What Should You Wear for No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu?

While gi jiu-jitsu comes with a standard uniform, no-gi does not. As such, many beginners are curious about what they should wear when training without the gi.

You can practice no-gi jiu-jitsu with nothing more than a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. However, there are some specifications that those items should meet before you wear them for training. Additional garments like rash guards and spats are allowed, too, and can improve your comfort and safety while you grapple. 

The rules about what you should wear for no-gi jiu-jitsu are not exceptionally strict. But there are some guidelines you should follow, which this article will introduce shortly.

Basic Clothing for No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu

Although you’ll have more flexibility in deciding what to wear for no-gi jiu-jitsu, the basic items are straightforward and easy to obtain. Here are the two clothing pieces you’ll need most when training without no-gi:

• Tight-fitting shirt: The shirt you wear should be comfortable but relatively form-fitting. Your and your opponent’s body parts can get tangled in t-shirts that are too loose.

• Pocket-less shorts: Standard athletic shorts will work for no-gi jiu-jitsu, but the ones you wear should have no pockets. As was the case with loose shirts, pant pockets can cause snags, which will hinder your training experience.

While standard athletic shorts are sufficient for no-gi jiu-jitsu, better options exist. Today, many clothing companies make shorts specifically for no-gi grappling and mixed martial arts. Such shorts are an excellent option as they tend to be relatively durable while maintaining a full range of motion.

Additional Items for Your No-Gi Wardrobe

Many practitioners expand beyond the basics when choosing the clothes they wear for no-gi grappling. Two of the most popular items to include in a no-gi wardrobe are:

• Rash guard: A rash guard is a skin-tight upper-body clothing item. Wearing a rash guard for jiu-jitsu has several benefits, including lowering the risk of cuts and infections. Rash guards can be short-sleeved or long-sleeved. You can wear one underneath a t-shirt or as a stand-alone upper-body garment. 

• Spats: A pair of spats is the lower-body equivalent of a rash guard. Spats cover your legs from ankle to hip, and you can wear them under your shorts or by themselves.

The similarity between rash guards and spats is their material quality. Both items fit tightly to your skin while remaining breathable and permitting you to move freely. Those traits are ideal for training no-gi jiu-jitsu.

What to Wear Under Your Clothes for No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu

Deciding what to wear under your no-gi clothing is another matter of preference. However, some items offer benefits that typical underwear does not. For example, wearing a pair of compression shorts, or spats, under your shorts is a wise choice.

During sparring, it’s possible for your shorts to get hiked up, especially when you are in the guard position. A pair of compression shorts ensures that you won’t reveal anything when your shorts shift.

A sports bra is another sensible clothing option for anyone who feels inclined to wear one. However, every individual will need to decide for themselves what is best to wear under their no-gi clothing.

As always, safety and comfort are crucial when choosing what to wear under your training clothes. Specifically, you should avoid any garment that has stiff or pointed components that could harm your training partners. 

What’s Different When Grappling without a Gi?

In no-gi jiu-jitsu, you are not allowed to grab your opponent’s clothing. The opposite is true for gi jiu-jitsu, in which the gi is a primary means of creating grips and performing techniques. The stark difference in clothing between gi and no-gi jiu-jitsu makes for two distinct grappling styles. Here are the main factors that make no-gi different than gi jiu-jitsu:

• Less friction: The gi creates an incredible amount of friction that makes it easier to hold your opponent in place. No-gi grappling is often more slippery and faster-paced.

• Fewer grips: Without the gi, there are significantly fewer ways to grip your opponent. No-gi grapplers are only allowed to grip their opponent’s body directly rather than grabbing their clothes.

• Fewer available techniques: Fewer gripping options means there are fewer techniques available in no-gi jiu-jitsu. Generally, all the techniques you can use in no-gi jiu-jitsu are also available in gi jiu-jitsu. The same is not true in reverse.

Gi jiu-jitsu practitioners can use their clothing and their opponent’s clothing to perform many different chokes, sweeps, passes, takedowns, and other grappling moves. But while those techniques are not available without the gi, no-gi grappling remains a complex art with plenty of moves for you to master. 

Another noteworthy aspect of no-gi grappling is that it often takes place at a faster pace. Without the friction and grips the gi provides, practitioners have greater freedom to move through different positions. Sweat is also a more significant factor in no-gi, which further reduces the control you’ll have over your opponent.

Do You Wear a Belt in No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu?

You will not wear a belt in no-gi jiu-jitsu because there is no need to. In gi jiu-jitsu, the belt is not only a mark of your rank but also a necessary tool for holding your gi jacket closed.

In no-gi jiu-jitsu, there is no practical reason to wear a belt as you won’t be wearing a jacket. Many gyms that practice no-gi jiu-jitsu as their primary style may continue to give ranks to students. However, they must find ways other than the gi belt to signify that rank. Practitioners may sometimes receive a new rash guard or a patch to symbolize their skill level.

Conclusion

Finding clothing to wear for no-gi jiu-jitsu is not difficult to do. With just a pair of pocket-less shorts and a form-fitting shirt, you’ll be ready for training. Once you find those essentials, you can add other items, such as rash guards and spats, according to your preference.