Hayabusa Pro Striking Shin Instep Guards

CodyD

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So I brought up the "posting links to reviews" issue with fozzy, and it is decided that we must post the entire review. Fair enough.

Just please go to our site to check out the latest MMA News, Reviews and Gear Previews @ MMAGearGuide.net

I will start posting pics with all my reviews from now on, I will also be taking pics for previous reviews as well. On top of that, I will be writing a little about me page to use as a reference when comparing how the gear fits.

Hayabusa Pro Striking Shin Instep Guards Review - MMAGearGuide.NET

The Hayabusa Pro Striking Shin Instep Guards are designed to protect during stronger kicking and sparring. With the double the padding of regular shin instep guards (Performance Ridge and Instep Padding), yet still with a lightweight construction for optimal mobility and performance. The Hayabusa Pro Striking Shin Instep Guards are ergonomically engineered curvature delivers the perfect striking surface. Featuring premium vented foam complex for maximum protection and enhanced thermo-regulation, a dual velcro closure system for an ultimate fit and perforated neoprene backing ensures full breathability.

First Impressions: I purchased these shin guards around Christmas time while I was in the Philippines. I’m sure you all know that feeling of anticipation when you come home to new gear. I was stoked. When I pulled the shin guards out I was immediately impressed, they were absolutely flawless. I do not know how fast they were shipped, as I was in the Philippines, but the packaging was nothing memorable, though I don’t care about the packaging.(Unless the item is damaged that is)

Construction: Like I was saying, they were, and still are flawless. There was not a single loose thread to be found. They are easily the most well constructed piece of gear I own. I have no complaints whatsoever, they had no marks on the leather and the logo was not smudged, cracked, or anything like that. I simply cannot stress enough how well these are made.

Fit: They fit like a charm, one thing that is confusing though is to figure out which pad goes on which leg. I don’t think it actually matters, just whatever is comfiest I suppose(I like the buckles facing in). They fit very snug to your leg, depending on how tight you make them. I ordered them in M, and the top of the shin guard is 3″ from me knee, while the end of the shin guard covers my entire foot except for my toes.

Training: In the 3 months I have had these shin guards I have put them through a beating. I was really afraid that they would begin to frill and fray, but they have held up exceptionally well. Even the logo is still 100% intact. I can already tell these will last me a long time. Anyways… I absolutely love kicking with these pads. You do not feel much of the force on your shin, most of it is absorbed by the padding. The shin guard protects my entire shin and foot. The only thing that is exposed are my toes. When I kick with my toes on accident, I feel like it’s more of a lesson to teach me to kick with my shin, not my toes. The foot pad does not restrict my movement when I’m walking around in them. Like I said, they fit very snugly to your leg, but there is a little bit of room between the end of the foot pad and your foot itself. Other than that they fit perfectly, when kicking heavy they tend to shift a little, I mean little, bit. It’s barely even noticeable. When I wear the shin guards for an extended period of time(around an hour), without removing them, my legs begin to sweat a little bit. I don’t have sweaty legs normally, but the shin guards are so snug that my legs have no room to breathe. I honestly don’t care about that since they do not shift, although they may begin to smell in the future. I volunteered to be on the receiving end of these, and as I expected, they are simply amazing. They really reduce the amount of force that your leg receives. Kicks still hurt a decent amount when there is some force behind them, but it’s not nearly as bad as being kicked without a shin guard. Another thing I wasn’t to throw in is the fact that they are super light. They are a bit pricey, but they are sure worth it.

Pros:
Look great
Fit great
Fantastic Construction
Great Padding

Cons:
Legs cannot breathe
Don’t come in white

Overall: I wish I could give these a 5/5, but since I have not tried every shin guard on the market I’ll have to keep it at a 4.5/5. I absolutely love these things, there is not a major flaw with these shin guards. It’s not really a con that they don’t come it white, which would have been nice.

EDIT: I just realized that I have been wearing the shin guards a bit to high, hence the reason my toes stick out. Wearing them a bit lower covers your entire foot.
 
what is a review without photos? :'(

~Foz

I will start posting pics with all my reviews from now on, I will also be taking pics for previous reviews as well. On top of that, I will be writing a little about me page to use as a reference when comparing how the gear fits.

:icon_chee
 
Could you use these for mma training which might include takedowns and grappling?

I presume they're slightly bulkier but apparently the normal ones are a bit light in protection, so somethings got to give, but wondering if you can get away with grappling in these?
 
Could you use these for mma training which might include takedowns and grappling?

