8 Best Rash Guards for BJJ – 2023 Reviews

With BJJ growing drastically in recent times, especially no-gi BJJ, more and more brands are producing rash guards. However, not every one of them deserves your money, so we’ve come up with a list of the 10 top-rated ones that will help you choose the right one for you.

Let’s get into it.

A rash guard is an important piece of equipment because if you’re going to roll on the mats, you want to make sure that your skin is protected from irritations and cuts. They are made to be worn especially during no-gi to protect your skin from the impact and friction of contact with other surfaces.

If you train in a gi, wearing a rash guard underneath the gi can be very important because the gi itself can irritate the skin and cause skin issues.

Rash guards also compress the muscles, meaning you are less likely to pick up some types of minor injuries when you are rolling.

Other benefits of wearing a rash guard are the moisture-wicking effect, which will help you get a better grip on your opponent, and the reduced spread of bacteria around, which is utterly important in no-gi BJJ.

Although from afar they might look exactly the same, rash guards made specifically for grappling and regular compression shirts have differences in a few aspects. Since BJJ is a full-contact combat sport, clothing made for BJJ should be able to withstand rigorous use and last much longer than regular compression shirts.

The second big difference is that compression shirts can restrict your movement on the mat much more than a BJJ rash guard, which can influence your performance a lot.

For those reasons, if you are a serious no-gi practitioner, a BJJ rash guard should always be chosen over compression shirts.

Now that you’ve learned about the many benefits that rash guards bring and how vital they are for no-gi BJJ, let’s go over the 8 top-rated rash guards on the market.

We’ve put a lot of research into finding the best rash guards and ranked them based on their features and quality.

If you are looking for a BJJ rash guard, then these are the ones that you should definitely consider buying.

Our top pick for rash guards comes from Hayabusa. These are a popular choice among BJJ competitors for their comfort, durability, and value for money. This rash guard is designed to help protect you from cuts, scrapes, and abrasions during training sessions, and the material that it’s made from (84% polyester and 16% spandex) is soft and comfortable.

Not only that, it’s one of the most durable BJJ rash guards on the market, mainly because of the reinforced flatlock stitching that it has. Hayabusa has also gone to great lengths to ensure that the rash guard stays soft, so it doesn’t chafe or irritate after repeated use.

The best part is that this rash guard is extremely easy to put on and take off, and it feels like you’re wearing nothing at all. Overall, this is an excellent rash guard that you should consider buying if you are a serious BJJ practitioner, and it comes in both short sleeve and long sleeve versions.

Raven Fightwear produces some of the coolest-looking combat sports gear, and their Odin Nordic BJJ Rash Guard is no exception. With amazing-looking graphics inspired by Norse Mythology, you will feel invincible on the mat.

Not only that those graphics look so good, but you also don’t have to worry about them being faded over time like with so many other rash guards on the market. The four-way stretch fabric that it’s made from is very soft to the touch and provides excellent movement as well.

Like Hayabusa Geo, the Raven Fightwear Odin Nordic also features reinforced flatlock stitching, so long-time durability shouldn’t be one of your worries with this one. If you are searching for an amazing-looking and lightweight rash guard, the Raven Fightwear Odin Nordic should be at the top of your list.

No list of the best combat sports equipment is complete without mentioning a product from Tatami. As one of the best-known fightwear brands on the market, they produce some of the most sought-after and high-quality equipment for MMA and grappling enthusiasts.

Made from a polyester and spandex blend, this rash guard features a moisture-wicking material that keeps you dry and comfortable during your workout. The bottom of the rash guard features a band that prevents it from moving around while grappling, which is an extremely helpful feature.

The unique and exclusive design is looking amazing, making them the perfect choice for fans of Japanese artwork. The Tatami Fightwear Kanagawa Long Sleeve Rashguard presents a great value for the money and is available in sizes ranging from S to XL.

Featuring no flashy graphics at all, just a small Venum logo on the chest area, this is one of the simpler-looking rash guards on this list. What makes it so special is the compression system that Venum incorporated in this rash guard, which helps to create a more targeted fit and provides superior comfort.

While most rash guards are made from lycra only, this one features parts made from lycra along with parts made from mesh, which allow for maximum ventilation and breathability. This design makes it possible to use this rash guard not only for BJJ but for other fitness activities.

