The Ultimate Guide to Muay Thai Gear: Must-Have Equipment

So you’re a Muay Thai fighter. You love this sport and want to continue training it while remaining unharmed. I understand where you’re coming from because this is what I’ve just been through.

Muay Thai is one of the most popular combative sports and martial arts in the world. However, it’s also one of the most dangerous sports globally since it’s exceptionally aggressive. Of course, this is why I love this martial art, and you might as well.

Buying gear in Muay Thai has a few purposes. You first have protective gear (which is what we’ll discuss first, as it’s the most important part) which purpose is to keep all the disciples injury-free. After that, you have training equipment, designed to boost your training experience and allow you to learn quicker. For instance, a punching bag is considered training equipment as it does just that.

Lastly, you have additional equipment, which is mostly not required. However, it can be critical to have for certain types of people.

So what we’ll cover in this article is all three of these sections. You’ll be able to follow along and ensure you have everything you need to attend your Muay Thai gym while keeping yourself safe.

So let’s dive in!

Must-Have Protective Gear in Muay Thai

The first part of this article will be entirely about protective gear. This is the most important section, so I encourage you to pay close attention here. If you desire to keep yourself unharmed, even if you’re not fighting someone but just hitting a heavy bag, you want to have the gear I’ll list in this section.

These pieces of equipment are a must-have if you want to attend a qualified Muay Thai gym. Without them, you won’t be able to get in the ring and spar or fight. You especially won’t be able to compete, which isn’t something we want to worry about now.

So the point here is that the following gear is meant to keep you safe and injury-free. Without either one here, you’ll likely end up more injured than how you came into the class.

Without further introduction, let’s dive in.

Punching Gloves

The first piece of equipment we’ll review is, perhaps the most important one, punching gloves. Pay close attention, as this will change your entire perspective if you’re thinking about doing Muay Thai without gloves.

The most common acute injuries among boxers are concussions, cuts and blows to the face, and injuries to the hands, fingers and wrists.

SOURCE

As you can see, one of the most common injuries among boxers, which are not that different from Muay Thai trainees, is hand injuries. That’s why you must strive to keep your hands as safe as possible when you do Muay Thai. Think about it; you’re going to be punching all the time, even when you’re in the heavy bag. So it’s common sense that this is the primary part you want to keep safe. Indeed, your hands are your weapon – so take care of them.

So which punching glove should you buy? In our shop, we’re currently selling the pair that will ensure your safety while ensuring high-quality, durability, effectiveness, and comfort.

For beginners, I recommend buying the 12/14 oz, which is going to protect you more. The reason for that is that you won’t be sparring as much, which means that you won’t need to get 8/10oz gloves, which are more suitable for fighting. However, you’ll mostly be on the heavy bag, which requires heavier gloves.

Likewise, you can read more about the best Muay Thai gloves for protection and power by following this link.

Shin Guard

Now that you own a pair of punching gloves, you want to think about your lower body, which is where people pay less attention. When you view Muay Thai in its entirety, you’ll kick in most of your strikes, which means that you must protect your shin, the primary part you’ll hit with.

So the need for a high-quality shin guard definitely exists. You must think about your legs when you’re fighting someone else, less so if you’re working the heavy bag. But if you want to optimize safety, you can also wear shin guards when working the heavy bag.

There’s one particular shin guard I would encourage all Muay Thai fighters to buy. It’s the one I have and the one I saw the most success with. So here it is:

I haven’t mentioned it yet, so let me just make it clear; Shin guards are critical when you’re sparring with another Muay Thai fighter. When you get hit with a fierce Low Kick, you’ll thank me for having this. Many Muay Thai gyms won’t allow you to spar without these, so they’re definitely important.

To learn more about the five best shin guards for your money, follow this link.

Mouthguard

The third piece of equipment we’ll review is a mouthguard. This is one of the most important items you must have to fight in Muay Thai or any other martial art for that matter. Whenever I do Muay Thai, the first thing I’m thinking about is keeping my dental health in check.

The last thing I want is to injure myself as a consequence of not wearing proper protective gear. Wearing a high-quality mouthguard is key. It’ll definitely be worth investing in it, as it’ll help you keep your dental health in check.

Here’s the one I’m using and it’s comfortable, flexible, breathable, not stinky, and protective. I would recommend buying it if you’re interested in sparring and competing, as it’ll ensure you stay safe and unharmed.

Please don’t give up on a high-quality mouthguard. You must wear one to keep yourself safe and injury-free, as it’s one of the most important pieces of protective equipment you must wear to ensure your safety.

