If you’re going to BJJ on a regular basis, the chances are you’re going to need a rash guard. You'll likely be looking for the Best BJJ Rash Guards and Best MMA Rash Guards that you can find. After all, if you're going to do it, might as well go for the best!
Whether it’s for no gi BJJ or you’re looking to add another lay between your skin and the mats, rash guards are a brilliant piece of clothing for any BJJ practitioner. The best rash guard bjj practitioners use is a staple in their kit.
These days there are a ton of options to choose from, it’s almost too hard to decide which are the best Jiu Jitsu rash guards.
How do we know which ones are the best?
Fortunately, we’ve compiled this list of the best BJJ rash guards currently available, hopefully by the end, you’ll have your new rash guard set in your sites.
Enjoy.
Our Top Picks
Below is a quick overview of our top picks.
| Image | Product | |
|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick Anthem Athletics IBJJF Certified Rash Guard
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
 | Gold BJJ Jiu Jitsu Rashguard
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
 | Sanabul Essentials Rash Guard
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
 | Raven Fightwear Nordic IBJJF Rash Guard
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
 | Fuji IBJFF Freestyle Rash Guard
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
 | Hayabusa Metaru Rash Guard
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
 | Sanabul Series 1 Rash Guard
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
 | Venum Gladiator 3.0 Rash Guard
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
 | Venum No Gi Rash Guard
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
 | Hypnotik The Standard Rash Guard
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
What to Look for in A Rash Guard
When shopping around for a new jiu jitsu rash guard, there's a few different aspects that should be paid attention, which I'll list below.
IBJJF Certified
If you're planning to compete in a no-gi BJJ tournament, your attire will need to be certified by the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation). Here's an article from the IBJJF discussing the requirements for no-gi BJJ clothing.
It's worth noting here that if you're looking for a competition rash guard, no flash designs are permitted, it can only be colored black or white and 10% of the fabric must indicate the wearers rank (belt).
When we take a look at some of the different options below, I'll be sure to highlight if that particular rash guard is certified by the IBJJF.
Material
These days, the best jiu jitsu rash guards tend to be made using a combination of polyester and lycra or polyester and spandex materials, depending on where the brand is from. This material allows the guard to be tight fitting, whilst not hindering your ability to move.
Printing Method
If you can, make sure that the rash guard is printed using sublimation methods. This is where the design is printed into the material using heat, which prevents the dye from fading, peeling or rubbing off.
This is pretty vital as the last thing you want is for your gi to get covered in dye from the rash guard.
Price
The unfortunate reality is the best BJJ rash guards are going to be the more expensive. You can technically find ‘compression shirts’ in most sportswear shops, however BJJ rash guards need to be built to a more durable standard.
This often means costing more, however the quality will be far better and the rash guard will be able to with stand the many hours spend rolling on the matt.
The top BJJ rash guards can cost anywhere between $40-$120 depending on size, brand and quality.
Brands
As you will see from our list, there are a number of big brands that dominate the rash guard market.
These big brands such as Tatami and Venum are known for producing some of the best rash guards for BJJ and have established a loyal customer base over years of realising top quality products.
I tend to always go for trusted brands that I recognise as I feel that there is much less risk involved as I know the standard that these brands are able to deliver.
Going for cheaper, lesser known brands is a bit more of a risk, however if you’ve done your research, I’m sure there’s some bargains out there.
Short VS Long Sleeve
This is really down to personal preference. Most people tend to have a mixture of both long and short sleeve rash guards as this gives them the freedom to decide which one to wear.
Under my gi, I tend to wear my short sleeves rash guards in the summer and my long sleeve rash guards in the winter. If I’m doing no gi BJJ, I’ll usually wear a short sleave rash guard as this provides less material to grip.
List of the Best BJJ Rash Guards
Ok, I think it's about time we crack on with the list.
Fuji Rash Guard
First up on our list of the best rash guards for BJJ is the FUJI rash guard, which is by far one of the most highly sort over rash guards out there.
