With the surge in popularity of MMA in recent years, many people have begun training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu without a gi.
Today, there is a vibrant no-gi scene in training as well as competitions. Because of this, BJJ-specific gear has saturated the market.
Because of this, it can be hard to find the best shorts for BJJ. That’s why we’ve put together this list of some of the best BJJ shorts that you can buy online today.
There are quite a wide variety of BJJ shorts available on the market. Most are designed for grappling sports in general, while others are marketed specifically for BJJ practitioners.
In this list, we’ve scoured the internet to find all the BJJ shorts with the best reviews, and the ones that the professionals swear by.
In our list, we will look at the unique features of each pair of BJJ shorts, and we’ll look at the material, quality, durability, and other criteria that allowed these shorts to make the list.
Whether you want a pair of BJJ shorts for training or competing, there will be a perfect pair of shorts for you on our list.
When deciding on a pair of BJJ shorts to buy, there are a multitude of factors that should be considered.
Following our list, we have put together a handy buyers’ guide to aid you in your decision.
The Best Shorts for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
These compression shorts from 2XU are made from a combination of nylon, Lycra, and elastane, proving you with a flexible fit that won’t be restrictive to your movements when rolling.
The 2XU compression shorts can be worn as a base layer or just on their own. The compression that these shorts provide aids in your recovery after training, reducing muscle soreness.
These lightweight and comfortable compression shorts are available in a wide variety of colors and sizes.
Pros
· Flexible, elasticated material
· Aids in recovery and reduces muscle soreness
· Lightweight and comfortable
Cons
· Seams are not reinforced
RDX are a well-known known and respected MMA brand who manufacture high quality combat sports equipment. Their grappling shorts are a great choice for a high quality pair of inexpensive BJJ shorts.
For the price, these RDX grappling shorts are hard to beat in terms of material quality and durability. They feature an ergonomic design with side slits so that your range of movement is unrestricted.
The RDX grappling shorts have an antimicrobial and antifungal lining that prevents bad odors from developing.
Additionally, these shorts have very high quality and durable stitching that should last you a long time of consistent training.
These shorts are available in a range of sizes and colors.
Pros
· Ergonomic design
· Antimicrobial and antifungal lining
· Reinforced stitching
· Durable, high quality materials
Cons
· Not IBJJF legal for competing
These great looking and stylish fight shorts are suitable for all kinds of gym work, not just grappling. They feature stretchable material, and they have side slits to maximize your range of motion when training.
The Hexagon shorts from Hayabusa have an internal drawstring in addition to a Velcro tab, giving you a high level of security.
Additionally, they have a silicone waist band which limits how much the shorts move around during training.
These aesthetically pleasing jiu jitsu shorts are available in a range of colors, including red, green, blue, black, and white.
Pros
· High quality materials
· Comfortable, secure fit
· Slide slits and elastic material for full range of motion
Cons
· Material may cause some friction when grappling
These RVCA shorts are very aesthetically pleasing with their simplistic design and tasteful logo graphic.
They are made from 4-way stretch fabric, consisting of cotton, lycra, and polyester. The fabric allows you to achieve your full range of motion in your legs whilst training.
RVCA’s grappling shorts are very durable and fast trying, making them a good choice for those who train regularly.
These budget-friendly shorts are a great option for those who do multiple types of training, not just grappling.
They have a draw string in addition to a Velcro tab, keeping them securely in place during even the most intense training sessions.
Pros
· Great looking, simplistic design
· Secure drawstring and Velcro closure
· Durable and stretchable material
· Affordable price
Cons
· Logo design may start to peel after some time
As one of the best known MMA and BJJ brands around, Venum produce some of the best combat sports equipment on the market.
Their NoGi 3.0 shorts are specially designed for no-gi Brazilian jiu jitsu. Not only do they look great, but they are made from high quality materials with a high level of craftsmanship.
Hand made in Thailand, Venum’s NoGi 3.0 shorts are made from an ultra durable polyester, which will last you many years of vigorous training.
Like all Venum shorts, these have an eye-catching design with cool looking graphics.
The Venum NoGi 3.0s feature long side slits to enable your full range of motion during training.
These side slits along with the stretchable polyester allow for unimpeded movement when grappling, which really allows you to up your BJJ game.
Pros
· Eye-catching graphic design
· Durable, high quality material
· 3 point closure system
Cons
· Stitching may be messy in areas
Bad Boy are a world renowned manufacturer of combat sports equipment, and they are one of the leading brands of fight shorts, particularly for no-gi BJJ. Their Legacy shorts defied our already high expectations.
Featuring a drawstring in addition to a Velcro closing mechanism, they provide security and support whilst being very comfortable to wear for long training sessions.
What makes these combat shorts unique is that they are made from charcoal bamboo fibers. This material retains heat well, keeping your muscles warmed up between periods of training and rest.
The four-way stretchable material allows you to achieve your full range of motion during training. These shorts also feature a sublimated design, which won’t wash off even after multiple washes.
Pros
· Secure drawstring and Velcro closure system
· Heat retaining fabric
· Great looking sublimated design
Cons
· May get too hot during training
Gold BJJ are the obvious choice of brand for BJJ shorts. They are some of the best feeling and most comfortable grappling shorts available on the market today. Featuring an internal drawstring allowing you a tight, secure fit.
Made from four-way stretchy material that is as durable and breathable as it is soft and comfortable, these shorts should last you a long time of consistent training.
Featuring a simple graphic design with the Gold BJJ logo on each of the legs, these are stylish shorts that look great. Many people swear by the comfort and unrestricted movement that these shorts provide.
