Martial arts enthusiasts looking for quality equipment face a tough choice between two industry giants: Venum and Hayabusa. Both companies make superb gear, but they have key differences in their product lines and overall brand approaches.
This in-depth comparison examines the pros and cons of Venum Vs. Hayabusa across factors like price, quality, style, and more.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Venum | Hayabusa |
| Price | More affordable, mid-range pricing | Premium pricing, high-end |
| Style | Vibrant, colorful designs and patterns | Understated, technical aesthetic |
| Product Focus | Broad product range across disciplines | Specialized MMA focus |
| Gloves | Excellent protection and ventilation; stylish designs | Innovative engineered foam; contour shaping |
| Shorts | Variety of colorful prints and Thai boxing styles | High-performance four-way stretch fabric |
| Bags | Original stylish designs like camo and Thai motifs | Durable construction and functional focus |
| Rash Guards | Eye-catching original graphics | Seamless mobility, sweat wicking and anti-friction |
| Sponsorship | Broad endorsement across MMA, Muay Thai, boxing | Elite MMA athletes only |
| Appeal | Beginner friendly and enthusiast focused | Hardcore competitor and mastery focused |
Venum Background
Founded in France in 2006, Venum is a relative newcomer compared to Hayabusa’s longer legacy. Despite its youth, the company has grown rapidly by sponsoring MMA fighters and aggressively expanding its product catalog.
Venum aims to fuse performance with style, offering gear that’s functional for combat sports yet aesthetically striking. Their products target MMA, boxing, Muay Thai, and other martial arts. While Venum started with fight shorts and gloves, they now make rash guards, shin guards, headgear, bags, and accessories.
Hayabusa Background
Hayabusa originated in 2005 in Canada, seeking to raise standards in MMA gear. The Japanese name reflects the company’s commitment to striving for excellence and honoring martial arts traditions.
Rather than flash, Hayabusa emphasizes technical quality and innovation. They engineer gloves, shorts, training equipment, and protective gear to give athletes a performance edge. The company collaborates with researchers and fighters to enhance product testing.
Direct Product Comparisons
Now let’s pit Venum and Hayabusa head-to-head in key categories:
- Gloves
Both brands craft superb gloves but have distinct design philosophies:
Venum gloves offer eye-catching visuals with intricate prints and colors. Models like the Challenger provide excellent protection and ventilation for heavy bag workouts and sparring. The attached thumb helps reduce injury risk.
Hayabusa engineers advanced gloves like the Tokushu with precision molded foam for maximum fist protection and strike absorption. The dual velcro closure secures a tight fit. Hayabusa adds sweat-wicking lining to limit moisture buildup.
For value seekers, Venum gloves cost less on average while still delivering quality. Enthusiasts seeking top-notch performance may invest a bit more in Hayabusa’s innovations.
- Shorts
Venum and Hayabusa shorts share basic MMA design elements like open leg construction for kicks. However, Venum sets itself apart with wild styles:
Venum shorts come in camo patterns, Thai-inspired looks, and bright neon colors. The Valor model offers an athletic cut and soft cotton fabric. For Muay Thai, the Kontact Evo has a traditional Thai boxing style.
Hayabusa opts for a more understated technical look. The Hayabusa Tokushu MMA fight short uses lightweight polyester with a tailored fit. The inner grip keeps shorts in place, while strategic stitching prevents blowouts.
For competition needs, Hayabusa’s four-way stretch fabric allows greater mobility. Venum offers more aesthetic variety for everyday training style.
- Bags
Bags take a beating in MMA, with fighters constantly tossing, slamming, and lugging their gear. Venum and Hayabusa design durable bags to survive gym wars:
Venum bags fuse vivid style with functionality. The Contender 2.0 backpack remains lightweight yet spacious enough for gloves, pads, and equipment. The Venum Harbinger duffel features a separate ventilated compartment for dirty gear.
Hayabusa constructs its Kanpeki gym bag with ripstop nylon for strength and reinforced stitching. The Kanpeki strikes a good balance between roominess and compact portability. For a smaller profile, Hayabusa’s Ryoko bag works well.
Here Venum takes the edge for design, while Hayabusa wins on pure functionality.
Also Read: Comparison Between StretchLab And Stretch Zone.
- Rash Guards
Rash guards protect against abrasion and skin infection during grappling and groundwork.
Venum makes rash guards with original graphics like comics and dragons. The Elite model uses quick-dry fabric and reinforced stitching for smooth comfort.
Hayabusa engineers its long and short sleeve rash guards for absolute mobility. Using proprietary AG fabric, the Kanpeki rash guard wicks sweat while limiting grabbing and friction. Strategically placed stitching prevents ripped seams.
For no-gi grappling, Hayabusa’s ultra-flexible and friction resistant rash guards excel. Venum offers more visual spice.
- Shin Guards
Shin protection is vital for hard kicks and checks.
