The Best BJJ Gi
March 2023
★ Top 10
The Gi is a staple of many martial arts and is the most recognizable uniform across all disciplines. Most commonly in white, blue, or black, the gi is one of the first things you will buy when you begin your training.
It is also a piece of equipment that you will want to upgrade as you progress your aptitude and skill levels. Whatever level you are at, to receive your gi and belt is a form of initiation and is regarded with great respect and honor. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, we have created this guide.
- Choose Sanabul Essential Jiu Jitsu Gi for the Ultimate BJJ Experience: Sanabul is the go to choice...
- Get a free Sanabul BJJ Belt with Purchase: Get a free Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belt (any color) with your...
- Tested by the Best: Top competitors like Gilbert Burns, Guilherme Bomba, and John Danaher trust in...
What is a Gi?
Inspired by traditional kimonos, Kano Jigoro, Judo’s founder, created the judogi to develop a uniform for his students. He needed something durable that could withstand the forces of full-contact martial arts. Over 100 years ago, he constructed a jacket and pants uniform from a heavy unbleached white cotton fabric. Belts were white also, with colors coming at a later date. It became the first martial arts uniform.
Why Do Martial Arts Use a Gi?
The full name is actually ‘keikogi,’ which means ‘practice clothes.’ The gi aims to help the student to develop their skills. For this reason, there are variations of the trousers and jacket depending on the sport.
For example, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), adapted from Judo, required tighter cuffs at the arms and legs and the ‘skirt’ (between the legs) is shorter. The modifications offer a closer fit, which gives the opponent less material to leverage and manipulate.
Other martial arts that have adopted the uniform include aikido, karate, kendo, and sambo. The choice offers practitioners uniformity, as well as organization. The belts denote rank, and some uniforms will have badges of their affiliated gyms sewn on too.
They are also practical for training purposes and necessary, especially for grappling martial arts, where jacket holds are integral to the sport. Most importantly, they symbolize respect and integrity to the martial arts origins and act as a reminder of the chain of teachers, countries, and cultures that students learn from.
Buying Guide
Discipline:
First and foremost, gis will vary from sport to sport and are generally not interchangeable. This discrepancy is at its most significant between grappling and striking martial arts, as the former requires a more durable fabric. But, a judogi is still unsuitable for BJJ due to the different technique requirements. So be sure to choose a gi that is sport-specific.
Sizing:
It’s crucial to find a suitable size gi. You can choose to have it on the loose or tight end according to your preference. However, it’s vital to bear in mind that extra material, especially in length, gives your opponent an advantage to grab more of your jacket or pants. A well-fit gi does not restrict movement, nor does it carry excess material for your partner to hold on to.
Adult sizes will begin with the letter ‘A’ and range from 0-6, with 0 offering the smallest fit and increasing to the largest. Many companies will offer half sizes and are typically bought ‘pre-shrunk. This is the easier option and comes sized as is. If gi is ‘shrink to fit,’ it can be sized and shrunk at home by drying it and intermittently checking for an accurate fit. This ensures the best comfort, but most students will just go with the pre-shrunk version.
Weave:
The weave describes the fabric density, which will affect the weight, thickness, and durability. Three weave options are the most common: single, double, and gold. If you are a beginner, the standard single weave is more than suitable as they are less expensive and lighter to wear.
The downside is that they are less durable than the other two options but choosing a single weave is an excellent place to start as you figure out how committed you are to your training. If you are only investing in one gi and intend to train frequently, the light weave is better as it takes far less time to dry.
A double weave is literally twice as thick and heavy as the single. They are far more durable, and the thickness makes it harder for your opponent to achieve and maintain a firm grip on the fabric. These Gis will be hotter and take longer to dry. Once you have established a commitment to your martial art, the double weave is more economical as it will last a long time when properly cared for.
Gold weave and others such as pearl and honeycomb combine the durability of the double weave and the lightness of the single. These options can be hit or miss, and there is a lot of quality variation between brands, so they are best bought with a foundational knowledge of gi brands to make a solid choice.
