You don’t need to have the most flashy or expensive BJJ spats to train. The best option are the ones that are durable and work.
On top of being within IBJJF’s, BJJ spats have become increasingly popular to wear for training and competition in the last decade. Today, there are multiple Jiu Jitsu wear companies that make top of the line BJJ spats.
They are a fantastic choice to wear to train Jiu Jitsu. Take a look below as we tell you everything you need to know about BJJ spats. Then we’ll give you a definitive list of the best BJJ spats you can buy right now.
What Exactly Are BJJ Spats?
For those of you new to training Jiu Jitsu, BJJ spats are basically what they sound like. They are spandex pants that are specifically designed for use in Jiu Jitsu.
You can either wear them under shorts/ gi pants or by themselves if that is your preference.
Why Do You Need BJJ Spats?
When you wear spats, it isn’t just for a fashion statement. They have numerous functional benefits rather than just wearing normal underwear or compression shorts/pants. Some of the benefits of wearing spats include sweat absorption, compression and promoting skin health.
Sweat Absorption
By wearing spats, the material absorbs the sweat you produce during training. When you don’t wear BJJ spats or compression pants it puts you at a disadvantage rolling .
As you train longer moisture builds up, which makes it harder to lock in submissions from the guard. But if you're wearing these pants, your legs stay dry and keep opponents from slipping out of your subs. Wearing them helps make your guard tighter, thus improving your performance.
Compression
Another great plus of wearing BJJ spats is they’re tight and keep your muscles compressed. Sometimes when you’re training your muscles start to get tired and cramp up. Spats are designed to keep your leg muscles compressed and can actually improve blood flow. They can help you recover quicker and keep you rolling for longer.
Promote Skin Health
Wearing spats are actually great for promoting skin health. One of the gross things about training Jiu Jitsu is being exposed to multiple types of bacteria. When you’re on the mat rolling around in other people’s sweat, you’re always at risk of staph and ringworm.
This is also why a lot of grapplers choose to wear spats or compression pants for training. It acts as a barrier between your skin that prevents infections to keep you healthy and on the mat.
BJJ Spats vs Compression Pants/Shorts
People always wonder what the difference is between BJJ spats and compression pants/shorts. From a glance BJJ spats and compression pants/shorts seem like the exact same thing.
They basically are the same thing, but there are some subtle differences between the two.
BJJ spats are made thicker and more enforced than normal compression shorts. When you compare the two and feel them, you’ll notice normal compression pants are a bitter thinner.
This is because BJJ spats are specifically made to hold up to the rigors of combat sports training. Compression pants/shorts are great to use for training, but BJJ spats are more durable and last longer.
IBJJF Regulations for BJJ Spats
If you know anything about IBJJF regulations, they are very particular about the uniforms they allow. One little thing that’s incorrect with your uniform and they will immediately disqualify (DQ) you from competition.
This is why you have to be very particular about the spats you choose for competing in their events.
These are the IBJJF regulations for the type of BJJ spats they allow at their competitions:
That leaves you with pretty limited options if you want to wear spats in their competitions. But if you aren’t worried about competing in the IBJJF, then pick whatever BJJ spats you’d like.
How To Choose the Right BJJ Spats?
There are some things you may need to keep in mind when choosing the right BJJ spats.
Comfort
If you want to train at your best, then you have to be comfortable in what you’re wearing. Look for Jiu Jitsu spats that are comfortable to wear and will optimize your training,
Durability
Choose spats that are made of some of the most durable and tough materials you can buy. You want something that will give you better performance and something you can train in for years. Complete with solid reinforced seams and flatlock stitching.
Look for spats with a blend of fabric including nylon, spandex, lycra, or polyester, and thick, but not too thick. You don’t want an overly thick gi limiting your mobility. Also one with moisture wicking or antimicrobial material would be even better to get.
Design
This is the least important of the 3, but still an important aspect to many grapplers. What your wear during training is a representation of your personality. Choose from designs/styles of spats that you like and want to wear in training or competition.
Buy A Known Brand
Don't settle for a generic brand of tights to train in that has weird sizing that would not fit well. A good example would be buying a brand like Hayabusa that make some of the best BJJ gear out there.
Price
You don't want to settle for some cheap BJJ spats, but don't want to pay for an expensive pair either. That is why you should try to find compression tights that are good quality, but also not ridiculously expensive. Look to pay less, but still find a spat at a good value
Proper Care For Your BJJ Spats
To make sure you get the most out of your BJJ spats, you have to take care of them. Bacteria and mold can easily form, so you need to clean them immediately after every training session.
Be sure to clean them in cold water and hang dry them to prevent shrinkage. You can also use a dryer, but make sure to set it to low speed to not damage your spats.
The 7 Best BJJ Spats
Now that you know what to look for in a good pair of spats, here is a guide of great options.
1. Sanabul Men's Compression/Jiu Jitsu Spats
Sanabul makes some quality BJJ gear that is durable and affordable. Their product is one of the best BJJ spats you can find.
They made these spats with a triple blend of high quality polyester, nylon and spandex. These spats are extremely comfortable, while also being ultra durable.
Complete with 4 way stretch material and reinforced 5-thread/2-thread stitching that will ensure the seams won’t tear. Since the material is super absorbent to soak up your sweat, while still being comfortable and breathable to wear.
It doesn’t matter what climate you’re training in as these Sanabul spats lock in your body heat. Whether it is hot or cold, your muscles are going to stay warm to optimize your training.
If all this wasn’t enough, Sanabul also made these with UV protection. Just in case if you want to take your training outside of the gym and go for a run.
The design of these BJJ spats is just what you need and is good for beginners or seasoned grapplers. These spats come in 3 solid colors (black, steel gray, navy blue) that look slick. They’re one solid color, but were made with reflective printing that makes the color shine.
