How Muay Thai Shorts Should Fit (UK Size Guide)

We get it, it happens to everyone who trains Muay Thai - you get that Muay Thai fever and suddenly you want to own every pair of shorts you can get your hands on. You feel like prime Buakaw as you test every pair topless in front of a mirror (or is that just me?).

Despite loads of options of beautiful Muay Thai Shorts out there, it's not all about style - fit, comfortability and mobility are key. This UK-focused guide will help you understand how Muay Thai shorts should fit, how to choose the right size, and what to look for whether you’re training or preparing for competition.

How Muay Thai Shorts Should Fit

Muay Thai shorts are designed to be:

• Shorter than MMA or boxing shorts

• Loose around the legs and hips

• Secure at the waist

The traditional Thai cut allows full freedom for:

• Kicks

• Knees

• Clinch work

• Footwork

You should be able to:

• Lift your knee to chest height without resistance

• Kick high without the fabric pulling

• Move laterally without feeling restricted

If your shorts feel tight around the thighs or ride up when you kick, they’re probably too small.

Ideal Materials for Muay Thai Shorts

The material of your Muay Thai shorts plays a big role in how they feel during training. The best Muay Thai shorts are made from lightweight, breathable fabrics that don’t absorb too much sweat and dry quickly.

Most high-quality Thai boxing shorts use:

• Satin or polyester satin – the most common material, known for being light, smooth, and durable

• Microfibre or performance polyester – modern alternative that’s even lighter and dries fast

Good Muay Thai shorts should feel:

• Light on the body

• Non-restrictive when moving

• Smooth against the skin (no chafing)

Avoid heavy cotton or thick materials – they hold sweat, feel uncomfortable during long sessions, and restrict movement once wet.

For regular training, look for materials that balance comfort, durability, and quick-drying performance so your shorts can handle repeated sessions without losing shape or feel.

From experience, one of the most important qualities is how the material moves against your skin. Any fabric that allows the shorts to glide smoothly up and down the thigh as your legs move will generally work well. It is quite off putting for me when it feels like the fabric is kind of sticking to my leg, it feels somewhat restrictive.

Waist Fit: Snug, Not Tight

The waistband should:

• Sit comfortably on your waist or hips

• Feel secure without digging in

• Stay in place during movement

You shouldn’t need to constantly adjust your shorts during training.

Modern Muay Thai shorts usually have:

• elastic waistband

• internal drawstring

This gives you flexibility between sizes.

General Muay Thai Shorts Size Chart (UK)

Muay Thai shorts are usually sized based on waist measurement in inches, following traditional Thai sizing rather than standard UK clothing sizes.

As a general guide:

If you fall between sizes, it’s usually best to size up—especially if you prefer a looser fit or have larger thighs.

Important Sizing Note

This chart is intended as a general reference only. Different brands (such as Primo, Fairtex, Twins, Yuth, and TUFF) can vary slightly in fit and measurements.

Always check the individual size chart on the product page for the most accurate sizing before ordering.

Training vs Fight Fit

For Training

When it comes to training, fit and comfort matter far more than design. Your shorts are going to get soaked in sweat, dragged through clinch, and worn multiple times per week – so performance always comes first.

For most people, training shorts should be:

• Comfortable for long sessions

• Loose enough for full movement

• Durable and easy to wash

In the gym, nobody really cares what your shorts look like – they just need to work.

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For Competition

For fights and interclubs, style suddenly becomes part of the equation. Many fighters like to look sharp, wear bold designs, and represent their gym or brand when stepping into the ring.

Fight shorts are often chosen based on:

• Clean or eye-catching designs

• Matching gym colours

• Traditional Thai or sponsor-style looks

As long as they still fit well, competition shorts are where people tend to care most about appearance and presentation, not just function.

In short:

Train for performance. Fight for performance and style.

Brand Differences (Important)

Not all Muay Thai shorts fit exactly the same, even if the size label is identical. Each brand has its own cut and waistband feel, so it’s worth keeping these general tendencies in mind:

• Primo Muay Thai shorts – modern athletic fit with a comfortable waistband and good balance between snug and loose.

• Fairtex Muay Thai shorts – classic Thai cut with a comfortable, flexible waistband and a generally true-to-size fit.

• Twins Muay Thai shorts – traditionally cut but with a slightly smaller/tighter waistband compared to most other brands, so many people choose to size up.

• Yuth Muay Thai shorts – athletic fit with good room through the hips and thighs.

• TUFF Muay Thai shorts – often a slimmer profile with bold, modern designs.

These aren’t strict rules, but common patterns. Always check the individual product sizing and, if in doubt, sizing up is usually the safer option.

Common Fit Mistakes

Buying too long

New fighters often choose longer shorts because they feel “safer”. This usually hurts performance.

Buying too tight

Shorts should never:

• restrict kicks

• dig into thighs

• feel like compression wear

Treating them like MMA shorts

Muay Thai shorts are a different category entirely – they’re meant to be shorter and freer.

How to Tell You’ve Got the Right Fit

You’ve nailed it if:

• You forget about them during training

• They stay in place without adjustment

• You can kick and knee freely

• They feel light even when sweaty

The best Muay Thai shorts are the ones you stop thinking about.

Shop Muay Thai Shorts UK

If you’re looking for properly sized Muay Thai shorts with fast UK delivery, explore our full collection of:

• Primo

• Fairtex

• Twins

• Yuth

• TUFF

All stocked in the UK, with sizing support and easy returns if you need to switch.

Good shorts won’t make you a better fighter – but bad shorts will definitely make you worse.