As with most of the top BJJ rash guards, the Fuji rash guard features reinforced stitching along all of its seems. This allows the rash guard to with stand being pulled without ripping, which of course is a pretty important factor considering you’re going to be rolling and competing in this bad boy.
What’s more, the Fuji is manufactured using anti-microbial fabric that helps to prevent common types of infections commonly acquired in martial arts.
As well as being a well designed, good looking rash guard, the Fuji is also approved by the IBJJF for no-gi BJJ competitions. This makes the Fuji rash guard perfect for both training and competing.
Want to know the best bit about this rash guard?
It has to be the price! For one of the most durable rash guards available, the Fuji possesses and incredible price tag making it one of the best value for money items on our list.
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Anthem Athletics IBJJF Certified Rash Guard
Up next we've got another IBJJF certified option, meaning you can wear this rash guard to your next competition. As such, each design is available in a multitude of colors, designed to represent your rank/ belt when competing in a no-gi tournament.
The rash guard itself is made from lightweight materials, using a multi-panel design. The use of lightweight materials makes the top itself fit comfortably and not become overbearingly hot, allowing you to focus on the task at hand, without distractition.
Another handy feature is that Anthem Athletics have made use of moisture-wicking material, meaning that the rash guard won't absorb too much of your sweat as you progress through the competition or continue to train.
As with a lot of the top rash guards for BJJ and MMA, this particular model has used sublimation to print the designs onto the top itself. As I mentioned earlier, this is incredibly important, as it keeps the design looking fresh without rubbing off.
In terms of price, this is very much what you’d expect to pay for a sturdy, well built rash guard that’s suitable for both training and competing. It’s not particularly cheap, nor is it stupidly expensive, it’s right there in the middle ground.
All in all, a great option for any skill level, whether that be for training down the gym, or stepping out onto the mat to face an opponent.
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Gold BJJ Jiu Jitsu Rashguard
The Gold BJJ rash guard is definitely a great option for any BJJ or MMA enthusiast. Gold BJJ itself is a fairly small company run by a number of passionate BJJ athletes. As such, their gear is made to a great standard by people who understand what's needed from BJJ attire.
As such, they offer their gear with their “Gold BJJ Guarantee”, meaning that they’ll replace or re-fund their products, should you be unhappy with them. This is pretty rare among this kind of stuff, and it’s great to see a company put their money where the mouth is.
Anyway, let’s talk about the jiu jitsu rash guard itself.
First of all, it’s available in two color options - black and white, and can be bought with both long or short sleeves, depending on your preference.
In terms of material, this is made using lightweight, breathable materials. This is great as it allows you to keep cool and comfortable whilst training, something that can’t be said of some of the other rash guards we’ve experienced in the past.
For me, the best part of this rash guard is the trim. As I’ve mentioned before, this company is run by people that spend their days training on the mat. As such, they’ve noticed a recurring problem with rash guards - they tend to ride up your stomach as you train, leaving you looking like one of the Spice Girls from back in the day.
As such, their rash guard is designed with a slightly elongated trim, which helps to prevent this from happening. This is actually an awesome idea, and I’m surprised more companies aren’t doing this.
To top it all of, Gold BJJ have priced their rash guard very, very affordably. To be honest, they could charge more and I’d still recommend it, so it’s definitely a bargain worth snatching up.
One thing to be aware of though is that this isn’t IBJJF certified, meaning its sole purpose is for training.
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Raven Fightwear Nordic IBJJF Rash Guard
As you may have noticed when shopping around, most IBJJF certified rash guards tend to have a very similar, somewhat boring design.
Fortunately, that’s not the case here, as Raven have come out with one of the coolest BJJ rash guards that's suitable for competitions. As such, it’s available in 5 colours, each designed to represent the different belts found in BJJ.
What’s more, this isn’t just style over substance. Raven, as you would expect, have used sublimated printing, ensuring the design stays put with no cracks or fading.
The material itself is made from four way stretch fabric, which provides the wearer with unhindered mobility. They’ve also made use of reinforced flat lock stitching, meaning that the seems can handle the inevitable tugs and pulls you’ll encounter on the mat.
