Muay Thai shorts are a pretty unique, in that they're very different from most other types of clothing worn in martial arts.
These were originally designed to be worn in Thailand, so they're meant to provide the wearer with a lot of practical use and lessening restriction.
The first thing you’ll notice about these is that they are very short. Part of that is so you can optimize your kicks and work in the clinch without being restricted by your clothing.
Also, Thailand is a very hot and humid place, so the shorter shorts are almost necessary. With all the benefits like mobility and the ability to cool down well, you’ll be happier with a pair of these than others.
With all of this being said, you don’t want to just buy any pair of Muay Thai shorts that you happen to stumble upon.
With the amount of different options available, in can be hard to differentiate the best Muay Thai shorts from the bad ones.
With that in mind, we’re going to take a close look at all the things that go into making quality shorts, go over some of the best options and break down how much you can expect to pay.
Alright, let’s get right into it.
Comparison of our Top Picks
What to Look For in the Best Muay Thai Shorts
When looking to get your hands on a pair of shorts for Muay Thai, there's a number of different aspects to take into consideration.
Material
First things first: the material of the shorts is incredibly important for a couple fo reasons - it has to be durable, and it has to be comfortable.
With that in mind, two of the most common forms of Muay Thai materials are going to be:
Nylon
Basically, you have two options for materials that you will see in most Muay Thai shorts. The first is Nylon. The benefit of using nylon material is that it is very lightweight. That means your kicks and knee's are going to be easily thrown without the feeling of being restricted by the material.
Another benefit that you get with nylon is that it is very cheap. That means the shorts that you wear are going to be very inexpensive and affordable for just about everyone.
Now there is one drawback that comes with wearing Nylon shorts. Nylon clings and becomes easy to see through when it gets wet from sweat.
So you have to think about what color shorts you buy and the color underwear you’re going to put on, otherwise people could see a little bit too much.
Satin
Satin is another great material that you will see in most of the Muay Thai shorts today. Satin is the original material that was used in Muay Thai shorts when they were first being developed, and the material is widely used to this day.
One thing that you’ll notice is that satin is also lightweight, but not quite as light as nylon. Satin is a material that makes the colors and designs look better than some of the other materials owing to the way that the threads hold color.
While some light colors of satin are a little see-through, it’s not as significant of an issue as it is with nylon. Overall, satin is very good for that traditional look and comfort that comes with the smooth material.
Fit
Not all Muay Thai shorts are created the same. Some of them have a certain fit or “cut”. Which one's best for you, really comes down to personal preference.
We’re going to take a look at the traditional form as well as the narrow and short ones that you are able to buy. Both come with certain benefits that are important to know about.
Wide/Traditional
As the name here suggests, the wide or “traditional” cut of Muay Thai pants are great for people that need to have some extra leg room. The leg openings are wider than the waist band, and the material tends to billow outward a little bit, but there is a slit or cut out on the side of the shorts that ensures you get all of the range of motion that you need.
These shorts tend to be a little on the short side, so they are going to be about midway on your upper thigh. As long as you wear something under them and don’t mind the extra material, you should be fine with a wide or traditional pair.
Narrow/Short
The other major kind of Muay Thai shorts that you will see are the narrow shorts. These tend to be a little longer than the traditional shorts and also use less excessive materials. One of the reasons that people enjoy these is that they fit a bit tighter on the body so you can feel everything happening with your kicks or leg motions.
Now, the narrow cut does come with the drawback of being a little more restrictive. If you have big quads on your leg, then these probably aren’t going to be the cut that you want on your shorts. If you have thinner legs and like the feel of these, then they’ll work fine for you.
Brand
The first thing to think about when it comes to the brand of the shorts that you’re buying is where they are from. Muay Thai comes from Thailand, so a lot of the bigger and more important brands are based in Thailand, too.
That’s not to say that every Thai brand is better than the others, but when you see major players like Fairtex and Twins releasing shorts, you’ll know that they are important brands to look at.
Some brands aren’t as effective in making Muay Thai shorts, due to the fact they focus on giving you shorts that are more similar to boxing or MMA shorts.
The difference is the cut, most of the time. When you use Muay Thai shorts, you want the split or cut out on the side of the leg to give you the optimal range of motion for your legs. Without this slit, your leg won't have it's full range of motion, meaning you won't be able to incorporate high kicks into your pad work, bag work, or worse... sparring.
Now, there are several companies that are making shorts but don’t have the experience or foresight to provide those features, so their shorts kind of fall flat.
