Best BJJ Spats [2023] – Bought & Tested

Unlike rashguards and BJJ shorts, which everyone doing no-gi grappling uses, spats or BJJ leggings are optional. But if you have sensitive skin, are a bit squeamish, or train on ice-cold mats in the winter (like I do), spats are a must-have.

This guide will take you through some of the most popular models I have tested and help you make a better choice.

Best BJJ Spats

XMartial BJJ Spats

XMartial is one of my favorite brands, and their spats further reinforce their reputation as quality combat sports equipment makers.

Like with their great rash guards, the spats use sweat-wicking fabric, keeping you cool and dry. The fabric has also gone through antimicrobial treatment, which is a must for grappling practitioners.

Furthermore, the fabric is a blend of 87% polyester and 13% spandex, which I like for its stretchiness and comfort.

The waistband is thick but not too tight to cause discomfort. All XMartial spats are excellently stitched for superb durability. In fact, the company is so confident of its durability that they offer a one-year warranty on all spats.

Another good feature of the XMartial spats is that they don't ride up or roll down, even during hard rolling and crazy scrambles.

Aside from the excellent materials and manufacturing quality, XMartial is well known for its many designs.

There is everything- national flags, funny graphics, samurai graphics, minimalistic graphics, and so much more. And if you don't choose one from the wide variety, you can also make a custom pair with your own design.

The only drawback these have is they are not as tight as other brands and do not offer the same level of compression.

Also worth mentioning is that these spats are true to size, and you can order your regular size, not one up, as is often the case.

XMartial spats are not cheap, but they are often on sale, and different bundles can significantly cut the price. With the overall quality and superb designs of the XMartial BJJ spats, they are the top choice in the Rolling Around BJJ spats list.

Best Budget BJJ Spats

Hawk Compression Base Layer BJJ Spats

Amazon is a treasure trove for affordable sports equipment, and Hawk Sports is well known in the combat sports world in that segment. The base layer spats from Hawk are insanely cheap at $12.

They are very lightweight, but not to the point it feels they would tear. The material is an 85% polyester and 15% spandex blend and is quite stretchy.

For the price, the fabric is not moisture-wicking nor antibacterial, but it does a good enough job of protecting your skin from other people and the mats. The stitching is reinforced, which is also good.

The Hawk spats are not strictly intended for BJJ but can be used for athletic activities like running, yoga, cycling, etc.

The design is super minimalistic, which is to be expected from the ridiculously low price. But if you need a pair of spats, especially under a gi, and you are on a tight budget, the Hawk spats will do the job.

Best Compressions BJJ Spats

Venum G-Fit Spats

Venum does not need any introduction in the combat sports world, so naturally, a product of theirs finds a place in our list. The G-Fit spats offer the best compression out of all pairs I've tested.

The G-fit spats have a "second skin" design created for optimal ventilation and lightness, and I can confirm they did a great job.

These Venum spats are a blend of 87% polyester and 13% elastane which is the same as the XMartial model, but the dimensions of these spats are different, making them much more compressive.

The visual design is simple, with just a Venum logo. These are made more to be worn under a gi or shorts, rather than as only garments like many other models with more exciting designs are. The quality is excellent, with flatlock stitching and quality fabric.

The waistband is always important for comfort in spats, and the Venum G-Fit has it spot on.

If you want better muscle compression, optimal blood circulation, and overall securing in the legs, the G-Fit compression spats from Venum may be your best option.

Other BJJ Spats Worth Mentioning

Revgear Bionic Compression Spats

The Revgear Bionic Compression spats are the most stretchy on the list because of the 80% nylon and 20% spandex fabric they use. While this is great for some, it makes them too loose to be called true compressions spats.

The fabric is moisture-wicking and made with UltraDry technology which keeps your legs at optimal temperature during hard training sessions.

The flatlock stitching (called DuraStitch NeverSplit seams) is also excellent, so a pair will surely last you quite a while.

The only feature I don't like is the drawstring, which is uncommon in spats for a reason.

Spats sit tight enough by design, and having a drawstring is unnecessary, and I have found it uncomfortable in certain positions on the ground.

But a better feature is the concealed compartment for an athletic cup, which is an excellent addition if you also train some striking with these. As a whole, the Revgear Bionic Compressions spats are a solid pair.

Gold BJJ Spats

The Gold BJJ spats are a great base layer for BJJ and can be combined with the whole series Gold BJJ offer for a complete no-gi outfit. The design is clean and cool and is even legal for IBJJF competitions.

The material is a 4-way stretch with 88% polyester and 12% spandex, similar to most other models on the list. As with all quality BJJ spats, the stitching is flatlock making it comfortable and durable.

The waistband is wide and comfortable, and the spats fit true to size. They are a bit loose at places, so the compression is not optimal, but overall these are a solid pair of spats well worth their price.

