Since BJJ guys don't need much equipment, clothing is our main gear. With fewer things to buy than MMA guys, we can spend more on rash guards, spats, shorts, and gis.
And there are a lot of options to choose from. This time we have arranged some of the best rash guards on the market, and the list will cater to all and any preferences and budgets. So here are the best BJJ rash guards you can get, picked up by someone who tried and tested them.
Key Takeaways
Header |  Best BJJ Rash Guard |  Best Budget BJJ Rash Guard |  Best BJJ Rash Guard For Beginners |
|---|---|---|---|
Product | |||
Material | 80% Polyester, 20% Spandex | 80% Nylon, 20% Spandex | 85% Polyester, 15% Spandex |
Waistband | Anti-slip gel waistband | No anti-slip feature | No anti-slip feature |
Fit | True to size | True to size | True to size |
Price |
Best BJJ Rash Guard
XMartial BJJ Rash Guard
Materials
Comfort/Fit
Price
Designs
XMartial rash guards are simply amazing. Although they are a relative newcomer in the world of combat sports gear, they entered with a bang.
XMartial rash guards use a fabric mix of 80% polyester and 20% spandex, which gives a great comfortable feeling.
This fabric distribution and the amount used make the rash guard a bit thicker than most and extremely durable. The only downside to this is if you live in a hot place with no AC in the gym.
XMartial use flatlock stitching, like every high-quality rash guard should, which helps with comfort and durability because the seams will not unravel.
A very nice touch is the rubber anti-slip waistband preventing the rash guard from rolling up. I can tell you when the rubber grips your BJJ shorts, the shirt will not roll unless you intentionally pull it.
XMartial products fit true to size; you can consult the size charts without worries. I have a couple of XMartial rash guards and shorts and picked size L based on my measurements, and they all fit just right.
The price of XMartial rash guards may seem high initially, but you need to remember this is a high-quality product that must be compared to others in the same segment, not with the budget ones.
So when you compare XMartial with the likes of Hayabusa and Venum, the prices are similar, but XMartial outperforms most if not all, models other brands have to offer at the same price.
You can read our full XMartial Rash Guard review here.
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XMartial BJJ Rash Guard
Best Budget BJJ Rash Guard
Revgear Bionic Compression Rash Guard
Materials
Comfort/Fit
Price
Designs
Many budget models are out there, but many are not worth even a modest price. One cheap model I recommend, though, is the Revgear Bionic rash guard.
Currently sitting at $35, this Revgear rash guard feels like a more expensive one from the first second you wear it.
It is made from UltraDry moisture-wicking fabric, which gives you a cool feeling and lets the fabric dry out very quickly. The stitching is done with DuraStitch NeverSplit seams, which is one of those things brands love to do and make names for the technologies they use
This model doesn't have a gel waistband higher-end models use, but the waist is tight and tapered, and rolling up is not an issue.
The Revgear Bionic fits perfectly to size. If there is one area this model is lacking is the design department. But then again, some people like minimal designs, so this might be right up your alley.
If you are on a tight budget and want a no-nonsense rash guard, Revgear has you covered.
Revgear Bionic Compression Rash Guard
Best BJJ Rash Guard For Beginners
Sanabul Essentials Rash Guard
Materials
Comfort/Fit
Price
Designs
Sanabul is famous for delivering excellent beginner gear, and their Essentials Rash guard follows the trend.
The Sanabul Essentials model gives you just enough for a fantastic price, making it great for beginners just dipping their toes into BJJ. It is made from 85% polyester and 15% spandex, which stretches well without being too loose.
There is also mesh on the sides for extra breathability. This feature is not good for longevity, but it is nice to have on hot summer days.
This rash guard is IBJJF legal, meaning you can enter your first tournament wearing it. However, they offer color pallets for all ranks, so even advanced practitioners can use them.
A feature I don't like is the too-loose waistband. It's expected for a product this cheap not to have a gel waistband, but the overall feel of the waistband is too loose.
But for this price, some minor flaws are to be expected. The Sanabuls Essentials Rash Guard is comfortable, cool, and a real bargain for the price.
