A full leather glove, a pair of Thai pads, and satin shorts with a bold design: Twins Special is part of the recognizable equipment of Muay Thai. The brand has also become familiar in Dutch kickboxing and boxing gyms. Behind that equipment is a Thai family business that started in 1992 and literally owes its name to the family.
The history of Twins is about people who work leather, sew clothing, and develop equipment for everyday training. From the first workshop to the factory in Samut Sakhon, the same connection runs through it all: the sport determines what the equipment needs to do, and the maker translates that into shape, padding, and finish.
Twins Special: a Thai brand since 1992
Twins Special was founded in 1992. The anniversary announcement the company distributed through PRWeb in August 2013 gives June 2, 1992, as the exact founding date. In celebrating its 21st anniversary, Twins looked back on its development as a manufacturer of gloves, protective gear, and clothing for martial artists.
That broad range suits Muay Thai. In a training round, punches, kicks, and knee strikes follow one another. The trainer switches between punching mitts, Thai pads, and body protection; the athlete uses gloves, shin guards, and clothing that allows freedom of movement. Twins developed within this complete training environment rather than limiting itself to a single piece of equipment.
Its Thai origins are therefore more than a line on a label. They explain why training equipment, roomy shorts, and gloves with a full shape have such a natural place in the range. The brand grew internationally, but the sport and production in Thailand remained central to its identity.
The family behind the name Twins
The name Twins sounds international, but it has a very personal origin. In the family interview published by The Cloud in 2018, a member of the second generation says his mother came up with the name because she had twins. The name therefore refers to the children in the family.
The same interview gives a concrete picture of the early days. His mother sewed boxing shorts, his father handled deliveries, and two employees helped with the leatherwork. Making clothing, working with materials, and serving customers were closely connected in the first workshop. For a new business, every delivery meant direct contact with the people who used its products.
That division of work makes the company’s early history tangible. A glove and a pair of shorts require different skills, but they came from the same business. One product is about shaping and joining materials; the other calls for cut, seams and room to move. You can still see both sides of Twins in its product range.
The family story also offers a fitting explanation for the simplicity of the brand name: a short English name with roots in a Thai home. Behind the familiar logo is not an abstract sporting concept, but a reference to the people for whom the company was built.
From small workshop to international company
Twins grew alongside international interest in Muay Thai. A brand that could supply the different parts of training also found an audience outside Thailand. Gloves and pads made their way to gyms where trainers wanted to practice the same combinations and training methods.
The anniversary announcement from 2013 describes a business that had expanded by then and a celebration at the factory. Notably, employees also took part in exhibition matches during the festivities. That day, the staff were literally at the center of a sporting program celebrating the company they worked for.
The Cloud’s profile then shows how large the company had become by 2018. The article cites about 500 employees, around 10,000 pairs of gloves exported per month and a share of roughly 80 percent going to foreign markets. Those figures are from the year of the interview. Above all, they show the distance between the small workshop where it began and the international family business the journalist described at the time.
Alongside production and export, passing the business on to the next generation also played a role. The family had to connect the workshop’s expertise with the needs of customers in different countries. The familiar name remained, while the organization behind it grew much larger.
Handcraftsmanship in Samut Sakhon
Twins describes its factory in Samut Sakhon as the place where craftspeople make and paint the equipment by hand. In its own production information, the brand emphasizes the people who work with the materials and finish the products. Craftsmanship thus remains a visible part of the brand’s identity.
A glove brings several components together: the outer layer, the thumb section, the lining, the padding, the palm and the closure. All these parts must come together to form a usable glove. It is not just about a beautiful piece of leather, but also about how the pattern is constructed and how the parts fit together.
That makes stitching important. Seams join materials at points that move repeatedly when the glove is put on, fastened and used in training. The edge finishing and the transition to the wrist section also affect how a glove feels. In Fight Quality’s BGVL3 review, the neat stitching and double seams stand out in particular.
The same consideration applies in a different way to a pad or a belly pad. The striking surface, padding and handles or belts need to work together as a practical whole. Twins’ craftsmanship thus covers different types of equipment, each with its own construction and purpose.
Muay Thai shapes both the training and the equipment
One of the most interesting passages in The Cloud’s family interview is about getting to know the athletes. The second-generation family member describes going to Lumpini and to gyms, watching training sessions and talking with fighters. Before getting to know the company from behind a desk, he spent time learning about the people who use its equipment.