Venum shin guards uses high-grade leather or synthetic leather to absorb shock. Multilayer foam padding adds shielding. The adjustable hook-and-loop closure tightens for a customized fit.
Hayabusa constructs rigid shin guards like the T3 Kanpeki with a hard plastic shell. Shock absorbing foam dissipates impact force. The curved design contours the shin for comfort.
Here Hayabusa takes the lead by using more advanced materials to divert impact. Venum offers sufficient padding at a lower price point.
- Brand Appeal Factors
Beyond specific products, what drives people towards Venum or Hayabusa? Key considerations include:
- Pricing
Venum positions itself as a mid-range affordable brand compared to Hayabusa’s premium gear. Their gloves often cost $50-80, while Hayabusa’s retail around $150 and beyond. Venum bags also come in around $60-100 versus Hayabusa’s $150+ bag prices.
The lower Venum prices make the brand attractive for new martial artists and those on a budget. However, Hayabusa devoted fans feel the investment pays dividends in performance and product lifespan.
- Style
Venum pumps energy into gear with its vibrant colors and designs. Hayabusa takes a more minimalist, technical aesthetic approach.
People wanting to make a visual statement gravitate to Venum’s stand-out looks. However, competitors who want to blend in and keep the focus on skills may prefer Hayabusa’s understated products.
- Innovation
Hayabusa spends heavily on product research and testing innovations. They utilize specialized fabrics and technology like proprietary foam to push boundaries.
Venum incorporates some tech features like moisture-wicking fabrics but wins more through style and craftsmanship rather than bleeding-edge engineering.
Hardcore fans obsessed with the latest advancements favor Hayabusa. Venum appeals to folks more interested in quality proven basics as opposed to tech breakthroughs.
- Fight Sponsorship
Both brands sponsor champions but have different strategies:
Venum endorses UFC stars like Michael Bisping alongside Muay Thai and kickboxing standouts like TJ Dillashaw and Alex Pereira. The diversity mirrors the company’s wide range of products.
Hayabusa works exclusively with elite MMA fighters like UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson and bellator lightweight Patricky Pitbull. The exclusive focus on MMA aligns with the company’s commitment to innovating MMA-specific gear.
Aspiring athletes looking to emulate specific role models may weigh sponsored fighters in choosing between Venum and Hayabusa.
Direct Brand Comparison
Pulling together the evidence, we can contrast Venum and Hayabusa’s personalities:
Venum markets itself as stylish and affordable but uncompromising on quality. By sponsoring athletes across multiple disciplines, the brand aims broadly at anyone looking to enhance their training. Venum intends to ignite passion in newcomers through vibrant energy.
Hayabusa takes a more studied, research-backed approach for hardcore competitors. The company obsesses over engineering enhancements tailored to MMA through premium materials and technology. The brand speaks to devoted athletes seeking to maximize the performance of their minds and bodies.
Both Venum and Hayabusa make excellent gear. Venum opens its doors wider to all martial arts hobbyists and enthusiasts. Hayabusa offers elite equipment for athletes pursuing mastery. While spending more brings incremental gains, Venum gives customers strong bang for their buck.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, Hayabusa gloves work extremely well for Muay Thai. Features like dual wrist closures, multi-layer foam, and thumb protection make their gloves ideal for intense Muay Thai training and matches.
However, practitioners who want gloves with a classic Muay Thai look may prefer Venum’s Kontact Evo or Elite boxing gloves. Hayabusa gloves have a more distinct MMA style aesthetic.
RDX is another popular boxing and MMA brand competing with Venum and Hayabusa. Overall, Venum tends to edge out RDX in quality and craftsmanship.
RDX offers very affordable entry-level gear, sometimes using cheaper materials that wear out sooner. Venum punching bags and gloves cost a bit more but hold up better over time with hardcore use.
Venum also comes out ahead for its unique style options versus RDX’s more generic looks. However, RDX works fine for new martial artists on a tight budget.
Hayabusa MMA is Hayabusa’s specialized line of gloves, apparel, and equipment designed specifically for mixed martial arts. This includes:
Tokushu MMA gloves with enhanced fist protection for the cage
Agile MMA shorts with specialized grips and stitching
Flexible, low-friction rash guards and spats
Headgear and shin guards meeting safety standards
Training tools like grip strengtheners and MMA pads
By focusing research on MMA needs, Hayabusa MMA gear aims to give fighters a performance advantage tailored to the reality of competition.
Also Read: Comparison Between City Sports Club And 24 Hour Fitness.
The Verdict
In closing, both Venum and Hayabusa produce high caliber gear. Venum wins for its vibrant style and broader accessibility. Hayabusa takes the lead for premium engineering and innovation.
Fighters should choose based on your budget, aesthetic tastes, and performance needs. Try on different gloves to ensure proper fit. Seek sponsorships opportunities before committing fully to one brand.
With Venum and Hayabusa, you have two excellent partners for enhancing your competitive skills and warrior spirit.