This question comes right after "what gear do I need," and it deserves a real answer instead of "as many as you can afford." Own too few and you are either training in something damp and smelly or skipping class because nothing is clean. Own the wrong kind in bulk and you are just replacing cheap gear constantly. Here is the actual math, based on how often you train and how laundry really works.
My Own Rotation
I train four to five times a week, and I keep four full sets in rotation, a rashguard and matching shorts for each. That is not overkill, it is a backup system. Some days you cannot wash gear the moment you get home, and having a spare set ready means a missed load of laundry never turns into a missed class.
The Real Number, By Training Frequency
The right number comes down almost entirely to how often you train and whether you can wash gear the same day.
- Training 2 to 3 times a week: At least 3 sets. That covers you through a normal week without needing to rewash mid-week or wear something that did not fully dry.
- Training 4 to 5 times a week: 4 sets is the sweet spot. This is exactly what I run. It gives you a buffer for the days you cannot wash immediately, without buying more than you will actually rotate through.
The logic is simple: you should always have one clean set ready, no matter what happened with laundry yesterday. If you are washing after every single session, like I do (I cover the full routine in how to get the smell out of a BJJ rashguard), your set count is really just a buffer for the days that routine slips.
2 Quality Sets Beats 4 Cheap Ones
If budget is tight starting out, here is my honest advice: start with 2 quality sets and add more as you go, rather than buying 4 cheap ones upfront.
Cheap gear does not hold up to the washing frequency this sport demands. You are washing this stuff constantly, and low-quality fabric and seams start tearing apart after repeated washes far sooner than a well-made set will. Four cheap sets sounds like more coverage, but you will likely be replacing them within months. Two solid sets that actually survive your wash routine get you further for less money over the course of a year.
Shorts Need the Same Math as Rashguards
I like matching sets, so I keep the same number of shorts as rashguards, and yes, shorts need washing just as often as your rashguard does. There is no shortcut here. If you are washing your rashguard after every session, your shorts are going through the exact same cycle. Buy them in equal numbers.
What Happens If You Only Own One Set
If you only have one set and do not wash it immediately after training, you are stuck training in gear that is damp and full of bacteria the next session. Beyond just being uncomfortable for you, nobody wants to roll with someone in gear like that, and it can genuinely get you a reputation at the gym, or worse, get you asked to step out of a class. Owning enough sets to always have a clean backup is not a luxury, it is basic gym etiquette.
Is There Such a Thing as Too Many?
Honestly, not really. More gear in rotation just means less laundry pressure and longer life on each individual piece since you are not running the same set through the wash as often. The only real limit is your budget, not your closet.
Bundles Make the Math Easier
This is exactly where buying a rashguard and shorts together as a bundle pays off. Instead of buying individual pieces with different designs and paying full price on each, a matched bundle saves you money while building out your rotation faster. If you already know you are training seriously and need multiple sets, bundles are the more cost-effective way to get there.
Our bundles are the easiest way to add matched sets without piecing it together one item at a time.
My Honest Take
Start with at least 2 sets, and grow that number over time to match your training demands. Someone training twice a week does not need what I own training five times a week, and that is fine. Let your actual schedule decide the number, then add quality pieces as you go rather than overbuying cheap gear all at once.
Quick Reference
- 2 to 3x a week: 3 sets minimum
- 4 to 5x a week: 4 sets is the sweet spot
- Starting out on a budget: 2 quality sets, add more later
- Shorts: Same count as rashguards, they wash just as often
- Best way to scale up: Bundles, so you are not paying full price piece by piece
Final Word
The right number of rashguards and shorts is not a fixed rule, it is a function of how often you train and how reliably you can wash gear the same day. Start with two solid sets, build up as your training demands it, and lean on bundles to get there without overspending on individual pieces.
If you are ready to build out your rotation, our bundles are the easiest way to add matched sets without piecing it together one item at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many rashguards do I need to start BJJ?
At least 2 quality sets to start, growing to 3 to 4 as you train more consistently. The right number depends on how often you train and whether you can wash gear the same day every time.
Do I need the same number of shorts as rashguards?
Yes. Shorts need washing just as often as a rashguard does, so buying them in equal numbers keeps your rotation balanced and avoids running out of clean gear.
Is it better to buy a few expensive rashguards or several cheap ones?
A few quality sets are the better investment. Cheap rashguards do not hold up to frequent washing and tend to tear apart within months, while well-made sets last far longer even under heavy training and wash cycles.
What happens if I only own one rashguard?
If you cannot wash it immediately after every session, you end up training in damp, bacteria-heavy gear, which is uncomfortable for you and unpleasant for training partners. Owning at least a couple of sets avoids that entirely.