Find a good brand that knows what they are doing and use them.
Price
Unlike some of the other gear that you are going to buy for Muay Thai, the shorts are kind of inexpensive.
That's especially true if you opt for the nylon rather than the satin ones.
Yet, there is an issue to consider with price and that is that you probably should not just go for the cheapest pair to start.
Cheap goods are usually made from cheap materials, and the last thing you want is a rip to form when you throw a high kick. Not only will this be embarrassing, but you'll be in need of another pair, and have to spend more money down the line.
With that in mind, quality gear that costs a little more but comes from a major brand like Fairtex will last longer and most likely be more comfortable.
With all that in mind, we’ve done a lot of the legwork here in this article, showing you exactly what to expect from your gear in terms of price and quality.
Muay Thai Shorts Vs Other Types of Shorts
Who wears short shorts? Well, if you’re looking at Muay Thai shorts, then you’re going to be.
In fact, that is one of the primary differences between Muay Thai shorts and other kinds of shorts are that they are much higher on your leg than the other ones out there. This allows you to optimize your leg movements so that every kick is able to go full length without being limited by the material.
Often, you’ll see that the Muay Thai shorts that you use will a split in the sides that most other shorts won’t have in them.
MMA shorts are going to be tighter to your skin and not have any additional splits in them while boxing shorts are much longer and thicker.
Muay Thai Shorts Reviews
Alright, it’s time to check out the best shorts for Muay Thai, so let’s get to it.
Fairtex Muay Thai Shorts
Noteworthy Features:
When you’re on the hunt for the best Muay Thai shorts, there's very few name's as big as Fairtex, so it's probably a good idea we start with them.
These, as with most of Fairtex's gear, are hand made in Thailand, home of Muay Thai itself.
That does mean you are going to have to deal with a little bit of a wait to get them, but these are not a bargain bin special, either. Fortunately, the company is willing to upgrade your shipping so that you are only waiting about 2 days to a week for your them to arrive, which isn't too bad.
These shorts are definitely some of the flashier ones that are on the market today, but they are respectful of the heritage. You’ll see some of the shorts out there with fringes, Thai flags, and other symbols, however these are a bit more tactful in their design.
What's more, you can expect to see close on 40 designs for sale, so there's a pretty good chance you'll find a pair or two that takes your fancy.
Another great part about these is their material.
As we said earlier, quality materials are going to last longer and feel better, and for many people that's satin. Not only is it a pretty strong material for these shorts, but it is also capable of giving a look that makes the color “pop” while you’re wearing them.
With that in mind, you'll be pleased to know the Fairtex have used satin with this pair, so you can expect them to last as long as a pair of Muay Thai shorts can last.
Most of the designs that you’ll see are the traditional cut, but you will see the narrow cut on some of them as well. The good news is that you’ll have the ability to make a choice. No matter how big or thin your legs are, you’ll find a comfortable pair that will fit you and give you the movement that you need.
They also come in many different sizes. You can find them from extra small all the way up to 3XL, so just about anyone can find a size for them. Pair this with the fact they have both narrow and wide designs, and you're bound to get a perfectly fitting pair of shorts.
The only difference is that the sizing is different from in these than from regular shorts. That said, that's true of pretty much all Muay Thai shorts out there, so just check with Fairtex's sizing chard to confirm.
These are going to be a little more expensive than some of the other options out there. They’re satin, and they are high quality pieces made from one of the biggest names in Muay Thai. That’s not to say that you are going to pay for the brand name, but only that you’re going to spend a little bit of money to get your hands on a pair of these.
Overall, these are a quality pair of shorts that are going to last a while. They are made from great quality materials, have a decent price point, and come from one of the best companies in Muay Thai around the world.
There is a lot to like about these shorts for just about everyone.
Lumpinee Retro Muay Thai Shorts
Noteworthy Features:
Lumpinee might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of Muay Thai, but your notions of the company are going to change when you see their gear.
These shorts come from Thailand just like the company,, so you can tell right away that they are from a place that is very familiar with the shorts and what they need to be good.
We know that a lot of people are going to look at price first, so let’s get that out of the way. The price on these satin shorts is moderate, so most people looking for a quality pair will be happy with these. Despite being budget friendly, they have the quality that you can expect from good materials.
The Lumpinee Retro Muay Thai shorts are made from durable and comfortable satin materials, which as we mentioned earlier, tends to be the most popular.
You can count on this to be very comfortable for you, and for training, that's definitely an important factor.
