How to Choose a Rashguard: Fit and Fabric
A good BJJ rashguard fits snug against your skin, stretches in every direction, dries fast and stays tucked during scrambles. Choose your size by chest measurement, choose long or short sleeves by how much mat burn you want to avoid, and look for a stretch synthetic fabric over cotton. This guide walks through each decision so the first rashguard you buy is one you keep.
What is a rashguard?
A rashguard is a fitted, stretchy training shirt made from synthetic fabric, usually a polyester and spandex blend. It protects your skin from mat burn and scrapes, cuts down on skin-to-skin contact with training partners, and moves sweat off your body. It's the standard top for no-gi BJJ, and many gi students wear one under the jacket.
If you're new to no-gi, read What to Wear to Your First No-Gi BJJ Class.
How tight should a rashguard fit?
A rashguard should fit like a second skin. It should sit flat against your chest and stomach, and the hem should stay at your waist when you raise your arms overhead.
Loose fabric gives your partner something to grab, and it rides up when you play guard. If you can pinch more than an inch of fabric at your stomach, size down. If the shoulders pull when you reach forward, size up.
Long sleeve or short sleeve rashguard?
Pick a long sleeve rashguard if you want the most protection. It covers your forearms from mat burn and scrapes. It's also the warmer choice in a cold gym.
Pick a short sleeve rashguard if you run hot or train in a warm room. It gives your shoulders a little more freedom and feels lighter through long rounds.
Plenty of grapplers own one of each and choose by the day.
What fabric is best for a BJJ rashguard?
Look for a polyester and spandex blend. Polyester dries fast and holds its shape. Spandex lets the shirt stretch through frames, underhooks and inversions, then return to fit.
Skip cotton for no-gi. Cotton soaks up sweat, gets heavy and stretches out after a few months of grips.
Flatlock seams matter too. These are flat, stitched seams that lie against your skin, so they don't rub or leave marks after a long session.
Do you need a rashguard to compete?
Most no-gi tournaments require a rashguard. Many set rules on sleeve length, color and coverage, and some ask ranked competitors to show their belt color on the top. Check your tournament's uniform rules before you register.
How do you make a rashguard last?
Wash it cold and inside out after every session, and hang it to dry. Heat breaks down spandex, so keep rashguards out of the dryer. Skip fabric softener, because it coats the fibers and traps odor. Never leave a wet rashguard in your bag overnight.
Which Pressure Point rashguard fits your game?
- The Kuzushi Pulse Rashguard ($45) is cut light, so it moves fast and stays cool when the room heats up. It's made from a breathable poly-knit fabric, and the design is dyed into the fabric, so it won't crack or peel. A heartbeat line runs across the chest and breaks open into a jiu-jitsu throw. It comes in men's S to XL and women's S to L.
- The Positional Pressure Long Sleeve Rashguard ($45) is unisex, soft and full-coverage. It’s made from 80% polyester and 20% spandex, so it dries fast and holds its shape. The fabric shows where contact was made during training, and those pressure points fade as you recover. It comes in S to XL.
If you want the full set, the Kuzushi Kit ($80) pairs the Pulse Rashguard with the matching Kuzushi Fight Shorts.
Pressure is a privilege, so put it on.
