Quick answer: Muay Thai shorts should sit firmly on your natural waist without digging in, with short, wide legs that don't pull when you knee or kick. Size them by waist measurement, not your usual clothing size, and size up if you are between sizes.
Muay Thai shorts look simple, but the fit decides whether you can throw a head kick without the fabric pulling. The short answer: they should sit firmly on your waist, and the legs should be short and loose enough that nothing restricts a high kick or a knee. Below is how to check the fit, and how the three main cuts – traditional, retro and slim – differ.
How Muay Thai shorts should fit
- Waistband: snug enough that the shorts don't slide when you jump or check a kick, but not digging into your skin. Thai shorts sit on your natural waist, just above the hip bones.
- Legs: short (well above the knee) and wide. When you lift your knee to your chest, the hem should not pull against your thigh.
- Side slits: most styles have slits on the outside of the leg, so the fabric opens up when you kick.
- Length overall: traditional Thai shorts are much shorter than Western boxing trunks or MMA shorts. That is normal – don't size up just to get more length.
Traditional vs retro vs slim cut
| Cut | Waistband | Legs | Feels like | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional | Tall elastic band, often around 5 in (12 cm), usually with the brand's Thai lettering | Short, very wide, high side slits | The classic stadium look; lots of room | BOON Blue Warrior, MAVINN Signature Series |
| Retro | Low-profile band – on the BOON Retro it is about 1.6 in (4 cm) | Short with leg slits | Less bulk at the waist, sits lower | BOON Retro, Kanong KNSRTO-207 Retro |
| Slim cut | Standard elastic band | Narrower than traditional, still roomy | Cleaner silhouette, less flapping fabric | Fairtex BS1712 Slim Cut, Fairtex Black Marble |
None of the cuts is "better" – it is personal preference. Traditional shorts give the most room and the classic look; retro shorts suit people who dislike a tall waistband; slim cuts suit people who find wide legs too baggy.
How to find your size
Muay Thai shorts are sized by waist measurement, and Thai sizes often run smaller than Western clothing sizes. Measure with a soft tape just above your hip bones, then compare with our general chart:
| Size | Waist (in) | Waist (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| S | 26–28 | 66–71 |
| M | 28–31 | 71–79 |
| L | 31–34 | 79–86 |
| XL | 34–38 | 86–97 |
| 2XL | 38–42 | 97–107 |
Brands differ, so always check the size options on the product page too. Kanong, for example, lists its sizes by waist: S 66 cm, M 71 cm, L 76 cm, XL 81 cm. BOON Sport runs from SS up to XXXXL depending on the model, and MAVINN's Signature Series from XS to 2XL. Our full Muay Thai shorts size chart has the brand-by-brand notes.
Between sizes? Size up. The elastic waistband makes a slightly bigger pair easy to wear, while a pair that is too small pinches.
Signs your shorts don't fit
- The waistband rolls over or leaves deep marks after training – too small.
- You keep pulling the shorts up between rounds – too big, or the elastic is worn out.
- The hem pulls on your thigh when you knee – try a traditional or slim cut with more leg room.
Women's and kids' fits
Women's cuts such as the Kanong KNSWO-401 are made specifically for women, and many unisex styles also fit well in XS or S. Browse all women's fightwear. Kids' shorts, such as Thai Battle's retro kids' styles, use separate kids' sizes listed on each product page.
Ready to choose?
Browse all Muay Thai shorts – more than 250 styles from Thai brands like BOON Sport, MAVINN, Fairtex and Kanong. We ship worldwide from Phuket, Thailand: allow 1–3 business days for us to source and pack your order; with Standard International Shipping, delivery takes 7–15 business days in total. See shipping & delivery for details.