Is No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu more interesting than Gi BJJ? Opinions are heavily spat on this subject, but we have the ultimate argument to turn the thing in No-gi’s favor! If there’s one thing that really makes No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stand out, it has to be rash guards. Yeah both top rash guards and bottom spats, wearing them can make Jiu-jitsu look and be way more fun! So far, very few gis have actually managed to even come close to some of the unique rash guard designs out there.
However, it is not all about looks. Rash guards are a highly functional and necessary piece of equipment for grappling, regardless of Gi or No-Gi affiliation. It is time to see which ones are the best BJJ rash guards that you should be wearing in 2023!
Rash guards for BJJ actually have many roles to play in grappling. They’re far from limited to being an interesting piece of gear you wear to No-gi class. The best rash guards for BJJ are first and foremost, a piece of gear that keeps you clean and safe during training.
It even improves performance, based on the type you’re wearing. It can also help extend the life of your Gi if you’re wearing one underneath on a regular basis. Plus, it provides you with a great gripping surface to use when things get sweaty during rolls.
All in all, you want the best BJJ rash guard you can get, in order to maximize your chances on the mats.
Best BJJ Rash guards
When it comes to choosing a typical rash guard for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we recommend pairing it with spats as well. They don’t have to be part of the same series but are going to make a real difference.
Also, when you’re looking for the best and high-quality rash guards for you, have goals in mind during your selection. The IBJJF, for example, is notorious in that it only allows certain brands of rash guards in official competition.
Plus, they have to be ranked according to the belt level. While this might take some of the fun out of it, you’re still free to choose the latest wacky design to train in or use in other competition formats.
Furthermore, have a rash guard that’s simple and effective to wear under your Gi. This will add at least a couple of years to you Gi, guaranteed!
Hayabusa Metaru Charged
To start things off, we’re going to over one o the best regards in existence, period. Whether you want to wear it for No-Gi, under the Gi, surfing, for strength and conditioning or simply outside like Danaher does, Hayabusa has the rash guard for you! On top of everything, the Metaru is ranked and fully recognized by the IBJJF.
You might consider this one to be the Holy grail of rash guards for grapplers. It is a very cool-looking, very affordable, and high-quality rash guard! The Metaru is made of a polyester and elastane end, featuring special titanium-coated fibers, which guarantees compression and durability.
It has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties as well as state-of-the-art moisture-wicking technology.
This rash guard helps regulate and optimize body temperature during rolling as well as provide maximal breathability.
All in all, one of the best rash guards in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of all time and a piece you simply have to own!
Fuji IBJJF Freestyle Rash guard
Fuji is a brand that has been manufacturing high-grade Brazilian Jiu-jitsu equipment for decades now. It is one of the top companies for Gis in the world, so naturally, they also offer great options for rash guards.
One such example is the FUJI Freestyle rash guard, AKA the Fuji IBJJF rash guard. As the name suggests, it is a ranked rash guard that is legal for use in IBJJF tournaments, Gi and No-Gi.
This rash guard features a Japanese-looking design on a very high-quality piece of grappling wear. The colors are in accordance with belt colors since it is a ranked rash guard. A key quality of this rash guard, apart from its price, is it;’s durability.
Тhis is one of those rash guards that seem to last forever, without showing signs of decline. A lot of this is due to the double-reinforced stitching and base materials.
The Fuji Freestyle has anti-microbial properties and comes in a very large variety of sizes.
There’s also a short and long-sleeved version of it.
Tesla Men’s Long Sleeve Rash guard
Here’s one for those that are not really into funky designs, or simply want a rash guard to wear under their Gi. The Tesla Long sleeve rash guard makes to our list of the best rash guards for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu thanks to several key features.
To begin with, this rash guard offers the best value for your money. Coming in at a very cheap price, it offers quality to rival any of the much more expensive options. It is very durable, thanks to the special blend of 87% polyester and 13% Spandex. This makes it very flexible, yet breathable.
Despite its flexibility, Tesla provides great compression to aid in the exertions of grappling. On the subject of comfort, this one is probably the most comfortable to wear on this list. Apart from moisture-wicking, this rash guard also features quick-dry technology. Comes in a huge variety of colors, and all the regular sizes.
