Muay Thai Gear for Beginners
Four things for your first class, two more once you spar. Order them from home, or buy them when you land in Thailand.
See what you needWhat you need vs what can wait
Your Muay Thai gear checklist. Spend on what you use in the first two weeks, not a pro fight bag.
- 4 items
- 4itemsfor day one: gloves, wraps, training clothes, water
- 2 more
- 2moreonce you spar: shin guards and a molded mouthguard
What you need on day one
- Gloves (borrow or buy before pads)
- Hand wraps
- Basic training clothes and a towel
- Water bottle
What you need once you start sparring
- Shin guards sized for your shin length
- Mouthguard you have already molded
- Heavier gloves if your gym separates sparring oz
Nice to have later
- Skipping rope
- Gym bag
- Ankle supports
- Second glove pair for smell rotation
- Recovery tools (foam roller, massage gun)
Skip for now: a second pair of gloves before you know your gym's sparring weight, competition gear before you have a fight date, and a big gear bag that will not fit a Grab or a gym locker.
Order before you fly
Buy before you fly: wraps and a molded mouthguard belong in your bag. Add gloves if you would rather not shop on day one. Already in Thailand? The brand shops at the end deliver to your room.
Fairtex store
$175orders ship free in the US
Ships from the USA. The store sells in USD, CAD, EUR, SEK and PLN.
Shipping from fairtexstore.com, checked 1 Oct 2026 · Affiliate links: we may earn a commission. Learn more
Your Muay Thai Starter Kit
The six things beginners use in the first month, and the size to buy.
Muay Thai Gloves
14–16ozEveryone, from your first pad round.- 12 oz for bag work only; 16 oz for many sparring rounds
- Snug wrist, the fist does not slide, knuckles centred
- Muay Thai gloves have a softer palm for the clinch
Hand Wraps
180inchEveryone, from class one. Pack them even if you buy the rest in Thailand.- 120-inch for small hands
- Elastic goes on faster; cotton lasts longer
- Two pairs: one dries while you train
Mouthguards
1–2moldedBefore sparring. Mold it at home: gyms rarely stock your fit.- Boil-and-bite, molded with hot water
- Upper-only is the usual start
- Two for a fight camp
Muay Thai Shin Guards
Once kicks go toward a partner, not just the bag.- Measure from the top of the foot to below the knee
- Straps that stay put when you check a kick
- Bulky to fly with, easy to size at a camp shop
Muay Thai Shorts
2–3pairsMost camps expect them after a trial class.- Size by waist; Thai brands run small
- A wide leg so kicks and knees do not bind
- Cheap at camp shops in Thailand
Other Muay Thai Equipment
None of these are needed in your first week.- Ankle supports for heavy kicking days
- A skipping rope: buy locally if you skip daily
- A groin guard only if your gym asks for one in sparring
What to bring vs buy in Thailand
Pick your camp: what goes in your bag, and what to buy after you land.
A first camp or a taster week: pads and bag work, no sparring yet.
Bring from home
- Hand wraps, 2 pairs180-inch. Light to pack; one pair dries while you wear the other.
- Training clothes3-4 quick-dry sets: two sessions a day soak them.
- Flip-flops and a small towelYou train barefoot; shoes stay off the mats.
Order before you fly (partner stores, shipping from abroad):
Buy in Thailand
- Gloves, 14-16 ozAsk if your gym lends gloves for the first sessions; buy a pair once you know you are staying.
- Muay Thai shortsCamp shops sell them. One or two pairs is plenty.
Camp shops, or official brand shops that deliver to your room:
Skip for now: Shin guards (no sparring yet) · A mouthguard, unless sparring is likely · A big gear bag
Should you buy Muay Thai gear before Thailand?
Only the light, personal things: a molded mouthguard and hand wraps. Gloves, shin guards and shorts are easy to size at a camp shop and bulky to fly with. On a camp under two weeks, order wraps before you fly and the rest to your room in Thailand.
Where to buy Muay Thai gear in Thailand
Already in Thailand? Official brand shops deliver to your room in 2-4 days for around $1. They deliver inside Thailand only.
Super Export Shop
Official distributor for the major Thai brands, several in one order.
Fairtex
Raja
Yokkao
Top King
ThaiSmai
Windy
Boon
Primo
Arwut
Rather try gloves on? Camp shops in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Pattaya and Bangkok sell them, or find a camp in the Muay Thai gym directory and buy where you train.
FAQ
What equipment do I need to start Muay Thai?
Start with gloves, hand wraps, comfortable training clothes, and a water bottle. Add shin guards and a mouthguard once sparring begins. Muay Thai shorts are useful early but many gyms allow gym shorts for the first sessions.
What gloves should a beginner use for Muay Thai?
Most adult beginners use 14-16 oz gloves for pad work and general training. Lighter 12 oz gloves can work for bag-only rounds if your gym allows them. Try fit in person when you can, especially before a long Thailand camp.
What size Muay Thai gloves should I get?
Size by weight class and gym rules, not shoe size. Under roughly 70 kg, many campers start at 14 oz. Heavier fighters often prefer 16 oz for sparring. Ask your coach what oz the gym expects before you buy two pairs.
Do I need shin guards for Muay Thai?
Not for your first pad-only classes. Once partner drills or sparring include checks and kicks toward another person, shin guards become important. They are bulky to pack, so many Thailand campers buy them after arrival.
Do I need a mouthguard for Muay Thai?
Yes before sparring. A boil-and-bite guard molded at home is worth packing for Thailand. Gyms rarely stock your exact fit on short notice.
How much does Muay Thai equipment cost?
It depends on the brand and where you buy. Wraps and a mouthguard are the cheap essentials; gloves and shin guards are the main spend. The official Fairtex partner store in the US ships orders over $175 free within the US. In Thailand, official Shopee and Lazada brand shops deliver to your room for around $1.
Can I buy Muay Thai gear in Thailand?
Yes. Gym shops, camp stores, and official Shopee and Lazada brand shops are the main channels; the marketplaces deliver inside Thailand only. See the Where to buy Muay Thai gear in Thailand section on this page for linked official stores.
Is Muay Thai gear cheaper in Thailand?
Thai brands are often better value in Thailand, especially when you avoid international shipping. Marketplace promos change, so compare official stores linked on this page rather than assuming every item is cheaper.
What should I bring to a Muay Thai camp?
Pack a mouthguard, hand wraps, training clothes, and toiletries. Buy or order gloves and shin guards locally unless you need a specific model before day one. Pair this list with the first time in Thailand guide and the camp planner.
What gear do I need for a Muay Thai fight camp in Thailand?
Bring two molded mouthguards, a groin guard that fits, and your hand wraps. Buy 16 oz sparring gloves, shin guards, and fight shorts in Thailand (ask your gym about its colours). On fight night the promoter usually supplies the gloves and your corner wraps your hands, so ask your gym what to bring.
Can I buy Muay Thai equipment at a gym?
Many camps sell gloves, shorts, wraps, and sometimes shin guards on site. That is the easiest way to get the right size quickly. Prices may be higher than marketplace official stores, but you skip delivery waits.
What brands are good for Muay Thai?
Fairtex, Windy, Top King, Raja, Yokkao, and Boon are common in Thai gyms. Before you fly, an official Fairtex partner store ships from the USA and Athena makes women's fightwear; once you are in Thailand, the official Shopee and Lazada brand shops linked here cover the rest.