Muay Thai shorts are short, wide-legged shorts with side splits and a thick elastic waistband, cut so fighters can kick, knee and teep without the fabric pulling. They are traditionally made of shiny satin and decorated with Thai lettering, appliqués and piping. When choosing or designing a pair, focus on the leg opening, waistband, fabric and size, then on the design.
This guide explains why Muay Thai shorts are built the way they are, how they compare with boxing and MMA shorts, how to choose the right pair, and what to specify for a custom order.
Why Muay Thai shorts look the way they do
- Short, wide legs with side splits: Muay Thai uses kicks, knees and clinch work. A wide, short leg lets the thigh rise freely.
- Thick elastic waistband: it keeps the shorts in place during movement and is the traditional place for a gym name, logo or fighter’s name.
- Lightweight satin: satin is a weave, usually made from polyester. It is light and smooth, gives the classic shine, and dries quickly.
- Bold decoration: Thai lettering, appliqués, piping and contrasting side panels are part of the sport’s visual tradition.
Muay Thai shorts vs boxing and MMA shorts
| Muay Thai shorts | Boxing shorts / trunks | MMA shorts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | Short | Mid-thigh to knee | Long, board-short style |
| Legs | Very wide, side splits | Loose, straight | Stretch panels, slits |
| Waistband | Thick elastic, decorated | High, wide, marks the belt line | Drawstring or hook-and-loop fastening |
| Made for | Kicks, knees, clinch | Punching, footwork | Striking and grappling |
Read the difference between boxing trunks, boxing shorts and Muay Thai shorts for more detail.
How to choose Muay Thai shorts
1. Fabric
Choose satin for the traditional shine and look. Choose a sublimated polyester fabric if you want a full-colour, all-over print. Sublimation needs a light polyester base, so it suits printed designs rather than dark satin. See sublimation vs embroidery.
2. Leg opening and length
If you throw high kicks, make sure the leg opening and side splits are wide enough for your range of movement. Some fighters prefer a slightly longer leg for training and a classic short cut for fights.
3. Waistband
A wide elastic waistband should hold the shorts in place without digging in. If you have had shorts roll or slip before, mention it when ordering.
4. Size
Measure your waist and use the size chart for the shorts you are buying; sizes differ between makers. Our fit guide explains how to measure.
5. Competition rules
If you compete, check your organisation’s rules on shorts, colours and logos before ordering.
Care tips
PAILK recommends washing custom shorts in cold water and hanging them to dry, without bleach or fabric softener, which can damage the fabric and decoration. Turning the shorts inside out before washing also helps protect appliqués and embroidery.
Designing custom Muay Thai shorts
A custom pair lets you choose the base colour, waistband colour and text, Thai or English lettering, appliqués, piping and side panels. Points to settle before ordering:
- The exact spelling of any Thai text. Ask a native speaker to check it, because errors in Thai script are easy to miss.
- Waistband text and logo patch content
- Decoration method for each element: appliqué, embroidery or sublimation
- Colours for the body, waistband, side panels and trim
- Quantity, size breakdown, delivery country and required date
PAILK makes custom Muay Thai shorts for fighters, gyms and teams. Prepare your files with our artwork checklist and contact PAILK for a design review and quote.