Color:
Gis can be found in an array of colors and patterns. It’s suggested that you consult your gym policy on gi colors. Some gyms do not have any restrictions, and it’s suitable to have a pink or yellow uniform. However, others may enforce requirements that limit you to the more traditional and acceptable white, black, or blue choices. If you intend on competing, it is advised to choose one of these three as they are the only legal options.
These are the most important aspects to consider when buying a gi. As with any martial art, make sure to consider your own needs, expectations, and abilities. This will guide you to make the best purchases. If you are unsure, your coaches and gym staff will be available to give recommendations or address any concerns or queries.
Whether it is your first or one of many, buying a gi is an honor and ties us to our chosen discipline and all the teachers that have come before us so that we too may learn and participate. We hope this buying guide can help you to make an easy decision and embrace this integral part of the martial arts journey.
Related: BJJ Spats & BJJ Rash Guards
- Choose Sanabul Essential Jiu Jitsu Gi for the Ultimate BJJ Experience: Sanabul is the go to choice...
- Get a free Sanabul BJJ Belt with Purchase: Get a free Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belt (any color) with your...
- Tested by the Best: Top competitors like Gilbert Burns, Guilherme Bomba, and John Danaher trust in...
The Best by Community Votes
| Product | Vote | Product | Price |
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Deal Score+59 | Tatami Estilo 6.0 BJJ Gi ReviewThe Tatami Estilo 6.0 BJJ Gi is one of the most recognizable and popular line of BJJ Gi’s in the opinion of myself and ... |
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Deal Score+53 | Origin Axiom BJJ Gi ReviewWe lvoe the Origin Axiom BJJ Gi for its overall quality and high performance fabric. It's legal in most competitions ... | |
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Deal Score+50 | Scramble Athlete V3 Gi ReviewThe Scramble Athlete V3 Gi features a high quality, comfortable Gi with a great athletic fit. 450 Gram Pearl Weave ... |
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Deal Score+48 | Fuji Suparaito Gi Review
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Deal Score+39 | Tatami Estilo 5.0Tatami Estilo 5.0 provides durability without compromising on comfort or fit. If you are in the market for a Gi that ... |
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Deal Score+39 | 93brand Hooks V4 Jiu Jitsu Gi
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Deal Score+36 | KINGZ IBJJF Classic 3.0 Jiu Jitsu Gi
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Deal Score+30 | Shoyoroll BJJ Gi Comp Standard XVIII Q4
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Deal Score+28 | Fuji Sekai BJJ Uniform
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Deal Score+24 | CTRL Industries The Neo Samurai
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What’s Your Favorite Gi?
You need to login first.Just like football player has to put on his gear or a chef needs to put on their jacket, a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu must also have a fine quality Gi prior to stepping onto the mat. While it can be certainly be a thrilling and fun experience to purchase your first BJJ Gi, it can also feel pretty overwhelming or confusing.
There are literally countless brands of different Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gis, and they all feature different options and variations, such as weaves, colors, and designs.
And whether you are brand new to the world of BJJ or even a seasoned fighter, it is essential to educate yourself prior to making an ultimate decision of purchasing your Gi.
The Best BJJ Gi Reviewed
Nominated
The Sanabul Essentials V2 BJJ Gi is a stunningly designed Gi of which is both noted to be “light on the wallet and on the scale”. With a true to size ...
Amy Koller
This item hasn't been reviewed by our team yet. If you own Bad Boy Competition BJJ Gi, sumbit your review bellow or join MMA Gear Addict community and ...
Mantas
This item hasn't been reviewed by our team yet. If you own Hypnotik ZenRoll Hemp Jiu Jitsu Gi, sumbit your review bellow or join MMA Gear Addict community ...
This item hasn't been reviewed by our team yet. If you own Tatami Japan Series Samurai Gi, sumbit your review bellow or join MMA Gear Addict community and ...
Please note that this is a PRE-SALE only, and the product will be shipping Oct 1, 2017! This item hasn't been reviewed by our team yet. If you own Fusion FG ...
Alanna Reviewer
Athlete, artist, fighter, and writer Alanna has studied and competed in Muay Thai and kickboxing for nearly a decade. She brings a passion and knowledge to her writing that only a fighter could, covering everything from weekly martial arts news to in-depth technical guides.
