Cameron
Most people think BJJ shorts are all the same… just grab a pair and train.
After years of training and testing gear at Grapplers Graveyard, that’s not true. Some shorts ride up, some tear, and some just don’t hold up over time.
We’ve spent years reviewing combat sports gear across Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, and MMA, and this guide breaks down the BJJ shorts that are actually worth training in whether you’re just starting out or already deep into no-gi.
Simple Verdict System
We have two systems here to help us review gear:
The Graveyard Scale: a 1 to 10 scale that rates more intricate gear like wrestling shoes, boxing gloves, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi.
The Simple Verdict System: a simple system with three options:
-
- Our pick, known as the Graveyard PickÂ
- Solid Choice
- Or a skip
All gear like rash guards, shorts, and spats will fall into the Simple Verdict System. We do this because it systemizes the way that we write reviews and keeps things even across the board. Feel free to learn more on our page here.Â
Short on Time?
Best BJJ Shorts
- Best Overall: Gold BJJ
- Most Affordable: Sanabul or Elite Sports
- Best Design & Splurge: Trap X
- Best for Kids: Gold BJJ
Other Options on this list: xMartial, Hayabusa, and Future Kimonos
Â
Click the following links to jump to specific categories:
Best BJJ Shorts Rated by a Blue Belt
There is a large market for BJJ shorts, and therefore many options for different tastes and different shapes and sizes of bodies. One should do their research before investing in gear for a specific sport as gear that fits ones criteria can prove to have big advantage.
Below are the best BJJ shorts with reasons for you should or should not buy them. We are trying to keep this list as organized as possible so it will be in order based on what we think that you should spend your money on.Â
Gold BJJ Grappling Shorts
If this is your first time interacting with Grappler’s Graveyard, you may not know this, but for long-time viewers, we love Gold BJJ.
There really isn’t a brand out there that continues to show up across all categories of gear as being one of the best options to go with.
They are affordable, feel extremely good on the body, have simple, minimalistic options, and have other options for cool limited edition designs.
Personally, we love the camo gray Pacific Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shorts from Gold BJJ, but they have plenty of options on their website for you to choose from.
Anything Gold BJJ is a Graveyard Pick!
The Gold BJJ Camo Grappling Shorts sit in a very competitive spot in the market, offering a balance of reliability, comfort, and long-term usability without pushing into the higher price tiers most brands aim for.
Trap X Jitsu
TRAP-X JITSU is one of the best products that we have in our rotation. We love them so much.
Both their rash guard and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu grappling shorts are insanely high quality and get worn both in and out of no-gi Jiu Jitsu sessions.
They are a little bit more on the pricey side, but I think it is well worth it if you’re willing to spend a little bit more money.
The thing I love about them is that their shorts are pretty short. It was my first pair of short shorts that I’ve trained in ever, and I fell in love with the look of them on the mats.
If you’re looking for something different outside of the goal BJJ recommendation we have, TRAP X is one of the best brands on the market, and they are just getting started.
Some of the highest quality products on the market with excellent design choice. Great breathability around the midsection with 5-7 inches in lengths.
Affordable Options
We understand that there’s a wide range of people who are trying to roll on a budget and don’t want to spend too much on the gear they train in OR may also have children who are growing and don’t want to spend too much on their gear.
Personally, I’m not a big fan of going the affordable route, but I understand why it’s needed. If you are using this for personal use, I would recommend going up in gear just from a comfort standpoint, but if you’ve got kids, we understand.
These are all the options that we would classify as affordable for this segment of consumers.
Sanabul BJJ Shorts
Here at Grappler’s Graveyard, we’ve reviewed a handful of items from Sanabul, including their Brazilian Jiu Jitsu shorts.
We like Sanabul as a company, but when it comes down to their shorts, I just think that there are better options out there.
Of all the affordable options, we would say Sanabul is the best from a quality standpoint, but we didn’t love these shorts.
Grappler’s Graveyard standard, we would say that these are a solid choice but on the bottom tier of those solid choices.
Use code 'GRAPPLERGRAVEYARD' to save at checkout!
Cons of Sanabul
- Not the most comfortable around the crotch area
- Waistband is new and improved, but it used to suck
Elite Sports BJJ Shorts
Personally, I’m not a big fan of this product. I’ve been playing sports and wearing athletic shorts pretty much my entire life. These are some of the most clunky, least comfortable shorts I’ve owned in my time.Â
Yes, they’re very affordable and great for children, but they have no swag appeal and had little to no time in my rotation. I pretty much threw these away as soon as I got them.