If you’re interested in viewing the five best Muay Thai mouthguards, I wrote a complete guide on that, which you definitely want to read.

And let’s move on to the last protective gear you want to get.

Head Guard

The last piece of equipment we’ll review is a solid head guard. If you’re unfamiliar with what it is, it’s the same in almost all martial arts that include striking, such as MMA, Kickboxing, Boxing, and, of course, the art of 8-limbs, aka Muay Thai.

Getting hit in the face is never a pleasant experience. Also, getting kicked in the face is not more pleasant. Therefore, you must keep your head as safe as possible, which you can do by wearing a high-quality protective head guard.

Here’s the one I have and the one I encourage you to get. By the way, I’m only recommending one product for every section and not more because I’m only recommending the ones I’ve had positive experiences using. So it’s usually just one.

And this is it for all the protective equipment you’ll need to kick off your Muay Thai training on the safe side. The most important thing here is stepping out of the Muay Thai gym unharmed and injury-free. If you step out with serious injuries, either in the head, mouth, teeth, hands, or legs, then the training wasn’t worth it.

Best Training Equipment for Muay Thai

So now that you can ensure you’re injury free, it’s time we discuss training optimization. We all want to progress as quickly as possible, which is entirely valid. However, few Muay Thai fighters are going the extra mile to ensure they have the appropriate gear to do so.

Everyone loves to call themselves Muay Thai fighters. However, when it comes to training hard, few disciples are doing what it takes. If you’re reading these words right now, you likely are a part of the few.

So now, let’s dive into the pieces of equipment that’ll make your training more enjoyable and fulfilling while allowing you to progress and learn quicker.

Punching Bag

The first gear we’ll review is a punching bag, aka heavy bag. It’s critical for (1) improving power, (2) practicing strikes and kicks, (3) having a more realistic training experience, and lastly (4) bettering speed.

There are many types of heavy bags in Muay Thai, such as the:

• Banana Bag
• Traditional Bag
• Hybrid Heavy Bag
• Water-Filled Heavy Bag
• Muay Thai Heavy Bag
• Angled Heavy Bag

The one I use for my training and the one I encourage you to buy is the traditional bag. What it is is essentially what you think of when you imagine a heavy bag that’s suitable for your home. It typically comes with a way to add weight, so it won’t move when you punch it. Or, you can hang it somewhere high in your home, but that’s not as ideal for most people.

A heavy bag will make your training more enjoyable. It’s impossible to train at home without it; I wrote a guide to learning Muay Thai at home, which you can read by following the link.

The point is, it’s a must-have training equipment for fast progression. Here’s the one I’ve had the most experience with and the one I recommend you buy for your home or gym.

Thai Pads

Thai pads, also known as kick pads or focus pads, are an essential piece of equipment used in Muay Thai training for developing striking techniques. They are handheld targets worn by trainers or training partners, allowing fighters to practice and refine their striking skills. The purpose of Thai pads in training is multifaceted:

• Technique Development
• Power and Conditioning
• Speed and Timing
• Defensive Skills
• Realistic Simulation
• Partner Interaction

Overall, Thai pads are a versatile training tool that allows fighters to develop and refine their striking techniques, power, speed, timing, and defensive skills. Incorporating Thai pad training into a Muay Thai regimen helps fighters become well-rounded and proficient in their striking abilities, preparing them for actual sparring or competition scenarios.

The features you want to look for in Thai pads are what you expect. You want to look for:

• Comfort
• Protection
• Flexibility
• Durability
• High-quality material
• Proper size and shape
• Design style
• Portability
• Brand and reviews

Here’s the one I encourage you to buy to ensure you have the best Thai pads out there:

Jump Rope

Skipping ropes, also known as jump ropes, are versatile and effective tools for warm-up exercises and cardio conditioning. Incorporating skipping rope exercises into your routine offers numerous benefits:

1. Cardiovascular Conditioning
2. Full-Body Workout
3. Weight Loss and Calorie Burn
4. Improved Bone Density and Joint Health
5. Coordination and Motor Skills
6. Portable and Low-Cost
7. Warm-Up and Preparatory Exercise
8. Mental Health Benefits

In Muay Thai, some of these benefits go hand in hand with your fighting abilities. For instance, you won’t regret investing in your cardiovascular conditioning, as it’ll allow you to fight for more rounds and be an overall better fighter.

Likewise, coordination and motor skills are a fairly important benefit as well. Let’s say your defense will benefit from your coordination having been improved; so jump ropes are definitely something you want to look into.

If you’re someone who takes his training seriously, I would recommend not skipping buying a jump rope. You don’t have to buy this one, obviously, but it’s something you want to invest in.

