Muay Thai Gear: What to Buy in Thailand and What to Bring from France

This page doesn't compare gloves to help you get equipped in France—the stores already do that. It answers the question that comes up when you go to train in Thailand, and that no one else answers: What's worth buying there, and what do you absolutely need to have in your suitcase when you arrive?

The rule can be summed up in one sentence: Anything made in Thailand should be bought in Thailand—it’s much cheaper there, especially clothing and gloves.Anything that molds to your body should be bought beforehand—mouthguards first and foremost.

The two halves of the suitcase

Why is the equipment cheaper there?

The leading Muay Thai brands are Thai and manufacture their products locally. What you pay in Europe includes import costs, distribution fees, and the markup from a network of intermediaries. In Thailand, you buy directly from the source, in stores where the selection of sizes, colors, and styles is unmatched online.

Where to shop: Brand-name stores in Bangkok and Phuket for the best selection, shops attached to resorts for convenience, and markets for inexpensive clothing. Prices are negotiable at markets, but very rarely at brand-name stores.

The mouthguard—the one thing that's non-negotiable

This is one area where you shouldn't wing it. A mouthguard must be customized to fit your jaw, and a model bought in a hurry won't provide adequate protection, will make it hard to breathe, and will eventually end up being abandoned. Get one made before you leave—at the very least, have it thermoformed.

And here's one more point, if needed: the camps lend out gloves and shin guards, which are used by dozens of people. Mouthguards, on the other hand, aren't meant to be shared.

Arriving empty-handed: a valid strategy

Most camps lend or rent gloves and protective gear. This means you can show up without any equipment, train for two or three sessions, and then buy what you need once you know what works best for you: the weight of the gloves, the cut of the shorts, and the size of the shin guards.

It makes more sense than buying things in France ahead of time, since you run the risk of having to carry equipment on the trip there that you'll end up replacing once you get there.

What Heat Changes

Nothing dries. The humidity in Thailand means that shorts that are wet in the morning are still wet in the evening. Plan on bringing at least three complete outfits if you’re working out twice a day—which is one more reason to buy your workout clothes there rather than packing them in your suitcase.

Chafing becomes a real problem. With two sessions a day, sweat and sand from the coastal gyms cause irritation that we don't experience in France. Having some anti-chafing cream in your gym bag isn't a luxury.

Your shins will be sore. That's normal the first week, and it goes away. Some ointment and patience will do the trick; there's no gear that can prevent it.

The rest of the trip

Information on choosing a camp, the daily schedule, and insurance verification can be found on theMuay Thai Camp in Thailand page. And the general checklist of things to take care of before you leave is on theFormalities page.

In summary

Travel light. Gloves, shorts, shin guards, and clothing can be bought in Thailand for a fraction of their European price, straight from the source and with a much wider selection. Pack items that fit your body or can’t be shared: first and foremost, a mouthguard that fits your jaw, your usual tape if you have a preference, anti-chafing cream, and a locker padlock. And since most camps lend out equipment, arriving empty-handed and then buying what you need after two sessions is still the best approach.