But hey, if you are trying to ball on a budget and trying to get a lot, it’s a solid choice.
For Grappler’s Graveyard gear standard, this is a skip.Â
Why do you need high-quality, comfortable and classy BJJ shorts? Because when you’re on the mat, you’re in your second home, your battlefield and your safe haven. You want to always be prepared for what is going to be thrown at you and any and every hindrance in your way can result in your defeat.
Cons of Elite Sports
- Cheap material
- Doesn’t really fit all that great
- Ugly
xMartial Shorts
xMartial is a Canadian brand that focuses on Brazilian jiu-jitsu equipment. They are well known for their funky designs that more of are released regularly.
It’s not our favorite gear from a design standpoint, but I understand the appeal.
The great thing about this brand is that it’s not too expensive. I would definitely classify it as more affordable, but I wouldn’t recommend it as the option to go to if my friend was asking, “What cool gear should I get?”
Use code 'GRAPPLERS' to save 10% on your entire order
Pros of xMartial
-
Funky and Unique Designs
-
Anti Slip Flexible Waistband
-
Slightly stretchy with Inner thigh stretch panels
-
Side slits on both sides of the legs
Cons of xMartial
-
Short inseams with limited knee-length options
-
Not for those who prefer knee-length inseams
Hawk Sports MMA shorts
Hawk Sports is another relatively big name, low-budget MMA gear brand.
Again, I’m never going to be the one that suggests going with this type of gear as an option because I just think there are far better options out there. If you are trying to ball on a budget, this is a budget brand that is well liked by a handful of people.
For Grappler’s Graveyard standards, this is also a skip.
Cons of Hawk Sports
-
No anti-slip technology in the waistband
- Relatively unknown brandÂ
Premium Options
Every piece of equipment under this category will be more expensive. We’re classifying premium as a premium price, not necessarily a premium product.
Read the details to learn more.
Future Kimonos
We’ve had a pair of Future Kimonos shorts for a handful of years now. When we first started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, they were one of the bigger brands in the space.
We don’t love their customer service or how long it typically takes for their gear to actually hit our front doorstep, but they do deliver on quality.
Jiu-Jitsu superstar Gordon Ryan was their main sponsor. I don’t know if he was affiliated with the business any further than just putting his face on the product. For a long time, it drove controversy for the brand.
That may not be something you care about when it comes down to a buying decision, but over the recent years, we haven’t seen much from the brand that sparks our interest. On top of all this, they are pretty expensive when it comes down to it.Â
We still think this is a Graveyard Pick, but would suggest going with a different brand if you don’t want to pay the premium price.
Future Kimonos is the main sponsor of Gordon Ryan, one of the largest and most controversial athletes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We personally really like their gear. It is just a little bit more on the expensive side.
- Quality Material
- Excellent Design Choice
- Comfortable Fitting with Long Shelf Life
Cons of Future Kimonos
-
Expensive
-
Longer delivery times outside of the US
- Not the best customer service
Hayabusa Shorts:
Hayabusa is arguably one of the most renowned combat sports brand that produces some of the best equipment in the game. The Icon Fight shorts strengthen this view by being one of the best-selling BJJ shorts on multiple retailers like Amazon.
These grappling shorts are of the utmost quality possible, manufactured with a strong polyester fabric and combined with reinforced stitching, these shorts are untearable. Although they do not stretch they have inner thigh stretch panels that make sure movement is not compromised at all.
The shorts have a comfortable anti-slip silicone waistband with a well-hidden velcro waistband if you need it tighter. They fit as they are advertised and are also legal for IBJJF competitions.
However, due to the shorts having a non-stretch fabric, the side slits are placed quite high to make sure the range of motion is not at risk. Due to this one may have to wear sports underwear or tights under the shorts.
Pros of Hayabusa
-
Highest quality in the market
-
Extreme durability with nonstretch fabric
-
comfortable waistband with anti-slip silicone
-
IBJJF Legal
-
Well-hidden velcro waistband
-
Fit very well
Cons of Hayabusa
-
Higher priced than the competition
-
Athletes may have to wear tights or sports underwear
Stay cool and comfortable with Hayabusa's MMA fight and athletic shorts. Perfect for everyday training and even pro fights, Hayabusa workout shorts are built to last with virtually indestructible fabric and a silicone waistband to keep them locked in place.
BJJ Shorts vs Training Shorts
MMA and BJJ shorts have many similarities like both being made of breathable material and stretch panels that allow for a full range of motion. However, there are some minor differences also. So, how are purpose-designed BJJ training shorts better than other MMA shorts?
