What BJJ Gear Do Beginners Need? A Beginner's Guide

Starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be overwhelming enough without trying to figure out everything you need to buy.

The good news is that you don't need much gear to start BJJ.

What you actually need depends on your academy and whether you're training gi, no-gi, or both. Before buying anything, ask your academy about its uniform requirements. Some schools require certain gi colors, academy patches, ranked rash guards, or specific uniforms.

Once you know your gym's rules, keep your first setup simple. Buy what you need to train, learn what you like, and add more gear as you start training more often.

This guide will walk you through what a beginner actually needs—and what you can probably leave in the shopping cart for now.

What BJJ Gear Do Beginners Actually Need?

Your exact list depends on how your academy trains.

For gi BJJ, you'll generally need:

• A properly fitting BJJ gi
• A BJJ belt
• Whatever your academy requires underneath the gi
• Flip-flops or sandals for walking off the mats
• A water bottle

For no-gi BJJ, you'll generally need:

• A rash guard or appropriate athletic top
• Grappling shorts or other academy-approved bottoms
• Flip-flops or sandals
• A water bottle

A mouthguard is also something worth discussing with your coach.

You don't need to buy everything marketed as “BJJ gear” before your first class. Start with what your academy requires.

Your First BJJ Gi

If your academy trains in the gi, this will probably be your biggest first purchase.

Don't worry about finding the lightest, most expensive, or most advanced gi available. As a beginner, focus on:

• Fit: Enough room to move without excessive loose material.
• Comfort: You need to be able to squat, move your arms, and train naturally.
• Durability: It should handle regular gripping, training, and washing.
• Academy requirements: Check permitted colors, patches, and uniform policies before ordering.

One gi may be plenty if you train once or twice a week. If you start training several days per week, a second gi makes laundry considerably easier.

If you want a deeper breakdown, read our guide on how many BJJ gis you should own.

Do Beginners Need a BJJ Rash Guard?

If you're training no-gi, you'll likely need a rash guard or whatever training top your academy requires.

Some academies also require or recommend rash guards underneath the gi, while others don't. Check your academy's rules before buying several.

For your first BJJ rash guard, focus on:

• Fit: Snug enough to stay in place without restricting movement
• Stretch: It needs to move with your shoulders, arms, and torso
• Comfort: You shouldn't spend class pulling or adjusting it
• Length: Enough torso coverage to help reduce ride-up

You can also choose between traditional compression and loose-fit rash guards. Neither is automatically better for a beginner. Choose the style you're comfortable training in.

For more help with sizing, fit, sleeve length, and competition requirements, read our guide on how to choose a BJJ rash guard

What Shorts Do You Need for No-Gi BJJ?

Don't assume your regular gym shorts are automatically good for grappling.

For BJJ, you want shorts that stay secure and allow you to squat, sprawl, wrestle, play guard, and scramble without restricting your legs.

Look for:

• Stretch fabric
• A secure waistband
• Freedom through the hips and thighs
• No exposed zippers or buttons
• No unnecessary open external pockets

You don't need several pairs when you're brand new. Start with enough clean gear for your current training schedule and add more as you train more often.

For a deeper breakdown of fit, sizing, length, waistbands, and competition considerations, read how to choose BJJ shorts for no-gi.

Do You Need a BJJ Belt?

If you're starting gi BJJ, you'll typically need a belt.

Before buying one separately, check whether your gi or academy already provides one and ask your instructor what you need.

Don't worry about buying future belt colors. Your academy handles promotions, and you'll have plenty of time for another belt when you earn it.

If you do need one, you can browse the current Toro BJJ belts.

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Does a BJJ Beginner Need a Mouthguard?

A mouthguard is worth considering even when you're brand new to BJJ.

Jiu-jitsu isn't a striking sport, but accidental contact happens. Knees, elbows, heads, and hands can end up where you don't expect them during takedowns and scrambles.

Ask your coach what they recommend, especially if you're unsure what type of mouthguard works well for grappling.

The key is finding one that fits properly and doesn't make it hard to breathe while you're training.

BJJ Hygiene Gear Beginners Should Have

Some of the cheapest things in your gym bag are also some of the most important.

Flip-flops or sandals: Wear them whenever you leave the mats, especially when walking into bathrooms or other common areas. Don't walk around the gym barefoot and then step back onto the mats.

Clean training gear: If you trained in it, wash it before wearing it again. That includes your gi, rash guard, shorts, and other training clothing.

Gym bag: You don't need anything fancy. You just need something that can carry your clean gear and get your sweaty gear home.

Water bottle: Bring one. BJJ classes can get hot, and you don't want to be running to the water fountain between every round.

And don't let your sweaty gear live in your gym bag after training. Get it out when you get home and wash it.

For more on gi care, read how to wash your BJJ gi and keep it fresh.

What BJJ Gear Don't Beginners Need Yet?

This is where it's easy to overspend.

When you're excited about starting jiu-jitsu, you may want to buy everything immediately. You don't need to.

Beginner BJJ Gear Checklist

If you're getting ready for your first few BJJ classes, keep your gear list simple.

For Gi BJJ

• One properly fitting BJJ gi
• BJJ belt, if one isn't included or provided by your academy
• Whatever your academy requires underneath the gi
• Flip-flops or sandals
• Water bottle
• Mouthguard if you and your coach decide you want one

For No-Gi BJJ

• Rash guard or academy-approved training top
• BJJ or grappling shorts
• Flip-flops or sandals
• Water bottle
• Mouthguard if desired or recommended

If your academy trains both gi and no-gi, you'll eventually need gear for both.

But ask your academy about its uniform requirements before you start ordering everything.

Choosing Your First BJJ Gear

Once you know what your academy requires, you can start building your first training setup.

Don't worry about buying the most expensive gear or having several options immediately. Start with gear that fits properly, lets you move comfortably, and can handle regular training and washing.

If you're building your first setup, browse the current Toro BJJ gear and choose what fits your training needs.

A beginner probably doesn't need:

• Five gis
• Six rash guards
• Several pairs of grappling shorts
• Dedicated competition gear before deciding to compete
• Every new limited-edition design
• A giant expensive gym bag
• Gear for training your academy doesn't even offer

Start with enough gear to get through your current training schedule with clean equipment for every class.

Then train.

After a few months, you'll know much more about what you actually prefer—lighter or heavier gis, short or long sleeves, compression or loose-fit rash guards, shorter or longer grappling shorts, and how much gear you need for your weekly schedule.

Buy for the training you're doing now, not the training you imagine you might be doing six months from now.

You Don't Need Much Gear to Start BJJ

Starting jiu-jitsu is already a lot to take in. Your gear doesn't need to complicate it.

Find out what your academy requires, get enough gear to show up in clean training clothes, and start training.

As you spend more time on the mats, you'll figure out what you like and what you don't. Maybe you'll prefer lighter gis. Maybe you'll hate long-sleeve rash guards. Maybe you'll want three pairs of shorts because you're training no-gi four nights a week.

You don't need to know any of that on day one.

Get what you need. Keep it clean. Show up and train.