MMA Shin guards can be used in many forms of martial arts: Grappling, Muay Thai and kick boxing.
The first time you clash shins is going to be the first time you wished you did not go cheap on mma shin guards. If you wanted to re-create the force behind two people kicking at the same time- smack 2 baseball bats together.
Before you purchase that cheap pair of shin guards, there are a few things you should consider. I have learned the quality of a MMA shin guard though my 25 years of Taekwondo training.
The main thing to look for in a shin guard is the “Spine” that goes down the front of the guard. It needs to be re-enforced. With my Taekwondo background, this is a feature that is very important. All of the MMA shin guards I have seen do not have this feature.
Perceived value
I have found that people buy the most expensive things because they think they are better in quality. In you years of working with MMA gear, I have found this is not the case. A perfect example is Hayabusa and Combat Sports. The padding and overall design are almost exactly the same. The marketing is what supports the higher price of Hayabusa.
Please don’t take this the wrong- I think they are both very good brands.
How the shin guards are strapped onto the legs is another important thing to consider. If they will be used for grappling and muay thai, you will want the sock type. The sock type will not fall off or get spun around when you’re on the ground. You need to ask yourself: Do I need Muay Thai Shin Guards or Do I need Grappling Shin Guards?
So, before you buy those cheap shin guards- think about how yours shins are going to feel after your first shin-to-shin full contact. Remember to look for a re-enforced spine down the front of the guard. If you are looking for quality, a higher price does not always mean they will protect any better. Consider the use- are you going to be rolling on the ground or are you just doing stand up.
One more thing to consider is the weight of the shin guard. Obviously the cloth type are going to weigh the least. There are some really heavy duty shin guards made of leather. These also have some very uncomfortable straps too. I would avoid these.
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