Tatami Samurai Panda Rash Guard
Here we go! My own personal favorite! I’ll be honest, I love this rash guard, but that’s not the only reason it made it to the best BJJ rash guard list. This one is actually one of the best overall rash guards and arguably, Tatami’s very best! Plus, who doesn’t love pandas?
Tatami made a lot of heads turn with their gorilla and panda series rash guards. the collection features both long-sleeved rash guards and spats of various animal-inspired designs. Still, the Samurai Panda Rash guard is by far the most impressive of the bunch.
It comes in a yellow red and brown color and a graphic that covers the entire rash guard. Just like with all Tatami products, the material is 80% polyester and 20% spandex. The rash guard provides enormous mat burn protection and is perfectly ventilated.
It also has flatlock flexible seems which makes this rash guard very durable even during very tough rolls. Shoutout to Chris Evans, the man behind this fantastic design (and all other animal-themed tatami rash guards).
Venum Men’s Werewolf Long Sleeve Rash Guard
Venum is a brand that falls in a similar category as Fuji, apart from being a few years younger. They have everything related to BJJ that you might think of.
Actually, they make a lot of combat sports gear in general, but they do pay a lot of attention to grappling. And rash guards feature quite high on their list with multiple of their products known as some of the most popular No-Gi uniforms ever. The Werewolf Long SLeeved Venum Rash guard is a clear example of why this is the case.
Key qualities of the Venum Werewolf Rash guard include ground-breaking compression technology that adds a huge safety feature to this rash guard.
The design is one made for comfort, with an elastic waistband keeping it in place during rolls. The design has predominantly grey and black colors, with red scatters along the sleeves. The design alone makes it one of the best BJJ rash guards out there, let alone its properties.
There’s also modern quick-dry technology that allows sweat to pass easily through the material and helps keep it off.
Anthem Athletics Helo-X BJJ Rash guard
Although Anthem might be a brand that you haven’t heard about so far, it still makes one of the best BJJ rash guards ever made! For starters, it comes in such a big variety of colors, that you can stock up only on versions of this rash guard and be set for a very long time. Plus, the price makes it a real steal!To begin with, the Anthem Athletics Rash guard is a BJJ-specific product. Namely, it is IBJJF approved and comes in all ranks, on top of other colors and styles. Furthermore, there are both short and long sleeve options available.
This rash guard also has the ever-present moisture-wicking technology.
The material is lightweight, extremely strong, and offers great compression. Sublimated graphics mean there’s no chance of the color peeling or fading, even when washing often.
The Anthem Athletics rash guard also has a great fit, thanks to multi-panel construction and flatlock reinforced stitching. Multiple sizes are available.
Elite Sports Full Long Sleeves Rash guard
Elite sports are among the top MMA and BJJ brands out there. That means, as far as No-Gi is concerned, they’re a real authority. No wonder why their Elite Sports Full Rash guard is one of the best BJJ rash guards available in 2023.
Apart from offering very modern performance technology, this rash guard also offers a minimalistic design. Perfect for both No-Gi training or wearing under the Gi.
This multipurpose rash guard works for just about anything, from BJJ to lifting weights. You could even go surfing in it.
The lightweight design means it is very comfortable while providing maximum compression at the same time, which improves blood flow to the muscles.
There’s a unique feature of honeycomb material under the arms and back for increased durability.
Antifungal and antibacterial properties mean your skin is going to stay completely safe from potential infections.
Oh, and the price is more than affordable!
As an added bonus, it is another IBJJF-approved rash guard that comes ranked.
Bad Boy Men’s Sphere
As far as old-school brands that are still going hard, Bad Boy is right up there with the likes of Fuji. The Sphere Rash guard is a short-sleeve rash guard that’s right up there with the best BJJ rash guards of all time. It actually has one of the best designs in grappling.
While it is not an IBJJF-approved rash guard, it is a great one to own for No-Gi training or competition under different rules. The Sphere comes in blue color with white and black patterns and the Bad Boy logo.
This rash guard is never going to roll up during training, thanks to the rubber grip it has on the bottom seam. It features stay-cool mesh on the back responsible for comfort and breathability.
There are also ergonomic compression panels for improving blood flow. The material is 10 % Spandex and 90 % polyester.
