The main boxing shorts styles are standard boxing shorts, long professional trunks, retro trunks, Muay Thai shorts, kickboxing shorts, MMA shorts and compression shorts. Choose by sport first: boxing styles have a high waist and longer, roomy legs; Muay Thai and kickboxing styles are short with wide legs for kicking; MMA shorts are longer and built for grappling. Then choose fabric, waistband and decoration to suit how you train and compete.
This guide describes each style, what it is designed for and what to specify if you order a custom pair.
Boxing shorts styles compared
| Style | Cut | Typical fabric | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard boxing shorts | Loose fit, elastic waistband, legs around mid-thigh to above the knee | Satin or nylon; polyester for training | Everyday boxing training and amateur competition |
| Professional (long) trunks | High waist, wide waistband, longer legs, often to the knee | Shiny satin, often with trim and fringing | Professional fights and fight-night looks |
| Retro trunks | Higher waist and a more tapered leg, inspired by older ring styles | Satin or poly-satin | Classic-look fight kits and themed events |
| Muay Thai shorts | Short, very wide legs with side splits; thick waistband | Satin; sublimated polyester | Muay Thai, where kicks and knees need full movement |
| Kickboxing shorts | Close to Muay Thai shorts, sometimes a little longer | Satin or polyester | Kickboxing and K-1 style training |
| MMA shorts | Longer board-short style, stretch panels, secure fastening | Polyester with stretch | MMA and grappling |
| Compression shorts | Close-fitting, supportive | Stretch synthetic fabrics | Worn alone for training or under looser shorts |
Standard boxing shorts
The everyday choice for boxing. A loose fit and a wide elastic waistband give freedom for footwork and pivots. The waistband also marks the belt line, which matters because punches below it are fouls. For amateur competition, check length and waistband rules. England Boxing, for example, says shorts must be no shorter than mid-thigh and must not cover the knee.
Professional and retro trunks
Built for the fight-night look. Professional trunks usually have a high, wide waistband carrying the fighter’s name, longer legs and decorative trim. Retro trunks borrow from older ring styles, with a higher waist and a slimmer leg. Both are usually made in shiny satin, and names and logos are often embroidered or appliquéd so they stand out under arena lights.
Muay Thai and kickboxing shorts
Cut for kicks and knees. Muay Thai shorts are short, with wide legs and side splits so the thigh can lift without the fabric pulling. The thick waistband is traditionally decorated, and designs often feature Thai lettering, bold appliqués and piping. Kickboxing shorts follow a similar cut. Read our Muay Thai shorts guide for more detail.
MMA shorts
Made for grappling as well as striking. MMA shorts are longer and more like board shorts, with stretch panels at the crotch or sides and a fastening such as a drawstring or hook-and-loop closure that keeps them secure on the ground.
Compression shorts
A support layer rather than a competition style. Compression shorts are close-fitting and are often worn under looser shorts for training, or alone for conditioning work.
How to choose a style
- Start with your sport and rules. Competition rules can limit length, waistband and logos.
- Think about movement. If you kick, choose a Muay Thai or kickboxing cut. If you grapple, choose MMA shorts.
- Pick a fabric for the look and use: shiny satin for the classic fight look, lighter polyester for frequent training.
- Plan the decoration. Our sublimation vs embroidery guide explains which method suits which design.
- Check the fit. See how to get custom shorts that fit.
Custom shorts in any of these styles
PAILK makes custom boxing shorts, trunks, Muay Thai shorts and MMA shorts, with options for fabric, colour, logos, names and trims. See the custom boxing shorts guide or contact PAILK with your style, quantity, size breakdown and date for a quote.
