I’ve written extensively on this subject, but I’ll keep it brief here: train in the clothes you expect to fight in. Reduce the abstract.

Sport outfits are for your hobby. Artsy outfits are for your art. Pursue your happiness. But for survival and mission readiness? Wear what you actually wear in life. In the field. Civilians should train in civilian clothes. Police officers should train in their uniforms. For example, it makes no sense for cops learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to wear traditional gis. That’s off-mission. Or to train half-prepared, half-dressed. Over the years, I’ve taught police forces as far away as Australia and as close as the local Texas police academy. More times than I can count, officers showed up in a t-shirt, sweatpants, sneakers, and, at best, their duty gun belt. They should be training in full uniform, just as they would wear on duty. The same goes for military combatives….all this wrestling without guns, gear and helmets (and no ground n’ pound)? And think how many civilians show up at the gun range dressed like they are going on a 3-week mission in Cambodia. I understand the need to start “loose” with the basics, but let’s get to fight training in full gear.

 

I know, I know! Schools-dojos pay their electric bill by selling uniforms and shirts, etc. I get it. And it’s all very tribal and “teamy.” Those are actually important social business points. But these are the differences, the sacrifices made between combatives and arts. I sacrifice.

 

In reality, you won’t be barefoot, wearing a gi, a rash guard super hero suit, or baggy pajamas when a crime or war unfolds. There won’t be a mat to cushion your falls. Instead, you’ll be burdened by your clothing and mandatory gear. Your wrists won’t be wrapped. You won’t have a mouthguard. Your eyeballs will be exposed. No cup.

One downside is practicing barefoot. Some old-timers claimed it was to “toughen the feet.” That may have made sense centuries ago when people were barefoot daily, but today? No. Nowadays, it’s mostly about preserving the mats. That’s fine, I get it. But maybe you don’t need mats at all, or maybe just some of the time?

 

My old school in Texas had a wooden floor. I understand that hard floors make repetition training and ground fighting tougher, but that’s the reality of a fight. BJJ legend Chris Haueter has a great lecture on the evolution and distortions of mats in martial history and ground fighting, that I wish everyone could see. There’s a video online if you can find it.

 

This sometimes ties into what I call the “Duration Principle.” Strike bare-knuckle on a bag for a while, but when amassing reps? You’ve done your naked time, put on MMA gloves and finish up. (Not boxing gloves unless you’re a boxer.) Training ground-and-pound or catch wrastlin’ on a real floor? Start without mats, but when the reps pile up? Slip on the knee and elbow pads, or pull out the mat and finish up. You’ve earned it. The Duration Principle.

 

In a real fight, you’ll likely be wearing shoes and fighting on tile, wood, carpet, concrete, asphalt, stairs, hillsides, the insides and outsides of rural, surburban and urban worlds. Train in the clothes and gear you’ll actually be fighting in…and on, as much as possible. If you are just training for art and hobby? Then have fun. Carry on. Just don’t be schizophrenic about it.