Sanabul packed so many features into these spats that you’d see in a high priced premium product. But they kept these reasonably priced and they have been very well received by users. If you want spats that are affordable and high quality check out these spats from Sanabul.
For the ladies that train, who are looking for some of the best BJJ spats to compete in, then Tatami has you covered.
They are known for being one of the best manufacturers of Jiu Jitsu gear. They have been around over a decade and worked to become recognized all over the world.
These compression tights for women are nothing flashy to look at being solid black, but they’re functional and high quality. They offer 100% mobility to move in any motion without restriction with a fit second to none. This is thanks to the jacquard waistband that prevents restrictive pressure on your waist.
One problem women have with cheaper spats is that they’re transparent and people can see through them. These compression tights are non transparent, so no worries about anyone seeing anything.
But also probably the best aspect of these compression tights is that they are within IBJJF regulations. They are one of only a handful of companies with gear that is IBJJF certified. Definitely a high quality product for female grapplers to look into.
Since we gave the women grapplers some love, we should definitely give an option for Jiu Jitsu kids. This manufacturer makes one of the best BJJ spats for kids on the market today.
The 4 way stretch material that these tights give comfort, durability, and breathability. It is a blend of polyester and spandex that are moisture-wicking, which means they dry fast. Your kid will stay dry and be comfortable while they train.
Elite Sports also took the time to construct these spats with great detail. They included an elastic waistband and anti slip sleeve bands for the spats to stay on and be comfortable. Also complete flat lock stitching making these spats super hard to tear.
Not only do these youth BJJ spats work for Jiu Jitsu training, but for all combat sports. They can double as MMA spats if your kid wants to hit different types of classes each day.
These are some of the best kids compression pants you can find and also available in 5 different colors.
Gold BJJ has stormed onto the scene with some of the best products you can buy . Their Gold BJJ Jiu Jitsu spats are also no different and a solid addition to the Jiu Jitsu market.
They have it marked as “the ultimate base layer for Jiu Jitsu.” Perfect for training Gi or no Gi Jiu Jitsu.
When you wear these compression tights it feels like you’re almost wearing nothing. You will have free movement in all directions, while only feeling a touch of compression when rolling.
That is how comfortable these spats are. Made with 4 way stretching material that is lightweight and breathable.
Your skin will be totally protected when you’re wearing these durable spats. You won’t have to worry about cuts, mat burn, and be protected against protection when rolling with a smelly teammate.
Now the design for these spats is basic, but looks very professional. They went with a solid black color with white stripes that looks really clean. Their logo is on the waistline and their company motto “for the journey” on the right pant leg.
If a sleek looking pair of spats made of durable material isn’t enough to convince you, there’s one more thing. Buying these comes with their “backed by Gold guarantee.” If for some reason you aren’t satisfied with their product, Gold BJJ will give you your money back.
This is what makes Gold BJJ one of the best companies out there. How many Jiu Jitsu companies are willing to stand behind their products like this? Check out these tights if you want to support a solid company.
These BJJ spats are probably the coolest spats that are on the list. This is for our video game fans on the list that feature an awesome tribute to Super Mario.
It has a solid blue base and looks like the first levels of the original Super Mario on the NES. Complete with Mario on the right pant leg, piranha plant, and green tunnels. You'll be looking very stylish on the mats in these.
Hardcore Training made these spats with 88% polyester/12% spandex They’re lightweight and durable spats that will keep your muscles warm and ready to train.
On top of keeping your muscles warm, you’ll be protected from mat burn, cuts, and infections. Nobody wants to go home with mat burn or ringworm.
They made the waistband with elastic and covered it in lace for comfort, while putting erasers inside the cuffs. This is for better adhesion, so the spats stay tight to your legs.
You also won’t have to worry about the design fading since they created it with sublimated printing. If you treat it right it should always look near brand new.
These compression tights from Hardcore Training are a must see for any video game nerd grappler.
Venum is known for making some of the best fight gear in the word. These Venum Art Spats are some of the coolest and highest quality compression pants available.
They made these spats with 100% polyester nylon that give a snug, yet really comfortable fit. Providing you with ultimate mobility during training sessions.
This is also thanks to the way they made it with something called “Venum compression technology.” These tights were designed to give you the best fit with the perfect amount of compression.
Now, the design is really something special. It looks like something right out of a graphic horror novel. It’s Japanese art inspired with everything from demons, skulls, flowers, and tigers on it.
Of course, Venum sublimated this design to make sure it never fades. Your Venum Art Spats will always be looking pretty dang cool, when you’re training.
The last product we’ll spotlight is from the always dependable Anthem Athletics. They’re a favorite and they got some great spats with their HELO-X Grappling Spats.
Anthem Athletics used lightweight, ultra-strong, moisture-wicking material for these spats. Complete with multi-panel construction with high density flat-lock stitching, and an innovative dual lock waistband. All for an optimal fit with durable material.
What is so cool about the design Anthem went with is these spats make you look like an Avenger. The A logo with a star they use will make you look like you’re Captain America.
The guys at Anthem Athletics really made some quality spats you can use for all combat sports.
Which BJJ Spats Are The Best?
All of these spats are great choices that you will get a lot of use out of. But there has to be one we choose that is the best BJJ spats overall.
The choice for the best BJJ spats is... The Sanabul Compression/Jiu Jitsu Spats. They aren’t the most flashy spats on the list, but here’s why they’re our choice:
You don’t need to have the most flashy or expensive spats to train. The best options are the ones that are durable and work.
On top of being within IBJJF regulation and being affordable, it had to be the Sanabul’s BJJ spats. They are our pick for the best BJJ spats.
But in reality all of these spats are worth the investment. Definitely consider one of these spats for your next gear purchase.