Quick answer: For your first Muay Thai class you only need comfortable shorts, a t-shirt, water and a towel – you train barefoot, and many gyms lend gloves. Your first purchases should be hand wraps (4.5 m for most adults) and 14–16 oz velcro gloves; shin guards and a mouthguard come later, when you start sparring.
You don't need a full kit to start Muay Thai. Many gyms lend gloves for the first class, and you train barefoot. Here is what you actually need – on day one, after a few weeks, and once you start sparring.
Day one: the essentials
- Comfortable shorts. Any athletic shorts that let you lift your knee high are fine. Muay Thai shorts are better because they are cut short and wide for kicks, but they are not required for your first class.
- A t-shirt or tank top that you can sweat in.
- Water and a small towel.
- No shoes. Muay Thai is trained barefoot; bring flip-flops for walking around the gym.
Ask the gym before you go whether they lend gloves and hand wraps. If they don't, buy those two items first (see below).
Your first purchases
| Item | Why | What to look for | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand wraps | Support your wrists and protect your knuckles; gym loaner gloves without wraps are unpleasant | 4.5 m is the most popular adult length | MTM 4.5M, MAVINN Daily Series |
| Boxing gloves | Your own pair fits better and is more hygienic | 14 or 16 oz, velcro | BOON Compact Velcro, Kanong Thai Power |
| Muay Thai shorts | Freedom to kick and knee | Size by waist measurement | BOON Classic, Raja RTB29-1 |
Hand wraps
Wraps are cheap and personal, so they are the first thing to buy. 4.5 m suits most adults; 3–3.5 m suits small hands and kids. A budget option is the BOON Sport 3.5m Stretch Hand Wraps. Buy two pairs so one can dry while you use the other. Browse all hand wraps.
Gloves
For a first pair, choose 14 or 16 oz with a velcro closure. That weight works for pads and bag now and for sparring later, and velcro lets you put them on alone. Read 12oz vs 14oz vs 16oz and velcro vs lace-up if you want the details, or browse all boxing gloves.
Shorts
Thai shorts are sized by waist and often run smaller than Western sizes – measure first and use our shorts size chart. Our guide on how Muay Thai shorts should fit explains the cuts.
When you start sparring
Most gyms only let beginners spar after some weeks or months. Then you will need:
- Shin guards – protect you and your partner when kicking and checking kicks.
- A mouthguard – essential for any sparring. We don't stock mouthguards; a boil-and-bite guard from a sports store is a good start.
- A groin guard – such as the Windy GPT1 with a moulded steel cup.
- Optional: a head guard for hard sparring, and ankle guards for support. See all protective gear.
What to expect in your first class
Most beginner classes start with a warm-up (skipping or running, then stretching), followed by basic stance, footwork, punches, kicks and knees, often on pads with a partner, and finish with conditioning. Tell the coach it is your first class: they will show you how to wrap your hands and pair you with someone experienced. Go at your own pace – nobody expects you to keep up on day one.
What you can skip for now
- Thai pads, belly pads and kick pads – the gym provides them.
- Heavy bags – unless you plan to train at home.
- Expensive pro lace-up gloves – great later, not needed on day one.
A simple starter budget
At our current prices, hand wraps start around $14, a pair of Muay Thai shorts around $23–$40, and Thai-made velcro gloves around $78–$135. Hand wraps, ankle guards and groin guards can't be returned once opened, for hygiene reasons – see our refund policy. 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.