Brazilian jiu-jitsu is more than a competitive sport. It can transform your whole life with its unique tactical thinking and robust physical attributes.
But rolling on the mat all day long can be quite painful and annoying. If done wrong, it might even lead to abrasions and infections. That’s where the BJJ rash guards come in handy. Whether you’ll wear it alone or under a BJJ gi, it’ll provide a bunch of important benefits.
If you’re unfamiliar, a BJJ rash guard is just a fancy name for a compression shirt. Its elastic fibers do an amazing job of decreasing the post-workout edema and enhancing the blood flow.
Our Top Picks
In this article, we’ll present 9 of the best BJJ rash guards currently on the market. Without any further ado, let’s get going!
Contents
- 0.1 WINNER: GOLD BJJ JIU JITSU RASH GUARD
- 0.2 ELITE SPORTS BJJ RASH GUARDS
- 0.3 RUNNER-UP: HAWK SPORTS MEN’S RASH GUARDS
- 0.4 SANABUL ESSENTIALS LONG SLEEVE RASH GUARD
- 0.5 SANABUL ESSENTIALS SHORT SLEEVE RASH GUARD
- 0.6 HUGE SPORTS WILDLING SERIES RASH GUARD
- 0.7 HAYABUSA METARU LONG SLEEVE RASH GUARD
- 0.8 ANTHEM ATHLETICS HELO-X RASH GUARD
- 0.9 ROAR BJJ RASH GUARDS
- 1 BJJ Rash Guard FAQ
- 2 BJJ Rash Guards Summary
WINNER: GOLD BJJ JIU JITSU RASH GUARD
Gold BJJ is an ever-growing family business run by a group of jiu-jitsu athletes. That’s why most of their gear is made with optimal quality at quite affordable prices. You can also find them selling cheap BJJ gis.
Generally, this rash guard offers great breathability with its high-end materials. Better yet, it’s equipped with a sturdy mesh over the armpit to prevent that infernal sweating. Gold BJJ thinks of everything, they even have a dedicated BJJ bag that has a sweaty clothes compartment.
Despite being a small business, Gold BJJ covers its rash guards with a generous satisfaction guarantee. If you don’t like it, you’ll receive a refund, no strings attached!
Pros
- One of the cool rash guards BJJ
- Affordable
- Flat stitching for convenient rolling
Cons
- Some customers were upset with the sizing
Specs
| Material | 80% cotton, 20% polyester |
| Design | Long sleeves and short sleeves |
| IBJJF-Certified | No |
ELITE SPORTS BJJ RASH GUARDS
Back to the minimal designs with this rash guard from Elite Sports. It comes with a solid-color torso that carries a small logo right over the chest. Similarly, the short sleeves carry a solid color that’s supposed to match your belt.
The fabric of this rash guard is arranged in a honeycomb structure. This way, it allows for free movement while maintaining a functional compression.
Over the bottom, Elite Sports placed an anti-slip waistband that prevents slippage during extreme movements.
Pros
- Sturdy construction
- Flat stitching
- Equipped with anti-slip waistband
Cons
- The design is rather boring
Specs
| Material | 90% polyester and 10% spandex |
| Design | Short sleeves |
| IBJJF-Certified | Yes |
RUNNER-UP: HAWK SPORTS MEN’S RASH GUARDS
Hawk produces one of the best rash guards in the affordable category. The most unique feature about this rash guard lies in the underarm micro-mesh. This area is fabricated with large size to promote breathability without messing with integrity.
The fabric used to make this rash guard is rated UPF 50+, which means it can block over 97% of the ultraviolet rays.
That said, Hawk’s rash guard can be versatile enough to be used outside jiu-jitsu. Be it surfing, swimming, Cross-Fit, you name it!
We only wish its stitching was smaller, but I guess that’s part of the design too.
Pros
- Highly affordable
- Large breathable underarm mesh
- Versatile
Cons
- The stitching could’ve been smaller
Specs
| Material | Lycra |
| Design | Long sleeves |
| IBJJF-Certified | No |
SANABUL ESSENTIALS LONG SLEEVE RASH GUARD
Sanabul is definitely one of the huge names in the world of Jiu-Jitsu and other martial arts. They established their reputation mainly through the great names they have in their team. They have Guilherme Bomba and John Danaher supervising the designs and assuring quality.
If you prefer simple garments, you should like this rash guard. The main body is colored in solid black with a tiny Sanabul logo at the top. The arms, however, are designed in blue, violet, brown, black, and red. This way, it can be used in any of the IBJJF competitions.
On the downside, the armpit mesh is somewhat smaller than it should be. It might not wick all the moisture away from your body.
