Most new practitioners overspend in the first month, buying gear for a version of BJJ they haven't experienced yet. The truth is you need very little to start, and most academies will let you train your first few classes in a t-shirt and shorts specifically so you don't buy a gi before knowing if you'll stick with it. Here's what to actually prioritize, and in what order.
Essential — get these before you start
Priority 1- Mouthguard — even in fundamentals classes, accidental contact happens. A basic boil-and-bite mouthguard is enough to start; you don't need a custom one on day one.
- Flip-flops or sandals — for walking to and from the mat. Bare feet on locker room and bathroom floors is how fungal infections like athlete's foot and plantar warts spread.
- Water bottle — training sessions run 60-90 minutes with minimal breaks.
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SISU Aero 1.6mm Mouthguard
Thin enough that you forget it's in, without giving up real protection. Easy to talk and breathe with during drilling.
Get these in your first month, once you know you're staying
Priority 2- A gi (if your academy trains gi) — most gyms will tell you exactly when you need one; there's usually no rush in week one.
- A rash guard — worn under the gi or alone for no-gi classes, and it meaningfully reduces mat-related skin irritation and grip friction burns.
- A gym bag — anything that fits a folded gi and separates damp gear from dry clothes.
Sanabul Rash Guard
Slim, no-frills fit that layers cleanly under a gi or works alone for no-gi. The most commonly recommended budget rash guard across independent reviews.
Elite Sports Monster Duffel
Large enough for a gi, rash guard, and shoes with a separate ventilated compartment — so damp gear doesn't sit against dry clothes.
Ask your academy before buying a gi. Some have specific color or patch requirements, and some offer a discounted first gi through the gym itself — worth checking before ordering online.
Nice to have, but not urgent
Priority 3- BJJ shorts and spats for no-gi — most beginners can start in athletic shorts and a compression layer they already own.
- A second gi — only becomes necessary once you're training three or more times a week (see our guide on gi wash frequency for why).
- Ear guards — useful for preventing cauliflower ear from repeated friction, but not urgent unless you're training gi-heavy positions frequently in your first months.
- Belt display or gi trophy — a nice milestone marker, but obviously not needed until you've actually earned a stripe or belt to display.
What to skip entirely at the start
Skip competition-spec gear, custom patches, and multiple gis in different colors until you've trained consistently for at least a few months. New practitioners quit at a high rate in the first 90 days — not because BJJ isn't for them, but because the learning curve is genuinely steep. Spending less up front means less sunk cost if you decide it's not the right fit, and more room in the budget for gear once you know exactly what you actually use.