Belgium’s Booster Fight Gear has been around for over 2 decades, gearing fighters and equipping gyms in kickboxing and Muay Thai. It began as a one-man effort fueled by founder Yves Vyvey. Today, the brand has grown to become a global label with operations and distributors in different parts of the world.
Booster was founded in 1994, backed by Vyvey’s love for the sport of kickboxing and prompted by the lack of quality fight gear brands at the gym where he trained. He tells us,
“My coach, Daniella Somers was a training partner of Ramon Dekkers. When she started her own gym in Antwerp (Belgium), we didn’t have a good selection of quality equipment where we come from and that’s why I started the brand.”
Vyvey’s ambition for his brand grew and soon ventured beyond the doors of the gym where it was founded. Booster started to appear on big events in neighboring Netherlands where many big name fighters of the time competed. Some of these fighters who have donned the brand’s gear and apparel include renowned martial artists like Vincent Vielvoye, Ashwin Balrak and the legendary Ramon Dekkers.
The brand’s kickboxing and Muay Thai ties have allowed Booster to grow to prominence in recent years with its high profile sponsorships. Some of the brand’s most notable partners include kickboxing stars, Superbon (above) and Petchtanong from Banchamek camp, Bangkok’s Muay Thai Academy gym as well as numerous promotions like Kunlun Fight, and Wu Lin Feng (WLF). A good number of top fighters on Enfusion and Glory Kickboxing are also members of the extended Booster family.
Despite its Belgian origins, Booster gear are all made in Thailand since day one. The brand runs its own facility and work with other manufacturers due to the large quantities that are needed to feed the demand. As to Vyvey’s choice for manufacturing the brand’s products in Thailand, his reason is crisp and to-the-point.
“Muay Thai is Thailand”, he said.
Booster’s footprint in Thailand is spreading with Super Export Shop’s distributorship. Managed by events director and fighter promoter Sasan Ghosairi, the partnership has opened many doors for Booster.
“Super Export Shop is our distributor in Bangkok and they are doing a good job helping us to grow the brand in Asia.”
With the brand’s growth, Booster continues to support noble causes in supporting the Muay Thai community.
“We sponsor several gyms in Thailand, both high-profile and small local gyms. It is quite obvious why we sponsor well-known gyms as it gives more exposure to our brand. As for supporting the small rural gyms, it is our way of giving back to the sport of Muay Thai and the community.”
As the brand gain international prominence, it finds itself up against established competitors especially on Thai home turf. Vyvey remains unfazed by the challenge but is driven by the competition. He shares his short but succinct vision for Booster Fight Gear,
“Be one of the big players.”
If you haven’t already taken notice of the brand, perhaps it’s time to do so.
To shop for Booster Fight Gear, visit Booster online shop here (Europe) or Super Export Shop (Thailand).
