Shorts are one of the most elementary pieces of equipment when looking for MMA gear, being as important as gloves. There is a marked difference in the performance of regular shorts and MMA-specific ones. The shorts that are specifically designed for MMA offer flexibility and comfort while being durable as well, something ordinary shorts don’t generally replicate. Every design element in a pair of MMA shorts serves a purpose. And keeping an eye out for them will help you choose the right pair for your MMA training. Let’s look at four such elements that make for a great pair of MMA shorts to enhance your training or competition experience!
4 Things To Look For In A Pair Of MMA Shorts
1. The Make
The right kind of material makes all the difference when picking MMA shorts. An ideal pair of shorts will be breathable and flexible without compromising on comfort, all of which are required for the combat sport. Additionally, the shorts should be able to dry sweat quickly. After all, no one likes sparring in shorts drenched in sweat. Most shorts made for MMA are created using a blend of polyester and spandex. Polyester is a fabric that is widely used for creating breathable clothing and bedding products, whereas spandex gives the shorts elasticity. You’ll find that MMA shorts return to their original shape after use, which is a property inherited from spandex. Lastly, the build quality of the pair should be high enough to sustain several intense training and sparring sessions. Otherwise, you will be cycling through several shorts in a matter of weeks, which is both a nuisance and expensive.
2. The Style
What will you be using the MMA shorts for? Depending on the answer, you will need to choose from one of several styles to suit your purpose. If you’re going the pure MMA route, you will be looking at classic MMA shorts. These are wide, knee-length pants that lack a pocket but have side slits instead. For tightness adjustment, they come with a drawstring and velcro closure. These shorts are a little old-school, and MMA and fighting enthusiasts prefer other types over these. For MMA shorts that are both practical and comfortable, you may go for Hybrid MMA shorts. These won’t hug your body closely but are wide enough to allow free movement of the legs. The enclosure includes a drawstring and velcro, with elastic bands on the sides and back. If you prefer your shorts to stick close to the skin, compression-style shorts may be the way to go. These are skin-tight, lightweight, and highly flexible, which is preferred by some fighters. They do have compression properties, which are known to help improve performance. The Venum Contender 2.0 Compression Shorts can be a good fit if you’re searching for a pair. And lastly, you can go for Muay Thai shorts if you’re transitioning from Muay Thai to MMA. These are short shorts that are wide enough for your kicks to reach far and wide. But, if you need to work on your groundwork, the extra-wide waistband may not make them preferable.
3. The Size
Much like any clothing item, getting the size right is important with MMA shorts. The trouble with shorts, though, is that there is no standardised sizing guide for them. As a result, every manufacturer has a different sizing scale, which can make it difficult to pick the pair that suits you. So, be sure to look at the sizing guide provided by the manufacturer when picking your new pair of MMA shorts. If the measurements match yours, there’s a good chance the shorts fit you well.
4. The Price
Balancing price and quality is one difficult tightrope to walk when purchasing a set of MMA shorts. Some manufacturers offer extremely low-priced products but they are about as durable as a piece of tissue paper. On the other hand, some of the high-end products are expensive enough to make a pro-MMA fighter think twice. Weighing what the shorts offer against their price is always something you should do before making the purchase. Consider looking at user reviews to find out if a particular product is worth the investment or not.
Matching Your Style: Tips For Selecting The Right MMA Shorts
Picking the right MMA shorts is both a matter of practicality and personal preference. Your shorts ought to allow unrestricted movement at the very least. Every other feature is secondary in comparison. Each type of MMA shorts brings something unique to the table that may suit your use case. And with them come pros and cons that you must weigh before you make the leap and purchase the product. Shorts are where your MMA equipment gathering begins, and for the best equipment, you need a good store. Consider checking out MMA Factory for all things MMA, be it combat sports apparel, uniforms, shorts or accessories. Find the best MMA-related products by visiting our website!