Should I buy a rash guard?

**newbie999** · Posted On: 5/10/2009 9:36pm

Alright total noob question and yes I did a search. I'm brand new to BJJ and I've noticed some schools require rash guards under your gi, but my school doesn't. Since I'm brand new to BJJ and figuring my skin definetly is not conditioned to rolling should I purchase a rash guard?.

Thanks and sorry for the noob question XD.

**Kentucky Fried Chokin** · Posted On: 5/10/2009 9:42pm

Yes. You need the most expensive rash guard available.

**Sley** · Posted On: 5/10/2009 10:07pm

Or you could wear cheap T-shirts or nothing.

But you can use a Rash guard for other stuff like water sports.

I own rash Gaurds But perfer T-shirts... why? Because I'm weird

***jnp*** · Posted On: 5/10/2009 10:39pm

Welcome to the forum, newbie999. Since questions about clothing purchases have nothing to do with martial arts technique, I moved this thread to YMAS. You're new, so don't worry about it. I suggest you read the respective stickies listed at the top of each sub-forum before posting in them.

I also suggest you buy a rashguard at Academy or Target. They don't get caught up or ripped like t-shirts do and they're ideal for no-gi training.

Hope to see you at the next Austin throwdown.

**3moose1** · Posted On: 5/10/2009 10:52pm

You should buy a rashguard. They keep you germ free, and look cool.

www.ruptureclothing.com if you want a top quality rashguard for a great price.

**DSL** · Posted On: 5/10/2009 10:58pm

Also if you have a Big 5 in the area, they have some on sale for $15. I usually get the Everlast ones or Wilson (yeah, like tennis/baseball etc) depending on price.

***jnp*** · Posted On: 5/10/2009 11:10pm

Originally Posted by 3moose1

You should buy a rashguard. They keep you germ free,

This is false. The water in sweat combined with the size of microbes enables them to move freely back and forth through the mesh weave of rashguards. Unless, of course, there's been a significant advancement in fabric technology that I haven't heard about.

**3moose1** · Posted On: 5/10/2009 11:14pm

Oh damn. jnPWNED.

Ok. Well, they look cool, and help keep you cool during training.

www.ruptureclothing.com

**Uncle Skippy** · Posted On: 5/10/2009 11:21pm

Originally Posted by jnp

This is false. Passive transport enabled by the water in sweat combined with the
size of microbes enables them to move freely back and forth through the mesh weave of rashguards. Unless, of course, there's been a significant advancement in fabric technology that I haven't heard about.

Some rash guards are coming with an anti-microbial treatment now but I haven't seen any information on how effective it is, how many bugs it kills, which bugs it kills, and how many washes will the treatment survive.

Personally, I think rash guards are a false sense of security. What about your hands? Face? Feet?

I'm still in the school of thought of "get home and shower right away." A guy I roll with brings alcohol-based sani-wipes to wipe down his arms, face, etc.

I had my first case of ringworm about 6 weeks ago after having trained seriously for 4 years. Sometimes crap just happens and all you can do is be diligent enough to do what you can to prevent it.

I like compression rash guards for helping to contain my sweat, increased mobility in my gi (don't get stuck due to skin/canvas friction), and it keeps me cooler as opposed to a t-shirt or loose-fit workout shirt.