How to Choose BJJ Shorts for NoGi: A Complete Guide

You can technically grapple in a lot of different athletic shorts, but that doesn't mean they're good BJJ shorts.

No-gi involves constant pulling, scrambling, takedowns, guard work, and close contact with your training partners. Your shorts need to stay in place, move with you, and avoid unnecessary pockets, zippers, hardware, or anything else that can get in the way during training.

When choosing BJJ shorts for no-gi, I look at fit, stretch, waistband, construction, length, and how the shorts actually move during grappling. If you're competing, you also need to consider the rules of the tournament you're entering.

In this guide, we'll break down what actually matters so you can choose BJJ shorts that work for the way you train.

What Makes BJJ Shorts Different From Regular Gym Shorts?

BJJ shorts are designed for grappling, not running, lifting, or casual wear.

During jiu-jitsu, another person's hands, feet, and legs are constantly moving around your shorts. You're also changing positions quickly, shooting takedowns, playing guard, passing, bridging, and scrambling.

That's why good grappling shorts generally focus on:

• Stretch and freedom of movement
• A waistband that stays secure
• Durable construction and reinforced stress areas
• Minimal hardware
• No unnecessary open pockets
• A cut that doesn't restrict your hips or legs

Regular gym shorts might feel comfortable standing or lifting weights, but that doesn't automatically make them a good choice for rolling.

The goal is pretty simple: once training starts, you shouldn't have to think about your shorts.

If you're building out the rest of your no-gi gear, choosing the right rash guard matters too. Read our guide to BJJ rash guards for different body types and training needs.

What Material Is Best for BJJ Shorts?

For no-gi training, you want shorts that can move with you instead of fighting against your movement.

Stretch fabric is especially useful during guard work, takedowns, high steps, sprawls, and scrambles. If the material binds around your hips or thighs every time you move, you're going to notice it.

Durability matters too. BJJ shorts get pulled, stretched, sweated in, and washed repeatedly, so look at the construction and stitching rather than judging a pair of shorts only by how lightweight they feel.

Toro BJJ Super Shorts use 4-way stretch fabric to give grapplers freedom of movement while maintaining the durability needed for regular training.

What Type of Waistband Is Best for BJJ Shorts?

A good waistband needs to do one main thing: keep your shorts in place while you're grappling.

Think about how much movement happens during a round. You're shrimping, bridging, sprawling, inverting, wrestling, and getting your legs pulled in every direction. You shouldn't have to stop every few minutes to adjust your shorts.

Look for a waistband that fits securely without digging into your waist or restricting movement. An internal drawstring can also help you adjust the fit and keep the shorts secure during harder rounds.

Toro BJJ Super Shorts use an elastic waistband with an internal drawstring and no Velcro closure. The idea is simple: secure the shorts and remove unnecessary material from the front.

Should BJJ Shorts Have Pockets?

For training, I prefer BJJ shorts without pockets.

Pockets might be useful on everyday athletic shorts, but you're not carrying your phone, keys, or wallet while you're rolling.

Open pockets can also give fingers and toes another place to get caught during grappling. Zippers, buttons, and other unnecessary hardware don't add anything useful when you're on the mats.

When I'm choosing shorts specifically for BJJ, simpler is better:

• No open or external pockets that can catch fingers or toes
• No exposed zippers
• No buttons or unnecessary hardware
• Nothing that can dig into you or your training partner

A small internal pocket is different from a traditional open side pocket. Toro Super Shorts, for example, have an inner pocket designed to stay out of the way during training.

Save the pockets for the shorts you wear to the gym.

How Long Should BJJ Shorts Be?

There isn't one perfect length for every grappler.

Some people prefer shorter grappling shorts because they like having more freedom around their knees and thighs. Others prefer more coverage and a slightly longer cut.

What matters is whether you can move naturally.

Try movements you'd actually perform during jiu-jitsu:

• Squat
• Bring your knees toward your chest
• Take a high step
• Sprawl
• Shoot a takedown
• Move your hips through a wide range of motion

The shorts shouldn't pull tightly across your thighs or restrict your hips during those movements.

Choose the length that gives you the coverage you want without getting in the way of your jiu-jitsu.

How Should BJJ Shorts Fit?

BJJ shorts should fit securely around your waist without being so tight that they restrict your movement.

You should be able to squat, shoot, sprawl, play guard, and bring your knees toward your chest without the waistband digging in or the material pulling tightly across your hips and thighs.

At the same time, you don't want them so loose that you're constantly pulling them back up during training.

When trying to choose a size, pay attention to:

• Your waist measurement
• How the waistband feels when moving
• Room through the hips and thighs
• Whether the shorts restrict your legs
• The manufacturer's actual size chart

Don't automatically choose your normal jeans size and assume it'll translate perfectly to BJJ shorts. Use the size chart for the shorts you're actually buying.

Adult and Youth BJJ Shorts Sizing

Then add this underneath:

Sizing can vary between brands and styles, so use the manufacturer's chart rather than choosing a size based only on what you normally wear.

