Top King make premium gloves which a cushioned fit. Plusher, softer padding than most Thai brands, strong knuckle protection, and — in the Kanok II — the longest cuff you will find outside a lace-up, which makes them the obvious pick if your wrists are the weak link.
If Fairtex feel too firm and too direct, Top King sit at the other end of that scale. Here is the full range and how to choose within it.
Where Top King sit
Top King are one of the most established Thai manufacturers, hand making equipment in Thailand across a range that runs from gloves and shin guards through to focus mitts, wraps, bags and shorts. They are less famous internationally than Fairtex or Twins, and yet better regarded inside Thailand than that suggests.
Where Fairtex built a reputation on one benchmark glove that has barely changed in thirty years, Top King went the other way. Over eight velcro training gloves, all at roughly the same price, separated by shape, cuff and artwork rather than by tier. There is no entry model and no clear flagship.
Much of that artwork draws directly on Thai tradition. Kanok, which names two of the models, is the flowing ornamental motif carved into temple woodwork and painted across temple walls throughout Thailand. It is the visual language of the country the sport comes from, rather than decoration borrowed and applied.
How Top King fit
The padding is the starting point. Where Fairtex give you a firm, direct glove that tells you exactly what landed, Top King give you a softer one that takes the edge off. On the heavy bag and through long pad rounds that is a real comfort advantage, and for anyone whose hands take a while to condition it matters more than the spec sheet suggests.
This is not only a comfort argument. A seven-year study of the Great Britain Olympic boxing squad found hand and wrist problems — carpometacarpal instability and the joint capsule damage known as boxer’s knuckle — to be the most commonly recorded injuries across training and competition. Padding and wrist support are not luxuries.
The trade-off is feedback. A plusher glove tells you less. If you are working on precision and want to feel the difference between a shot that landed clean and one that did not, a firmer glove serves you better — our Fairtex BGV1 review covers the opposite end of that scale in detail.
Sizing is straightforward — no unusual quirks, and the ounce ratings are accurate. Our Muay Thai gloves size guide covers measuring and how the brands compare.
The cuff: a key reason to buy Top King
The Kanok II runs a cuff that sits higher than most Fairtex or Twins gloves. Combined with a foam-padded wrist and a wraparound velcro closure, it gives a level of wrist reinforcement that the compact Thai brands simply do not offer in a standard training glove.
If you have thin wrists, a history of wrist pain, or you throw heavy on the bag and your wrist is the thing that gives out first, this is the glove in the Thai market built for you. Pair it with 4.5 m or 5 m wraps secured firmly through the wrist and the problem largely goes away.
The trade-off is the common one. A longer cuff costs you flexibility in the clinch, so if you spend most of your time framing, gripping and controlling at close range, the shorter-cuffed brands will feel less restrictive. It is an important choice rather than a compromise — you are picking which thing matters more to you.
One nuance: the Kanok II hand compartment is described as snug and holds its shape over time, which runs slightly against the general Top King character. It is the most supportive glove in the range rather than the plushest.
The gloves, model by model
Every velcro training glove in the range sits at around same price, which makes this a choice about shape, cuff and artwork rather than budget.
| Model | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| Kanok II (TKBGKN02) | The long-cuff option. Thin wrists, wrist trouble, or heavy bag work. Traditional Kanok pattern in gold. |
| Kanok (TKBGKN01) | The original Kanok. Same design styling, standard Top King feel. |
| Super Air (TKBGSA) | Our best seller from Top King, and the widest colour choice in the range. Block colours with the TKB logo. |
| Full Impact (TKBGFI) | Built around protection. The one to look at if you are the person your gym puts the new starters in with. |
| Double Happiness (TKBGCT-CN01) | A design-led pair with strong colour options. Standard Top King fit. |
| Super Star (TKBGSS01) | Metallic finishes — red, silver, gold, blue. For people who want the glove noticed. |
| Snake (TKBGSS02) | Snakeskin-inspired, in black or white with gold or silver. The most striking pair in the range. |
| Empower Creativity (TKBGEM01) | A timeless Top King wrap-around design in four metallic combinations. |
The lace-ups
Two options, both a step up in price. The Super Competition is built for professional competition and elite training. The Pro is the training-focused version of the same idea.