Key traits are reflective surfaces, meaning you can bike or run with it as well as a grapple.
Venum Gladiator 3.0 Long Sleeve Rash Guard
As I said, Venum has a huge collection of rash guards most of which are among the best BJJ rash guards of all time.
However, in 2023 specifically, the best companion of the Venum Werewolf rash guard is the Gladiator 3.0 Long Sleeve Rash guard. Simply put, another Venum masterpiece for grapplers.
There’s no argument that Gladiator 3.0 has one of the best designs ever! The rash guard comes in three variations: black & white, red, and full black, all featuring the same design. The graphics cover the rash guard entirely and are resistant to any sort of peeling or fading.
The inevitable compression and moisture-wicking technologies are there, as is a rubber waistband to keep it in place.
Seams are reinforced with double flatlock stitching.
Quick-dry technology helps you regulate body temperature and stay increased comfortably.
Under Armour Men’s HeatGear
There’s no way we can do a rundown of the best BJJ rash guards and skip Under Armour. After all, to this day most people get an image of an Under Armour product when they think about a rash guard. Just so happens, they also have products that fit grappling needs perfectly.
As far as color options go, no other rash guard can beat the short sleeve Under Armour HeatGear rash guard. There are an astonishing 29 colors available for this model. If old school is your thing then this is the right BJJ rash guard for you. Still, it is a very modern 84 % polyester and 16 % elastane rash guard, with stretch mesh underarm panels for ventilation.
There is also a signature HeatGear fabric responsible for compression and comfort. As far as versatility goes, this rash guard goes as far as to offer UV 30+ protection for outdoor activities. Furthermore, they dry extremely fast and retain next to no moisture.
Sanabul Essentials Rash Guard
Sanabul is the last brand we’ll feature here today but is far from a last-ditch option. Actually, their rash guard is extremely high quality and is fit for grapplers of all levels. The Sanabul has all the features of most of the rash guards described above, and then some!
First of all, they’re approved by the IBJJF and come in ranked variations. Next up, they are notoriously durable, mostly as a result of the 4-dimensional stretch material with integrated compression they employ.
There’s also a ventilated mesh underarm area providing swift ventilation. Similar to Under Armour, Sanabul also offers UV protection but takes it up to 50.
Available in long sleeves, this rash guard is the ultimate grappling and one of the cheap rash guards you can own.
The Birth Of The BJJ Rash guard
So how did rash guards come to play a role in BJJ? We all know that early on, it was all about grappling with the Gi. when things got too hot in Brazil like during the summer, people would discard the gi jacket and roll with Gi pants only. later on, as MMA burst onto the scene, people switched Gi pants with shorts and went on like that. So how exactly did rash guards come to dominate the No-gi scene?
First of all, let’s analyze another BJJ-specific thing. How did the Shaka sign, which almost every grappler alive does become the most common BJJ hand gesture? Wasn’t it originally a surfer thing? The answer is yes, and that’s exactly how it came into Jiu-Jitsu. Surfers and grapplers socialized a lot on the beaches of Brazil, and later on, Hawaii and similar spots.
Just like grapplers took up surfing for fun, surfers sometimes went to the mats to learn how to roll. And, inevitably they brought some of their cultures along. the two most recognizable things they brought were the shaka sign and the Jiu-Jitsu rash guard.
Naturally, rash guards soon proved to be highly effective and replaced cotton t-shirts and bare-chested grappling. Not long after, Gi and gear brands saw the potential and started manufacturing them for a larger market.
As No-go boomed on the scene of BJJ, so did hundreds of brands coming up with numerous designs, making the task of figuring out the best rash guard for Jiu-Jitsu a real hassle. Until now.
The Perfect Rash guard For Grappling
What exactly is the role of a rash guard in BJJ?
Well, they have plenty, to be honest. While most people think they’re just there to deal with sweat, they actually do a lot more than that. One of the main features is muscle compression, which improves muscle function. Compression translates to improved blood flow, meaning it makes muscle metabolism more effective while improving recovery and helping prevent injuries.
Hygiene and rash guards.
Mats can be a real layer of bacteria and fungi, as can be certain training partners. Rash guards, especially long-sleeved pones, and full spats help keep you safe from various skin infections. Furthermore, they limit the spread of the infection, since many of the best jiu-jitsu rash guards have antimicrobial properties.
