Getting Started with the Gear Hunt
So, I decided to jump into Muay Thai. Everyone was talking about it, seemed like a good workout, learn some self-defense. Sounded great. I went to a trial class, loved it. Signed up. Then the instructor’s like, “Alright, you’re gonna need your own gear.” Okay, gloves, hand wraps – standard stuff. I figured that was the hard part. Boy, was I wrong.
The Shorts Saga Begins
Then came the quest for Thai boxing shorts. I just typed “Thai boxing shorts” into the search bar, you know? And tons of stuff popped up. All shiny, lots of embroidery, dragons, tigers, the whole deal. But here’s the thing, most of them looked… well, they looked like they were cut for guys. Or they were labeled “unisex,” which, let’s be honest, usually just means “men’s small.” I wasn’t about to roll into class looking like I borrowed my brother’s PJs.
I specifically started looking for women’s Thai boxing shorts. Thought it’d be easier. Nope. Fewer options, for sure. And the ones I did find? Some were just pink versions of the men’s ones. Others were these super tiny, almost like running booty shorts, but with Thai writing on them. Not really what I imagined, or what felt practical for all that kicking and kneeing. I spent, no joke, a good few evenings just scrolling, comparing, reading reviews that were all over the place.
The Trying-On Ordeal (and a bit of luck)
I even tried a couple of local sports shops. One guy looked at me like I had three heads when I asked. “Thai boxing? For ladies? Uh, we have some general athletic shorts…” Yeah, thanks, not helpful. Another place had a couple, but they were either ridiculously expensive or the material felt like plastic. Super frustrating.
Finally, I took a gamble on an online store that seemed to specialize a bit more. I read a bunch of reviews specifically from other women. Looked at sizing charts like they were ancient hieroglyphs. I ordered two different pairs from two different brands, just to hedge my bets. Waiting for them to arrive felt like forever.
- Pair number one: Looked cool online. Arrived. The material was okay, but the cut was still a bit weird. The waistband was super tight, but the leg openings were massive. Not a good combo for kicking high without giving everyone a show.
- Pair number two: This one was better. The satin felt decent, not too stiff. The cut was actually designed with, you know, hips in mind. And the slit on the side, which is classic for these shorts, actually helped with movement instead of just being a weird flap.
What I Learned in the Trenches (About Shorts, Anyway)
So, what did I actually find out through all this? Well, first off, women’s Thai boxing shorts are a real category, but you gotta dig. They aren’t just smaller, pinker versions of men’s shorts – or at least, the good ones aren’t. The cut around the hips and thighs is different. The waistband needs to be secure but not feel like a boa constrictor. And that wide leg opening with the side slit? It’s there for a reason – so you can actually kick and knee without your shorts riding up or, worse, ripping.
I learned to pay attention to the material. Satin is traditional, looks flashy, and it’s pretty light. Some newer ones use different synthetic blends which can be good too, maybe more durable. The main thing for me was that they needed to be lightweight and not restrictive. You’re moving a lot, sweating a lot. Heavy or clingy shorts are the enemy.
It was a bit of a mission, not gonna lie. I spent more time researching shorts than I did my first set of gloves. But once I found a pair that actually worked, it made a difference. You just feel more comfortable, more focused on the training instead of fidgeting with your gear. It’s one less thing to worry about when someone’s about to throw a kick at your head, you know?
So yeah, that was my little adventure into the world of women’s Thai boxing shorts. More complicated than I thought, but got there in the end. Now, if only figuring out how to properly check a leg kick was this straightforward…
