The Best MMA Shin Guards
We looked at the top 8 MMA Shin Guards and dug through the reviews from 26 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best MMA Shin Guards.
Our Review Process
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Our Picks For The Top MMA Shin Guards
- 1. RDX Leg-Instep Protection MMA Shin Guards
- 2. Combat Sports Padded & Washable Cloth MMA Shin Guards
- 3. Meister Elastic Cloth MMA Shin Guards
- 4. Fairtex SP7 Muay Thia & MMA Shin Guards
- 5. Contender Fight Sports Neoprene-Wrap MMA Shin Guards
- 6. Sanabul Essential Kickboxing & MMA Hybrid Shin Guards
- 7. Elite Sports Muay Thai & MMA Instep Shin Guards
- 8. Hayabusa Low-Profile Tokushu MMA Shin Guards
Available in sizes from small to extra-large, these shin guards include gel and foam padding to absorb shock. The faux leather with inner nylon material has a moisture-wicking liner. Hook-and-loop straps help you adjust the fit properly and prevent slippage.
Extra ComfortableLightweight design and moisture-wicking properties give these shin guards comfort you won’t find with other options.
Compression material supports your legs and feet while you’re wearing these shin guards, while removable foam padding lets you easily wash the guards between uses. These have a comfortable slip-on design that makes them easy to take off and put on.
Easy to MaintainRemovable foam padding makes it easy to toss these compression shin guards in the washer for a quick cleaning.
With elastic for stretch throughout, these slip-on shin guards provide both comfort and protection with no reduction in agility. The built-in padding is made to retain its shape even with rigorous use. An elastic closure band prevents slippage. Get youth or adult sizes.
Colorful OptionsMake a statement with these shin guards, which are available in red or bright blue as well as classic black and white.
Syntex leather gives these shin guards a unique look and feel. The shin and foot protectors are detachable, allowing you to change up the fit to match your training sessions. The shin protector twists up to 90 degrees from the foot protector to give you freedom of movement.
Versatile UsesDetachable shin and foot protectors let you customize the fit of these synthetic leather guards for a variety of uses.
Buying Guide
As one of the most popular sports in the world, mixed martial arts has gotten plenty of attention. Known widely as MMA, the sport pulls in some of the best aspects of martial arts, including boxing, wrestling, judo, jujitsu and karate, making it particularly popular with younger athletes.
As with any sport based on fighting, though, MMA athletes suffer high rates of injuries. Trauma, particularly in the head, is common in the sport and often goes undocumented. Since players are kicking and punching, bones and muscles can be vulnerable, leading to short-term injuries. The good news is, there’s no evidence that MMA fighters are more likely to suffer long-term musculoskeletal or neurological injuries, so most of these injuries heal.
But if you don’t want to be temporarily sidelined, some good protective equipment is in order. The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports has strict regulations for apparel in competitions. Only trunks, a mouthpiece and gloves are allowed, with male fighters permitted to wear groin protection. Female fighters can wear a short-sleeved or sleeveless shirt and/or sports bra, with no chest protection allowed. Hand wraps and sleeves to protect knees and ankles are permitted, though.
But these rules apply specifically to higher-tier competitions. For practice and some amateur matches, you can add other types of protection to that list. Some smaller competitions may even require them. Shin guards are among those useful items. They offer a layer of protection to your shins while you’re fighting, potentially preventing painful breaks and fractures.
There are some things to consider as you’re shopping for shin guards, though. First, there are likely regulations that apply to your practice session or competition. You’ll also need to choose shin guards that fit the particular activities you’re focusing on. If you’re strengthening your grappling skills, for instance, you’ll want a pair of guards that will protect while not inhibiting movement. If you’re boosting your Muay Thai or kickboxing skills, you’ll need heavy-duty protection in the shin area. Luckily, you can find shin guards for each of those needs.
Why we recommend these mma shin guards?
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Our experts reviewed the top 8 MMA Shin Guards and also dug through the reviews from 26 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best MMA Shin Guards.
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The Best Bang For Your Buck
Combat Sports Padded & Washable Cloth MMA Shin Guards
Key Takeawy
Compression material supports your legs and feet while you’re wearing these shin guards, while removable foam padding lets you easily wash the guards between uses. These have a comfortable slip-on design that makes them easy to take off and put on.
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What to Look For
- Sizing can vary widely from one shin guard to the next. You’ll find many come in sizes labeled extra small to large or extra large, but you should also pay attention to the measurements to make sure it will comfortably cover your entire shin.
- You’ll want your shin guard to offer shock absorption from the direct hits you may take in the ring. Foam is a popular material for this, but some shin guards build in gel for extra protection.
- Perspiration is an unavoidable part of practicing and competing. Look for shin guards with material that wicks moisture away from the skin to help keep you dry in the ring or on the mat.
- Some shin guards build in features like hook-and-loop straps designed to customize the fit. This can help you ensure you’re getting top protection while also staying as comfortable as possible.
- Top-notch protection doesn’t mean you have to weigh yourself down. You can find shin guards that are lightweight but also keep you safe.
- You’ll probably want to clean your shin guards between uses. Unfortunately, the foam that provides the protection you need might not allow for machine washing. For the utmost convenience, look for shin guards that let you remove the foam when you’re ready to toss them in the washer.
- With some shin guards, you get compression features. This provides a little extra support for comfort, and some experts believe compression garments help reduce the risk of injury.
- You’ll commonly see shin guards in black, but you can find other colors. White is a popular option, but some come in bright blues and reds to help you really make a statement.
- The foam padding in some shin guards can lose its shape over time, especially if you wash them. Look for shin guards with padding that’s meant to hold up.
More to Explore
Bruce Lee may have brought mixed martial arts to popular culture, but the art existed long before that. Ancient Greeks are considered the originator of mixing martial arts through a sport called pankration. Pankration appeared in the Olympic games starting around 648 B.C.E. and combined boxing, wrestling, grappling and kicking.
But perhaps the biggest surprise from the origins of MMA is that Theodore Roosevelt reportedly practiced mixed martial arts in the White House. Then-President Roosevelt was practicing boxing, wrestling and judo. He even created a space for himself in the White House basement, lining the floor with training mats and practicing with anyone who was interested, including his wife and sister-in-law. Reports state that he even livened up a state luncheon by locking the Swiss minister in a judo hold.