Martial arts lovers are likely to be familiar with Vale Tudo, a contentious combat sport, that has acquired a significant following in Brazil. Many people consider Vale Tudo to hold the position of the forefather to mixed martial arts (MMA). Indeed, a range of elements from Vale Tudo are discernible in today’s MMA scene. Nevertheless, what clearly sets Vale Tudo apart from MMA is its much less complex set of rules.
Vale Tudo is actually a Portugese word, which literally means “anything goes.” This is why fights of this nature are also popularly referred to as No Holds Barred (NHB) matches. Vale Tudo bouts pit two men against one another in a contest with very few rules, especially those which relate to the protection of the fighters.
While this lack of rules may be appealing to many hardcore martial artists and fight enthusiasts, they also dramatically shorten the career of many promising athletes. For this exact reason, it is extremely important for those participating in Vale Tudo matches to use only the very best protective gear. This includes MMA gloves and mouthguards, as well as shorts. Luckily though, you’ve stumbled across the right article! Here, we’ll share a few useful product reviews that should help you choose the best Vale Tudo shorts for your needs.
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3.5
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$26.99
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$9.15 ($1.14 / Ounce)
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Priced very reasonably at $19.99 to $24.99, the Compression Rush Fight Shorts by Meister MMA are definitely the most affordable choice on this list. However, don’t be misled by its price!
These long Vale Tudo shorts definitely don’t lose out to the others in terms of overall quality. It’s made from premium stretchable polyester/spandex and secured with smooth, flat, interlocking seams that have been double-stitched for extra durability.
The fabric also has anti-odor, moisture-wicking, and temperature control properties that should help you keep your muscles warm and skin dry for the entire duration of the match or workout.
It comes with an elastic waistband to ensure a secure fit, as well as an inside cup pocket with Velcro enclosure. The latter feature, however, is obviously optional.
- Good selection of sizes
- Breathable and comfortable
- Anti-odor and sweat-resistant fabric
- Limited selection of colors
- Color may bleed into other clothes when first washed
- Cup positioning needs improvement
The Venum Gladiator 30. Vale Tudo Shorts comes in an authentic design and is made of durable material which makes them an effective first layer of protection during your workouts.
These shorts will keep your muscles compressed due to their Venum compression technology which results in an easy warm-up, prolonged performance, and better muscle recovery.
It is also ergonomically designed for a perfect fit with its seams and elastic waistband with a dry tech technology to facilitate breathability to keep you dry even when used for many hours.
The shorts are made of 87% Polyester and 13% Spandex resulting in a 4-way stretch that extends the natural movement of the body while keeping it in place regardless of your movement.
- Heavy-duty stretchable fabric
- Reinforced stitching for improved durability
- Reasonable price
- Ergonomic seams and elastic waistband for a perfect fit
- A bit thin
For a perfect mix of comfort and support, the high-performance compression of CompressionZ does not fall short. These compression shorts are made with premium fabric and durable stitching that are suitable for any athlete’s needs: running, cycling, weightlifting, or CrossFit.
This premium pair of compression shorts have a great base layer that’s comfortable to wear in warm or cold weather and helps reduce chafing; sweating should also never be a problem as these shorts are armed with wicking fabric that keeps you dry while working hard.
Stay comfortable all day with the 4-way stretch fabric and try the CompressionZ compression shorts. Enjoy long length for full coverage for upper leg muscles for maximum mobility.
- Good selection of sizes
- Breathable and comfortable
- Shorts are ideal spandex underwear in warm or cool weather
- The leg end seams don't roll up into a band
- Tends to be too tight/small for some users
- The inside pocket feels uncomfortable
When training or in a serious fight, choose a pair of shorts that stay tight and keep your body temperature down; choose the compression shorts from Sanabul that keeps you protected and comfortable whether used under or by themselves.
This pair of compression shorts are made from a combination of the perfect balance of polyester, nylon, and spandex that guarantee comfort and stays warm when cold, and breather when it’s hot.
It is also revolutionized with UV SPF protection which makes it perfect for outdoor use, too. The elastic waistband has a great fit that adds comfort and even prevents irritation and chafing.
- Reasonable price
- Premium feeling material and great stretch
- Could be used under any fight shorts or by itself
- Tested and created by professionals
- Tend to be too short for some users
- Limited design and color
The men’s compression shorts from Roadbox guarantee a perfect fight to your thighs that improve comfort and compression to your legs, and at $22.99, you get not one, but three pieces of shorts which make it also affordable.
This pair of shorts is made with polyester and spandex, making it light and comfortable leaving you feeling like you have a second skin. It also has a unique flatlock and outer seam design that reduce friction between the skin and shorts when used inside during workout, training, or any sport making you more focused to win.
The Roadbox compression shorts also have a variety of sizes to choose from perfect for your needs.
- Reasonable price; comes in 3 pcs. per pack
- Has a variety of sizes to choose from
- Unique flatlock and outer seam design supporting the inside of the thigh during workout
- Band tends to roll and fold for some users
- Crotch area tend to be small for some users
These blank Vale Tudo shorts, brought to you by Ring to Cage, are sold at a very affordable price of $24.95. It features a double-layer design that’s engineered to comfortably stretch in four different directions. The fabric is also breathable and can wick moisture away rapidly to keep your skin dry.
With its drawstring enclosure, double layer fabric, and stretchable design it’s guaranteed to be flexible, durable, and secure. However, one noteworthy downside of this product is its rather limited style. There are currently only two colors available (white and black) and both variants feature the same classic aesthetic print.