Pros
· Comfortable, soft material
· Secure drawstring closure
· Breathable material
Cons
· Plain, simplistic design
Hawk Sports are a leading brand of sports gear, not just for combat sports but also running and weightlifting.
They are well known for their high quality shorts that feature a minimal design, but they’re highly functional and durable.
These shorts are comprised of a tough 125gsm stretchy microfiber fabric that is as durable as it is comfortable.
The seams are reinforced with Lycra, and they have included a gusset to reinforce the crotch area. Thanks to these features, these BJJ shorts should last you many years.
These great shorts come with a five-year warranty, so if you are unhappy with these shorts for whatever reason, they will reimburse you for them within 5 years.
For a budget-friendly pair of durable and comfortable BJJ shorts, Hawk Sports are a great choice of brand.
Pros
· All-purpose shorts for any type of training
· Super lightweight and durable
· Reinforced seams
· Lycra panel stitched into the crotch for increased range of movement
· Fast drying fabric
Cons
· Plain, minimal design
Fuji are renowned for their high quality combat sports gear, and their Baseline grappling shorts live up to expectations.
They have a simple, minimalistic design with an internal drawstring and Velcro strap closure system.
These comfortable and breathable grappling shorts have stretchy panels in the crotch and legs area, allowing you to achieve your maximum range of motion during training.
These shorts are great for running drills or rolling.
The Fuji Baseline grappling shorts have a sublimated logo design on the hemline, which won’t peel or fade even after repeated washes.
Pros
· Comfortable, breathable fabric
· Stretchy panels in the legs and crotch to maximize range of movement
· Secure drawstring and Velcro closure system
Cons
· Plain, minimal design
Buyers’ Guide
When buying a new pair of BJJ shorts, whether you’re training or competing, there are various aspects that need to be considered.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve put together this handy buyers’ guide, where we will talk you through everything you need to know about BJJ shorts
Compression Shorts
Compression shorts are designed to compress the skin and muscles, much like a pair of tights.
The original compression shorts were made by Vale Tudo, and they were used by the original BJJ grapplers and MMA fighters. Compression shorts have evolved over the years, and now they are available in various lengths.
Traditional MMA Shorts
MMA shorts are much like a hybrid of Muay Thai and boxing shorts. They vary in terms of length, as some are thigh or knee length, while others are shorter like trunks. They typically feature drawstrings and Velcro straps for extra security.
They are also generally made from a breathable material that provides good ventilation. Much like Muay Thai shorts, they often have side slits in the legs to allow for the full range of motion.
Velcro or Drawstring
Many combat sports shorts feature both a drawstring and a Velcro strap for added security. The drawstring allows for the shorts to be tightened, while the Velcro strap holds the shorts in place and ensures that the drawstring doesn’t come undone.
Materials
The best shorts for BJJ are typically made from polyester and spandex, as this type of fabric is stretchable, thus it doesn’t restrict your movements at all when grappling.
The elasticity of the fabric is very important to consider when buying a new pair of shorts for BJJ. You will also need your shorts to be durable and strong, as during training your shorts may accidentally get grabbed or stepped on while grappling.
Reinforced Seams and Flatlock Stitching
Reinforced seams and flatlock stitching are very important for grappling shorts, as the shorts tend to get pulled and/or stepped on when training or competing.
If you’re using shorts that don’t have adequately strong stitching, they will definitely rip apart at the seams.
Gusset
Various brands of grappling shorts such as Venum and Fuji feature a gusset in their shorts. This is a triangle of extra fabric that is stitched onto the crotch area of the shorts, which is made of a stretchy material such as spandex or lycra.
This gusset allows for a broader range of motion and less wear and tear of the crotch area over time.
Sublimated Designs
Many combat sport shorts feature a logo or design on them. High quality BJJ shorts will feature a sublimated design, which refers to the method of printing the graphic onto the shorts.
Sublimated designs shouldn’t fade or peel off after repeated washes.
Internal Pockets
Some grappling shorts will include an internal pocket to hold your mouthguard. BJJ shorts don’t tend to have exterior pockets as they can get caught when grappling.
Side Slits
Side slits are a common feature in all kinds of combat shorts, as they allow for an increased range of motion in the legs.
This is not only important for throwing kicks in Muay Thai, but having good mobility and flexibility in the legs and hips is incredibly important in BJJ.
IBJJF Approved
The IBJJF have a long range of requirements for gear of be legal for competition.
Many, if not most BJJ shorts that you can buy online do not abide by IBJJF regulations. The IBJJF restricts things such as external drawstrings and zippers, in addition to the length of the shorts.
If you are competing in an IBJJF competition, then you must ensure that the shorts you buy comply with the IBJJF requirements for shorts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can One Use Regular Shorts for Bjj?
When choosing a pair of shorts for BJJ, it’s important to make sure that the shorts do not have any zippers, external drawstrings, metal, or plastic parts that may cause injury to you or your opponent.
While you can wear normal shorts for training, you still must consider whether or not the shorts are safe to grapple in for both you and your partner.
What Makes Shorts Ibjjf Illegal?
In order to abide by IBJJF requirements for shorts, they must fit these criteria:
Must be fully colored black, white, or both
Must not have pockets or have the pockets stitched closed
Must not have any buttons, external drawstrings, zippers, or metal or plastic parts that could cause injury to an opponent
Must be sufficiently long to cover halfway down the thigh but no longer than 15cm from the knee
Must not go below the knee
What Other Types Of Fight Shorts Are There?
There are Muay Thai shorts, boxing shorts or trunks, traditional MMA shorts, and compression shorts.
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