That is a natural way for a manufacturer to learn. A trainer notices how a pad sits in the hand; an athlete feels how a glove closes around a fist. Kick training also involves presenting a good target, returning to the starting position and finding a rhythm between athlete and trainer.
Muay Thai involves more than punches. Blocking, catching kicks and working at close range place different practical demands on equipment than boxing at a distance alone. As a result, the traditional Thai glove shape has become a distinct category alongside models developed more specifically for boxing.
Twins has also become relevant to kickboxers through that training culture. The familiar combination of gloves, shin guards and pads suits training that uses both hands and legs. The connection to the gym gives the brand’s history a place in today’s training that is easy to recognize.
The BGVL3 and the distinctive Twins feel
The BGVL3 is a characteristic example of the full-shaped Twins glove. The model combines a leather exterior, a rounded shape and a wide hook-and-loop closure. The padding around the knuckles and back of the hand accounts for much of the snug feel; there is padding on the palm side too.
Fight Quality tested the BGVL3 in 14 oz. The reviewer describes the neat leatherwork, thick padding and initially snug fit. With use, the glove began to fit the hand more comfortably. The review also mentions the ventilation holes in the palm and the thumb construction.
That combination is precisely what gives the glove its distinctive feel. The BGVL3 feels substantial and has more volume than a notably slim boxing glove. The reviewer particularly likes the model for sparring. That is his preference based on experience; for your own training, the version and weight you choose and how you want the glove to feel remain the deciding factors.
The wide hook-and-loop closure makes it practical to put the gloves on and take them off yourself during training. If you switch between pad work, instruction and other exercises, you can easily open the closure. When comparing gloves, also consider how they feel with your handwraps: after all, you wear the gloves over them during training.
BGN V2, BGVL4 and BGVL8: different versions
BGN V2: attention to the palm
The BGN V2 offers its own take on the leather training glove within the Twins range. The extra padding on the palm side is a concrete difference to consider when comparing models. In kickboxing and Muay Thai, that side of the glove plays an active role in coverage and absorbing techniques.
BGVL4: the Triple versions
The BGVL4 is known, among other things, for its Triple colorways. The Triple White shows how Twins creates a distinctive version even with a subdued color combination. It gives you a different model series and look within the brand’s leather gloves, alongside the well-known BGVL3.
BGVL8: the Shadow Badge
The BGVL8 comes in an understated Shadow Badge version. This gives Twins an option for those who prefer a restrained look to a bold print. The model name, exterior and closure together define the version; color alone does not tell the whole story of a glove.
The differences between these series make it worth looking beyond color alone. Compare the model that appeals to you in terms of construction and feel, then choose the available weight that suits your training. The product page brings together the versions and their current availability.
Fancy designs: from Naga to Comics
Alongside solid-color gloves, Twins offers distinctive FBGVL designs. The names Naga, Yaksha and Barong refer to figures from Asian cultural traditions; Comics takes a different, graphic direction. The range therefore offers room for both a classic sporting look and gear with a striking character of its own.
That variety is part of the brand. The manufacturer explicitly mentions painting equipment in its production information. A subdued color lets the glove’s shape take center stage, while a Fancy version makes the design an important part of the choice.
A model name is a good starting point for exploring its background. Figures such as Naga and Barong have their own cultural histories. It's worth learning what such a name means alongside making practical choices about glove model, closure and weight.
Twins brings two sides together: reliable training gear and a wide range of designs. Within the same brand, you can choose understated gear or use a print to add more color and character to your set.
Shin guards and headgear for training
SGL7: protection for the shin and instep
In kickboxing and Muay Thai, shin guards are part of training with a partner. The SGL7 combines shin and instep coverage in one model. Its shape and fit around the lower leg are important for comfortable movement and keeping the protection in place.
HGL3: a separate piece of gear
The HGL3 headgear shows that Twins has expanded its range beyond gloves. When choosing headgear, the practical considerations are fit, field of vision and adjustability. Agree on how you'll use it and the intensity of the exercise with your training partner.
Materials vary by product group. Twins uses leather for various glove models and synthetic materials for other protective gear. If you're putting together a complete set of gear, it's best to look at how each item is made. The brand offers a consistent style, while each piece of gear serves its own purpose.
Thai boxing shorts: room to move
Shorts have been part of Twins since its early days as a small workshop. In The Cloud's family interview, sewing boxing shorts is mentioned as one of the first jobs. Clothing is therefore not a later addition alongside gloves, but part of the company's origins.
