Tatami Fightwear Nova Short Sleeve Rash Guard Review: Tatami’s Entry-Level No-Gi Rash Guard
Tatami Fightwear Nova Short Sleeve Rash Guard Review: Tatami’s Entry-Level No-Gi Rash Guard
At a Glance
- Who it’s for: no-gi BJJ, grappling or MMA athletes looking for a first serious rash guard at a reasonable price
- Suitable uses: no-gi BJJ, grappling, MMA standing and on the ground; can be worn under a gi
- Overall rating: 8/10
- Approximate price: to be confirmed: see the current price on Tatami Fightwear
Overview: Tatami Fightwear and the Nova Line
Tatami Fightwear is a British brand founded in 2009 that specializes in BJJ and grappling gear. It is distributed in more than 60 countries and counts high-level IBJJF and ADCC competitors among its ambassadors, including ADCC medalist Josh Hinger, who appears as the reference model on Tatami’s product pages. The Nova line is the entry point into the brand’s rash guard catalog: the goal is a technically sound, durable and understated rash guard, without the extras of the competition line. The Nova Short Sleeve Rash Guard is the short-sleeve version of this line, available in black with a deliberately minimalist design.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Fabric composition | 73% polyester / 27% spandex |
| Type | Short sleeve |
| Available sizes | XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL |
| Color | Black |
| Care | Wash at 30°C (86°F), air dry |
| Approximate price | to be confirmed |
Fabric: 73% Polyester / 27% Spandex
The 73% polyester / 27% spandex ratio is a well-calibrated balance for a grappling rash guard. The high proportion of polyester handles moisture management: the fibers carry sweat to the outer surface of the fabric, which keeps the skin dry during an intense roll. Drying after washing is very fast, a practical plus for athletes who train several times a day.
The 27% spandex provides elastic recovery: the fabric returns to its original shape after every pull, guard pass or grip from an opponent. This is what sets a grappling rash guard apart from a simple performance t-shirt: enough spandex that the garment does not stretch out under the repeated grips of no-gi. In practice, the slim fit stays stable after several months of regular use, with no deformation at the shoulders or lower torso.
Short-Sleeve Cut: What Changes Compared With Long Sleeves
Choosing a short-sleeve versus a long-sleeve rash guard is mainly a question of use and personal preference. Short sleeves offer more freedom of movement at the elbows and forearms, an advantage in spider guard, De La Riva, and standing guard passes where forearm frames are frequent. They also run cooler in summer or in heated gyms.
The trade-off: short sleeves protect the elbows less against mat burns. In intense ground wrestling, repeated elbow contact with the mat surface can irritate the skin over a long session, while a long-sleeve rash guard fully covers those areas. For competitive no-gi BJJ athletes, where guard passes are fast and ground contact is frequent, a long-sleeve rash guard is often preferred. For regular training and mixed standing/ground sessions, the Nova’s short sleeves are a perfect fit.
In Real-World Use: No-Gi BJJ, Grappling, MMA
In no-gi BJJ, the Nova Short Sleeve is a sensible choice. The slim fit keeps opponents from easily grabbing the fabric: a loose or stretched-out rash guard becomes an unintended grip for your opponent. The polyester/spandex fabric withstands the pulling of sleeve grips and wrist control without stretching out. On a no-gi competition mat (IBJJF, NAGA, local ADCC events), the plain black rash guard meets every rulebook with no color issues.
In MMA grappling (ground work with transitions to standing), the short sleeves make transitions easier. The rash guard stays in place under MMA shorts without riding up above the waistband during level changes and takedowns. That is the real-world test that separates rash guards designed for martial arts from those simply sold in this niche without the specs to match.
The Nova can also be worn under a BJJ gi. The controlled fabric thickness does not add bulk under the jacket, and the longer cut at the lower torso stays tucked into the gi pants during dynamic guard passes. Some athletes wear it exclusively under the gi to protect their skin from jacket burns during sweeps.
Care and Durability
Tatami recommends washing at 30°C (86°F) in cold water and hang drying. These two instructions apply to all technical rash guards and are worth following. A high-heat dryer degrades spandex fibers: the fit gradually loses its elasticity and the rash guard starts riding up. Avoid fabric softener: it clogs the polyester fibers and impairs moisture management.