- Good selection of sizes
- Affordable price
- Good overall quality and durability
- Compression may be too tight for large individuals
- Rather tight around the thighs
- Limited selection of colors
Get the best value and comfort with the McDavid Cross Compression shorts. These shorts give great support and fit well while keeping you cool and dry in any performance, thanks to the hDc Moisture Management Technology. It also comes with a 6-thread flat-lock technology that guarantees durability at the seams for added comfort.
These shorts also help in reducing the risk of getting injured with its thick fabric but still provides a light pressure. It is also a great support to add to your hamstrings and quads with the exclusive McDavid Cross Compression Technology by mirroring taping methods used by trainers.
- Exclusive McDavid Cross Compression Technology warms and stabilizes muscles by mimicking taping methods
- Provides extensive support and snug compression
- 6-thread flat-lock technology for strength at the seams and added comfort
- Keeps you cool and dry
- A bit pricey
- Limited color and design
Frequently Asked Questions
What size vale tudo shorts should I get?
As you may have guessed from the products presented above, Vale Tudo shorts are garments that are specially designed for martial artists and other athletes. They’re meant to be flexible and breathable, fit snugly, and wick sweat away.
Vale Tudo shorts also keep the muscles in your upper leg stable during periods of physical exertion like stretching and twisting. Because of their form-fitting design, your physical measurements will determine what size of Vale Tudo shorts you should get.
To determine your size, all you need is a measuring tape, time, and effort. Place the starting end of the tape on your waist, right above your hips, and below your stomach. Carefully wrap the tape around yourself until another part of it meets the starting end.
While wrapping the tape, make sure that it is roughly parallel to the ground, tight enough to be in full contact with your waist, but not too tight as to feel uncomfortable. Once you’re ready, check the resulting measurement on the tape.
If your measurement is somewhere between 28 and 32 inches, then your size is probably small; medium is between 32 and 36 inches; large is between 36 and 40 inches; XL is between 40 and 44 inches, and XXL or over is beyond 44 inches.
If you’ve got a waist that’s over XL, then you might want to be extra careful when picking your shorts, since some brands might not offer products in these sizes. In this case, your best bet will probably be to get a pair of custom Vale Tudo shorts made. To do this, you might want to ask your fellow fighters if they know someone who can sew the shorts for you.
What are vale tudo shorts made of?
Most Vale Tudo shorts use a combination of materials that allow them to have different attributes that are incredibly useful for martial artists and other athletes.
The best shorts are able to wick away sweat and moisture; let your skin breathe through the fabric; maintain compression around your upper leg muscles; eliminate unpleasant bodily odors; protect you from scratches, cuts, and other injuries; and allow you to move freely and comfortably throughout the match or workout.
The most common materials used to create high-quality Vale Tudo shorts are spandex, polyester, nylon, and lyrca.
Aside from the features possessed by the fabric itself, the best pair of shorts will also be engineered in such a way that makes athletes feel comfortable, secure, and flexible. For example, double-stitching and interlocking the seams of the garment or making the shorts double-layered will undoubtedly help them last longer despite the significant abuse that they’ll be regularly subjected to.
Another part of the garment that you need to pay close attention to is the waistband. You need to ask yourself how the shorts are going to be kept in place. Keep in mind that during a spar or actual match, there’s an extremely high chance that some grappling may be involved, so get yourself a pair of shorts that won’t fall off even after some jostling.
Having a wardrobe malfunction in the middle of your match will not only cause you some embarrassment but may even distract you long enough for the other fighter to take advantage of the situation.
Vale Tudo Shorts vs Compression Shorts
Now, admittedly, Vale Tudo shorts are often confused with compression shorts – and for good reason! They’re often used for the same sports, constructed with the same techniques and materials, and may even be very much alike.
However, there is a key difference between the two: compression shorts are undergarments, while Vale Tudo shorts are not. Because they are designed with different purposes in mind, compression shorts are generally much thinner than Vale Tudo shorts and must be worn with outer garments like Muay Thai shorts.
Unfortunately, many fighters still use compression shorts as outerwear, and while there are admittedly types of compression shorts that are designed to function as such, it’s important that we stick to the general rule.
“What’s the big deal anyway?” you may ask. Well, it’s for the sake of decency and respect. Just imagine grappling with an opponent who’s wearing underwear that is specially designed to wick the sweat off his genitals! If that’s not a good enough reason to require outerwear, then I don’t know what is!
Conclusion
There’s really no hard-and-fast rule to identifying the best Vale Tudo shorts. This is why a large part of the determination is subjective. Not everyone has the same needs. What works well for one fighter might not work well for another.
However, there are some general characteristics that you’ll want to carefully examine while you’re still making your choice. For instance, the degree of durability, flexibility, and comfort that each pair of shorts provides must always be considered. These are the most basic characteristics that you’ll need to perform well while wearing the shorts.
Another set of factors that you will need to consider are the extra features it offers, such as anti-odor, moisture-wicking, and temperature control properties. Chances are that the absence of these extras won’t negatively affect your performance, but their presence will likely have some positive effects.
With high-quality temperature control, for example, you’ll be able to keep your muscles warm for extended periods, allowing you to perform better during the match or workout.
The final factors that you will need to consider are price and aesthetics. These factors will not affect the performance of the product at all. While some may argue that price often reflects performance. This is not always the case. There are some products that are reasonably priced but perform very well. The same can also be true for the opposite situation, where expensive products don’t live up to your expected performance level.
Lastly, I believe that aesthetics only warrant very minor consideration. After all, you’re not there to look good. You’re there to win a fight! It doesn’t matter if the fight is against an actual opponent or your old unhealthy self. All you should be focusing on is winning and the best gear will help you do just that!