Performance
Performance-wise, moisture-wicking means your body temperature stays stable, and you can roll longer. Plus, a rash guard improves your grip, whenever you grip your own body parts for leverage. A D’arce choke is a great example. Try finishing one with a short-sleeved one after a 10-minute roll and you’ll understand what I mean. Last but not least, having a rash guard means you can wave goodbyes to those pesky, annoying mat burns.
Comfort and Mobility
Full range of motion and comfort is something very appreciated in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, so you want your rash guard to feel both comfortable and stretchy enough. Also under armpits ventilated meshes are a great choice because you can really stink after some time.
Moisture and sweat protection
The best rash guards have excellent protection against moisture and sweat. It is very important that they are made with such a cut that they wick sweat away from your body. This is of great importance, especially during hot summer days. Only absorbing your ostrich and not absorbing moisture from the outside helps protect your body from various infections that are not so rare in Jiu Jitsu gyms.
Main Features Of The Best Rash Guards for BJJ
Four-way stretch fabric
The four-way stretch fabric is the best feature a rash guard can have to last long during heavy-duty training and rolling.
Flatlock stitching
It refers to the flat fabric on the inside of your rash guard. It means it won’t irritate you while you’re rolling or drilling. It also makes the rash guard stronger as it’s reinforced and more durable.
Sublimated Graphics
Sublimation is a special way of putting graphics on rash guards to make them durable. Sublimated graphics won’t fade or peel even during hard rolls and everyday usage. The reason for this is because the ink is embedded into the material.
Silicone or rubber waistband
High-Quality rash guards for BJJ have rubber or silicone implemented into the waist of your rashguard so it’s more comfortable and nonslippery while moving.
Cool Design
When you’re buying a rash guard you want to enjoy wearing it so pick ones you really like because we all like to look at ourselves in the mirror don’t we? 🙂
IBJJF Rash guard compliant
If you’re looking to compete in IBJJF No Gi tournaments you’ll have to wear a Jiu Jitsu rash guard that has at least 30% of your belt color on it.
What’s The Difference Between a Rash Guard and Compression Shirts?
Compression shirts are usually tighter than rash guards. The main difference lies in the material those two are made of. While rash guards have a lot of other purposes except to compress on your body they’re usually made out of higher quality materials than compression shirts.
You’ll see many Jiu-jitsu practitioners wearing compression shirts over rash guards because they’re much cheaper and pretty affordable for anyone’s pocket.
Anyway, if you decide to go for a compression shirt instead of a rash guard make sure you don’t buy a fully cotton one. Make sure it has some spandex and polyester (lycra/elastine in some countries) materials to keep them a bit more durable.
Frequently Asked Questions about rash guards:
Are rash guards necessary for BJJ?
Yes! Rashguards are necessary for BJJ because they provide multiple benefits when you’re training. For example, a rash guard helps keep the skin cozy, while preventing injuries and keeping your muscles soft and fresh while rolling. You can check all the other benefits that we covered in this article about the usefulness of rash guards in Jiu-Jitsu.
What is the best material for a rash guard?
A rash guard is made of mixtures of many synthetic fiber materials. The best combination is the percent of spandex and similar materials for the rash guard to be stretchy in combination with polyester that offers good breathability.
Are rash guards cool?
Yes! There are many cool rashguards on the market. What makes them cool is their design and colors. So, if you feel cool in a rash guard of your choice that means they’re cool right?
What size BJJ rash guard should I get?
The one that fits you the best, and fits you tight. You don’t want a rash guard to be like a t-shirt. Always make sure to check the sizing of the one you’re buying. The reason for that is that most of them are made in Pakistan so the sizes might be different from the ones you’re used to.
Who makes the best rash guards?
If you check our list of the best rashguards right now you’ll notice there are many different rash guard brands at the top of the list. We can single out some such as Hayabusa, Fuji, Tesla, Tatami, etc.
Do rash guards stretch over time?
Rashguards might become a little looser over time, but the high-quality rash guards won’t stretch over time.
Is it OK to wear a rash guard?
Yes! It’s more than OK to wear a rashguard. It’s the main benefit is that is actually the best skin guard in the gym, and also something to protect your teammates who have contact with you.