Pros
- Simple, uncluttered design
- Durable stitching
- Equipped with UV protection
Cons
- The underarm mesh is quite small
Specs
| Material | Antimicrobial fabric |
| Design | Long sleeves |
| IBJJF-Certified | Yes |
SANABUL ESSENTIALS SHORT SLEEVE RASH GUARD
Did you like the previous rash guard? Well, we’re happy to say that Sanabul releases the same rash guard but with short sleeves. This fact makes it among the best rash guards for BJJ official competitions.
The short sleeves are designed with amazing quality and high durability. The elastic ends will maintain a nice grip over your arms no matter how messy things get.
Expectedly, the design flaw we saw earlier wasn’t resolved in this version. The armpit mesh is a bit smaller than the usual.
Pros
- Affordable
- Wide collection of colors
- Equipped with UV protection
Cons
- Small underarm mesh
Specs
| Material | Antimicrobial fabric |
| Design | Short sleeves |
| IBJJF-Certified | Yes |
HUGE SPORTS WILDLING SERIES RASH GUARD
If you’re all about the looks, you’re in for a treat with Huge Sports. This one is among the best rash guards for MMA thanks to its epic designs.
The torso is colored in solid black with a small logo placed at the lower left side. The arms, however, feature a wide collection of polygonal animal designs. You can get a cobra, eagle, shark, bear, lion, wolf, and pretty much all epic predators.
The only bad thing about this rash guard is the material. Since it doesn’t feature cotton, it might feel a bit rough for some people.
Pros
- Affordable
- Thick fabric and reinforced seams
- Creative designs
Cons
- It lacks softness
Specs
| Material | 80% nylon and 20% elastane |
| Design | Long sleeves |
| IBJJF-Certified | No |
HAYABUSA METARU LONG SLEEVE RASH GUARD
If you don’t mind investing a bit more than usual, this rash guard could easily beat any other option.
First and foremost, this rash guard is equipped with the silver-reinforced XT2 fabric. If you’re unfamiliar, silver has natural antimicrobial properties that allow for hours of practice without that awful sweaty smell.
No matter how intensive your match gets, this rash guard is guaranteed to stay in place. This is possible thanks to the silicone hem found at the bottom.
With the mentioned perks, it becomes evident that this is among the Best rash guards for BJJ.
Pros
- It never rides up your torso
- The silver fibers kill the bacteria responsible for bad odor
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- A bit expensive
Specs
| Material | 77% polyester, 16% elastane, and 7% XT2 yarn technology |
| Design | Long sleeves |
| IBJJF-Certified | No |
ANTHEM ATHLETICS HELO-X RASH GUARD
Anthem Athletics is another brand providing additional value through creative designs. The HELO-X rash guards are produced in two collections.
The first one is geared toward IBJJF competitions. Those ones come in a solid black with minimal solid-color patterns over the arms. Surely, they release colors that match all the available jiu-jitsu belts.
If training would be your sole purpose, you can enjoy more creative designs in the generic versions.
Pros
- Flat stitchings for easier rolling
- Versatile designs
- Durable fabric
Cons
- A bit expensive
Specs
| Material | Multi-panel, high-density fiber |
| Design | Long sleeves |
| IBJJF-Certified | Some versions are certified |
ROAR BJJ RASH GUARDS
If you thought the previous rash guard was boring, you should be blown away by how creative this one is.
In one of its coolest versions, you can see a samurai silhouette standing in front of a red sun with an off-white background. Simply put, it’s as cool as a rash guard can get.
Expectedly, such unique designs aren’t allowed in professional competitions. However, Roar produces other minimal versions certified by IBJJF.
Pros
- Highly creative designs
- Affordable
- Equipped with a rubber waistband
Cons
- The fabric feels quite rough over the skin.
Specs
| Material | Polyester and spandex |
| Design | Long sleeves and short sleeves |
| IBJJF-Certified | Some versions are certified |
BJJ Rash Guard FAQ
WHY SHOULD I WEAR A RASH GUARD?
Just like any compression apparel, a BJJ rash guard would drastically improve your performance. Here are some of the most important benefits.
IT ENHANCES YOUR SKILLS
Tight BJJ rash guards inevitably raise the body’s temperature through physical friction. Since heat enhances blood flow, you’ll feel highly energized during the game.
Additionally, wearing a tight garment improves your proprioception. You become more aware of every muscle, how much it is contracting, and what the next move should be.
IT DECREASES POST-WORKOUT FATIGUE
If you’ve been wearing your BJJ rash guard only during the exercise, you’ve been missing a lot!
When you workout, your arteries start to expand. This is a normal reflex to allow for higher blood flow. On the downside, this mechanism inevitably precipitates more bodily fluids, which raises the likelihood of post-workout edema.
When you wear a rash guard, you’ll naturally restrict this mechanism. It won’t strangulate your tissues, though. It’ll only prevent the pooling of edematous fluids.
