BEST SHIN GUARDS REVIEWED

$70.45

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£69.00

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Last Amazon price update was: October 30, 2018 10:35 am

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PROS:

Removable instep allows for easy storage and training variability.
Extremely durable.
Extra layer of padding for advanced protection.
Light weight despite the protection offered.

CONS:

Velcro burn is dependent on how you strap them on your leg. Can be severe.
Bulky, poorly suited for grappling.

Fairtex SP5 Shing Guards

Most Durable/ Longest Lasting

One of the best brands out there for MMA training gear, Fairtex has been a staple of striking communities for years. The SP5 comes in various colors and styles and offers some of the most protection available for heavy kickers. They have a comfortable fit and let your legs breathe with two large straps that secure them to your leg. The top of the pad curves upward which protects the more vulnerable lower area of your knee and the instep has an elastic strap that’s comfortable around the foot.

I would personally recommend these shin pads for fighters who are dominant in their striking skills and rely heavily on kicking and checking. They aren’t terribly suited for grappling but they have a lot of edges that can catch when wrestling and rolling. Some of the most durable shin pads I’ve ever used personally.

The material on the outside of the shin pad can get moldy if left in your gym bag, I recommend a light cleaning after every use and for them to be left out to dry once you get home.

Fairtex Competition Shinguards SP5 Review

9.4/10 Read review

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$73.69

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$79.99

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£79.00

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Price history

Price history for Fairtex Competition Shin Guards - Black - Large
Latest updates: $73.69 - October 26, 2018 $73.99 - September 6, 2018 $79.99 - July 10, 2018 $75.57 - July 9, 2018 $71.75 - July 8, 2018 $79.99 - June 17, 2018 $71.20 - June 12, 2018 $71.50 - June 8, 2018 Since: May 24, 2018	Highest Price: $79.99 - June 6, 2018 Lowest Price: $71.20 - June 12, 2018

Last Amazon price update was: November 16, 2018 7:35 pm

PROS:

Thick padding for good shin protection.
Ergonomic design which is flexible and easy to clean.
Durable and reliable.

CONS:

Defined edges which are problematic for grappling.
Bulky, requires space in your gym bag.
Velcro burn is dependent on how you strap them on your leg. Can be severe.

Top King Empower Shin Guards

Most Stylish

These are some of the most stylish shin guards available to consumers. They come in several color and style varieties that are unique to the brand. The shin pads themselves reach up to protect the vulnerable area of the knee and offer a thick pad that runs down the length of the shin into the instep.

There is a gap between the shin and the instep that makes your ankle vulnerable to elbows and knees but that’s really the only flaw that sticks out to me. They have no metal rings or clasps and the Velcro on the straps will only leave a burn on your partners if you secure them improperly.

These are among the most durable shin guards you can find and have regularly lasted my training partners over a year of rigorous training. They are also a bit less bulky while still perfectly suited for heavy kickers. Grappling with these shin guards is still a little less desirable than the following shin guards in this guide, but can be done to much greater effect than the previous. Interestingly enough, I have never seen these shin guards mold, either. However, I wouldn’t bank on that in the long run.

Top King Shin Guards Review

8.8/10 Read review

88 %

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£82.00

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Last Amazon price update was: November 16, 2018 5:35 pm

PROS:

Stylish, with several color and design options.
Durable and mold resistant.
Secure straps and no metal clasps.
Several sizes available.

CONS:

Padding gap between shin and instep.

Combat Sports Grappling Shin Guards

Most Well Rounded For MMA Training

According to the name, these are grappling shin pads but I would say from personal experience that these can really be used whether you are primarily a striker or a grappler because of the protection that they offer. These are some of the only shin pads on the market that do such a good job in protecting the area of the lower shin, ankle, and upper foot that is prone to being damaged from kicking elbows and knees.

There are four smaller pads on the instep that make a more gradual transition from the shin pad to the instep which allows for that protection. The sleeve construction has a mesh window in the back that allows for ventilation as well which is much needed for these types of shin pads.

They are a bit bulkier than most grappling shin pads and can catch a bit when wrestling and setting up submissions. Watch out for the high hook and loop enclosure which can cause some Velcro burn on your partners when attempting triangle chokes or on your own hamstring as they sit high on the leg. These are probably best for the moderate to heavy kicker that’s not afraid to get dirty on the ground.

Combat Sports Gel Shock Pro-Style Grappling Shin Guards

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$69.99

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C $105.68

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Price history

Price history for Combat Sports Gel Shock Pro-Style Grappling Shin Guards, Regular, Black
Latest updates: $63.86 - November 2, 2018 $64.55 - October 23, 2018 $64.72 - October 6, 2018 $65.87 - October 3, 2018 $65.02 - September 30, 2018 Since: September 30, 2018	Highest Price: $65.87 - October 3, 2018 Lowest Price: $63.86 - November 2, 2018

Last Amazon price update was: November 17, 2018 4:35 pm

PROS:

Instep padding protects the area where the lower shin meets the foot better than most other brands.
A mesh window is included that helps to wick sweat in the full neoprene sleeve.

CONS:

More defined edges and thick padding can catch while grappling and defending takedowns.
Hook and loop closure at the top of the neoprene sleeve that holds the guard in place can chafe on your hamstring or on the inside of your knee.

RDX Gel Neoprene Shin Instep Guards

Best For Grappling

These shin pads have a tight fit and a good look when they come fresh out of the package. I originally bought these for my girlfriend when she was training for her amateur MMA debut knowing that she wrestled in high school and would need a pair of shin pads that wouldn’t catch while grappling. They did not disappoint in that regard.

These are probably best for the fighter who is on a budget, doesn’t kick much in their striking game plan, and who favors grappling as their primary method of fighting. Or, say you’re like me and want to condition your shins. They have a moderate to low amount of protection which allows fighters like myself to feel that shin impact more closely related to fighting without shin guards on at all. That isn’t to say they offer no protection, just slightly less than their competitors which makes these specialized for particular fighters.

Another notable detail is that they are very low profile and can be crammed violently into a full gym bag pretty easily without damaging them. These are the most convenient and least irritating shin guards for grappling on this list.

RDX Gel Neoprene Instep Pads

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£25.99

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