For Toro BJJ Super Shorts, use the adult or youth size chart below as your starting point.

Adult Toro BJJ Shorts Size Chart

Note: Toro Super Shorts have an elastic waistband, internal drawstring, and inner pocket.

Youth Toro BJJ Shorts Size Chart

Note: Youth sizing is approximate. Toro youth shorts have an elastic waistband and internal drawstring to help adjust the fit.

Can You Wear the Same BJJ Shorts for Training and Competition?

For most people, the same pair of BJJ shorts can be used for both regular no-gi training and competition as long as the shorts meet the rules of the tournament you're entering.

For everyday training, focus on fit, comfort, durability, and whether your academy has its own uniform requirements.

Competition is different because organizations and individual events can have specific uniform rules. Depending on where you're competing, those rules may cover things such as:

• Shorts length and fit
• Pockets
• Zippers, buttons, or other hardware
• Colors or rank requirements
• Logos and designs
• The type of material or construction allowed

Don't assume that because you've worn a pair of shorts at your academy for six months, they'll automatically be legal at every competition.

Check the current rules for the specific event before competition day. If you're unsure, show the shorts to your coach before you compete.

Do You Need Different BJJ Shorts for Training and Competition?

Usually, no.

If you have a pair that fits well, stays secure, gives you good freedom of movement, and meets your competition's rules, there's no reason you can't train and compete in the same shorts.

That said, some grapplers like keeping a separate pair or set for competition. That can keep their competition gear in better condition instead of putting it through several training and washing cycles every week.

For a beginner, I wouldn't overcomplicate it.

Get a good pair of grappling shorts first. Train in them. If you start competing regularly and want dedicated competition gear later, you can always add it.

How Many Pairs of BJJ Shorts Do You Need?

This mostly depends on how often you train.

If you're doing no-gi once or twice a week and keeping up with your laundry, one or two pairs may be enough.

If you're training no-gi several times a week, having more shorts in rotation makes life easier. You won't be waiting for yesterday's gear to finish washing or drying before your next class.

And just like your gi, BJJ shorts should be washed after every training session.

You don't need a drawer full of grappling shorts when you're just getting started. Buy enough to cover your training schedule, then add more if you're constantly doing laundry just to have clean gear for the next class.

How to Wash and Care for BJJ Shorts

BJJ shorts should be washed after every training session.

They're exposed to sweat, the mats, and your training partners every time you roll. Don't leave sweaty shorts balled up in your gym bag and then expect them to stay fresh.

For Toro BJJ Super Shorts:

• Machine wash in cold water
• Hang dry
• Wash after every training session
• Don't leave wet or sweaty shorts sitting in your gym bag

Hanging them to dry also avoids repeatedly exposing the elastic waistband and performance fabric to unnecessary high heat.

Make sure the shorts are completely dry before putting them away or wearing them again.

If you train several times per week, having multiple pairs in rotation also makes this easier. You can wash your gear properly instead of needing the same pair again before it's completely dry.

What Should You Look for When Buying BJJ Shorts?

You don't need to overthink every feature listed on a product page.

For most grapplers, I'd focus on the things that actually affect you once the round starts:

• Fit: Secure without restricting your movement.
• Stretch: Enough freedom for guard work, wrestling, sprawls, and scrambles.
• Waistband: It should stay in place without constant adjustment.
• Pockets and hardware: Avoid exposed zippers, buttons, and open external pockets.
• Length: Enough coverage for you without restricting your hips or legs.
• Construction: Built to handle pulling, stretching, sweat, and repeated washing.
• Competition requirements: Check your tournament's current rules if you plan to compete.

A good pair of BJJ shorts doesn't need a dozen gimmicks.

They need to fit, stay put, move with you, and hold up to training.

Are Toro BJJ Super Shorts Good for No-Gi?

Toro BJJ Super Shorts are designed specifically for grappling and no-gi training.

They use 4-way stretch fabric, an elastic waistband with an internal drawstring, and a simple design built around freedom of movement. The adult Super Shorts also include a small inner pocket rather than traditional open side pockets.

They're designed for the things we've talked about throughout this guide: staying secure, moving with you, and keeping unnecessary hardware out of the way while you're grappling.

If you're looking for a new pair, you can compare the current Toro BJJ Shorts and choose the size and design that works for you.

If you also need a rash guard, Toro offers No-Gi Sets that pair shorts and rash guards.

Choosing the Right BJJ Shorts Doesn't Have to Be Complicated

The best BJJ shorts aren't necessarily the most expensive pair or the ones with the wildest design.

Start with the basics.

Make sure they fit properly, stay secure, allow you to move freely, and don't have unnecessary pockets or hardware that can interfere with grappling.

If you're competing, check your tournament's current rules before you step on the mat.

If you're just starting no-gi, don't feel like you need five pairs immediately. Get a good pair, train in them, figure out what you like, and build your rotation as your training schedule increases.

Once the round starts, your attention should be on your jiu-jitsu, not your shorts.