The last thing you want to worry about while you’re sparring, in competition, or training is feeling like your shorts are too restrictive and taking your mind off the job at hand..
Speaking of restrictions and shorts, you’ll find that the side splits on these are definitely an aggressive style, meaning that you have a great range of motion for your kicks and knees.
Another thing that we liked about the material and design of the pants is that they provide you with a cushioning of material on the sides. It’s not really thick, but it can take the sting out of the kicks that land against the side of your leg.
Another aspect of these shorts that we really liked was the waistband. These are retro style shorts, after all, so the waistband is pretty small and fit tight on you to prevent your shorts from going anywhere while you are in the midst of training.
Another great aspect of this pair in particular is the number of colors and designs they have. Like all Muay Thai shorts, the designs are pretty brash, however they've still got plenty of color schemes to choose from.
While they’re not from one of the most recognizable of brands, they're a great option and a pretty awesome price.
Twins Special Muay Thai Shorts
Noteworthy Features:
Twins Special is a major brand that is known for releasing top of the line Muay Thaigear. They are based in Thailand, and they know a ton about what it takes to create some of the best martial arts gear in the world today.
One thing that you have to consider right out the gate is the materials that are used in the construction of the shorts. In this case, it looks and feels like a satin material, but the fact is that they are made of cotton twill. It’s a pretty tough material that is going to last a while and it will make the colors appear really vividly on the shorts.
The only downside to this is that they'll be a bit warmer that some of the satin options we've discussed, however should be a more durable.
Now, another thing that you’ll see is that there are many different sizes that you will want to check out. The shorts come in everything from 3 extra small to 4 extra-large. The sizes do run a little smaller than some of the other shorts out there, so you have to use their sizing guide to make sure that you get a pair that is going to fit you.
The cut on these shorts is traditional, so you can expect a little more material than you would get on narrow pairs.
Another thing that we looked at with these shorts was the waistband. This one is is thick, snug, and tough. These shorts should not go anywhere without you moving them yourself. So you can feel free to kick away without any worries.
One issue that we came across was the lack of a split in the pants to give you all that extra leg mobility. That’s not to say that you aren’t going to be able to kick well in these. You will, especially considering the short length of the legs on these shorts. Again, we can’t stress how important it is for you to check out the sizing before you order these pants because our idea of size is not the same as the sizes in Thailand.
We found that they're pretty good in terms of the price too. The smaller ones are low on the price point, but the bigger ones are still only on the higher end of moderate. When you consider that you're getting a pair that come from Thailand and come from one of the best makers of Muay Thai products, you’ll see that you’re getting a pretty darn good deal.
Since you're shipping these in from Thailand, you can expect a little bit of a wait for shipping to get them to you. Some things are worth waiting for, and these shorts could certainly be one of those things.
Top King Muay Thai Shorts
Noteworthy Features:
The Top King Muay Thai Shorts are definitely going to be among the top choices out there for people who want a quality pair to work out and fight in. As with all the best options out there, these are designed and manufactured in Thailand, so you can easily count on the quality of the product.
After all, they are from the home of Muay Thai, so Top King knows a bit what they are talking about when it comes to comfort, fit and practicality in Muay Thai gear.
Much like some of the older brands, Top King is big on the retro style. They see nothing wrong with having the shorter legs even if they have the tendency to reveal a little more than the fighter likes when they go for a high kick.
Yet, if you’re wearing the right things under your gear, it’s not an issue. The design of the shorts is completed by the fact that the legs have some really aggressive splits. They are going to let you throw some serious kicks without having to worry about the material holding you back.
Another element of the design that we thought was worth noting is that they use a signature blend of materials for their shorts. Instead of using really inexpensive nylon or pure satin, they use polyester satin. This is not as smooth as regular satin, but it’s pretty close. It’s very comfortable to wear, but it gets a bit of extra strength from having the poly blend in there. With that in mind, you’ll have a very durable pair of shorts on your hands when you buy these.
The design also has a couple of other caveats that we wanted to let you know about. For example, the legs on these shorts are short and fall in line with the retro design. However, they are still even wider than most of the legs that are out there when compared to some of the other options on this list.
Finally, the waist band on these is very good. It is thick and tight elastic that will make sure they don’t shift around while you’re training, sparring, or competing. All in all, we love the design of these, even though they aren’t the newest styles out there.
Many companies are opting towards a more modern cut on their shorts, but Top King is staying strong with the old school way of things. At the end of the day, there's no school like the old school right?
