What to Wear When Training Muay Thai: From Tradition to Modernity

Muay Thai is a combat sport that has been around for centuries and originated in Thailand. Known for its rich culture and history, Muay Thai is a sport that has its own unique set of traditions, even down to the clothing. 

When it comes to what to wear when training Muay Thai, there are a few different options, from traditional to modern, different styles and types of Muay Thai gear. 

Here's what to wear when training Muay Thai:

History of Muay Thai Clothing

The origins of Muay Thai date back to around the 13th century during the Sukhothai Kingdom. Fighters would train barefoot and wore only shorts and a headband to stop sweat going into their eyes. 

Muay Thai originated as a form of self-defence used by Thai soldiers in battle. Over time Muay Thai evolved into a sport with rules and regulations inspired by Western Boxing. Fighters eventually transitioned into more modern methods of training such as wearing gloves, shin guards and mouth guards.

Traditional Muay Thai Clothing

Today, traditional Muay Thai clothing is still worn by many fighters during training and fights. This includes shorts and a t-shirt or tank top, gloves, shin guards, and a mouth guard. However, there are a few additional pieces of clothing that are steeped in tradition that are still worn by some fighters.

One of these pieces is the headwear worn by Muay Thai fighters. This headwear is called a Mongkol, and it is worn as a symbol of respect and honor to the fighter's teacher or trainer. It is also believed to bring good luck and protection to the fighter during a fight.

Another traditional piece of clothing is the Pra Jiad armband, which is worn around the bicep during fights. This armband is usually made from a piece of cloth that has been blessed by a monk, and it is believed to provide protection and good luck to the fighter.

The Pra Jiad's roots date back to the 18th century when soldiers, about to embark on a battle, would wrap a piece of cloth from their mother's clothing around their arms to bring good luck.

Modern Muay Thai Clothing

As Muay Thai has become more popular worldwide, modern clothing options have also emerged. These options are designed to provide comfort, protection, and functionality while still allowing for ease of movement and flexibility during training.

Now, with the wealth of different Muay Thai brands on the market, each offers their own unique styles, designs and products.

The usual gear for those training Muay Thai tends to be Muay Thai shorts, T-Shirt, hoodies, shin guards and gloves. 

Muay Thai Fightwear

There are now so many Muay Thai gyms around the world, with fighters travelling to different countries to compete, it's not uncommon for gyms to have their own uniform/gear.

Many gyms around the world will have their own fightwear and training gear that their students will wear to represent their gym.

Muay Thai Hoodies

One popular item of modern Muay Thai clothing is the Muay Thai hoodie, more-so in colder countries in the West. 

There are many different styles of Muay Thai hoodies to choose from, some better suited to casual wear, due to the material they're made from such as cotton. 

Another alternative would be a Tri-Dri or polyester based hoodie like our NAK SUU Muay Thai Hoodie. These kind of hoodies are great for training Muay Thai due to their lightweight and quick drying nature. Another good reason to go for this style and make of hoodie is because they don't hold sweat and become heavy like cotton hoodies do.  

Muay Thai Shorts

Muay Thai shorts are a must-have for anyone training Muay Thai. Not only do they look great, but they come in so many different styles, you're bound to easily find a pair that you love. 

Check out our guide on how to pick the best Muay Thai shorts. 

Again, the material of your Muay Thai shorts is important as there tends to be 4 main fabrics that manufacturers use, nylon, satin, polyester-blend and cotton. Satin and polyester blends are the best Muay Thai shorts to go for as they have a smooth, glossy finish and again, don't hold sweat and become heavy. 

Our NAK SUU Flame Muay Thai Shorts are a really good option to go for. Like our Muay Thai hoodies, they're quick drying and built for performance. They stay true to traditional Thai styling with a modern twist.

Muay Thai T-Shirts

Much like Muay Thai shorts, T-Shirts have become a very popular way for fighters and fans of the sport to express themselves when training and for fans to show appreciation for the sport. 

What you're wearing the T-Shirt for will heavily influence the T-Shirt you buy. If you're just wearing one to show off your love for the sport, there are plenty of cotton options with some really nice designs. 

There are some incredible Muay Thai brands now on the market, bringing their own unique styling, promoting iconic Muay Thai gyms and some showing off the different styles of Muay Thai.  

At GYM NASTY we wanted to bring a modern streetwear style with a twist, so you can look and feel great whilst training, without your training gear getting in the way of your session.

Our unique blend of quick drying material makes for the perfect Muay Thai training T-Shirt. The durable blend and no-print technique ensures your GYM NASTY Muay Thai training gear stays fresh, and looks the same as the day you bought it.

No more logos peeling off, designs fading or heavy, poor quality T-Shirts. 

Conclusion

There are so many great options out there for Muay Thai training gear. From modern to traditional styling, and everything in between. As the sport grows even more, it's very likely that we will see new styles, trends and products. 

The most important thing to consider when buying clothes to train Muay Thai are comfort, durability, protection and functionality when training. But let's be honest, we know you're going to shop for what looks the best and what matches the rest of your gear. 🥊

Don't forget to check out our range of Muay Thai training clothes so you can train nasty and live fresh.