You might have seen boxers doing jump rope training; I see that all the time, and there’s a good reason for that. It provides so many benefits that’ll help you become a much better fighter. So if you want to invest in yourself, getting the one I mentioned above—will be beneficial to you!

Additional Muay Thai Gear

We’re now in the final stage of this Muay Thai complete gear guide. Thus far, we went over some of the most important pieces of equipment that you must get in order to keep yourself safe while optimizing your training experience and skills.

If you think about it, not getting Muay Thai fighting gloves will diminish the amount of progress you make. If you don’t get one, you’ll be much more likely to get hand injuries, which will ensure you’re immobilized to train. That’s one of the worst things you can do to your fighting career.

The following two pieces of equipment are what I decided to call additional gear. While not mandatory for training, they’re mandatory for fighters who train a lot. I would say that these are mandatory for anyone who trains more than twice a week.

Let’s dive into the first one!

Hand Wraps

Hand wraps play a crucial role in protecting the wrists and knuckles during combat sports and martial arts training. Here are some key reasons why hand wraps are important for wrist and knuckle protection:

1. Impact Absorption
2. Compression
3. Wrist Alignment
4. Securing the Fist
5. Hygiene and Sweat Absorption
6. Psychological Confidence
7. Stabilization and Support

Buying hand wraps doesn’t provide as much of a barrier as other equipment in this guide. For instance, you might be hesitant to order a heavy bag for your home, as you want to ensure you’re consistent with your training before making such a purchase. That’s a wise decision.

However, hand wraps are probably the cheapest item on this list, and they’ll give you said benefits right away. So if you want to keep your hands healthy and injury-free, hand wraps are something you want to invest in.

Ankle Support

Ankle supports, such as ankle braces or ankle wraps, play a significant role in providing stability and preventing injuries in Muay Thai and other martial arts.

Likewise, Ankle Supports are crucial for providing stability, preventing injuries, aiding in rehabilitation, boosting confidence, and enhancing performance. By supporting and protecting the ankle joint, ankle supports play a significant role in maintaining the health and well-being of individuals participating in physical activities and sports, primarily Muay Thai.

This is a piece of equipment I would recommend buying if you currently are experiencing some type of ankle injury, which many people do, like myself.

Now, there are different types of ankle supports available, including ankle wraps and ankle braces. Each type offers unique features and benefits. Here’s an overview of these ankle supports:

1. Ankle Wraps
2. Lace-Up Ankle Braces
3. Stirrup Ankle Braces
4. Hinged Ankle Braces
5. Ankle Sleeves

If you’re experiencing any type of ankle injury, I would recommend consulting a professional before purchasing one. However, if you know which one you want to get, get one before starting your Muay Thai training. Here’s the one I use and the one I encourage you to get:

Shorts

The last item we’ll review in this complete guide is Muay Thai shorts. You probably know what I’m talking about if you’ve been doing martial arts for some time now. Many Thai Boxing trainees are wearing the same type of shorts, which provides you with the optimal training experience when it comes to clothing.

High-quality Muay Thai shorts are an essential piece of attire for practitioners of Muay Thai. Here are some reasons highlighting the importance of wearing high-quality Muay Thai shorts for the sport:

1. Freedom of Movement
2. Enhanced Comfort
3. Traditional and Cultural Significance
4. Professional Appearance
5. Durability and Longevity
6. Sense of Identity and Pride

While high-quality Muay Thai shorts are important, it’s crucial to select shorts that are the right size and fit for comfort and performance. The shorts should allow for a full range of motion, have an elastic or drawstring waistband for a secure fit, and be in compliance with any competition or gym dress codes. Choosing reputable brands known for their quality craftsmanship and authentic designs ensures that the Muay Thai shorts meet the necessary standards of the sport.

Here’s the best one you should get, which, by the way, I use too.

Final Words

So you want to have the best equipment for Muay Thai. Hopefully, the recommended items on this list were suitable to you and you ordered them to ensure you’re ready to kick off your Muay Thai journey on the safe side.

I would never spar or fight without all of these pieces of equipment, except the Head Guard, which is not required in some instances. Nevertheless, I had positive experiences with all the items I’ve pointed out, whether it’s on Amazon or our shop, so I’m confident you’ll enjoy them as well.

Here are other articles you’d enjoy reading:

Roundhouse Kick 101 – Muay Thai Complete Guide

6 Essential Kicks in Muay Thai & How to Perform Each One

Muay Thai – All Basic Punches You Must Know to Hit Fiercely

How to Perfect Your Muay Thai Fighting Stance – Guide