I presume they're slightly bulkier but apparently the normal ones are a bit light in protection, so somethings got to give, but wondering if you can get away with grappling in these?

I would think so, they aren't that bulky. I'll have some pics up in a little bit. I'll try to grapple with them on, but I don't think they will be a problem. The only thing I could think that may get in the way a bit is the foot pad.
 
Hey guys, just wanted to get some feedback on the pics. leme know what you think. The reason I didn't post them on here was due to the size - 3638x2736
 
how thick and how dense is the foam?

Appears to be about 1"-ish, I'll have to measure when I get back home. It's pretty dense, takes up most of the impact.
 
You have the L/XL pair, correct?

Do you think you could just give me measurements from top of the foot to top of the shin guard, and the length of the foot padding?

I ordered S/M sized Hayabusa grappling in-steps since I have about 13" calves and the guide says under 14" calves, but I couldn't even fit them on. I am a small guy and have small feet though, and I am going to buy these but I don't want them to be loose and too big on me...
 
You have the L/XL pair, correct?

Do you think you could just give me measurements from top of the foot to top of the shin guard, and the length of the foot padding?

I ordered S/M sized Hayabusa grappling in-steps since I have about 13" calves and the guide says under 14" calves, but I couldn't even fit them on. I am a small guy and have small feet though, and I am going to buy these but I don't want them to be loose and too big on me...

They come in 2 sizes: Sm/Med and Lg/XL

Sm/Med:
From top of foot to top at knee length is 12 about 6 1/2 wide
Foot pad from ankle to toes is 6 and 5 1/2 wide

lG/XL:
From top of foot to top at knee length is 12 1/2-13 about 7 wide
Foot pad from ankle to toes is 6 and 6 wide

As you can see they are pretty close in size- I would recommend Large/Xl to anyone close to large, just for the added protection to the knee. I have had many Sm/Med returned for Large/XL...

I have pics and also video review at my site if anyone is interested
They are in stock for $74
 
You have the L/XL pair, correct?

Do you think you could just give me measurements from top of the foot to top of the shin guard, and the length of the foot padding?

I ordered S/M sized Hayabusa grappling in-steps since I have about 13" calves and the guide says under 14" calves, but I couldn't even fit them on. I am a small guy and have small feet though, and I am going to buy these but I don't want them to be loose and too big on me...

Nope, got the S/M. I'll give you some measurements tomorrow, I keep forgeting, hopefully this thread will remind me.
 
They come in 2 sizes: Sm/Med and Lg/XL

Sm/Med:
From top of foot to top at knee length is 12 about 6 1/2 wide
Foot pad from ankle to toes is 6 and 5 1/2 wide

lG/XL:
From top of foot to top at knee length is 12 1/2-13 about 7 wide
Foot pad from ankle to toes is 6 and 6 wide

As you can see they are pretty close in size- I would recommend Large/Xl to anyone close to large, just for the added protection to the knee. I have had many Sm/Med returned for Large/XL...

I have pics and also video review at my site if anyone is interested
They are in stock for $74

Thanks for that. Guess thats one less measurement.
 
I bought these shin pads from Renegade, pretty freaking sweet. Feels like someone could wail on my shins holding an oak tree and I'd still feel mighty fine. :icon_chee

I wear them for all my kicking right now, my leg is still very sore in the spot of my stress fracture. I freaking love these shin pads.

My only complaint is that I have fat ass legs and the bottom strap is very tight on me. hopefully as I lose fat this will reduce.
 
Thanks for the measurements, not much different so I might as well go L/XL.

(PS- Renegade, I'm the guy who commented on your facebook group!)

I didn't know it was that little difference myself, I wish I went with the L/XL then... oh well.
 
I bought these shin pads from Renegade, pretty freaking sweet. Feels like someone could wail on my shins holding an oak tree and I'd still feel mighty fine. :icon_chee

I wear them for all my kicking right now, my leg is still very sore in the spot of my stress fracture. I freaking love these shin pads.

My only complaint is that I have fat ass legs and the bottom strap is very tight on me. hopefully as I lose fat this will reduce.

Aren't they?!? They are soo amazing haha. Only thing is the price.
 
Aren't they?!? They are soo amazing haha. Only thing is the price.

Paid 74.99 with free shipping from Renegade MMA. With all the protection they provide, I'd say they're definitely worth saving up for. I'm not much of a ground grappler/wrestler though so I don't know how badly they'd shift around on the ground. Their X-Trainers seem pretty cool for that, I might actually consider them for grappling one day.
 
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