Short Sleeve or Long Sleeve Rashguard for BJJ?

Short sleeve or long sleeve? It's one of the first gear questions every no-gi grappler asks. Weighing up a long sleeve rashguard BJJ setup against a short sleeve one? The honest answer is that both work. It comes down to your skin, your gym's temperature and how you like to roll.

Short answer: Pick a long sleeve rashguard if you want more protection from mat burn and skin contact, or if your gym is cold. Pick short sleeve if you run hot, train in summer or mix grappling with striking. Many grapplers own one of each and choose by the day.

Long sleeve vs short sleeve at a glance

Here's the quick comparison before we get into the details.

	Long sleeve	Short sleeve
Arm coverage	Wrist to shoulder	Upper arm only
Mat burn on forearms and elbows	Less	More
Skin-to-skin contact	Less	More
Heat	Warmer	Cooler
Freedom at the elbow	Very good with stretch fabric	Total
Best for	No-gi BJJ, cold gyms, sensitive skin	Hot gyms, MMA, striking, summer
Tribe Alpha design price	€44.90	€41.90

The case for a long sleeve rashguard in BJJ

A long sleeve rashguard BJJ players reach for is mostly about coverage. Your forearms and elbows take a beating in no-gi. You frame, post, scramble and drag your arms across the mat all night.

Long sleeves help in a few ways:

• Less mat burn. Fabric slides over the mat instead of your skin, so your elbows and forearms stay in one piece.
• Less skin contact. There's a layer between you and your partner's sweat. That's not a replacement for good hygiene, but it's nice to have.
• Warmth. If your gym is chilly in winter, sleeves help you warm up faster and stay warm between rounds.
• A cleaner look. Plenty of people just like how a full sleeve looks, especially on a printed design.

Does a long sleeve rashguard BJJ top slow you down?

Not really, if it fits well. A stretchy, snug sleeve moves with your arm. Our rashguards use 85% polyester and 15% elastane, so they bend at the elbow without pulling. If a sleeve feels tight or bunches, that's usually a sizing problem, not a sleeve problem. Our rashguard size guide helps you get it right.

The case for a short sleeve rashguard

Short sleeves are the go-to for people who run hot. Less fabric means more airflow, and you'll notice it in a packed summer class.

Here's where short sleeves shine:

• Heat. A short sleeve keeps you cooler during long sessions and hard rounds.
• MMA and striking. If you hit pads or spar between grappling rounds, short sleeves feel more natural for punching.
• Feel. Some grapplers like the grip of bare forearms on their partner's arms and legs.
• Layering. It's easy to throw a short sleeve under a training jersey or hoodie for the warm-up.

The trade-off is your forearms. Expect a bit more mat burn on your elbows, especially in your first months of training.

Long sleeve rashguard BJJ: what about competitions?

If you compete, sleeve length usually isn't the issue. Rules about rashguards tend to focus on coverage of the torso and on color in ranked divisions. Most no-gi events allow both short and long sleeve rashguards.

That said, rules change and every organization has its own. Check the current rulebook before you register. Our guide to IBJJF no-gi rules explains the color question in more detail.

Which one should you choose?

Ask yourself three quick questions.

How warm is your gym?

Cold gym or winter training? Go with a long sleeve rashguard. BJJ in a freezing room is no fun with bare arms. Hot gym with no air conditioning? Short sleeve will keep you sane.

What do you train?

Pure no-gi grappling is where a long sleeve rashguard for BJJ makes the most sense. If you do MMA, Muay Thai or a lot of striking, a short sleeve fits the job better.

How's your skin?

If you get mat burn easily or have sensitive skin, a long sleeve rashguard BJJ setup gives you more protection. Pair it with spats for coverage on your legs too.

Still not sure?

Get one of each. It sounds like a sales line, but it's what a lot of grapplers end up doing. You wear long sleeves in winter and in hard rounds, and short sleeves on hot days and for drilling. Two tops also means one can dry while you wear the other.

What to look for in a long sleeve rashguard BJJ top

Sleeves take a lot of abuse, so a few details matter more on a long sleeve than on a short one.

• Stretch. Look for a good share of elastane in the fabric. It lets the sleeve bend at the elbow and snap back without sagging.
• Seams. Your arms rub against the mat and your partner all session. Reinforced, chafe-resistant seams hold up better and feel smoother on the skin.
• Cuffs that stay put. The sleeve should sit at your wrist when you frame, not creep up to your forearm.
• Print that lasts. Sublimated designs are dyed into the fabric, so they don't crack or peel when the sleeve stretches.

Get these right and your long sleeve rashguard BJJ kit will still look and feel the same after months of hard rounds. Wash it cold and hang it to dry to keep the stretch in.

Sleeve length and fit

Sleeves don't change much about how a rashguard should fit. The torso should still be snug, and the hem should stay tucked.

The main difference is length. On our size chart, a long sleeve in size M measures 75 cm and a short sleeve in M measures 33 cm. If you have long arms and sit between two sizes, the bigger size gives you more room at the wrist. That matters more for a long sleeve rashguard BJJ players will be framing in all night.

Quick answers

Is a long sleeve rashguard better for BJJ?

For most no-gi grapplers, a long sleeve rashguard gives more protection from mat burn and less skin-to-skin contact. Short sleeves are cooler. Neither is "better" for everyone.

Can you wear a short sleeve rashguard in BJJ competitions?

Usually yes. Most no-gi rulesets allow both lengths. Always check the current rulebook of the event you're entering before you compete.

Is a long sleeve rashguard too hot?

It can be in a hot, crowded gym. A thin, stretchy fabric helps, but if you overheat easily, keep a short sleeve for summer.

Do I need a long sleeve rashguard for BJJ as a beginner?

You don't need one, but beginners often get the most mat burn. A long sleeve rashguard BJJ beginners wear can save their elbows while they learn to move.

Wrap-up

There's no wrong choice here. A long sleeve rashguard BJJ players love gives you coverage, warmth and fewer mat burns. A short sleeve keeps you cool and suits striking. Think about your gym, your training and your skin, and pick accordingly.

Both lengths are in our rashguards collection, made to order in Slovenia from XS to 2XL. Want your own design or club logo on the sleeves? Have a look at our custom gear.