In terms of durability, the 73/27 ratio with Tatami’s finishing holds up well over 12 to 18 months of regular no-gi training (3 to 4 sessions per week). The fastest-wearing areas on short-sleeve rash guards are the sleeve hems and the underarm seams: keep an eye on them after 6 months of intensive use. Tatami’s build quality is above the generic rash guards sold on Amazon at a similar price.
Size Chart
The Nova Short Sleeve is available in XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL and XXXL. Tatami’s reference: Josh Hinger (178 cm, 70 in) wears a size M. The slim fit is calibrated to stay in place during grappling: take your usual size. If you are between two sizes with broad shoulders, size up to keep your freedom of movement. Check Tatami’s official size guide before ordering.
| Size | Chest | Waist |
|---|---|---|
| XS | to be confirmed | to be confirmed |
| S | to be confirmed | to be confirmed |
| M | to be confirmed | to be confirmed |
| L | to be confirmed | to be confirmed |
| XL | to be confirmed | to be confirmed |
| XXL | to be confirmed | to be confirmed |
| XXXL | to be confirmed | to be confirmed |
Who It’s For, and When to Pass
This rash guard is for you if: you train no-gi BJJ, grappling or MMA and you are looking for a rash guard from a serious brand at an affordable price. You want something understated (minimalist black design, no busy sublimation) that works at the gym as well as at local competitions. You train regularly and want a rash guard that lasts, built by a brand that understands the demands of grappling.
This rash guard is not for you if: you want long sleeves for maximum elbow protection on the ground (look at the long-sleeve version of the Nova line or Tatami’s competition line). You only do stand-up boxing with no ground work at all: a classic performance t-shirt will be more than enough and cost less. You are looking for a rash guard with a graphic design or full-color sublimation: the Nova Short Sleeve only comes in plain black.
Alternatives to consider: Tatami Nova Long Sleeve (long sleeves, same line), Tatami Absolute Competition Rashguard (high-end competition model), Venum Contender 2.0 Rashguard (alternative at a similar price).
Rating by Criterion
| Criterion | Rating /10 | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric / composition | 8/10 | 73/27 polyester/spandex: good balance of moisture management and elasticity |
| Fit and support | 8/10 | Stable slim fit, stays in place under a gi and MMA shorts |
| Grip resistance | 7.5/10 | Fabric that does not stretch out under repeated pulling |
| Care / drying | 8.5/10 | Fast drying, simple routine: 30°C (86°F), air dry |
| Durability | 7.5/10 | 12 to 18 months of regular use: above generic Amazon options |
| Value for money | 8.5/10 | Affordable price for a benchmark BJJ/grappling brand |
Order the Tatami Fightwear Nova Short Sleeve Rash Guard: see the current price and available sizes.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Nova Short Sleeve be worn under a BJJ gi?
Yes. The slim fit and controlled fabric thickness make it compatible under a gi without adding bulk. The lower part stays tucked into the gi pants during dynamic guard passes, and there are no raised seams to irritate the skin under the jacket. Some athletes wear it exclusively under the gi to protect their forearms and torso from gi burns during sweeps and transitions.
Short sleeves or long sleeves: which should you choose?
It depends on your main use. Short sleeves offer more freedom of movement at the elbows and forearms, suited to standing no-gi BJJ, MMA grappling and less intensive ground sessions. Long sleeves better protect the elbows from mat burns during repeated guard passes on the ground, an advantage for competitive BJJ and long sessions spent entirely on the ground. If you do a mix of standing and ground work at your gym, short sleeves are enough. If you roll 100% on the ground 5 times a week, get long sleeves.
How should you care for the Nova Short Sleeve so it lasts?
Wash it at 30°C (86°F) maximum, inside out to protect the fabric, without fabric softener: softener clogs the polyester fibers and impairs moisture management. Hang it to air dry, never in a high-heat dryer, which degrades the spandex fibers and causes a loss of elasticity. Ideally, wash it right after every session: sweat left in the fibers speeds up wear and odors. These instructions apply to all technical rash guards: the Nova is nothing special in this respect.
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