It’s pretty lightweight, and you won’t feel it weigh you down during training. While some of Venum’s rash guards weren’t top-notch in terms of quality, that is not the case with this one. The G-Fit is one of Venum’s best rash guards and is certainly worth the price.

The most affordable option on this list, the Sanabul Essential Long Sleeve Rash Guard, is a solid rash guard that offers decent protection from cuts and abrasions. Since it features a 4-way stretch material, it allows for greater movement, and the mesh panels placed in the underarm do good in providing more breathability.

This rash guard also does a pretty good job of staying in place while grappling, fits very well, and is IBJJF legal, meaning you can wear it in no-gi tournaments. Beginner BJJ practitioners will be pleased with this rash guard’s comfort, quality, and low price.

If you are looking for an inexpensive rash guard that does a good job of protecting you while training, but also keeping you dry as much as possible, then the Sanabul Essentials Long Sleeve Rash Guard is the right choice.

Gold BJJ is one of the premier equipment brands when it comes to BJJ, with all of their products, especially the gis being extremely durable and high-quality. Their Ranked Rash Guard comes in both short sleeve and long sleeve options, and it’s available in all belt colors, so you can match the color of the rash guard to the color of the belt that you are at.

This also means that the rash guard is IBJJF legal, so you don’t have to worry about whether is it competition legal. Like most premium rash guards on the market, the Foundation also features sublimated graphics and flatlock stitching. Still, the folks over at Gold BJJ have also added mesh underarms for added breathability.

While some brands like Tatami add a band that prevents the rash guard from moving around, Gold BJJ found a solution to that issue by adding a longer cut to the rash guard. If you need something that will keep you cool and dry during your practice, but also be IBJJF legal, the Gold BJJ Foundation Rash Guard is worth considering.

Here is something for the fans of the Marvel Universe, the Hayabusa Marvel Hero Elite Rash Guard, a beautifully designed rash guard that you can wear proudly to represent your favorite hero. The Hayabusa Marvel Hero Elite Jiu Jitsu Rash Guard is a top-of-the-line product from this company and, with its high price, it’s certainly not aimed at beginners.

It comes in both short sleeve and long sleeve versions and with its ultra-durable reinforced overlock stitching, you can be sure that this rash guard is made to last. This product is made from a high-quality polyester elastane mix that is durable and comfortable.

It is designed to be the perfect fit for your body and will not lose shape or stretch out over time. While it certainly is expensive, the quality and care that Hayabusa puts into its products, as well as this one, make it absolutely worth it, especially if you are planning to wear it on a regular basis.

While Senso may not be popular like Venum, Hayabusa, or Tatami, their Dento Coolmax Rash Guard more than deservingly has a spot on this list. This rash guard offers exceptional moisture-wicking performance due to the Coolmax fabric.

That also makes it a great rash guard that you can wear under your gi. This rash guard is also breathable and lightweight, making it ideal for hot days when you’re training hard. With Japanese letters and many elements of their culture featured all around the rash guard, you can say that this is one great-looking rash guard that honors the Japanese culture in an amazing way.

Coming in sizes from S-XL and having a pretty affordable price, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t add this rash guard from Senso to your collection, especially if you are looking to add some Japanese style to your BJJ equipment.

Before getting a new rash guard, it’s important that you think about the following factors before you make a decision on which one to get.

The quality of the fabric determines so much when it comes to the comfort, breathability, and durability of the rash guard. Most well-known brands use mixtures of polyester and spandex so your skin can be protected from scratches and also feel comfortable in contact with the skin.

The fabric also determines how well you will be able to move in your rash guard. Look for rash guards that feature 4-way stretch fabric, as they provide the best possible movement.

Stitching has mostly to do with durability, and the highest-quality rash guards from premium brands feature flatlock reinforced stitching so the durability will be at the highest possible level.

Graphics on a rash guard are a personal preference, and no matter if you prefer simple-looking or a more flashy rash guard, the market in this day and age has a ton of options for both types of graphics.

If you want to participate in IBJJF no-gi tournaments, the rules and regulations state that your rush guard must have at least 10% of the color of your belt. So, you need to ensure that you purchase a rash guard that complies with the requirements and has been approved by the organization itself.

As you see, there are so many things to consider when purchasing a rash guard for your next competition. However, if you keep these tips in mind, then you should be able to find a perfect rash guard for you.

We’ve made this list to help you figure out what’s important in a rash guard and what are the best options on the market right now.