For training yourself in Muay Thai, it’s imperative to have the correct shorts.
Initially, you might get away with wearing sportswear, but soon, you’d want to have a pair designed especially for the art form. Typical Muay Thai shorts are lightweight, enabling you to move your knee and kick swiftly. And their specialised materials ensure your feet don’t get caught.
These shorts should be breathable to keep your legs comfortable in warm conditions since you’ll get all sweaty after a rigorous training session. So, continue reading our detailed guide to pick high-quality Muay Thai shorts that suit best to your needs.
Picking The Best Muay Thai Shorts
1. Style
Muay Thai shorts are fundamentally available in two basic styles.
The retro-look shorts is the most common style worn by most modern Muay Thai fighters, which are shorter and have a higher cut.
On the other hand, longer classic shorts are shorter than most western boxing shorts but longer than the retro-look shorts. Hence, some Muay Thai practitioners prefer rolling up the legs when practising or fighting.
But no matter which design you choose, the shorts must be comfortable.
2. Size
Unlike sportswear shorts or traditional shorts, Muay Thai shorts have no standard sizing. The XL (extra-large) size of a particular brand might vary from one brand to another.
Ideally, it would be best if you tried them on before purchasing. If you are buying Muay Thai shorts online, check out the size chart available on the brand website you choose.
But if you aren’t sure about the size, always go for shorter ones, as you can stretch the elastic when wearing Muay Thai. However, if you’ve ordered a bigger one, you can do nothing if it moves down the waist to the ankles.
3. Design
Up next, it’s time to consider the design of your shorts.
These shorts come in a varied combination of colours and feature many designs. For instance, you’ll get some simple pairs in plain colours, with the “Muay Thai” written in Thai. And trust us- you won’t go wrong with your favourite colour featuring a simple design.
On the other hand, some pairs come with a brand logo and name. Others feature crazy designs, from flames to tigers and anything in between. If these vibrant colours and techniques work well with your personality, you should go for them.
Other design options include the signature shorts being worn by your favourite fighter. These shorts might come with their names, pictures, or signatures. But you might have to pay a premium price for these.
Apart from these, there are customised shorts available on the market. You can design them with your name, gym’s logo, or some crazy, unique design, but they might also come with hefty price tags.
4. Fabrics
In terms of fabrics, Muay Thai shorts have a lot to offer. Traditional and modern polyester fabrics are primarily used to make these shorts. The contemporary polyester fabrics are somewhat new on the market, are stretchy and tough and generally used for making MMA apparel.
You have two main varieties; a satin blend of pure satin and nylon. While the former is comfortable, durable and light, they usually cost more. On the other hand, nylon shorts are much cheaper and dry quickly. They may not be long-lasting, but they are a good choice for beginners.
5. Price
You’ll find some real bargains when putting on your shopping glasses for these Muay Thai shorts, but it’s worth spending some extra bucks on getting quality shorts.
It’s best to visit your nearby local retailer or a gym, where you can try kicking some bags to check their comfort. In this way, you are not only supporting a local business that promotes martial arts, but you are also increasing the chances of getting quality shorts. They may also have an online store where you can purchase their products if you do not live in the area.
Also, if you’re into professional Muay Thai training, we recommend spending some extra bucks for better fabric quality and design.
6. Collection
The number of Muay Thai shorts pairs you buy will depend on your dedication to training.
Beginners might get away with having one or two shorts in their collection, but professionals must have a few in their artillery. And unless you’re considering washing them regularly, it’s better to have some extra pairs.
Finding The Right Muay Thai Shorts
Muay Thai has become a popular sport in the West, and Muay Thai brands manufacture high-quality designer shorts. But the real issue is they don’t understand the cultural significance of some of these designs.
So, ensure you’re not purchasing anything that Thai people consider offensive. And we’d strongly recommend first-timers go for a generic print to be on the safe side. And ensure you check out other equipment before starting your first training session.
At MMA Factory, we have an extensive range of Muay Thai apparel. From beginners to professionals, we have a style, size and brand for everyone. If you need assistance finding the right Muay Thai shorts, please feel free to contact our team.
That’s it from us, and we hope you find a perfect fit for your Muay Thai training. Till the next time, goodbye and take care!