IT PREVENTS MAT BURNS
Mat burns are arguably the ultimate nemesis of BJJ. They might not be as serious as other injuries, but they’re certainly painful. And their high frequency makes them even more annoying.
A rash guard is the easiest protection you can apply. Since it perfectly fits over your skin, it’ll block burns and abrasions.
If you’re new to Brazilian jiu-jitsu competing and training on a mat might feel strange at first. If that sounds familiar, you can buy your own BJJ mats for home, this is a good way to practice your movements.
But, if you don’t have a fellow jiu-jitsu sparring partner in your household, then you can use one of the best BJJ grappling dummies instead.
A rash guard is the easiest protection you can apply. Since it perfectly fits over your skin, it’ll block burns and abrasions.
IT HINDERS INFECTIONS
Like it or not, BJJ isn’t the best sport in terms of infection possibility. You’re fighting on the ground, in close contact with another person, and in a humid environment filled with sweat. It couldn’t be any better for bacteria.
But don’t worry, you won’t have to wear a hazmat suit for your training. A rash guard is a simple, cool alternative. It works as a passive barrier that shields you against dirt, sweat, and any microorganism that comes your way.
HOW CAN I PICK THE RIGHT size RASH GUARD?
Ideally, you should check the sizing chart of the respective brand before any purchase. Most of these charts will suggest the perfect size based on your height and weight.
Experienced athletes might not need these charts most of the time. They usually opt for the regular size of their normal t-shirts. Some athletes prefer to go one size up to make it easier to take off the shirt after they finish.
We definitely suggest sticking with the size charts, though. Brands often consider different approaches while they’re designing their garments.
For instance, it’s pretty common for Hayabusa’s rash guards to be thicker than Gold BJJ’s, even if they share the same size. However, when you wear them, you might notice that the Gold BJJ is a bit tighter over the armpit.
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMPETITION AND TRAINING BJJ RASH GUARDS?
Technically speaking, no. Almost all rash guards are made from the same elastic fabric, regardless of the intended use.
Expectedly, you can wear any rash guard for your training as long as it satisfies your needs. It doesn’t even need to be a dedicated rash guard. Some athletes train in regular compression shirts.
However, there are some rules that have to be met by a rash guard to be approved for official competitions.
IBJJF RASH GUARD RULES
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) is arguably the most famous host for jiu-jitsu tournaments. For instance, it organizes the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, World No-Gi Championship, Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship, and European Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Obviously, you won’t be allowed to participate in their competitions unless you buy approved gear. Here are the requirements for rash guards:
- The rash guard must fit tightly over the skin.
- It must cover the whole torso all the way to the shorts’ waistband.
- It might be colored in white, black, or both.
- At least 10% of the shirt must carry the belt’s color.
- It’s possible to wear rash guards 100% the color of the athlete’s belt.
- If the current belt is black, the rash guard can have a small red area.
IMMAF RASH GUARD RULES
Most of the official MMA competitions are held by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). Unlike IBJJF, MMA rash guards have less color freedom. Here are the required rules:
- The rash guard must fit tightly over the skin.
- It must carry a 3-letter code referring to the competitor’s country (USA, CAN, MEX).
- No long-sleeve rash guards are permitted, it must have short sleeves.
- It can be colored in solid red or blue, no patterns are permitted.
SHOULD I GET SHORT-SLEEVED OR LONG-SLEEVED RASH GUARD?
As stated earlier, you can’t participate in IMMAF competitions unless you’re wearing short-sleeved rash guards. In IBJJF competitions, however, you’re free to wear whatever you want.
If you want our opinion, we definitely recommend going for long sleeves. Having that extra fabric over your arm will make sure you get all the rash guard’s benefits discussed earlier.
Long-sleeved rash guards will protect your arms from infections, prevent mat burns, and enhance your performance.
Additionally, long sleeves are essential if you’re planning to do movements like guillotines or head & arms choke. If you’re wearing short sleeves, your opponent will easily slip out of your sweaty arms.
The only benefit of short sleeves is the looks. They’ll look more epic, especially if you have some tattoos to show off.
So the bottom line is, long sleeves are preferred for competitions, while short sleeves can be cooler in training.
BJJ Rash Guards Summary
After our elaborate search, we can agree that Gold BJJ produces one of the best jiu-jitsu rash guards. It manages to balance well between performance and affordability.
If you’ll participate in a competition, you can opt for the Sanabul Essentials rash guard. And remember, rash guards have to comply with certain rules to be allowed in an international competition.
Rash guards provide protection, but they shouldn’t encourage you to overwork yourself. Stay safe!
Wait! Talking about staying safe, if you don’t have one already, you should also purchase a specific BJJ mouthguard. As well as a groin cup for BJJ.
