Muay Thai Equipment Guide — What You Need to Train Muay Thai

Whether you're stepping into your first Muay Thai class or upgrading your kit for competition, this guide covers everything you need — from essential starter gear to the equipment serious practitioners train with every session.

Essential Muay Thai Equipment

1. Muay Thai Gloves

The most important piece of kit. Muay Thai gloves differ slightly from standard boxing gloves — they tend to be more rounded with a flexible thumb to allow for clinch work and grabbing. Use them for bag work, pad work and sparring.

• Beginners: 12oz synthetic gloves are a solid starting point
• Regular training: 12–14oz leather gloves for bag and pad work
• Sparring: 14–16oz leather gloves for maximum protection

Top brands: Fairtex, Twins Special, Adidas, MTG Pro, Primo.

2. Hand Wraps

Essential for protecting the small bones in your hands and wrists. Always wrap before putting on your gloves. Mexican-style elastic wraps (4.5m) are the most popular choice — they mould to your hand and provide excellent support.

We stock hand wraps from Fairtex, Twins Special, Adidas and MTG Pro.

3. Muay Thai Shin Guards

Shin guards are essential for sparring and highly recommended for pad work. They protect both your shins and your training partner's arms and legs during kicks.

• Beginners: Synthetic shin guards with good coverage
• Regular training: Leather shin guards with ankle support
• Competition prep: Lightweight leather guards for speed and feel

Look for guards with a secure strap system and good ankle coverage. Top brands: Fairtex, Twins Special, Adidas and MTG Pro.

4. Muay Thai Shorts

Traditional Muay Thai shorts are wide-cut with deep side slits for maximum leg movement during kicks, knees and clinch work. They're lighter and shorter than boxing shorts, allowing full freedom of movement.

Most practitioners own several pairs — they're as much a part of Muay Thai culture as the training itself. Browse our range from Fairtex, Twins Special, TUFF and Primo.

5. Gum Shield / Mouthguard

Non-negotiable for sparring. A well-fitted mouthguard protects your teeth, jaw and reduces the risk of concussion. Boil-and-bite guards offer a good fit at an affordable price — custom-fit guards offer the best protection for regular sparring.

We stock mouthguards from OPRO and SISU — both trusted by combat sports athletes worldwide.

6. Groin Guard

Essential for male practitioners, particularly for sparring. Choose a guard with a secure waistband and good coverage. Some practitioners also wear a groin guard for heavy bag work.

Recommended Equipment for Regular Training

Thai Pads (Kick Pads)

Used by pad holders to catch kicks, knees, elbows and punches. If you train with a regular partner or coach, a good pair of Thai pads is invaluable. Look for curved pads with padded forearm support and secure straps.

Top picks: Fairtex KPLC5, Twins KPL10, MTG Pro.

Focus Mitts

Smaller than Thai pads, focus mitts are used for punch combinations, speed work and accuracy drills. A good complement to Thai pads for well-rounded pad sessions.

Heavy Bag

A heavy bag is the cornerstone of solo Muay Thai training. For Muay Thai, a banana bag (long, cylindrical) is ideal — it allows you to practise low kicks and body kicks that a standard boxing bag doesn't accommodate. Fairtex's 6ft banana bags are a popular choice.

Ankle Supports

Optional but useful — ankle supports provide stability during kicking and help prevent sprains during sparring. Particularly recommended if you have a history of ankle injuries.

Equipment for Sparring

When you're ready to spar, you'll need:

• 16oz sparring gloves
• Shin guards with ankle protection
• Mouthguard
• Groin guard (men)
• Head guard (recommended for beginners)
• Chest protector (recommended for women)

Which Muay Thai Brand Should I Choose?

Fairtex

The gold standard for serious Muay Thai practitioners. Handmade in Thailand, Fairtex equipment is used by professional fighters worldwide. Premium leather, excellent durability and a wide range covering gloves, shin guards, pads, bags and shorts. A long-term investment that pays off.

Twins Special

Another iconic Thai brand, Twins Special is renowned for its handcrafted leather gloves and equipment. Trusted by fighters at all levels — from club training to professional competition.

MTG Pro

Thailand's specialist Muay Thai brand, MTG Pro produces handmade equipment with a focus on performance and durability. Particularly well regarded for their gloves and pads.

Primo

A newer brand making waves in the Muay Thai world — Primo equipment is designed in Bangkok and built to compete with the established Thai brands at a competitive price point.

Adidas

Adidas offer a solid range of Muay Thai and kickboxing equipment at accessible price points. A good choice for beginners and those training across multiple disciplines.

Starter Kit — What to Buy First

If you're just starting out, here's what to prioritise:

• ✅ Muay Thai gloves (12oz for most adults)
• ✅ Hand wraps (4.5m elastic)
• ✅ Shin guards
• ✅ Muay Thai shorts
• ✅ Mouthguard

Most gyms will have pads and bags available to use — you don't need to buy these immediately. Focus on getting your personal protective equipment right first.

Browse our full Muay Thai equipment range at Budo Online — with free UK delivery on orders over £70.