Thai Pads

[jamresa]

I'm looking to pick up a set of kicking pads. I've used the Twins pads and haven't had problems with them, but now I'm looking at the Thaismai pads which cost quite a bit less. Does anybody have experience with Thaismai pads? They seem similar dimension-wise. This is what I'm referring to: http://southwesternmuaythai.com/mitt...cial/kpl-1.php

Thanks.

[jamresa]

Sorry...that was the link to the Twins pads. This is the link to the Thaismai pads: http://southwesternmuaythai.com/mitt...mai/kp-142.php

[WhiteShark]

As long as they are leather and have velcro straps I've noticed very little difference between Thai pads.

[Hertzyscowicz]

A word of warning, though; velcro straps will wear out faster than buckles. I always find it annoying when the wrist strap on one of my schools more ancient pads hangs loose when I'm holding pads.

[WhiteShark]

Yeah but buckles will cut the **** out of your leg if a newb fail holds the pads. I hate the buckles.

[jamresa]

Thanks for your input, guys. Points well taken regarding Velcro vs. buckles.

I asked the guy for pictures of both pads (he was really patient with me), and the Thaismai ones actually look better constructed - 6 handle rivets vs. 4, for example - and they have a slight curve to them. For $75 I figure I'll try them. Even better, apparently while I was e-mailing him he was unpacking a box so he said he'd throw in a pair of Thaismai shorts, too.

[dwkfym]

not really advanced striking material
but my club has been using Thunder thai pads.
www.thunderfightgear.com
The main differences between thai pads are as follows
1. a nice one and everything else
a nice pad is definitely nice. it really stands out against other non-nice ones, but the non-nice ones are all kinda crappy in general.
2. weight
heavy ones and light ones. I like heavy ones because you get to work a lot of power into them.
3. padding
Some have padding that wear faster than others. I hate punching soft pads.

[Torakaka]

I've been using the Windy Thai pads with the buckles lately at my current gym (Unit 2) and really really like them over the pair I own (Top Contender). They're thinner with somewhat denser padding so they're not nearly as cumbersome, which for me is great because I do a lot of pretty fast and active pad holding. If you don't hold them just right, though, you'll really feel a hard kick. Personally, I vastly prefer the smaller pads since I can hold for round after round without my arms feeling like they're going to fall off and using the bulky pads can make holding some times awkward.

I've never have much experience with either brand of those brands of Thai pads (Twins or Thaismai), so I can't really give a good opinion, but the Twins pads look a bit nicer to me.

[Odacon]

Velcro lasts as long as they are put back the right way after use.

[dwkfym]

And good velcro also lasts longer. Heavy duty velcros seem to be good perpetually.