Protection
Shin guards
Muay thai shin guards are padded sleeves that cover the shin and the instep, and are what most striking gyms require for sparring. MMA shin guards are slimmer and often have a separate foot strap so they do not interfere with grappling. Football shin pads are a different object entirely and are not safe for striking — they protect the wearer's shin and do nothing for the person being kicked.
Muay thai vs MMA vs karate
Muay thai guards are thick, wrap the whole shin and cover the instep, and stay put through repeated checks. MMA guards trade padding for mobility so you can still shoot and sprawl. Karate guards under WKF rules are a specified piece of equipment from an approved list, not a matter of preference — the same is true of the mitts.
Sizing
Sized by height and weight, not by shoe size. A guard that stops short of the knee leaves the exact spot most likely to take a check, and one that slides is worse than none because you stop trusting it. If you are between sizes, take the larger for muay thai and the smaller for MMA.
Leather, synthetic, and the heat
Leather lasts longer and moulds to the leg. Synthetic is cheaper and dries faster, which in this climate is not a minor point — a leather guard that never fully dries will smell within a month and crack within a year. Whichever you buy, take them out of the bag the moment you get home.
Stock landing soon
We are not listing shin guards yet. When we do, every one will carry the same thing our gis already carry — a verdict on whether it passes, checked against the body that governs your sport and dated.