Pads or mitts: what is the difference?
Mitts are small hand pads for punches and precision; Thai pads are large arm pads for kicks and knees. Boxing: mitts. Kickboxing: both.
Mitts, also called focus mitts or punch mitts, are small padded hand pads for punches, speed and precision. Pads, usually Thai pads, are large cushions worn on the forearm that you can kick, knee and hit with hard combinations. For boxing, mitts are enough; for kickboxing and muay thai you need both.
The basics: what is what
In everyday language anything a coach catches strikes with is called a pad, but there are distinct types:
- Focus mitts or punch mitts: small, curved hand pads the coach puts on like a glove. For punches.
- Thai pads: rectangular cushions of around 35 to 40 cm that sit on the forearm with two straps. For kicks, knees and punches.
- Kick shield: a large flat cushion the coach holds in front of the body. For hard kicks and knees.
- Belly pad: a cushion around the coach's midsection, for punches and knees to the body.
In our shop you'll find them in the Pads and mitts category, with brands such as Twins Special (KPL and PML), Booster, Fairtex x Booster and King Pro Boxing.
Mitts: speed, precision and reaction
Focus mitts are light and curved, so the coach can move them quickly and hold them at any height. That is their strength: you train combinations, reaction speed, distance and timing. The coach can give counter-pressure, send a punch back so you have to cover, and move the mitt at the last moment.
Mitts absorb less force than pads. For hard straight punches from heavier athletes a more thickly padded mitt is needed, otherwise the coach feels it in their wrist and elbow. That is why Twins PML mitts and the thicker Booster models are popular with coaches who catch for a lot of heavy students. For punches only, as in boxing, mitts are the most important type of pad.
Thai pads: power, kicks and knees
Thai pads are built to catch kicks at full power. The thick padding and the sturdy outer shell spread the blow across the coach's whole forearm. You can also punch them, throw knees, elbows and combinations where the coach brings the pads together into one big target.
The downside: they are heavier and slower than mitts. Fast ten-punch combinations feel more sluggish on Thai pads. That is why kickboxing coaches combine both: mitts for the hands and speed, Thai pads for kicks and power. Twins KPL is the best-known range, followed by the Fairtex x Booster and Booster pads. When choosing, look at the weight and how they attach to the arm; you can read more about that in the guide on choosing Thai pads.
What do you choose for which sport?
- Boxing: focus mitts. Possibly a belly pad for body shots.
- Kickboxing: focus mitts and Thai pads. Many coaches also use a kick shield for power low kicks.
- Muay thai: Thai pads as the base, a belly pad for knees and possibly mitts for hands.
- MMA: mitts, Thai pads and often a kick shield, depending on the focus of the session.
If you train at home with a partner who holds for you, start with mitts if you mainly train hands and with Thai pads if you also want to kick. A partner without experience finds a Thai pad easier to hold than a mitt, because the holding technique for mitts is more delicate.
How Billy uses pads and mitts
At Billy's one-to-one pad sessions at GetPro Gym in Zwijndrecht he switches constantly between mitts and Thai pads. He uses the mitts for combinations, hooks, movement and reaction; the Thai pads for kicks, knees and finishing a combination with power. Both can come up in a single round.
That also makes the choice clear for a coach or a partner at home: if you want to train someone fully, you need both. If you start with one set, choose based on what you train most. Anyone holding pads for someone else does well to learn the holding technique first; a badly held pad is unpleasant for both of you.
Material and lifespan
Both mitts and pads come in leather and synthetic leather. Leather lasts for years, even with daily use in a gym; synthetic leather is cheaper and fine for home use. With mitts, check the padding (it should still spring back after thousands of punches) and the inside: a lined, padded inner glove protects the coach's hand.
With Thai pads you look at thickness, weight and the arm straps. Wide velcro straps or buckles keep the pad in place on a hard kick. Care is the same as for gloves: wipe down with a damp cloth, let dry, an occasional spray. Well-maintained pads from Twins or Booster easily last five years in a gym.
| Type | Size | For | Strong at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus mitts | Small, hand-sized | Punches | Speed, precision, reaction |
| Thai pads | 35-40 cm, on the forearm | Kicks, knees, punches | Power, combinations |
| Kick shield | Large, flat | Kicks, knees | Full power |
| Belly pad | Around the waist | Body shots, knees | Clinch and body |
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 pads & mitts for the whole team? From €500 order value we make a custom quote with a bigger discount.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between mitts and pads?
Mitts are small hand pads for punches; pads (Thai pads) are large arm pads for kicks and knees. Mitts for speed, pads for power.
Can I kick focus mitts?
Light kicks are possible, but mitts are not made for it. For kicks you use Thai pads or a kick shield.
What do I need for kickboxing at home?
A pair of Thai pads as the base and a pair of mitts for hand work. Your partner does need to learn how to hold.
Which pads does Billy use?
In his pad sessions Billy switches between mitts for combinations and Thai pads for kicks and power.
Are Twins PML mitts or pads?
PML is the mitt range (punching mitts) from Twins Special; KPL is the Thai pad range (kicking pads).