The bottom of the rash guard itself is elasticated, which helps to keep it in place, without riding up like most rash guards tend to do.
The only real downside to this particular option is the price, which is somewhat high but by no means unaffordable.
If you like your appearance to match your skill set whilst competing, then this is a fantastic option.
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Hayabusa Metaru Rash Guard
The Hayabusa Metaru Charged would have taken the number one stop on our list, if only it was a tiny bit cheaper.
Nonetheless, this is easily one of the best BJJ rash guards, despite its’ slightly higher price. Featuring Ti-22 Titanium coated fibres alongside Hayabusas’ patented AGTM compression technology, this bad boy is built to last.
As you would expect from such a high class rash guard, the Hayabusa is constructed using anti-microbial material that helps to prevent common infections such as ring worm and staph.
Inner silicone banding is placed inside the rash guard, which helps to secure it in place without riding up your torso.
The rash guard is also available in 4 different colors – green, blue, grey and red, which gives you a decent amount of styling options.
The Metaru is unfortunately not IBJFF certified, so this is definitely going to be a training rash guard. That said, thank's to its durable build, should last a good amount of time spent training on the mat.
No products found.
Sanabul Series 1 Rash Guard
Sanabul have stepped up their game here and have released one of the best rash guards for training in both BJJ and MMA.
This has all the tell tale signs of a top quality rash guard - anti-microbial lining, reinforced stitching and even features a UV protection of SPF 50 (not sure why but, still cool nonetheless).
The flat lock stitching along the seems allows the rash guard to withstand the grip of your training partner, and also helps to prevent itching or chaffing on your skin.
In terms of design, it’s available in either blue or black and is printed via sublimation - which as I’ve mentioned, is the best way to print a rash guard.
Finally, Sanabul have used a slightly elongated design that helps to prevent the rash guard from riding up your torso as your train, which tends to be a problem with most rash guards out there.
All in all, this a pretty awesome option if you’re looking for a comfortable, durable rash guard to train in, whether that be BJJ or MMA. What’s more, it’s still very affordable, despite being far higher quality than most of Sanabul’s other gear.
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Venum Gladiator 3.0 Rash Guard
This wacky designed rash guard is Venums’ Gladiator 3.0 and is one of the coolest rash guards I’ve ever seen.
The design itself is printed using sublimation so you can rest assured this awesome design is staying put.
Venum have made use of their own compression technology that supposedly improves your blood circulation, which in turn is said to speed up your recovery time. If you tend to roll pretty hard, then this is a great option as it should help to prevent you from aching the next day.
The Venum rash guard also implements dry technology that helps to regulate your body temperature for optimal performance and comfort.
Reinforced stitching is also used along all of the seems, which provides durability and longevity for the rash guard.
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Sanabul Essentials Rash Guard - Cheap & Cheerful
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Venum No Gi Rash Guard
The NoGi Rash Guard makes use of Venums’ compression technology that is said to aid blood circulation, which in turn ultimately improves your recovery time.
As with some of the other high quality rash guards on our list, the Venum rash guard features an elasticated band around the waist that prevents the rash guard from riding up. This is an extremely handy feature and to be honest, I wish a few other brands would start implementing this into their rash guards.
The Rash Guard also features Venums’ own dry technology that allows for sweat to easily pass through and off the material, which is both more comfortable and stops the top from smelling.
What's more, you're able to find this particular design in 5 different colors, with each one designed to represent your current rank, should you decide to compete in No Gi BJJ.
Despite being a super cool rash guard, the Venum No Gi is actually one of their more affordable options, making it a brilliant choice for anyone shopping on a relatively tight budget.
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Hypnotik The Standard Rash Guard
Hypnotik are known for two things – their wacky designs and their exceptional quality. Their Standard Rash Guard may not have the type of design their known for, but it sure as hell has the quality.
Unlike a lot of other rash guards, the Hypnotik features a rubber grip around the waistline that helps to prevent the rash guard from riding up your body. I’ve got a few rash guard that haven’t had this sort of feature, which I now find very annoying to wear as they just don’t perform as well as my Hypnotik rash guards.
