Published by Graded Backpacks | Travel | BJJ Lifestyle
One of the quiet joys of training BJJ is that the community exists everywhere. Show up in a new city with a gi in your bag and you'll almost always find a mat to train on, a partner to roll with, and people who speak the same language — even if you don't speak theirs.
But traveling with BJJ gear has its own logistics. A gi is bulky. Wet kit is a problem on the road. Airlines have opinions about what goes in carry-on. And finding a gym in an unfamiliar place takes a little more than a Google search.
This guide covers everything: packing light, flying smart, handling wet gear without destroying your bag or your hotel room, and finding quality training wherever you land.
Packing Light: The Traveling Grappler's Mindset
The instinct when traveling for BJJ is to overpack. Two gis, three rashguards, two pairs of shorts — just in case. Resist it.
The minimalist travel BJJ kit:
- 1 gi (2 if you're competing or staying more than a week)
- 2 rashguards
- 2 pairs of shorts or spats
- 1 belt
- Mouthguard
- Flip flops
That's it. Everything else — a towel, toiletries, change of clothes — is travel basics you're already packing. The key insight is that you can wash your gi on the road. More on that shortly.
One bag vs. two bags: If you're traveling for a week or less, a single 35L backpack can hold everything — your BJJ gear and your regular travel clothes. This is the sweet spot for the traveling practitioner. No checked bag fees, no waiting at baggage claim, no risk of an airline losing your gi the day before a competition.
The Graded Backpack at 35L hits this threshold almost exactly for most trips under 7 days. Pack your gi around the edges of the main compartment (it acts as natural padding), fill the center with clothes, and use the secondary pocket for your rashguard and shorts.
Flying With a Gi: Carry-On or Checked?
Carry-On: Almost Always the Right Call
A gi fits in a carry-on backpack. Fold it correctly (more on that below) and it compresses to a surprisingly manageable size. Flying carry-on means:
- No checked bag fees (typically $35–$50 per bag each way)
- No risk of lost luggage — especially critical for competitions
- Faster airport experience on both ends
- Your gear stays with you
Will TSA or airport security care? No. A gi is clothing. It goes through security the same as any other clothing. There is nothing about a gi that raises flags.
What about the belt? Also fine. A fabric belt is not a prohibited item. It goes in your bag or your personal item with zero issues.
How to Fold a Gi for Travel
The military roll method minimizes volume and keeps the gi surprisingly wrinkle-free:
- Lay the gi jacket flat, face down
- Fold the sleeves across the back
- Fold the jacket in thirds lengthwise
- Roll from the collar down toward the hem, as tightly as possible
- Stuff the roll inside one of the gi pants legs
- Roll the pants around the jacket bundle
The result is a compact, self-contained cylinder that fits neatly along the side of a backpack. This method also works brilliantly for packing multiple gis — stack the rolls and they nest together efficiently.
When to Check a Bag
If you're going to a major competition with multiple gis, no-gi gear, and competition-day supplies, a checked bag makes more sense. In that case, pack your most important gi in your carry-on as insurance, and put the rest in checked luggage.
Handling Wet Kit on the Road
This is the part nobody talks about enough. Training while traveling means dealing with wet gear in hotel rooms, Airbnbs, and sometimes hostels — without the usual infrastructure of a home laundry setup.
The Wet Bag: Non-Negotiable Travel Gear
A waterproof wet bag (sometimes called a dry bag or swim bag) is the single most important piece of travel infrastructure for a BJJ practitioner. It contains your wet gi after training and prevents it from soaking everything else in your bag.
A 10–15L dry bag costs under $20 and weighs almost nothing. It lives at the bottom of your backpack and comes out every time you train. After training, wet gi and rashguard go directly into the wet bag. Everything else stays dry.
Washing Your Gi on the Road
Hotel laundry service: Convenient but expensive — often $10–$20 per item. Not sustainable for a week of daily training.
Laundromats: The best option. Most cities have them, Google Maps finds them in seconds, and a full wash and dry costs a few dollars. Build a laundromat run into your travel day or rest day.
Sink washing: For short trips or single sessions, sink washing works. Fill the sink with cold water and a small amount of travel detergent (or even shampoo in a pinch), agitate the gi for a few minutes, wring it out thoroughly, and hang it to dry. A gi washed this way needs 8–12 hours to fully dry, so plan accordingly — wash it the evening before your next session.
What not to do: Don't leave a wet gi in a plastic bag inside a closed backpack in a warm hotel room. It will mildew within hours and the smell will be permanent.
Drying Gear in a Hotel Room
Hotels are not designed for drying a gi. Here's what works:
- Towel roll method: Lay the gi flat on a dry towel, roll the towel around the gi, and wring the roll tightly. This pulls a significant amount of moisture out before you hang it.
- Hang over the shower rod: The classic. Open the bathroom window or run the bathroom fan to increase airflow.
- Hang near the AC/heating unit: Airflow accelerates drying. Position gear so the air hits it directly.
- Request extra hangers — front desk will usually provide them without question.
A rashguard dries in 2–3 hours. A gi takes 6–12 hours depending on humidity. Plan your training sessions with this in mind.
Finding Gyms to Train at While Traveling
The global BJJ community is one of the art's greatest assets. In almost every major city in the world — and many smaller ones — there's a gym that will welcome a traveling practitioner. Here's how to find them.
