What do Muay Thai fighters wear on their feet?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 12, 2026
Muay Thai ankle guards are worn to protect and support the ankle joints. Although they are not as essential compared to boxing gloves or Muay Thai shorts, many Thai boxers wear ankle supports during training or fighting. This is because the extra support helps to minimize sprains from rolling the ankle.
Why do Muay Thai fighters wrap their feet?
So, what are Kickboxing foot wraps? Kickboxing foot wraps are a piece of equipment that is very similar to hand bandages but wrapped around the ankles. They protect your feet and ankles from injury and give you extra grip and stability in the ring.
Do ankle supports work Muay Thai?
Moves such as kicking, kneeing and punching rely on the stability of the ankle. Therefore, it's imperative that the ankle is protected and secure during Muay Thai. Not only will ankle supports keep a fighter protected but it will also give them increased stability to help you generate maximum power in your strikes.
Do you wear socks in Muay Thai?
Muay Thai is always practised bare-foot so you won't need to wear socks during training, nor will you need any other footwear, such as boxing boots.
Why do fighters wrap their wrists and ankles?
Hand and wrist wraps are used to compress (and keep compressed when hitting) the bones and tissues in the hand. The claim is that such compression allows boxers to hit with greater force than if they did not use them. Boxers claim they feel less pain when hitting so their opponent may feel more pain.
19 related questions foundWhy do martial artists wear bandages?
The primary purpose of hand wraps is to protect a fighter's most important weapon—their hands! Your hands are made up of many fragile joints and delicate bones that could easily break from the impact of repeated punches.
Do Muay Thai fighters shave their legs?
Yes, leg shaving (or nairing/waxing) is popular among male and female Nak Muays. Some say it is to prevent hair stubble from grating against a sparring partner's skin, causing a rash. Others say hair-free skin is easier to bandage in case of cuts or wounds. Expect lots of conditioning.
What do Muay Thai fighters wear under their shorts?
Wear compression underwear!
Under your thai shorts if you're male and compression shorts if you're female. Thai shorts generally have bigger leg openings so the wearer can kick more comfortably.
Is it OK to wear Muay Thai shorts?
Other than a pair of boxing gloves, there is no rule for attire when it comes to training Muay Thai. However, Muay Thai shorts are typically mandated for all Muay Thai competitions. Muay Thai training is also done barefooted on gym mats.
What do Muay Thai anklets do?
Muay Thai ankle guards are worn to protect and support the ankle joints. Although they are not as essential compared to boxing gloves or Muay Thai shorts, many Thai boxers wear ankle supports during training or fighting. This is because the extra support helps to minimize sprains from rolling the ankle.
Why do Muay Thai fighters wear armbands?
Pra Jiad (Thai: ประเจียด, RTGS: prachiat, pronounced [prā. t͡ɕìa̯t]) is a type of armband worn by Muay Thai athletes. In the past, their use was to give confidence and luck to the athletes, and was usually made by the fighter's close family member (mother, father, etc.). Some fighters wear one Pra Jiad, some wear two.
What gloves should I use for kickboxing?
Best Gloves For Kickboxing Muay Thai, MMA, (Top 10 Review) For Beginners & Experts
- Fairtex Muay Thai Gloves. ...
- RDX MMA Gloves for Muay Thai and Kickboxing. ...
- Everlast Women's Gloves for Muay Thai and Kickboxing. ...
- Venum Boxing Gloves. ...
- Twins Special Boxing Gloves wrist support. ...
- Cleto Reyes Lace Boxing Gloves.
Can I wear leggings to Muay Thai?
For your bottoms, you can go with a pair of women's Muay Thai shorts, sports shorts or leggings. You will be throwing some leg-splitting kicks so you don't want to be restricted by your bottoms.
Why are Muay Thai shorts so short?
Muay Thai shorts are designed to give Muay Thai fighters the maximum amount of air flow so that when they are training they can cool off faster. Another reason why the shorts are short is because Thai Boxers like to expose their leg muscles when they are throwing kicks.
What should I wear to my first Muay Thai class?
If you are attending a class for the first-time dress comfortably. There is no need to splurge on clothing while you are just in the learning stages. Dress as if you were going to the gym in either shorts, comfortable pants, and a t-shirt. Muay Thai is an intense workout and you are sure to burn a lot of calories.
Do you kick with your foot or shin?
– The shin kick can cause more damage and be more effective in close distance. Front kicks, back kicks, and roundhouse kicks that rely on the snapping foot motion can be more effective when there is significant reach to close quickly.
Do shins get stronger?
In much the same way muscles rebuild from training, bones do too. When we run, the tibia or shin bone bends slightly from the impact. When we rest after our runs, it's able to rebuild and get stronger. “The shin bone starts to remodel and get stronger,” he says.
How many miles should I run for Muay Thai?
Road running is considered a bedrock of cardio work for Muay Thai fighters, so they'll typically run 3-5 miles daily. They'll add plyometric drills and stretches to this to help improve performance and maintain flexibility.
Why do boxers put Vaseline on their face?
Treatments. Before the fight, cutmen will usually put petroleum jelly on the most likely areas of impact, especially the fighter's face, making the skin more elastic and slippery, and hence less likely to tear.
Why do boxers hug?
Holding is usually considered wrapping your arm around the opponent's waist or another body part, typically while leaving yourself an arm free to still throw punches. As a result, while it looks like a hug from the outside, it's actually a tactical maneuver in boxing.
What is a side punch called?
Hook — a semi-circular punch thrown with the lead hand to the side of the opponent's head.
What is a slugger in boxing?
A Slugger throws powerful punches with the goal of knocking an opponent out as quickly as possible. Fighters who choose the slugging style don't use a lot of footwork and tend not to move around the ring too much. They prefer an aggressive attack that puts constant pressure on an opponent.