The Sanabul Gold Strike Shin Guards are one of those pairs of shinnies that immediately feel like they should be on your radar.
They look sharp, they feel lightweight, they offer strong protection, and after several months of Muay Thai sparring, they have quickly become one of my go-to pairs of shin guards. However… there is one material choice that could seriously affect their long-term durability.
First Impressions
I received my pair in the very sleek white and gold colourway in size large.
What’s noticeable almost immediately is just how lightweight the Gold Strike shin feel. They have a slightly larger and puffier profile than many traditional Thai-style shin guards, but they are in no way bulky or clunky once strapped on.
Sanabul has also included a few interesting design choices, including higher outer knee protection, extra padding mounds across the shin, with the same going over the foot pad.
These features are not completely unique, but Sanabul has done a really good job making the design feel like its own rather than copying another generic look from other brands.
Visuals And Design
Aesthetically, the Gold Strike range looks excellent.
The white and gold colourway has a clean, classy and premium look, while the black and gold version is still very sleek, is probably the safer option if you are worried about visible wear and tear from clashes and general wear and tear.
The design has a slightly sci-fi feel, very reminiscent of something a stormtrooper might wear if they ever dabbled in combat sports!
And that is all helped by the abstract Sanabul branding, gold detailing, and angled foam sections across the shin and foot. It is a really modern-looking shin guard in my opinioin without being too over the top.
Outer Casing Quality
The outer casing uses the same synthetic leather found on the Sanabul Gold Strike gloves.
This is one of the better engineered leather materials I have come across. From experience, it feels like it could comfortably outlast many decent genuine leather options if taken care of correctly.
However, durability is typically never an issue when it comes to the outer casing. The bigger concern is what happens on the internal side over time.
Inner Lining And Long-Term Durability
The black inner lining feels soft, comfortable, and is likely some form of polyester or microfibre. Sanabul also states that it is moisture-wicking but no matter how much that’s a factor, all inner linings on shin guards take a serious beating from leg sweat.
Unlike boxing gloves, where you can wear hand wraps as a sweat barrier, your legs are usually in direct contact with the inside of the shin guard. That means sweat, moisture, friction, and movement all work against the lining every session.
And this is definitely not only a Sanabul issue. It is a unnegotiable problem across Muay Thai and kickboxing shin guards. Until a better solution can be found, shin guards just won’t last more then 12 months if used regularly in my opinion.
The elasticised straps behind the ankle and underneath the foot are also usually among the first areas to fail. Sanabul has definitely tried their bestto reinforce these areas with extra material, thicker elastic, and multiple lines of stitching, but these sections are still constantly stretched, twisted, and dragged across the mats. No matter how good the outer shell is, the inner lining, elastic, Velcro straps, and even the smell can often be what retires a pair of shin guards first.
Fit And Comfort
This is where the Sanabul Gold Strike Shin Guards really shine.
The fit is excellent for me. The shin guard sits well up the leg, the width covers the right areas, the dual pull-back straps are a good length, and the foot guard feels plush while still being flexible.
Sanabul has done a strong job creating an ergonomic fit. With shin guards, even one awkward detail can ruin the experience. If the shin section is too short, the foot pad feels bulky, or the straps are the wrong length, it becomes noticeable very quickly.
That is not the case here. The Gold Strikes feel secure, protective, and comfortable during Muay Thai sparring.
Padding And Protection
The padding sits on the softer-to-medium side.
It compresses when squeezed, but still gives enough resistance to feel protective. Personally, I usually prefer the outside of a shin guard to be a little stiffer, as it can help reduce impact feedback when checking kicks.
That said, the Gold Strike shin guards do a very good job overall. They absorb impact well, feel protective during sparring, and the added outer knee protection is a nice feature.
That higher side padding is especially useful if you miss a check or take contact around the outer knee area. It is not something everyone thinks about, but once you have used shin guards with that extra coverage, it is easy to appreciate.
The Main Problem: Rusting Metal Rings
The biggest issue with these shin guards is the metal O-rings used on the back of the leg.
After several months of use, a brown stain began appearing around the loop areas. It was not blood or dirt. It was rust.
These metal rings are used underneath the leather and piping to give you leverage when pulling the Velcro straps tight. In theory, that makes sense. The problem is that if the metal is not stainless steel or properly protected, it can begin to rust.
This is a real shame.
Rust can weaken the metal internally, stain the shin guard, and potentially corrode the surrounding materials. It could also be the reason these shin guards need to be retired earlier than they otherwise should.
To be fair, this issue took around six months to appear. It was not immediate. But it still should not have happened. The fix seems simple: better-quality metal, stronger quality control, or switching to a hard plastic loop that cannot rust.
Price And Value
At around $99 USD, or roughly $150 AUD, the Sanabul Gold Strike Shin Guards are priced fairly for what they offer.
They are protective, comfortable, lightweight, and well-designed. For someone taking Muay Thai, kickboxing, or MMA sparring seriously, they offer a strong overall package.
The only thing that holds them back is the rust issue.
Who Should Buy Them?
The Sanabul Gold Strike Shin Guards are a good option for most combat sports athletes who want a protective, comfortable, modern-style shin guard.
They are especially suitable for:
- Muay Thai sparring
- Kickboxing training
- MMA striking sessions
- Fighters who want a lightweight but protective shin guard
- Anyone who prefers a more ergonomic, modern fit
Who Should Avoid Them?
The main people I would hesitate to recommend these to are athletes training in very humid or tropical climates, or anyone using shin guards multiple times per week.
If you are sparring hard and often, the rust issue around the metal loops may appear sooner, especially if the shin guards are regularly exposed to sweat and moisture.
Final Verdict
The Sanabul Gold Strike Shin Guards are genuinely impressive.
They are lightweight, protective, comfortable, and have one of the better ergonomic fits I have experienced in this style of shin guard. The outer casing feels durable, the padding performs well, and the design looks sharp without being too loud.
However, the rusting metal O-rings are a real concern.
If Sanabul fixes that issue, these could become an easy recommendation. As they are now, they are my favourite shin guards of this type, but like most combat sports products, they are almost perfect!
For the price, they offer serious value, just be aware of the potential durability issues before buying.