Starting jiu jitsu is intimidating enough without also trying to figure out what to buy. Walk into any gear shop or scroll any forum and you will find fifty opinions and a dozen brands all telling you their thing is essential. Most of it is noise.
I have been training four to five times a week for years, and I remember exactly what it was like showing up as a beginner trying to figure this out. Here is the real, no-nonsense list: what you actually need, what you can skip, what it costs, and the one mistake that will cost you more money in the long run if you make it early.
The Real Starter List (In Order)
If you ask me what a total beginner actually needs to start training, it comes down to three things:
- A rashguard
- Shorts (BJJ shorts for no-gi, or just something to wear under the gi)
- A mouthguard
That is genuinely it to walk onto the mat and start training. Everything else, gi, gi weight, spats, belts, patches, comes later, once you know you are sticking with it.
Gi or No-Gi, You Still Need a Rashguard
This is the part beginners get wrong most. People assume a rashguard is only for no-gi. It is not.
If you are training gi, you still need a rashguard underneath it. Here is why: a gi gets sweaty fast, and if you are not wearing a rashguard under it, that sweat has nowhere to go and the gi starts to reek within a few sessions. Nobody wants to roll with the guy whose gi smells like a gym bag that has never seen the wash. Wearing a rashguard underneath keeps your gi cleaner for longer and keeps you from being that person at the gym.
If you are training no-gi, the rashguard is not optional at all, it is your primary layer. It keeps skin off the mat, which matters more than people realize for basic hygiene and infection prevention. I go into the full reasoning in why rashguard fit actually matters and how to keep one from stinking up your gear bag, both worth a read once you own one.
What It Actually Costs
Here is a realistic budget, not an inflated one:
- Rashguard and shorts: Expect to spend $100 to $120 for gear that is actually built to last, not something that falls apart in a month.
- A gi, if you are training gi: budget roughly another $100.
- A mouthguard: Non-negotiable from day one. I recommend a SISU mouthguard specifically. It is lightweight and lets you talk freely while wearing it, which matters more than people expect since bulky mouthguards make it hard to communicate with your partner or coach mid-roll. Budget under $50.
That is a real number to work with. You do not need to spend hundreds more on extras before you have even decided if the sport is for you.
Do Not Cheap Out (Learn From My Mistake)
When I started, I went looking for the cheapest option I could find and grabbed a few rashguards off Amazon. They fell apart within a few weeks. The seams gave out, the fabric lost its shape, and I ended up buying twice.
That is the single biggest lesson I would pass on to any beginner: do not cheap out on gear. A $15 rashguard that dies in a month costs you more than a $50 one that lasts two years. Quality gear is not a luxury purchase, it is the cheaper option once you do the math over a full year of training.
What Your Gym Will Loan You (And Why You Should Stop Using It)
Most gyms let you borrow or rent gear for your first few trial classes, and that is a great way to test the sport before spending a dollar. Use it.
But once you have decided you are actually going to train, get your own gear right away. You genuinely do not know how many people have worn that loaner gi or rashguard before you, or how it has been washed, if at all. The moment you commit to training, that is your cue to invest in your own kit.
The Non-Obvious Stuff Nobody Tells You
A few small things that make a real difference and rarely make anyone's checklist:
- Your own slippers. Skip flip-flops, they tend to rip apart fast under regular gym use. A proper pair of slides holds up far longer for the walk to and from the mats.
- Deodorant. Obvious once you think about it, easy to forget the first few times. Keep some in your bag.
- A gym bag you can actually air out. Wet gear sitting sealed in a bag is exactly how smell problems start. If you want the full routine for keeping gear fresh, that is covered in the rashguard smell guide.
The Mistake That Costs More Than Cheap Gear
There is a second mistake almost as common as buying cheap gear in the first place: washing it wrong.
Even solid, well-made gear breaks down fast if you are not caring for it properly. Wrong detergent, hot water, letting it sit sweaty in a bag for days, all of that shortens the life of gear you paid good money for. It is worth doing right from week one rather than learning the hard way. Full routine is in the rashguard care guide linked above.
What to Skip For Now
You do not need any of this in your first few weeks:
- A second or third gi
- Spats
- Fight-branded apparel and gear beyond the basics
- Anything marketed as "pro" or "competition grade" before you have rolled more than a handful of times
None of that changes how well you train early on. Get the essentials right, then build out from there once you know this is a sport you are sticking with.
Your First Purchase Checklist
- Rashguard (quality over cheap, and yes, even under a gi)
- Shorts, or your gi if you are going that route
- Mouthguard (a SISU is a great lightweight pick that still lets you talk)
- Your own slippers, not flip-flops
- Deodorant
- A gym bag that lets gear air out
Final Word
You do not need a garage full of gear to start jiu jitsu. You need a good rashguard, shorts or a gi, and a mouthguard, plus the good sense not to buy the cheapest option in the search results. Everything else can wait until you know you are in this for the long run.
If you are gearing up for your first weeks on the mat, our rashguards, BJJ shorts, and the rest of the range are built to actually hold up to real training, not just look good in a photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gear do I need to start BJJ as a beginner?
A rashguard, shorts (or a gi if you are training gi), and a mouthguard. I recommend a SISU mouthguard specifically since it is lightweight and lets you talk freely during a roll. That covers what you need to safely and comfortably train your first classes. Everything else can wait.
Do I need a rashguard if I am training gi, not no-gi?
Yes. A rashguard worn under the gi keeps sweat off the fabric, which keeps your gi from developing a strong odor after just a few sessions, and keeps you comfortable through a hard roll.
How much does it cost to start BJJ gear-wise?
Expect $100 to $120 for a quality rashguard and shorts, plus roughly another $100 for a gi if you are training gi. Cheap gear often costs more in the long run since it needs replacing sooner.
Should I buy my own gear right away, or use the gym's loaner gear?
Trial classes are a fine time to use loaner gear. Once you decide to train regularly, get your own. You do not know how loaner gear has been used or washed before you.