Now, there are a lot of things that you can get out of these in terms of the actual colors and designs. Red, pink, blue, gold, gray, and more colors are available to buy. They all come with a highly stylized design so you’ll look good in the ring or down the gym. They're rather flashy, but so are most designs when it comes to Muay Thai gear.
Aside from being flashy, you need to look at the sizes that the shorts provide. In this case, you can get up to 3XL, but their sizing is pretty unique. You really have to make sure you consult their size chart before ordering, but they have enough to cover just about anyone.
Last but not least, the pricing on these is right in the middle for the smaller sizes, but it can get to the point where we consider it high when you get the biggest pairs out there. All in all, you’re going to get a very good pair here, and they’re definitely among the very best out there.
Fluory Muay Thai Shorts
Noteworthy Features:
Fluory is not a brand that is going to come to mind if you’re looking into the most popular brands for Muay Thai gear. Yet, they make up for their relatively unknown status by coming out with could be the best cheap Muay Thai shorts out there.
Now, there are a couple things that make them less expensive than the other brands out there. First off, they don’t have any brand recognition compared to the bigger names that we have already mentioned. Second, they use materials that aren’t pure satin or anything that is very expensive at all.
In fact, they only use polyester in the design of their shorts. That’s not a bad thing if you don’t need the top-shelf experience.
In particular, having a cheaper, less flashy option is always going to be helpful when you are just starting out with Muay Thai. In this case, you can get these Muay Thai shorts for as cheap in any size as you could get another brand in their smallest. It’s perfect for beginners and people that are looking for an inexpensive pair for training.
Now, let’s delve into the other elements of these Muay Thai shorts. For starters, they have a whole load of colors and designs that you can choose from an artistic standpoint. They have everything from a pretty regular white to a pink camouflage color available for you to use. You'll definitely be able to find a color that works well for you and goes with the rest of your gear.
The waistband is definitely something we liked a lot. They have a strong elastic on them, but they also have a good drawstring.
In other words, once you lace these up, they aren’t going anywhere. We mentioned that they're made from polyester, and that means they are very lightweight, but they also come with the added benefit of being able to wick away moisture, keeping you cool and comfortable while you train.
Their logos and all of that are embroidered into the material, so it’s not going to get damaged and look bad in a month, which is what tends to happen with some of the cheaper brands out there.
Their cut is pretty much the traditional cut. They got wide legs, short in length, and come with a very aggressive side slit. You’ll get a great range of motion for your legs when you’re kicking with these on. Side kicks, front kicks, and deep stretches are some of the capabilities that you get when you use these shorts.
Now, you might expect there to be some kind of catch because of the great price, but if there is then we haven’t found it. The shorts hold up well and provide you with comfort the whole time that you wear them.
All in all, these are very good option for beginners, as they're both inexpensive and capable of delivering some high quality.
Anthem Athletics Infinity Muay Thai Shorts
Noteworthy Features:
A lot of the brands that we have looked at for the best Muay Thai shorts have been made by companies that are deeply rooted in traditions from Thailand. That is not the case with Anthem Athletics, and that shows in everything from their philosophy to the design of their shorts.
Starting off with the design of the shorts, they are a modern cut. They have longer legs to them that come down to just below the midway of your thigh. They aren’t too long, but they’re noticeably longer than the other Muay Thai that use the traditional cut.
Don’t worry, though. That doesn’t mean you aren’t going to get the leg movement and freedom that you need. These shorts have a very deep side splits and flexible materials that'll give you all the movement that you need.
You’ll also see that these Muay Thai shorts are different from many that we have reviewed because they are all about having no frills. They leave their company’s success up to their own success as designers, and they have attracted a following. There are few designs and logos on these shorts as well, so you aren’t going to get as many color options. There are still about 20 or so available, but they only have minimal branding.
The shorts are designed from a microfiber material that is lightweight and comes with a bunch of different benefits for the wearer. Most notably, you’ll see that the material is very light and breathable. You’ll feel comfortable while you’re wearing these and they are resistant to tearing. You can also just throw them in the washer when it comes time to clean then.
Now, another important thing about these shorts is the waistband, which is thinner and less tight as many of the traditional shorts. You might not get as tight a fit on these as you would with the others, but if you get the right size it really shouldn’t matter all that much.
Next, we have to call attention to their money back guarantee. There aren't a lot of brands out there that are going to put their money with their mouth is, so when we find one, we let you know. If you’re not happy with the pair you get, you can return it and get a full refund. It’s a good deal and you can take it at face value and see why this idea is so well-received by us.