Both give a wrist fit nothing else matches and neither can be put on without help unless you use lace up converters. That rules them out for most when it comes to ordinary training and makes them a second pair rather than a first.
The bit that makes you stand out: matched sets
Top King run the same designs across gloves and shin guards. Kanok, Kanok II, Snake, Super Star, Empower Creativity, Double Happiness and Full Impact all exist in both.
That isn't common given the artwork. Most Thai brands treat gloves and shin guards as separate lines with separate artwork, and matching them isn't always easy. With Top King it is a decision you can eaasily make and if you care about looking matchy matchy, it is worth knowing before you buy the gloves rather than after.
The Kanok II shin guards are the direct match for the long-cuff gloves. The Pro shin guard is the best seller in the range if you would rather choose on merit than on matching.
Beyond gloves
| Product | Worth knowing |
|---|---|
| Shin guards | Over eight designs, all at roughly the same price. The Pro is the most popular. |
| Focus mitts | The Air is lighter for long sessions, the Extreme uses premium leather and absorbs more. |
| 4.5 m hand wraps | Cotton-nylon blend with durable velcro. The right length for filling out a glove properly. |
| Gym bag | Heavy-duty, with zip-lock compartments at each end. |
| Shorts | A deep range of traditional Thai designs, and highly rated. |
Top King vs Fairtex — the shortcut
These two sit at opposite ends of the same scale, which makes the choice unusually clean.
Fairtex are compact and firm. You feel the shot land, the glove rewards precision, and the short cuff leaves your wrist free in the clinch. Top King are plusher and more protective, with more cushioning and — in the Kanok II — considerably more wrist support.
Pick Fairtex if you want feedback and clinch mobility. Pick Top King if you want comfort, protection and wrist support, or if Fairtex have ever felt punishing on the bag.
We put them head to head in detail in our Fairtex vs Top King comparison.
Who Top King suits
- Your wrists are the weak link. Make sure to properly wrap your wrists and consider the Kanok II.
- You find firmer gloves punishing. Softer padding, and your hands will thank you across a long bag session.
- You hold pads as much as you hit them. Comfort over eight rounds beats feedback.
- You want a matching set. Nobody else makes this easy.
Who it does not suit
- You clinch constantly. The longer-cuffed models restrict the wrist where you need it most.
- You want maximum feedback. Plusher padding tells you less about what landed.
FAQs
Are Top King gloves good for Muay Thai?
Yes. They are one of the established Thai brands, hand made in Thailand, and known specifically for plusher padding and strong knuckle protection. They suit anyone who finds firmer gloves punishing, and the Kanok II offers more wrist support than most gloves in the category.
What is the difference between Kanok and Kanok II?
The Kanok II carries the traditional Kanok pattern in gold and runs a longer cuff that sits higher than most Fairtex or Twins gloves, giving extra wrist reinforcement. The original Kanok is the plain black version with a standard cuff. If wrist support matters, the II is the one.
Do Top King gloves run big or small?
They run true to their ounce rating with no unusual quirks. The feel is fuller than a compact brand like Fairtex because the padding is thicker, but that is cushioning rather than sizing. The Kanok II hand compartment is snug and holds its shape with use.
Which Top King gloves are best for sparring?
Any of the velcro models in 16 oz. The Full Impact is built around protection, and the Kanok II adds wrist support on top. Avoid the lace-ups for regular sparring — you cannot put them on without help.
Are Top King gloves better than Fairtex?
Neither is better; they solve different problems. Fairtex are compact and firm, giving precision and clinch freedom. Top King are plusher and more protective, with more wrist support. Choose on whether you want feedback or comfort.
Where to start
If your wrists give you trouble, the Kanok II and nothing else. If they do not, the Super Air is the best seller for a reason — the widest colour choice in the range and the standard Top King feel.
Browse the full Top King range, or read the ultimate guide to Muay Thai gloves if you are still weighing up brands.
Unsure whether the longer cuff is right for you? Tell us where your wrist hurts and how you train, and we will give you a straight answer.
