shin pads are hard, have no foot part and are designed to protect against a kick, not to kick with. Kicking in them can injure both you and your partner.

What is the difference between kickboxing and Muay Thai shin guards?
Basically none: the same guards work for both sports. In Muay Thai you block more with your shins, so multi-layer padding is worth it.

What size does a child need?
Measure the shin from the knee to the foot and compare it with the model's size chart. Kids usually need size S or a dedicated kids' model.

When should shin guards be replaced?
When the padding thins out and you start feeling impacts through it, when the velcro no longer holds, or when a child has grown and the guard no longer covers the whole shin.

You can try shin guards on at our store in Vilnius, Laisvės pr. 125A. All models are in shin guards. For the rest of the beginner kit, see "What You Need for Your First Boxing or Kickboxing Class".