Issue 063
June 2010
Long or short, tight or loose – the choice of MMA shorts is staggering. Use this guide when buying your next pair of MMA shorts to make sure you get the right pair for you.
Fit
It’s important to get shorts with a good fit. Some people prefer shorts with split seams, others without. Much depends on the style of shorts, and the build of your legs. Either way, the main thing is to ensure that you can get a full range of movement and that the shorts won’t get in the way of what you want to be able to do – whether that’s kicking an opponent in the head, or playing a tight rubber guard game.
Why use them?
Because people may be reluctant to train with you if you don’t! Shorts that are designed specifically for MMA training have advantages over other types of sportswear. They should give you freedom of movement while at the same time being fairly resistant to being grabbed or pulled without ripping.
When would you use them?
For training or competing in MMA or no-gi grappling.
Fastening methods
Shorts typically come with some combination of drawstring, elasticized waist and Velcro fastening. Of these, the drawstring is the essential one to have for keeping your shorts up at the crucial moment. Aside from that, comfort and convenience are the main factors to consider.
Materials
Shorts are typically made out of some mixture of polyester, nylon, Lycra and occasionally cotton. Polyester (also referred to as ‘microfiber’) is light but tough, wicks sweat away from the body and dries quickly. It does tend to retain odors, but this is sometimes countered by adding antimicrobial compounds to the fabric. Nylon is more durable, but also absorbs more sweat so may feel heavier towards the end of a training session. It is also more prone to fading. Lycra (spandex) is often used for its elastic properties, especially in the older-style tight-fit shorts.
TYPES
Loose-fit shorts
Loose-fitting board shorts are the most commonly used type of MMA shorts. These are loose enough to allow a full range of movement and resistant to the kind of heavy-duty use that you’ll subject them to. As an added bonus, for a fighter, this style of shorts has the greatest amount of space for advertising and sponsorship.
Thai shorts
Muay Thai shorts are different again from MMA shorts, but are occasionally seen in MMA fights. They allow plenty of flexibility for kicks, and are a snug fit round the waist, but may be less secure and more easily caught or grabbed than the more commonly used types of shorts.
Old-school vale tudo shorts
These tighter shorts were commonly seen in earlier events but have mostly gone out of fashion. Some fighters prefer them because there’s less material to get caught or accidentally grabbed by an opponent, and some feel that they give greater freedom of movement.
GENERAL TIPS
You get for what you pay for
Trying to save money on shorts may turn out to be a false economy – cheap board shorts often end up getting ripped, coming apart at the seams or disintegrating in the washing machine. If you’re not buying shorts that have been specifically made for MMA or grappling, then check that they fasten securely, have no metal or plastic fittings that could be dangerous to yourself or your training partners and that the quality of the material and the stitching is up to the job.