The Standard Rash Guard is IBJJF approved and is available in 5 different colours to reflect your current belt.
As would expect from such as reputable company as Hypnotik, the rash guard is manufacturing using anti-microbial technology that prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi.
One of the most important aspects to consider when looking for the best BJJ rash guard is the durability. Fortunately, Hypnotik manufacture their rash guards using super durable flat lock stitching that provides a strong seem and flexible fit.
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Related Reading: The Best BJJ Gis For Women
Buying a Rash Guard Top Tips
Below are a few tips that should help you find the best MMA rash guard possible.
Alternate Between Short & Long Sleeve
It can be a good idea to have both short and long sleeve BJJ rash guards. In the summer months, short sleeves would be more suitable, where as in the winter months long sleeve would be better.
Short sleeves also give your opponent less material to grip, and therefore gives you a slight advantage.
Look For Anti-Microbial Rash Guards
Unfortunately, infections such as staph and ring worms are pretty common amongst martial artists.
By having a rash guard that is anti-microbial, you'll have the best chance of being as hygienic as possible.
Cheap Isn't Always Best
Although it may be tempting to go for the cheapest option for bjj rash guards, it can actually end up costing you more in the long run. Cheaper rash guards will most likely be less durable and due to the nature of BJJ, the chances are they're going to rip or tear, meaning you'll end up having to buy another rash guard.
Best Rash Guard Brands
If you haven't found a particular option that takes your fancy in this article, below are a few brands that are known to produce some of the best MMA rash guards.
Tatami
Tatami are a well known brand who produce some of the highest quality gear for BJJ, Judo, MMA and Karate. They are also behind some of the best BJJ rash guards on the market and tend to offer their products at affordable prices.
Venum
Venum are a big name in the combat sports industry. They produce a range of items from rash guards, to MMA gloves, all of which are the best of the best. Their rash guards tend to be the highest quality and sport some pretty out there designs.
Hayabusa
Hayabusa are another well known martial arts brand who have some of the best products on the market. Unfortunately, Hayabusa fight gear tends to come with a pretty hefty price tag, however their stuff is more than worth it.
If you're looking for the best rash guard brand, definitely check out Hayabusa.
FAQ
What is a Rash Guard?
A rash guard is usually a tight fitting garment of clothing usually made out of polyester and lycra based material.
What are Rash Guards for?
As the name would suggest, they’re designed to protect the wearers skin. In terms of BJJ and MMA there are a number of benefits from wearing a rash guard.
Firstly, they protect the wearers skin from rashes, friction burns, and from common infections such as ring worm and staph.
Secondly compression gear is said to help muscles recover faster after an intense rolling session. Although this is a topic up for debate, it definitely doesn’t hurt to wear a rash guard.
How Should A Rash Guard Fit?
A rash guard should fit tight to your body, without negatively effecting your ability to move or feeling uncomfortable
If a rash guard is making it hard to breathe, the chances are it’s too tight and you need to go for a size bigger.
What Materials Are Rash Guards Made Of?
There are a number of different materials that rash guards tend to be made off. Typically, the main material will be Polyester, alongside another flexibly material such as Spandex or Elastane.
What’s the Difference Between a Rash Guard VS a Compression Shirt?
While rash guards and compression shirts may look similar, they are in fact different. Rash guards are typically made to a more durable standard, with reinforced stitching that is design to with stand being pulled in different directions.
Essentially, rash guards are a sturdier, more durable version of compression shirts that are designed specifically for martial arts and combat sports.
Where to Buy Cheap Rash Guards?
I have to places where I buy my rash guards from, both of which offer a variety of brands at different brands:
Best BJJ Rash Guard: Round Up
Thanks for taking the time to read our article on the best rash guards for BJJ & MMA.
I hope that you've found it useful and if you've got any questions, feel free to drop them below.
Cheers!
Related Reading:
Sources:
- Nova Chrome – What is Dye Sublimation?
- Live Strong - What is a Rash Guard For Jiu Jitsu