Fuji Baseline BJJ Spats

Fuji are usually known for their high-quality BJJ equipment, but at the price range, their Baseline spats at least are not the optimal choice. The problem is the same as with the Revgear model: they have a drawstring, which gets in the way while rolling.

Otherwise, the Fuji Baseline spats are made from a 88% Polyester, 12% Spandex blend and offer decent compression. They are clean black with no logos or visuals, leaving space for additional branding with gym logos or sponsors.

They are lightweight and have a thinner waistband than other options, but they're not uncomfortable. They are well put together and have flatlock stitching.

Elite Sports BJJ Spats

Going back to the budget category, Elite Sports BJJ spats are an excellent option for those who don't want their spats to stretch as much. Here the percentage of elastic material is less than usual, with an 8% spandex to 92% polyester ratio.

This is not better or worse than other models; it's just a matter of personal preference.

They do feel slightly thicker and stiffer because of the different fabric blends. They have a multi-panel construction, high-density flatlock stitching, and an innovative dual-lock waistband for optimal fit.

Given the low price, the Elite Sports BJJ spats tick all the boxes and are a good budget choice.

Sanabul Compression BJJ Spats

The second-best option for Budget BJJ spats is the Sanabul model. They may be slightly better than the Hawk but are also more expensive.

The Sanabul BJJ spats are made from 85% nylon and 15% spandex, but they have a little more stretch because they are thinner, which is to be expected at this price range. This means these are less secure and thick than other spats.

You get the expected features like reinforced stitching and good breathability. Sanabul spats are comfortable and fit well but can ride up quite easily.

If you want the cheapest BJJ spats that will do a decent job, the Sanabul and Hawk spats are good enough.

How To Pick The Best BJJ Spats

Price

The price is the most important factor that determines all the others. More expensive does not always mean better, especially on the higher end of things, but the high-end product is much better than the lower end every time.

The price can range from $12 to $75, depending on the brand and design.

As I said, the quality is always outstanding after a certain point at around 50 bucks; the difference usually is in the design and brand name.

XMartial spats are more expensive initially, but they have many sales and coupons you can use, so you can find them at competitive prices for the quality they offer.

If you don't have much money to spend on spats, buying a few pairs of cheaper ones is better than a single expensive pair because you need a fresh pair for every training session.

Materials and Quality

The price largely determines the materials used. Two pairs of spats may have the same blend of fabric.

For example, 85% polyester and 15% spandex, but the cheaper one usually has much less overall material, making it thinner, less durable, and less compressing.

The blends matter in terms of stretchiness and feel. Choosing is only a matter of preference, as no blend is better or worse than the others; they are just different.

Flatlock stitching is a must for spats and rash guards because the seams are much more durable, not to mention they lay flat on the skin and are more comfortable.

Comfort And Fit

All spats must be tight-fitting while being comfortable at the same time. This means you must pick up the correct size because it won't have any compression qualities if it's too loose, and the fabric will easily ride up. If it's too tight, you will find it uncomfortable and restrictive.

One feature I will advise against is the drawstring found on some models, which is completely unnecessary given the tight fit of spats, while it can get quite uncomfortable while rolling.

Designs

More expensive spats are often offered with interesting visuals and designs, while others are just intended to be used as base layer clothing and are pure black.

XMartial is the king of variety in designs, so if you are looking for something interesting, chances are you will find it there. Other brands like Venum also have some interesting visuals on them.

Frequently Asked BJJ Spats Questions

Why Do People Wear Spats in BJJ?

Grapplers wear spats for several reasons. The biggest of them is that they protect the skin against infections, mat burns, and scrapes.

In addition, they shield the skin from sweat and other bodily fluids, while in winter, the extra layer of fabric is always welcome on the freezing mats.

Spats are not mandatory in BJJ, even in no-gi, and many people don't wear them, so don't feel compelled to. But the benefits are real, so you should at least try having spats for a few sessions and see how it feels and make the decision.

BJJ Spats vs. Compression Pants

BJJ spats and compression pants look similar but are not the same. BJJ spats are usually thicker and have better-reinforced seams to withstand more wear and tear.

Additionally, compression pants are always just one color because they are intended to be worn as a base layer, while BJJ spats come in more exciting designs.

Some BJJ spats also offer compression qualities, but not all are tight enough, despite what you may read in the product description.

How Do You Wash Spats

Spats are cleaned like synthetic training gear, meaning rash guards and BJJ shorts. The best practices include:

Summary

Spats are not mandatory for jiu-jitsu training but have many benefits, mainly skin protection. Depending on your preferences, they can be worn underneath a gi, shorts, or as standalone bottom apparel.

XMartial produces some of the best BJJ spats with top-quality materials and stunning visuals. But if you don't have the budget for high-tier spats, mid and even low-tier models will do the job well enough.