Sanabul Essentials Rash Guard
Best Women’s BJJ Rash Guard
Raven Fightwear Women’s Aerial Assault Rash Guard
Materials
Comfort/Fit
Price
Designs
While some models are considered unisex, female shapes are quite different than male ones, and dedicated rash guards for women are infinitely better. One of the best for ladies is the Raven Fighwear rash guard.
Raven Fightwear has a few models tailored for women BJJ players, all with great, eye-catching designs. They use 80% Polyester and 20% Spandex with flatlock stitching. The materials and the addition of a rubber waistband and sublimated graphics make this a high-quality product.
Raven Fightwear integrated their cool designs with the colors required for IBJJF competitions making a few of the designs competition legal. Others are not, but there are some awesome ones.
Raven Fightwear Women’s Aerial Assault Rash Guard
Best BJJ Rash Guard For Fat Guys
Iron Neck SoftAF Rash Guard
Materials
Comfort/Fit
Price
Designs
Not everyone into BJJ can be shredded, and big guys also need rash guards to fit them. Luckily some brands like Iron Neck have nailed the design for fat guys alongside some other cool features.
Despite being a neck-strengthening equipment company, Iron Neck also make rash guards, which are surprisingly good.
The Iron Neck SOFTAF model is one of the softest and most comfortable rash guards you may wear, hence the clever name. The product is made from an 85% polyester and 15% spandex mix giving it incredible softness. Stitching is flatlock, further enhancing the quality and durability.
What makes this suitable for the more robust guys is that the waist area is looser than most other rash guards, so there is enough space for those with one big ab muscle.
Iron Neck SoftAF Rash Guard
Coolest BJJ Rash Guard
XMartial BJJ Rash Guard
Materials
Comfort/Fit
Price
Designs
I know XMmartial was just featured as the best overall model, but their endless array of epic designs deserves a spot in itself. I have yet to see a brand with so many unique graphics making XMartial the coolest BJJ rash guard.
You can choose to be an anime character, a hillbilly, to support the WWF organization, or to advertise your Only Fans account. There are some crazy, some ridiculous, and some outright badass designs.
Up until recently, a downside of Xmartial rash guards was that they weren't IBJJF legal. So you couldn't use them in competition. They have corrected this flaw and now offer a model with colors for each belt rank which is also IBJJF approved.
And if you need more than the few pages of designs they offer, you can also choose to do a custom design, which is great if you want to represent your gym, team, or another brand every time you step on the mats.
XMartial even allows you to choose between a classic tight fit or a looser one. This is one feature I have not seen any other brand offer.
XMartial BJJ Rash Guard
Other BJJ Rash Guards Worth Mentioning
Hayabusa Fusion Rash Guard
Materials
Comfort/Fit
Price
Designs
Hayabusa has a well-earned reputation for making some of the best martial arts equipment, so their presence on our list is no surprise.
Like everything else they do, their Fusion rash guard is top-notch, and you can't help but love it. What is different than most is the 94% polyester and 6% mix, making it much less elastic than usual. But the fabric still stretches when and where it should, making this rash guard super comfortable.
As expected, it also has a rubber waistband and flatlock stitching. The design is epic and something no one else is doing. Instead of a graphic, Hayabusa chose a dynamic metallic color that changes slightly depending on where you look.
If I have one pet peeve with the Hayabusa rash guard is that it's not available as a short sleeve model, and this is one of the reasons it's second best behind XMartial.
Hayabusa Fusion Rash Guard
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Comfort/Fit
Price
Designs
Gold BJJ is hugely popular in the BJJ community, and the camo rash guard is well-used and tried. The material feels great, light, and cool on the skin. The mesh underarms are a welcome addition for the summer months.
The Gold BJJ camo rash guard comes with flatlock stitching which is standard for the price range. The graphic is sublimated, and you can even get them according to your belt rank, meaning you can use them at IBJJF no-gi competitions.
If there is one big flaw with this model is that it runs small. Once you know this and buy a size up, it stops being a problem, but it can be a nasty surprise for someone who orders their usual size.
