Quick Picks
Great fit, secure closure, durable fabric. No pockets or zippers to catch on anything. Does everything right.
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Functional grappling shorts at ~$30. Secure fit, no snag points, and cheap enough to stock a full rotation.
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Tatami quality at $30. Clean design, six color options, reliable construction.
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Good grappling shorts stay up, don’t have anything that can snag or scratch your training partner, and let you move freely. That’s it. The bar is low, but a surprising number of shorts fail at least one of these.
Our top pick is the Gold BJJ Fight Shorts. Secure fit, no pockets or zippers, good range of motion. If you’re on a budget, the Sanabul Essential MMA Shorts at ~$30 or the Tatami Pro Grappling Shorts at the same price are both solid.
What to Look for in Grappling Shorts
No Pockets, No Zippers, No Velcro on the Outside
This is the most important rule. Pockets catch fingers. Zippers scratch skin. External velcro rips body hair. Good grappling shorts have a smooth exterior with all closures tucked inside.
Secure Closure System
You’ll be inverted, swept, and tangled up. Your shorts need to stay on. Look for a combination of: elastic waistband, internal drawstring, and internal velcro closure. The best shorts use all three.
Length and Mobility
Most grappling shorts hit above the knee (7-9” inseam). Shorter inseams (5-7”) give more hip mobility but less coverage. Side slits or stretch panels in the legs help with range of motion. Avoid anything that restricts your ability to sprawl or play guard.
Material
Lightweight, quick-dry polyester blends are standard. Look for reinforced stitching (flatlock seams reduce chafing) and tear-resistant fabric, especially in the crotch area where the most stress occurs.
Our Top Picks
| Shorts | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Gold BJJ Fight Shorts | ~$36 | Best overall |
| Sanabul Essential MMA Shorts | ~$30 | Budget pick |
| Tatami Pro Grappling Shorts | $30 | Best value, name brand |
| Gold BJJ AirFlex Shorts | ~$47 | Premium mobility |
| Hayabusa Hexagon | ~$45 | Premium fit and durability |
| Elite Sports Grappling Shorts | ~$25 | Absolute cheapest |
| Origin Nyloc Nogi Short | $79 | Made in USA |
Gold BJJ Fight Shorts
| Brand | Gold BJJ |
| Price | $$ · Check latest price → |
| Inseam | Standard |
Clean, functional fight shorts at a fair price. Secure closure, smooth exterior, good range of motion. Gold BJJ also makes the AirFlex ($47) and Pacific ($43) if you want slightly different fits or features, but the Fight Shorts are the best starting point.
Sanabul Essential MMA Shorts
| Brand | Sanabul |
| Price | $ · Check latest price → |
| Inseam | Standard |
At ~$30, these are the budget go-to. No frills, but they check every box: secure closure, no external snag points, comfortable fabric. Sanabul also offers CORE Combat Shorts at ~$35 with slightly better construction.
Tatami Pro Grappling Shorts
| Brand | Tatami Fightwear |
| Price | $ · Check latest price → |
| Inseam | Standard |
Same story as Tatami’s rashguards: reliable quality at $30 with six color options (white, black, red, purple, navy, black/silver). Pair them with the matching Tatami Pro rashguard for a clean no-gi kit.
Origin Nyloc Nogi Short
| Brand | Origin |
| Price | $$$ · Check latest price → |
| Inseam | 7” and 9” options |
At $79, these are premium-priced because they’re made in Maine from Origin’s proprietary Nyloc fabric. Available in 7” and 9” inseam lengths with multiple colorways including woodland camo. The quality is excellent, but at nearly 3x the price of Tatami or Sanabul, most people won’t notice a proportional difference on the mat.
Can I Just Wear Board Shorts?
Yes, with caveats. Board shorts work for casual training as long as they don’t have external pockets, zippers, or velcro. Many people train in plain board shorts for years. The main advantage of purpose-built grappling shorts is the secure closure system and smooth exterior that eliminates any chance of snagging.
What About Spats?
Spats (compression leggings) are an alternative to shorts for no-gi training. Some people wear them alone, others wear them under shorts. They eliminate any grip points and protect your legs from mat burn. For IBJJF no-gi competition, spats must be worn under shorts. For training, wear whatever your gym allows and you find comfortable.
The Bottom Line
Best overall: Gold BJJ Fight Shorts at ~$36.
Best budget: Sanabul Essential or Tatami Pro, both at ~$30.
Cheapest: Elite Sports at ~$25.
Made in USA: Origin Nyloc at $79.
Grappling shorts are the simplest gear purchase in BJJ. Pick something without pockets, make sure it stays up, and get on the mat.
About the Author
Andrew Buck
Andrew is the founder of Find Your Gi. A BJJ brown belt and MMA & Jiu Jitsu coach with over 12 years in combat sports, he also brings a decade of experience writing health and fitness content online.