Best Jiu Jitsu Rash Guard

Jiu-Jitsu is becoming increasingly popular in the world of martial arts. There are two main branches of this combat sport: Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu is the more traditional of the two, with a focus on disciplined self-defense. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, on the other hand, is a more modern variant of the martial art that primarily centers around grappling with your opponent. 

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in particular has been growing in popularity in recent years. This could be down to a few different reasons, but martial arts experts theorize that much of the appeal comes from the fact that the sport is accessible to anyone and, while exhilarating, doesn’t come with the same risks as, for example, boxing or MMA because of the lack of sparring. 

If you’ve been thinking about getting into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we highly encourage you to do so!

Jiu-Jitsu is a thrilling and challenging martial art with many opportunities for both competitive and non-competitive training. It will also do wonders for your fitness levels, strength, and spatial awareness.

Best Jiu Jitsu Rash Guard Buying Guide

Now that you’ve had a chance to check out the best Jiu-Jitsu rash guards, it’s time to pick the one that will work best for you.

Keep reading for a breakdown of everything you should bear in mind before you check out. 

Sizing

It might go without saying that any piece of clothing or apparel you buy should, ideally, fit you perfectly. However, when it comes to rash guards for Jiu-Jitsu (or any other form of martial art), getting the perfect fit really isn’t something you can compromise on. 

You might have noticed that many of the rash guards included in our product reviews are advertised as compression gear. This is because a rash guard should fit tightly to the contours of your body to provide the best protection against mat burn and other friction-related injuries.

It shouldn’t be too tight, though, or you’ll find your fighting ability negatively impacted by a restricted range of motion. 

Usually, martial arts apparel brands will provide a size guide somewhere within their product information to help you find the best fit for your measurements.

Be sure to pay attention to the measurements indicated for each size since these can be variable and you might need to upsize or downsize. 

Material

There are a few essential qualities that should be prioritized in the material of a Jiu-Jitsu rash guard. These are durability, breathability, softness, and elasticity. 

First and foremost, you want your rash guard to be tear-resistant so that it won’t end up in shreds after an intense grappling session. You also want it to be breathable and lightweight so you don’t find yourself drenched in sweat during each fight.

To ensure comfort and ease of movement, the material should also feel soft and non-abrasive against the skin and be elastic enough to permit a full range of motion. 

Polyester and spandex, or polyester and nylon blends are both extremely common and meet all of the above requirements. The use of elastane also helps to add an extra dimension of stretch to the material for 4-way stretch functionality. 

Because Jiu-Jitsu can get pretty intense, we also recommend investing in a rash guard that incorporates sections of mesh in sweat-prone areas to keep you dry and ventilated. 

Construction

Weak hems and seams can turn an otherwise functional rash guard into a tattered rag in just a few grappling sessions, so the stitching used to hold your rash guard together are just as essential for durability as the quality of the material. 

Overlock and flatlock stitching are both desirable construction methods for rash guards because of their durability. Flatlock stitching has the additional benefit of not sticking out from the fabric, minimizing chafing. 

Hems are a particularly weak point of most martial arts apparel, including rash guards, so if you want to make doubly sure that your hems won’t unravel after repeated wear, we recommend opting for a silicone hem. 

Function

Besides providing an extra layer of physical protection against friction burn, some rash guards have additional functions that make them perfect for multipurpose wear. 

Certain rash guards also function as compression shirts. Compression is a great performance-enhancer in Jiu-Jitsu because the stimulation of blood flow means that your muscles will potentially perform well for longer without fatiguing.

This compression function also makes these rash guards ideal for the gym, cross-training, or any other form of high-intensity exercise. 

UV protection is also sometimes built into rash guards to make them suitable for outdoor use, meaning you could also use your Jiu-Jitsu rash guard for surfing. 

Style 

Whether you wear your Jiu-Jitsu rash guard discreetly under a Gi or use it as your primary fighting gear, it’s always best for your apparel to make you feel comfortable and confident in terms of style as well as quality. 

In our 5 reviewed rash guards alone, you’ll find an incredible range of styles and designs, from minimalist, single-color options to striking asymmetrical patterns. 

So, regardless of whether you like to convey your style through your Jiu-Jitsu gear or let your moves do the talking for you, there’s almost certainly a rash guard design in these products for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What’s the difference between Jiu-Jitsu and MMA rash guards? 

If you’ve already tried searching for Jiu-Jitsu rash guards through online retailers, you may have noticed that a lot of products labeled ‘MMA rash guard’ come up in the search results. 

This can understandably be confusing, but the good news is that there’s actually no specific difference in construction or functionality between Jiu-Jitsu and MMA rash guards. 

Rash guards for both Jiu-Jitsu and MMA are designed to protect the skin against excessive friction during grappling, so a Jiu-Jitsu rash guard will be appropriate for wear during MMA, and vice versa. 

Are there Jiu-Jitsu rash guards for women? 

Another thing you may have noticed if you’ve scanned the Jiu-Jitsu rash guard market already is that rash guards for women are in much shorter supply than rash guards for men. 

Thankfully, the lower availability of female-specific Jiu-Jitsu rash guards doesn’t mean women can’t find and wear high-quality rash guards that fit. 

Although most of the sizing advertised for Jiu-Jitsu rash guards is geared towards men, women should still be able to find a size to fit them using the measurements provided in product size guides. 

Alternatively, there are several unisex models on the market designed to fit both men and women. 

How do I wash my Jiu-Jitsu rash guard? 

Naturally, your Jiu-Jitsu rash guard will be exposed to sweat during training and combat, as well as any dirt or debris that might be on the mat you’re grappling on. Therefore, you’ll need to know how to properly wash your rash guard between sessions. 

Because most of the rash guards reviewed in this article are made from different materials, the care instructions for each will be slightly different. For instance, some rash guards are machine-washable while others are not.

Similarly, it is safe to tumble dry some rash guards and not others. Therefore, you should check both the product information and any labels inside the physical product that might contain washing instructions. 

If you don’t, for whatever reason, have access to the care instructions for your rash guard, we recommend either machine washing on a cool setting with a gentle detergent or if you want to be extra safe, handwashing.

Avoid tumble drying unless the product has been specifically labeled as tumble-dry-safe.