Gold BJJ Camo Rash Guard
Materials
Comfort/Fit
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Designs
Elite sports make a lot of budget BJJ gear, and their rash guard is very wallet-friendly. But you also get what you pay for.
This rash guard is made from 90% polyester and 10% spandex, but it feels much thinner than other models with the same mix of materials. Still, it's a good rash guard, but it is lacking compared to the other offerings on the list.
But it will do the job for someone just starting out or on a tight budget. The fact that it's even IBJJF legal is another advantage.
Elite Sports BJJ Rash Guard
How To Pick The Best BJJ Rash Guard
Material
The fabric mix of rash guards plays a significant role in how it feels and how long it lasts. I recommend going for a blend of polyester and spandex or elastane.
Most good quality rash guards use around 80-85% of polyester, and the percentage determines the exact feel.
Some, like the 80% polyester and 20% spandex XMartial uses, give excellent durability, but a smaller spandex percentage will provide a cooler feeling, so it's up to you to find what you like the most. Avoid rash guards with a high nylon percentage, which are generally worse.
Always look for flatlock stitching as it produces little or no bulging at the seams for the best feeling and is much more durable.
Sleeve Length
Rash guards can have long, short, and no sleeves; the choice is personal. Long sleeves give your skin the maximum protection but are also the hottest and have more friction.
Most people wear short sleeves because it's not as warm and reduces arm friction, making it easier to escape certain situations, especially when sweaty.
Waistband
Some brands go the extra mile and put on anti-slipping waistbands, which make a difference. Sometimes the rash guard may ride up during hard rolling, but a good waistband almost completely prevents it.
Additionally, when a company chooses to put an anti-slip waistband, in most cases, it means the general quality of the product is excellent.
IBJJF Rules
If you compete under the no-gi IBJJF rules, you must follow a strict set of requirements for the clothing you are allowed to wear. Every IBJJF legal rash guard will be clearly marked as such in the product description, so always check that when buying if you plan on using the rash guard in competition.
Frequently Asked BJJ Rash Guard Questions
Can You Wear A Rash Guard In BJJ Competition?
This entirely depends on the rules of the competition. Under IBJJF no-gi rules, a rash guard is mandatory and must comply with the requirements for material, fit, and color. In gi competition, men are not allowed to wear a rash guard under the jacket, but women can.
Other no-gi competitions have more liberal attire requirements and can even allow competitors to compete topless. So before entering a competition, always be sure what the rules are.
Do BJJ Rash Guards Shrink?
Rash guards don’t shrink because they are made entirely from artificial fabrics. Natural fabrics like cotton and wool shrink after washing, but artificial ones do not, so you don’t have to worry about your rash guard shrinking after the first wash.
Can You Put BJJ Rash Guards In The Dryer?
In general, it's not advised to put rash guards in a dryer because the heat may damage the fabrics and reduce their elasticity. Rash guards dry quickly; after all, this is one of their features, and there is usually no need for a dryer in the first place.
But some people do machine-dry rash guards, and the effect is usually not so bad. That said, it's always best to follow the washing instructions provided by the rash guard.
Should A BJJ Rash Guard Be Tight Or Loose?
A rash guard should be skin-tight but also comfortable and not suffocatingly tight. One of the benefits of rash guards for grappling is that they are tight and do not roll up or catch limbs and fingers. The IBJJF no-gi rules clearly state a rash guard should be skin-tight.
Who Makes The Best BJJ Rash Guards?
Countless brands are on the market, and having one best is subjective. But our loyalties lie with XMartial because they go the extra mile to put all the high-quality features on their rash guards and offer many designs for every possible taste.
Does Rash Guard Color Matter?
Rash guard color only matters if you want to use it in an IBJJF competition. In this case, the rash guard must be white, black, black, and white and have at least 10% of the rank color of the wearer, but 100% of the rank color is also accepted.
You can choose whatever color or design you like if you compete in another organization or only use rash guards in training.
Summary
XMartial stole the show in the Rolling Around BJJ best BJJ rash guard list, but many other options are well worth your attention and cash. Beginners have a healthy choice between Revgear and Sanabul, while Hayabusa always offers a top-quality product for those willing to pay for it.
XMartial BJJ Rash Guard