Well, the quality and type of material used make the difference. Polyester, spandex, and lightweight microfiber fabric are used for professional BJJ shorts. These allow them to conform to every possible movement. They do not limit the athlete’s flexibility and movement.
On the other hand, MMA shorts are designed for versatility as they are for mixed martial arts, which is a combination of several different combat shorts that include BJJ. MMA shorts feature longer inseams to protect the legs from direct striking.
What’s the right pair for you?
Like with any other sport, having the right gear can put you above many others just with the overall gain from it. For BJJ, having a superior pair of shorts for training can better your performance during training and make the sport far more enjoyable.
BJJ is essentially a grappling sport which means the clothes you have on may affect your performance significantly as they are constantly pulled and tugged against. One looking to excel in it should wear tight, breathable, and athletic-cut shorts.
A good pair of BJJ shorts have a shorter inseam than other MMA shorts, which ensures greater flexibility and movement on the floor. BJJ shorts also have either a velcro waistband enclosure or a drawstring waistband; both of which serve the purpose of keeping a secure fit during training or competition.
Another important characteristic is that BJJ shorts are to some extent compression shorts. The stretchy material and reinforced stitching these shorts feature is to make sure they cannot be tugged on or gripped during matches.
Moreover, Brazilian jiu-jitsu shorts feature no pockets or zips to make sure no injury is caused by full-contact training, as it is common for athletes to get cuts and slits on their bodies from zips.
Sizing
For BJJ shorts also known as grappling shorts or fight shorts, wearing the right size is crucial as it varies from athlete to athlete. There are a few different variations available with all kinds of pros and cons. Therefore athletes must find what is suitable for them as well as for their training institute; some training centers allow only certain types of shorts.
There are a few things one should look out for like the material and length of the inseam. grappling shorts feature shorter inseams which allow for better stretch and flexibility. When buying training shorts it is recommended to try on multiple types and materials to choose the one that best fits the body type and does not limit the range of motion.
Another aspect of these shorts that should be pondered is the waistband of the shorts. A person should try on multiple levels of tightness and should choose the one in which they can move and breathe comfortably. In other words, it should not be too tight such that range of motion becomes limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are the most important questions asked regarding jiu-jitsu shorts:
Do I Need Training Shorts for BJJ?
With any sport, the highest quality professional gear is not obligatory for beginners looking to learn. However for those aspiring to be athletes and those who dream of being professional Brazilian jiu-jitsu grapplers, it is recommended to get good quality gear as it helps amp up your training sessions and competitions.
How Long Should BJJ Shorts Be?
Essentially BJJ shorts should lie between mid-thigh and slightly below the knee. This usually depends on personal preference as most athletes prefer shorts that lie around mid-thigh as it does not limit the range of motion. Most athletes agree that shorts that go below the knee slightly restrict movement and are thus discouraged.
What Shorts Should I Wear To BJJ?
Grappling shorts are the best kind of shorts one can wear to train BJJ as it is a grappling sport that has a large involvement of legs. Therefore it is essential to make sure that the legs do not have a limited range of motion.
The best BJJ shorts do just that as they are specially designed to increase flexibility and movement on the ground. By wearing these,one can grapple and wrestle to their full potential.
Why Use Compression Shorts for BJJ?
Compression shorts are made of very lightweight and stretchy material which is exactly what you need for a sport like BJJ that involves a lot of grappling. These shorts are tight and do not limit the range of motion.
Over the years, they have become increasingly common in MMA and BJJ training sessions. Compression shorts also aid in recovery and thus one of the reasons why they are superior as compared to other types of shorts.
How Should No-Gi Shorts Fit?
No-gi shorts or fight shorts should have a snug fit that is not too tight. In BJJ the importance of fitting is a matter of win or loss whether during training or during competitions, the reason for this being that BJJ and other martial arts are all about movement.
You should make sure that the shorts do not limit any sort of movement in the legs. They should be too loose or too tight. If they are, either this could result in serious disadvantage as the opponent could easily grip your shorts if they are too loose. Similarly your range of motion would be limited in the case of your shorts being too tight which is also a severe setback.
Which BJJ shorts are IBJJF legal?
There is a standard criterion for shorts to be legal in the IBJJF. The several characteristics are no pockets, buttons, zippers, exposed drawstrings, plastic, and metal. Moreover, the shorts must be long enough to cover midway down the thigh but not past the knee to be eligible. Women have the same requirements, except they can wear skin-tight compression shorts.