Jiu Jitsu Gi Buyer's Guide

Buying a BJJ Gi is a fun but sometimes confusing experience. There are many options out there, and not many explanations that make sense. This goal of this buying guide is to inform you of all the things you should consider when choosing the right Jiu Jitsu Gi for you.

Why do I need a Jiu Jitsu Gi?

First it is important to know that there is a difference between Jiu Jitsu Gis and Gis from other martial arts (Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, etc). Jiu Jitsu Gis are made to be much more durable because they are constantly being grabbed and pulled. The thinner materials found in gis from non-grappling martial arts would likely tear the first time on the mat.

A common mistake is thinking that a Judo Gi can be used for BJJ. While the material itself is probably durable enough, Judo Gis have wider sleeves. This extra material gives your opponent more to grip onto. In fact, they can even grip the sleeve in such a way that your hand is trapped inside - not good. In BJJ, you want to give your opponent as little to grab onto as possible. This is why Jiu Jitsu Gis are more form fitting than Judo Gis.

Okay, so how do I choose a gi?

The most important attribute of a BJJ gi is the weave. The weave of a gi determines how much material is used and how it is sewed together. This determines the gi's weight, thickness, and durability.

• Weight: lighter gis are great for training in hot weather. They also help if you are close to the weight limit of your division.
• Thickness: thicker gis make it harder for your opponent to grab and maintain a strong grip. Just think how easy it is to grab a t-shirt versus a thick leather jacket. The tighter you can close your fist, the stronger your grip and the more control you have.
• Durability: this is of course important for the life of your jiu jistu gi – especially for training where you will be using it multiple times per week.

There is some standardization around BJJ gis with single weave, double weave, and gold weave (click here for more on jiu jitsu gi weaves). However, there are an increasing number of manufacturers that are creating their own special gi weaves. This is a good thing because they are innovating to create better weaves, but it makes the shopping experience harder as it is difficult to compare the gis from one manufacturer to another.

To simplify the Jiu Jitsu gi buying process, we have created our own gi categories. Note that this is based on our own evaluation, and is not specified by the manufacturers. Here is what goes into our evaluation:

• The weave, material and weight of the gi
• The quality and features of the gi
• Our experience using the gi in training and competition

We created 5 categories for Gis: Value Gis, Ultra Light Gis, Hybrid Light Gis, Premium Light Gis, Premium Heavy Gis

 

Other things to consider

Gi Sizing

BJJ Gis typically come in sizes from A0 to A6. The 'A' stands for 'Adult' sizing and the number just represents different sizes for adults, with the higher number being for the bigger size. Kids Gis follow different sizing, sometimes M0 - M4 and sometimes 000, 00, 0, 1, etc.

Note that each manufacturer uses these sizes differently. For instance, you can be an A2 with the Vulkan Pro Light Gi but an A3 with the Gameness Pearl Weave Gi. You should always check the sizing chart specific to the Gi you are buying.

Gi Color

BJJ Gis come in many colors - white, blue, black, red, yellow, purple, pink, camouflage and more. The most important thing to consider when selecting a color is what is appropriate for competition and training:

• For competition, the only IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) approved colors are white, blue and black. All other colors will not be allowed in competition.
• For training, the standards are usually more relaxed but you should check with the school or gym you train at to see what is appropriate.

Collar Fill

BJJ gi collars/lapels either use cotton or rubber to fill them (it is always cotton on the outside). Cotton gi collars are more traditional, but rubber collar fills offer certain advantages: they are lighter weight, more difficult to grab (because they are less flexible), and faster drying because they do not absorb sweat. Due to these advantages, rubber collars are becoming increasingly popular for both training and competition.

Pre-shrunk versus shrink-to-fit

Jiu Jitsu Gis these days are usually made with pre-shrunk cotton, which means you don't have to worry about the material shrinking. However, there is the option out there for shrink-to-fit gis. For these you wash them and dry them until they fit just right, after which you never dry them again (periodically take the gi out of the dryer and try it on for size). If you want a gi that is more exact to your size, go with shrink-to-fit. However, this is a bit higher maintenance and you run the risk of over-shrinking!