Now, we know that there are some traditional guys and gals out there that do not want to use a modern brand or a brand from outside of Thailand. That’s fine and all, but you should be aware of some of the quality brands that are out there in the modern day and building the next generation of apparel for Muay Thai.
Yet, when you consider the fact that these shorts are much cheaper than other ones out there, the deal gets even sweeter. They come with a low price point, pretty solid quality, and don’t have any of the flashy designs as the others. While the modern cut might take some time to get used to, you’re getting a really good pair here at an absolute steal.
Venum Bangkok Inferno Shorts for Muay Thai
Noteworthy Features:
Venum is one of those brands that a lot of people in martial arts know, and they are usually beloved or not liked very much.
They're the loud, brash, brand that provide decent quality gear, but their style is just too flash for some. With those things in mind, the Venum Bangkok Inferno Shorts for Muay Thai are another great entry into the world of Muay Thai apparel.
We’ll start out by taking a look at the materials that Venum have used here. Much like some of the other high quality pieces, the Venum pair primary uses satin blended with polyester. This is a strong yet soft material that will keep your shorts from coming part while you’re wearing them but will also keep you pretty comfortable.
The waistband on these shorts might just be the only traditional thing about them. The band is made from strong elastic so it is wide and thick, giving you the snugness that you need in order to keep them on.
Another aspect that will interest most potential buyers is their design and quality. This particular pair is both handmade and hand embroidered. Not only is that high quality coming out of Thailand, but it also means that the massive amount of logos and branding isn’t going to break and wear through. It will stay around as long as you have the shorts since it is not set above the actual material.
Speaking of their style and design, you’ll be happy to learn that you have a lot of options when it comes to color.
You can easily find black, white, yellow, pink, white and black , and several others. While you won’t get as many choices as you do with some of the older and larger brands with the more traditional style of shorts, you get more than enough for most people.
Now, the last thing that we’ll want to take a look at is the price point.
If you know Venum, then you know they like to make you break out your wallet. They have very high-end products, but they can cost a bit to get your hands on them. In this case, even the smallest sizes are going to cost you a little and the largest sizes are very high in price point.
Is it worth the price? Well, if you want a great quality pair of Muay Thai shorts and aren’t on a budget, they might be worth the price.
Overall, these are a very good pair of Muay Thai shorts that you will love as long as you can get past the price. They have the Thai pedigree for sure, so there are plenty of things to love about them.
How to Make Your Shorts Last Longer
Check out the video below to see how you can make your new shorts last as long as possible.
Best Muay Thai Shorts - The Verdict
Alright, so after all the different options that we've looked at in this article, we've broken them down into two categories - best overall and best budget options.
Let's take a look.
Best Overall - Fairtex Muay Thai Shorts
The best overall pair has to be the Fairtex Muay Thai Shorts in our opinion. To be completely honest, pedigree and history matters when it comes to making the top shorts in our opinion. In this case, you have Fairtex, a Thai company, making Thai quality gear.
They have a great reputation for making the best gear and know how to use quality products in their apparel.
The shorts that they delivered in this case are nothing short of incredible. They are very high quality, provide you with leg mobility, and they’re comfortable to wear. When you add in a price point that isn’t going to kill your bank account, you’ve got yourself the best of the best.
The bottom line is that these are the best pair of Muay Thai shorts - both in terms of quality and overall value for money.
Best Cheap Muay Thai Shorts for Beginners - Fluory Muay Thai Shorts
There tends to be one problem people run into when taking up a martial art for the first time, and that's not wanting to spend a ton of money, for something you may not continue down the line.
You want quality gear, but you might not want to make an investment. That’s fair. That’s also why we provided you with a great, budget friendly pair for beginners - the Fluory Muay Thai Shorts.
The chances are that you haven’t heard of the brand before and that is completely fine. They still provide the Muay Thai practitioners out there with quality gear without all the heavy price tags that you usually see with quality goods.
They are affordable, and their products hold up after a lot of time spent training. If you’re just getting into Muay Thai, this is a pair that's hard to beat, and they come with a pretty cool look.
Final Thoughts
Thanks for taking the time to read our list on the best Muay Thai shorts. We know that there is a lot of information out there and hope this has broken things down a bit for you.
Alright, with all that said and done, we hope you take the time to drop us a comment to let us know what you thought about the list or to ask any questions you might have.
We are always on the lookout for some feedback from our readers.
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