Fairtex is a renowned manufacturer of fight equipment, primarily focused on Muay Thai. Based in Thailand, the company is widely popular both locally and internationally. With a pandemic forcing most if not all gyms to close, Muay Thai heavy bag sales have gone through the roof. Thankfully, there are a ton to choose from.
The banana bag is a staple of Muay Thai and kickboxing training. It allows you to throw your full arsenal of punches and kicks on a single piece of equipment. Fairtex’s banana bag is one of several different punch bags that the brand sells, including the teardrop and uppercut bags that we’ve already reviewed.
This article will focus on the standard type of heavy bag, so no double-end or uppercut bags here. Also, these heavy bags will all be prefilled. Keep in mind that this is not a ranking of these heavy bags and do not come in any specific order. These are just reviews of five heavy bags and are representative only of the subjective views of the writer. If you disagree, that's cool.
Fairtex Banana Bag
Fairtex: A Brand Synonymous with Quality
Fairtex is known for its high-quality craftsmanship, hand-making the majority of their equipment in their factory in Thailand. These bags obviously carry a ton of name recognition; I mean, it’s the Fairtex brand! If you want to be as authentic to training in Thailand as possible, this might be the bag for you.
Read also: Muay Thai Gloves Review
The bags all have the Fairtex logo running down them, and luckily, they use a nice font for it, so it looks pretty nice. I do have to say it looks a little better in white to me for some reason though.
Unlike some of the other Fairtex punch bags you can get hold of a banana bag in multiple colors; the traditionally Fairtex black as well as blue, yellow, green and red.
Durability and Comfort
The bags are made of a durable and water-resistant synthetic leather that won’t cause any unnecessary damage to your skin, like scrapes or cuts. (Your shins, on the other hand, are a different story.) Either way, one of the bags I tested out was hanging in a Thai gym, and had been there for a while, and still looked in good condition; no noticeable tears, no noticeable stitching issues just some damage to the Syntek leather in places.
Overall the banana bag was very comfortable to use, firm but not excessive it lets to hammer in heavy kicks and punches without worrying about hurting yourself, and provides sturdy feedback so you can feel yourself digging in with a strike.
Weight Distribution
In terms of weight distribution, these bags have a lot of their weight move to the bottom fast and are infamous for having super hard lower halves. Seriously, these things feel like concrete at the bottom. This can make it hard for newer or causal Muay Thai practitioners to work on leg kicks. This also means that working on head kicks feels like you’re kicking a heavy bag that’s absolutely hollow.
Read also: Fairtex Gloves: Performance Analysis
Alternatives to the Fairtex Banana Bag
While the Fairtex Banana Bag is a popular choice, there are other heavy bags on the market worth considering. Here are a few alternatives:
- Rival Heavy Bag: These bags weigh 120 lbs., are six feet long and 14 inches wide, and only come in black. The bags come with the standard chains used to hang them up. These bags also have their weight distributed very well, so the bottom of the bag is just as dense at the top, which can help save your shins if they’re not super strong. The bag’s outer layer is made of vinyl, so the texture is not hard on your skin, which is good because you don’t want a bag tear up your shins if you’re trying to kick a lot. Like we mentioned earlier, the bags are pretty sturdy, so it’ll last you a long time.
- Western Boxing Gear Bag: There’s something nice about a simple black heavy bag with only the logo down the side. In terms of the dimensions, the bag is six feet long, but this bag is a little wider, having a little over a full foot in overall circumference. The standout thing for me in this heavy bag is how its weight more or less stays well distributed. Obviously, over time, the weight sinks down a bit because gravity, but the bottom never feels like the side of a building and the top part does have some resistance to it.
- Outslayer Filled Punching Bag: The logo covers one side of the bag entirely and, me being a sucker for good design, makes me really like the look of this bag. I can definitely see people finding it a bit obnoxious thought. The bag is made in the USA and offers free shipping anywhere in the United States. The filled version of the bag weighs are 150 lbs. tying with the Rival bag for heaviest heavy bag. The bag is well made and can definitely take a beating, but the weight does sink to the bottom fairly quickly. The other problem is that the texture of the bag can be rough on most peoples skin, especially newcomers.
Here's a quick comparison table of the bags mentioned:
| Bag | Weight | Dimensions | Material | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairtex Banana Bag | 90 lbs | Standard Muay Thai Size | Syntek Leather | Comfortable, durable, multiple colors |
| Rival Heavy Bag | 120 lbs | 6 ft x 14 inches | Vinyl | Well-distributed weight, durable |
| Outslayer Filled Punching Bag | 150 lbs | 6 ft x ~1 ft circumference | Unknown | Durable, made in USA, weight distribution can sink |
Additional Fairtex Products
Fairtex offers various types of boxing gloves that serve different training purposes:
- Training Gloves: For general training, including bag work and pad work. (ex. BGV1, BGV14)
- Sparring Gloves: Softer and designed for sparring with a partner to minimize injury. (ex. BGV5, BGV6, BGV18)
- Bag Gloves: Designed for heavy bag work, typically more durable with denser padding. (ex. TGO3, TGT7)
- Competition Gloves: Lighter and used in official matches. (ex.)
Boxing gloves are measured in ounces (oz) and typically range from 8 oz to 20 oz. The right size depends on your weight, the type of training, and personal preference.
The Fairtex HB13 Super Angle Heavy Bag features deep angles for uppercut and versatile boxing drills. A bottom hook is included to secure the bag to the floor, helping to control swing during intense sessions.
Read also: Heavy Bag Workout
The Fairtex Muay Thai Banana Bag is designed to elevate your training, helping you achieve precision and power in your strikes. It allows for full-contact training and a total body workout. The HB6 is constructed from Syntex leather with high-density padding layered for impact resistance and balanced feedback.
Fairtex HB13 Super Angle Heavy Bag
Cost
These bags are also the most expensive that we have on the list. A filled bag will set you back £185, while an unfilled one will cost you £130.
Please note: the shipping cost for your order does not include taxes, customs duties, or any other customs fees. For more information about your country's duties and taxes, please consult your local customs office. We are not responsible for any import taxes, duties, or customs fees incurred on your international order.
Fairtex accepts returns of products (excluding sale items or items purchased with a promo code) in resalable condition within 30 days from the date of delivery. Customers are responsible for all return shipping charges. The restocking fee ranges from 3% to 10%, depending on the stage of the cancellation. Refunds will be issued after deducting the applicable restocking and import fees.
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