A thai boxing short gives your legs room for kicks, knee strikes and raising your knee. The distinctive cut and lightweight material suit training that involves frequent changes in stance and direction. Satin versions also have the recognizable sheen associated with the sport's traditional look.
Within Twins, you'll find understated models and bold designs such as Barong, Rangda, Kabuki and Comics. Here too, a functional piece of Clothing sits alongside a distinctive visual style. A pair of shorts can match your gloves, but can just as easily stand out as an accent in your gear.
The background of these designs deserves a closer look. The names do not all refer to the same tradition, and each has its own story. For anyone who would like to learn more about the colors, figures and the place of shorts in Muay Thai, our guide to the symbolism of thai boxing shorts offers an in-depth look.
Punching mitts, Thai pads and protection for trainers
PML10 and PML21: working on a specific target
Punching mitts give a trainer compact targets for practicing punch combinations, accuracy and rhythm. The PML10 and PML21 are different models in the Twins range. The PML21 has a curved design and a large target area. The trainer uses the pads to provide clear targets and guide transitions between techniques.
TKP: room for kicks and knee strikes
Thai pads suit the wider range of Muay Thai techniques. With the TKP, the trainer can hold targets for combinations that move from punches to kicks and knee strikes. Communication between trainer and athlete, pad positioning and the rhythm of the drill all remain important.
BP2 and BPLK: training body techniques
A belly pad brings body techniques into pad training. The BP2 protects the abdominal area; the BPLK adds detachable thigh panels. Both are made of skintex. These different designs let the trainer choose gear to suit the techniques being practiced.
The combination of pads and body protection shows why equipment for trainers is such a big part of the brand. It is not just the athlete who needs gear: the person holding targets round after round also relies on shape, padding and a comfortable fit. Twins offers individual pieces that you can combine to suit your training.
Handwraps, ankle guards and the sports bag
The smaller items also have a regular place in a training routine. You use handwraps to wrap your hands before putting on your gloves. The 450 cm cotton Twins handwraps give you room to build up the wrap around your hand and wrist. How you wrap them also affects how they feel inside the glove.
The AG Thai ankle guards fit snugly around the ankle and foot. They are part of the familiar look of Muay Thai and a practical addition for anyone who likes training with ankle guards. Like your handwraps, let them dry thoroughly after training before putting them away.
A sports bag keeps your gear together on the way to the gym. Gloves, shin guards and clothing soon add up to a full kit; a roomy bag like the Twins CBBT2 Travel gives everything its own place. At home, take out any damp gear so it can air out before your next training session.
Care for gloves and protective gear
Good care starts right after the last round. Take your gloves and protective gear out of your bag, open the fastenings and let everything dry in a well-ventilated place. This gives the inside a chance to air out before you train again.
Wipe the outside with a soft, slightly damp cloth. For smooth leather, you can use a suitable leather cream; apply a small amount and spread it carefully. Keep synthetic leather parts clean by wiping them down and letting them dry thoroughly. The material information for your specific model helps you distinguish between these two routines.
Use a spray to care for the inside of your gloves, not to clean the outside. Gloves should not go in the washing machine or dryer or be submerged in water. Also avoid drying them directly on a hot radiator. Wiping them down, airing them out and letting them dry slowly make a simple, regular care routine for your training gear.
Take care of the items you wear directly against your skin, too. Clean, dry handwraps make it more comfortable to put your gloves back on. When you pack your bag for the next training session, you can also check the seams, fastenings and fit of your gear.
Twins Special: family, craftsmanship and the Thai gym
Twins Special grew from a small family business into an internationally recognized combat sports brand. The origin of the name, the first sewn shorts and deliveries made by the father give its story a human foundation. The craftsmanship in Thailand and the connection to the gym make that history recognizable in today’s products.
A BGVL3, a Fancy glove, a pair of Thai pads and satin shorts each tell a different part of the same story. One athlete prefers a substantial feel on the hands, another likes the designs, and a trainer looks for equipment for daily pad training. That range suits a brand that grew out of the full scope of Muay Thai training.
At Fight2Win, you’ll find Twins gear for athletes and trainers, from gloves and protective gear to clothing and pads. Explore the different models, choose the version that suits your training and discover the blend of Thai roots, practical construction and a distinctive style.
