BJJ Spats vs Grappling Shorts: Which Should You Wear?

It’s your first no-gi night, or maybe your fiftieth, and you’re staring at two options in your bag. Spats feel safer for your knees. Shorts feel like what everyone else is wearing. Pick wrong and the worst case is an awkward chat with your coach, or a rule problem at a tournament.

Good news: this is an easy decision once you know which questions to ask.

Buy grappling shorts first. Every academy accepts them and they work across grappling and striking classes. Add BJJ spats when you want full leg coverage, protection from mat burn, or a close fit that stays put. Most grapplers end up wearing spats underneath shorts.

Spats on their own can work at some gyms, but that’s a gym-by-gym call. For tournaments, the rules get specific, and we cover them below.

Ask your coach one simple thing: “Can I wear spats on their own, or do you want shorts over them?” Policies differ, and a ten-second question beats guessing.

If you finish most sessions with scraped knees or friction burns, spats are the easiest fix. If you rarely notice it, shorts alone are fine.

Competition uniforms are regulated, so you’ll want kit that meets the event’s rules. More on that below.

If you also do MMA, boxing, or kickboxing, shorts do double duty. Our Black Jack shorts, for example, are listed for no-gi BJJ, MMA, boxing, Krav Maga, and kickboxing.

Think of shorts as the base layer that always works and spats as an optional upgrade. For the full story on what spats are made of and how to size them, see our BJJ spats guide.

Rules on paper are one thing. The unwritten norms matter too.

At many gyms, shorts over spats is the default for men. Some academies are relaxed about spats alone, and plenty of grapplers, especially women, train in spats without shorts. None of that is universal, which is why the one-question check with your coach is worth doing before your first class.

If you’ve got neither and a trial class is coming up, gi pants will do in a pinch. They give opponents more fabric to grab, though, so most people switch to proper no-gi gear quickly. Our what to bring to your first BJJ class checklist covers the rest of the basics.

The IBJJF uniform page sets out the no-gi requirements in plain language. In short:

• Men’s shorts: board shorts in black, white, black and white, or your belt colour. No pockets (unless stitched completely shut), no buttons, no exposed drawstrings, no zippers, and no plastic or metal that could harm an opponent. Length must cover at least halfway down the thigh and be no longer than the knee.
• Under men’s shorts: skin-tight compression shorts in the same colours are listed as permitted.
• Women: shorts, compression pants (skin-tight spats), and/or compression shorts in the same colours, with the same safety rules for shorts.
• Shirts: skin-tight, long enough to reach the waistband, in black, white, or black and white with at least 10% of your rank colour, or fully your rank colour.

Here’s the catch for men. The page names compression shorts under board shorts, while full-length spats appear in the women’s section. Some retailers and blogs say men can wear spats under shorts, and the page links a newer uniform manual, so confirm with that manual or the event organiser before you register. Other organisations set their own rules, and some events only ask for pocket-free, zipper-free shorts or spats. Our IBJJF no-gi uniform guide is a good companion read.

One more practical tip: under IBJJF rules, no-gi athletes weigh in wearing their uniform, so test the exact kit you plan to compete in.

The first month. Rash guard plus grappling shorts. It’s the simplest complete no-gi outfit, and it gets you through any class. Our beginner gear guide shows what else to add and when.

The mat-burn survivor. Spats under shorts. The fabric sits between your skin and the mat, and shorts on top keep things gym-friendly.

The competitor. Spats or compression shorts (as the rules allow) in a legal colour, under compliant shorts, with a rash guard that matches your belt rank. Pick the colours before you buy.

The cross-trainer. Shorts as your anchor for BJJ, MMA, and striking nights. Add spats underneath on BJJ nights if you like the coverage.

The warm-room grappler. Lighter shorts, and spats only if your gym allows them and you find them comfortable. Some people find compression warm, others don’t mind, so test before committing.

Parents buying for younger grapplers can browse kids’ BJJ shorts and kids’ BJJ spats, and should check the gym’s rule first.

If you wear both, a few small details make a big difference:

1. Spats go on first, with the waistband flat at your natural waist, not rolled.
2. Shorts go over, secured so they don’t slide when you sit in guard.
3. Keep the drawstring inside. The IBJJF bans exposed drawstrings, and a loose cord is a nuisance on the mat anyway. Our Black Jack shorts have an elastic waistband with a hidden drawstring.
4. Check the leg openings. Shorts with side slits move freely over spats, but make sure nothing catches when you shrimp or bridge.
5. Rotate two pairs if you train often, so you’re never pulling on damp gear.

If you’re also wondering what goes under gi pants on gi days, our guide to what to wear under your BJJ gi covers it.

Start with a pair of BJJ no-gi shorts. The Black Jack range uses a tear-resistant 150 gsm stretch microfibre with reinforced stitching, side slits for movement, and an elastic waistband with a hidden drawstring, in black, gray, blue, and red. Verified reviewers on the product page mention good fit and durability, and a couple say theirs held up after a year or two of regular use. Elite Sports lists the shorts as IBJJF approved, but your event’s inspectors make the final call.

When you’re ready for more coverage, add BJJ spats. Our plain black pair uses an 85% polyester, 15% spandex blend with flat-lock seams and four-way stretch. One verified buyer said they’d avoided spats until nail cuts changed their mind, then loved them. To complete the top half, browse BJJ rash guards. And if budget is the question, our best BJJ spats and no-gi shorts under $30 roundup lays out the options.

All Elite Sports products carry a one-year warranty that doesn’t cover regular wear and tear.