The ergonomic curve isn't a cosmetic shape choice — it's angled to match the natural rotation of a holder's forearm during a kick catch, reducing wrist strain over long pad-holding sessions compared to flat-faced pads.
Muay Thai camps running daily pad-holding sessions are the core buyers, and the adjustable forearm strap is the detail coaches most often ask about since a loose-fitting pad shifts on impact and reduces feedback accuracy.
Air dry pads fully between sessions rather than stacking them while damp — stacked storage while wet is the most common cause of the inner lining developing odor over time.