Fairtex HB12 Angle Heavy Bag Review

Fairtex HB12 Leather Cross Training Angle Heavy Bag Review

Brand

Fairtex are a popular manufacturer of fight equipment, dominantly focused on Muay Thai. The company is based in Thailand and is widely popular, both there and internationally. Originally founded in the 1970s, Fairtex have a long history of producing top quality, handmade equipment, endorsed by many gyms across the world.

About the bag

The Fairtex HB12 Angle Heavy Bag is one of several shaped heavy bags Fairtex sell. Others include their extra large heavy bag, pole bag and banana bag. The uniqueness of the angle heavy bag is the ability to practice uppercuts easily. This can be difficult on a standard heavy bag and it’s common to turn your wrist over when you’re practicing. Like most of their punch bags Fairtex only sell these in black with white detailing. The angle bag comes filled, weighing about 61kg.

Visuals

Like I said, Fairtex only sell these bags in black with white writing, and overall the bag’s aesthetic is simplistic, with a simple stylised ‘Fairtex’ written up the sides of the back, and a Fairtex logo at the top of one side panel. While I don’t have anything against the bag’s design itself, for a brand like Fairtex, who make some funky coloured gloves, shin guards and shorts, it does seem a bit plain.

Materials

As expected from a major Thai brand, Fairtex use high quality materials for the Angle Heavy Bag, constructing it out of their Syntec Leather for durability, along with a heavy duty water resistant nylon lining, and some nylon straps for holding it up. I tested this bag out at a gym where it had been hanging for ages and there was no signs of tears or even major scuffs. It looked like it could still be hanging there when the building fell down around it.

Craftsmanship

Fairtex is known for high quality craftsmanship, it says nothing on the website but I know that they hand make a lot of their products, and I would assume the bag is the same. The one I tested had been put through its paces in a busy boxing gym, and was holding together well. The stitching wasn’t showing any signs of wear, even on high stress areas such as the joints with the nylon hanging straps. Overall it was a very well made bag.

Comfort/use

Using this bag was a pleasure, it was hard enough to give great feedback on each strike, whilst avoiding being super hard and heavy, like the Britannia Boxing Equipment bag we tested previously. The angle worked exactly as designed, it was great for throwing uppercuts, and the bag is also long enough to allow for low kicks as well as high. I really enjoyed using this bag. Fairtex also claim that they’re specially weighted to stop them from swinging too much during training, and though it did move a fair bit, it was nowhere near as much as lighter bags, such as the RDX punch bag that’s already been reviewed. All in all it’s easy to see why they’re such a popular choice in gyms.

Cost

There’s no two ways about it, the Fairtex HB12 is an expensive bag. The retail is $395.99, including a hefty shipping fee due to the price. However, you get what you pay for, and it’s a well designed, well crafted product that’s made from high quality materials. If you’ve got the money to spend on it, I’d highly recommend it for a home gym, or if you’re a gym owner a few of these hanging up would be a brilliant addition.

Looking to buy these?