The Best Methods for Finding a Gym
1. The BJJ globetrotters community and website — built specifically for traveling practitioners. Lists gyms that actively welcome visitors and often have hosted hundreds of drop-ins.
2. Google Maps: "BJJ" or "Brazilian jiu jitsu" + city name — straightforward and comprehensive. Check reviews for mentions of drop-ins and visitor policies.
3. Instagram — search the city name + bjj hashtag. Most active academies post regularly. DM them directly to ask about visiting.
4. Ask your home gym — your professor almost certainly knows someone in the city you're visiting. The BJJ network is smaller than it seems, and a warm introduction from your coach opens doors that a cold drop-in request might not.
5. Gracie Barra, Alliance, Checkmat, Atos, and other large affiliates — these networks have locations globally. If your home gym is affiliated, sister gyms will typically welcome you without a drop-in fee.
Drop-In Etiquette
Showing up at an unfamiliar gym as a visitor comes with responsibilities:
Contact ahead of time. Don't just show up. Email or DM the gym, introduce yourself, mention your belt and home gym, and ask if you can train. Most gyms say yes. A few have policies against it. Better to know before you make the trip.
Respect the culture. Every gym has its own rules, rhythms, and unwritten norms. Arrive a few minutes early, introduce yourself to the professor, and let them set the tone. Don't come in with something to prove.
Pay the drop-in fee. Most gyms charge $20–$40 for a drop-in session. Pay it without being asked. It's how visiting practitioners show respect for the gym they're training at.
Bring your A-game hygiene. You're a guest. Trimmed nails, clean gi, mouthguard. No exceptions.
Don't go too hard with people you don't know. A competition mindset in an unfamiliar gym with unfamiliar training partners is a recipe for injuries — yours or theirs. Flow, connect, and let the rolls develop naturally.
Apps and Resources Worth Bookmarking
- BJJ Globetrotters (bjjglobetrotters.com) — the most comprehensive directory of BJJ-friendly gyms worldwide
- The IBJJF gym finder — useful for competition-focused gyms with structured programs
- Google Maps — still the fastest first search
- Grappling Industries and NAGA event calendars — if you want to compete while traveling, these organizations run events in most major cities year-round
Traveling for a BJJ Competition Specifically
Competition travel has its own layer of logistics on top of everything above.
Book accommodation near the venue. Sounds obvious, but a 45-minute morning commute on competition day adds unnecessary stress. Walk to the venue if possible.
Carry your gi on the plane. Non-negotiable for competition travel. Checked bags get lost. Your competition gi never goes in the hold.
Account for weigh-in timing. Some organizations weigh in the morning of competition. Plan your nutrition and hydration accordingly, and know the exact time and location of weigh-in before you land.
Bring your registration confirmation in two forms — screenshot on your phone and a printed copy. Technology fails at inconvenient moments.
Plan your pre-competition meal the night before. Know where you're eating, what you're ordering, and when. Tournament morning is not the time to be wandering around looking for a restaurant that's open at 6am.
The Travel BJJ Packing List
In your carry-on backpack:
- [ ] Gi (rolled using the military method)
- [ ] Belt
- [ ] 2 rashguards
- [ ] 2 pairs of shorts or spats
- [ ] Mouthguard + case
- [ ] Flip flops (compress them flat at the bottom)
- [ ] Wet bag (10–15L dry bag)
- [ ] Travel detergent packets (3–4 for a week-long trip)
- [ ] Regular travel clothes
- [ ] Phone charger and power bank
Optional but worth it:
- [ ] Finger tape
- [ ] Resistance band (weighs nothing, useful for warm-ups)
- [ ] Small activated charcoal bag (keeps your pack fresh)
- [ ] Compression shorts (doubles as under-gi and casual wear)
FAQs: Traveling With BJJ Gear
Can I train abroad without speaking the local language?
Yes. Jiu-jitsu is a universal language in the most literal sense — positions, techniques, and the rhythm of a roll communicate across language barriers. Bring your gi, bring your belt, show respect, and you'll find a way to connect on the mat regardless of what's spoken off it.
Do I need to bring my own water?
Most gyms have water available, but bring a reusable bottle. Staying hydrated across a long training session in a new climate is more important than it seems — travel already dehydrates you, and jet lag affects performance more than most people account for.
What if a gym charges a drop-in fee I think is too high?
Pay it anyway. A $40 drop-in fee at a gym you've never visited, in a city you're only in for a few days, is not worth negotiating or complaining about. These gyms are businesses run by coaches who've invested years into their programs. Show respect with your wallet.
Is it safe to train at an unfamiliar gym?
Generally yes — the BJJ community has a strong culture of mutual respect and safety. That said, use judgment. Read reviews, ask in online communities, and trust your instincts when you arrive. A gym where people aren't tapping, where the culture feels aggressive, or where the professor seems indifferent to safety is worth leaving.
Can I travel with a gi as my only bag?
Yes, and many dedicated travelers do exactly this. A 35L BJJ backpack with a gi, rashguard, shorts, and a few changes of regular clothes is a fully functional week-long travel setup.
The Graded Backpack's 35L capacity, moisture-blocking lining, and organized compartments make it one of the most practical choices for BJJ travel — carry-on friendly, built to handle wet kit, and unmistakably BJJ wherever you land. See the full collection.