I’ve got to admit that the coolest, freshest looking martial arts training and fighting gear out there has to be muay thai shorts. Just my opinion.

These days there is a huge variety of designs, fits and styles that will satisfy everyone.

But what are the important factors to consider when buying a fresh pair?

Listed ‘Size’, Waist, Length and Tightness as well as fabric, cost and design are all discussed in this post to help you select the right pair for you.

But first, are special muay thai shorts necessary for training?

The truth is, no.

You do not need to get a pair of muay thai specific shorts if you are looking to just train for a short time in Thailand or even a few times a week at your local gym.

But here’s a few reasons why you may want to get a pair of muay thai shorts.

1. You show your support for the gym you train at and the lineage of the gym

The shorts I really like below are from the gym I trained at in Chiang Mai, Sit Thaharnek gym and the shorts have the gyms design on them.

The fighters for this gym wear these shorts when they fight.

2. Wearing them shows you respect the traditions of muay thai

Muay thai shorts are as much a part of muay thai these days as the techniques and traditions of wai khru, sak yant tattoos and pra jiad that have been around for a very long time.

Wearing these shorts show that you appreciate the culture and traditions of muay thai.

3. Apart from looking really cool, they are fully functional

As nak muay fight, compete and train in muay thai shorts all their careers, they are designed to be fully functional and adapted for muay thai kicking, kneeing, clinching and everything in between.

4. If you are planning on fighting then you will need a pair

As stated each gym has their own specific design of fight shorts and if you are fighting and competing then most likely the gym will give you a pair of shorts to wear that represent their gym in the fight.

So now that we have discussed why it is a good idea to at least get one or two reliable pairs, let’s discuss how to and where to select and purchase them.

What Type of Material to Look for

Generally Thai boxing shorts are made from either Satin or Nylon.

Nylon is the cheaper and lighter material .

The nylon shorts you see in the picture below are the cheaper type of shorts that you will find in the night markets and stalls across Thailand. I got these pretty cheap at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar market.

I find these nylon shorts to be comfortable and light but less ‘elastic’ and ‘flexible’.

So ‘ease of kicking’ for me is an issue with these cheaper nylon shorts in comparison to the satin shorts I talk about below.

This is especially true in that the cut on the leg is not present in these type of cheaper Thai boxing shorts so there is less ‘leg room’ and flexibility is a little more restrictive in these shorts than the Stain shorts I review below.

The big advantage of these types of nylon shorts is that they are easily accessible and easy to find and cheaper to buy.

Satin shorts are my preference for muay thai shorts material. Satin is very comfortable to wear and also easy to clean and dry for your next training.

Typically satin is the material used for a lot of gyms in their muay thai shorts and specific gyms will include Thai print and design specific to their gym on the shorts.

The two below I got from Sit Thaharnek Gym in Chiang Mai and are really great for training as well as not being too flashy but they get the job done.

Special Design Shorts

The pair of shorts below I got from a muay thai store in Pattaya and they are also satin. These Top King brand shorts are a special design commemorating a special anniversary event for the King of Thailand.

Selecting the Right Size and Fit for You

If possible the best way to select the right pair of muay thai shorts for you is to try them on before you buy.

Of course this is not always possible unless your gym stocks training shorts or you are visiting Thailand or another country where they have a range of training shorts.

The biggest range you will find of course is in Thailand where most of these training shorts are designed and made.

As you will see below the sizing of muay thai shorts differs across brands but the three important “numbers” to pay attention too when selecting a pair are:

• Size
• Waist
• Length (L)
• T (some brands also give a number for ‘T’)

***Note that some brands such as Sandee and THAIBOXING also give specific a specific “number” for ‘Tightness’ which refers to the size of the ‘holes’ where you put your legs in which will affect how tight they fit around your legs.

**Caution – everyone’s body shape is different so sizing charts give a good estimation. But they are just an estimation. Also note that sizing charts differ among the different brands as well (See examples below).

Check out the diagram below to get an idea of the number you should pay attention to when selecting a pair:

Just to highlight the difference in sizing charts among two very popular brands of muay thai shorts:

 Twins Special Muay Thai shorts
Size                    Waist                Length
S                        26                      13
M                        28                      14
L                        30                      15
XL                       32                      16

FAIRTEX Muay Thai Shorts   
Size                    Waist                Length
S                        27                      14.5
M                        30                      15.5
L                        33                      16.5
XL                       36                      17.5  

SANDEE Muay Thai Shorts
Size                    Waist                Length          T
M                       22 up to 25            15           14
L                       26 up to 32            16.5         15
XL                      29 up to 35            17           16

Buying Muay Thai Shorts Online

If you cannot get a pair of shorts from a physical store or perhaps you prefer the range available online then there are a few factors you need to consider before buying.

Here is what you need to know before buying online:

1. Size charts differ by brand. Make sure you check this for each brand you look at!
2. Return policy. Also make sure the online site you buy from has a good return policy if the size and fit is not right for you.
3. Read reviews. Check out what other people have said about the brand or type of shorts so you can make the best decision.

The most important is the size and fit. And as you will not be able to try them on first then you will have to refer to a sizing chart.

Its important to check the size chart for the particular brand you are after. The size charts vary per brand.

The size chart for different brands are available at the link here which will take you to muaythaifactory.com which is a great place to start when looking for a thai boxing shorts online.

My Top Recommendations

My personal preference is for plain shorts that will do the job and last a long time.

RevGear is another reputable brand that is available online with shorts made in Thailand and a wide variety of designs to choose from such as the one I like below.

Muay Thai Factory is another online store for muay thai shorts that I mentioned above with a huge range of shorts to choose from that you can also select by brand. Fairtex, Top King, Twins Special, Thaismai and other brands are all available here.

Last Words of Advice

My personal preference is a pair of shorts that are durable and flexible for kicking as well as easy to clean and dry for your next training.

You don’t really need a muay thai specific pair of shorts and any quick dry loose fitting and flexible shorts or MMA shorts will do the job as well.

But as discussed there are valid reasons for owning a couple of pairs of good muay thai shorts.

So I hope with the resources I have provided and my own insights, that you will be able to buy a good pair of muay thai shorts that work for you and will last you a long time and have you looking good while wearing them also!