Fairtex x Booster: what is it and who is it for?
Fairtex x Booster = Thai handmade production by Fairtex with Booster design; leather gloves, shin guards and pads for sparring and pad work.
Fairtex x Booster is a collaboration line between Thai muay thai brand Fairtex and Dutch brand Booster Fight Gear. The products are handmade from leather in the Fairtex factory in Thailand and get Booster's design and fit ideas. The result is gloves, shin guards and pads that combine Thai quality with a look and sizing better suited to the European kickboxer.
Two brands, one line
Fairtex is one of the best-known muay thai brands in the world, with its own factory and its own gym in Thailand. The brand is known for handmade leather gloves with compact, firm padding and for solid shin guards and pads. Booster is the Dutch kickboxing brand you come across in almost every gym in the Netherlands and far beyond, strong in design and in products that suit the European style.
The Fairtex x Booster collaboration brings those together: Fairtex makes, Booster designs and brings the line to market in Europe. The products carry both logos and sit in the upper mid-range. You will find them in our shop among the gloves, shin guards and pads, next to the regular Booster and Twins lines.
What sets the products apart
Fairtex gloves have always been slightly more compact than Twins: a narrower fist, firmer padding and an ergonomic shape that puts your hand in a natural fist. Fairtex x Booster takes that over and adds a wide velcro cuff and the Booster colourways.
The shin guards in the line are Thai models: wide shield, large instep piece, thick padding, built for sparring and blocking. The Thai pads are curved, multi-layer padded and made of thick leather, suitable for coaches who hold pads daily. Everything is leather; there is no synthetic leather in this line. That makes the products pricier than the Booster entry-level models, but also considerably more durable.
Compared with Twins Special
The comparison with Twins is an obvious one, as both are Thai and handmade. The differences:
- Fit: Fairtex x Booster more compact, Twins roomier and rounder.
- Padding: Fairtex x Booster firm and shape-retaining, Twins softer and thicker.
- Cuff: Fairtex x Booster wide velcro with good wrist support, Twins shorter and more flexible.
- Design: Fairtex x Booster bolder, Twins classic.
If you have narrow hands or do a lot of pad work, Fairtex x Booster is often the better fit. If you have wide hands and spar a lot, Twins is often softer on your partner. Both last for years. The Twins or Booster guide goes deeper into the differences in fit.
Compared with regular Booster
Regular Booster products are not made by Fairtex and come in synthetic leather and leather. The leather BGL series comes close to Fairtex x Booster in quality, but has a different shape: slightly longer in the cuff and its own padding. Fairtex x Booster is the Thai alternative within the Booster range: handmade, with the typical Fairtex fist shape.
For beginners, the regular BT Starter or BGL is often enough. Fairtex x Booster is aimed at advanced athletes who know what they want: a leather glove with a compact fist that lasts for years, or shin guards and pads that can handle hard sparring and daily pad holding. That explains the price difference with the entry-level models.
Who is Fairtex x Booster for?
- Advanced kickboxers and muay thai practitioners looking for a leather glove with a compact fist.
- Athletes with narrow to average hands for whom Twins fits too roomy.
- Coaches looking for Thai pads and mitts for daily use.
- Anyone who wants Thai handmade quality with a modern design.
Less suitable for: beginners on a tight budget (go for a Booster entry-level model instead) and athletes with very wide hands (look at Twins instead). In his pad sessions Billy uses the Thai pads from this line alongside his Twins KPL pads; the firm padding and the curve absorb hard kicks well.
Choosing a size and care
Glove sizing follows the usual oz chart: 10 oz up to 60 kg, 12 oz up to 75 kg, 14 oz up to 90 kg, 16 oz above that and for sparring. Because the fist is compact, there is no need to hesitate if you have narrow hands; with wide hands, trying them on with wraps is sensible. Shin guards are chosen by shin length, from S to XL.
Care is the same as for any leather product: leave open to dry after training, wipe the outside with a damp cloth, a little leather balm once a month, never in the washing machine or on a radiator. With that attention, Fairtex x Booster products last just as long as Twins: years.
| Feature | Fairtex x Booster | Twins Special | Regular Booster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made in | Thailand (Fairtex) | Thailand (Twins) | Various |
| Material | Leather | Leather | Synthetic leather and leather |
| Fist fit | Compact | Roomy | Compact |
| Padding | Firm, shape-retaining | Thick, soft | Firm, multi-layer |
| Cuff | Wide velcro | Short, Thai | Long |
| Price range | Upper mid | Mid to high | Entry-level to high |
| For | Advanced athletes, coaches | Sparring, wide hands | Beginners to pro |
Ordering from anywhere in the EU
PadsByBilly ships from the Netherlands to every EU country: Belgium €7.95, Germany €9.95, other EU countries €14.95, free from €75. No customs or import fees inside the EU; prices include VAT. Delivery usually takes 2–5 working days and you have a 14-day right of withdrawal.
Running a gym or fight school and need boxing gloves for the whole team? From €500 order value we make a custom quote with a bigger discount.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fairtex x Booster the same as Fairtex?
No. It is a separate line that Fairtex makes in collaboration with Booster, with its own design and colours. The production and the fist shape are Fairtex.
Is Fairtex x Booster better than Twins?
Different. More compact and firmer than Twins, which fits roomier and softer. Choose on your hand shape and on sparring (Twins) or pad work (Fairtex x Booster).
Are Fairtex x Booster gloves leather?
Yes, the whole line is leather and handmade in Thailand.
Which oz size for Fairtex x Booster?
The usual chart: 10 oz up to 60 kg, 12 oz up to 75 kg, 14 oz up to 90 kg, 16 oz above that and for sparring.
Is this line suitable for beginners?
It can be, but it is an investment. Beginners are often better off with a Booster entry-level model and switch later.
