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You can’t perform traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu without a Gi. A good Gi should be comfortable to wear, last a while, and let you take your sweet time on the mat building up some sweat.
What does it take to be considered the best BJJ Gi?
A combination of high-quality material, built, and individual needs. A BJJ Gi may provide world-class performance and quality, but what if the sleeve length isn’t right? Or you’re unable to breathe in it? This is why, we believe that to find the best BJJ Gi, you need to do your share of the homework.
You’re on the lookout for the best BJJ Gi, scouring the markets and hitting occasional BJJ Gi sales, but you’re still not finding the one for you. That’s when you try your luck online. You would think choosing something online would be super easy because all the specifications are laid down in front of you.
However, with over 300 kinds of BJJ Gis in the market, the final selection gets a bit trickier. Only a handful from the prospective 300 will be the one for you – the best BJJ Gi that was made to cater to your needs.
If you were looking for a good BJJ Gi but don’t know where to start, we are here to help. After testing out many of the best-rated ones as well as various models from renowned names in the BJJ Gi industry, we have prepared this comprehensive rundown of the top 10 best BJJ Gis. We will also be talking about all the factors you should consider when choosing the right BJJ Gi.
To start off, we compared BJJ Gis from more than 100 brands by splitting them into some categories: beginner/budget Gis, competition Gis, and premium Gis.
We also read and tried to analyze customize reviews on Amazon, Reddit, popular online stores that sell Gis, and the brands’ websites to conclude.
Of course, we had to place the Gis somewhere on the tier list, so we evaluated the pros and cons associated with each pick based on user reviews and our tests.
The majority of the recent BJJ Gis are divisible into three categories:
Budget Gis don’t usually come with a fancy flair but they are ideal for a beginner. These Gis are usually constructed from basic yet durable fabrics and weaves. Although very simple in design, expect to see minimal patches and embroidery. A few budget Gis made for beginners will also include a free white belt.
You may be curious as to how much a budget or beginner Gi costs. This will depend largely on the brand and the kind of Gi. Have a look at the tables below to get a rough estimate of how much a beginner/budget BJJ Gi goes for.
We also have separate reviews for best BJJ Gi for beginners, best BJJ Gi under $100 as well as best lightweight BJJ Gi.
Beginner/budget Gis cost
Zone | Price range |
USA | $60 – $100 USD |
Europe | €55 – €95 |
UK | £50 – £85 |
Australia | $125 – $150 AUD |
Competition Gis can also be called lightweight Gis as they are light enough for athletes to bring on the go. And being an athlete constantly participating in competitions here and there, packing light is rather necessary.
A competition Gi is constructed of lighter materials, which is why they generally don’t last as long as their heavier counterparts. Some manufacturers suggest one use lighter Gis solely for light to average intensity training.
Competition Gis normally come with an escalated price tag and are often offered in a large variety of colors, styles, and materials – all of which are approved by the IBJJF to make sure you can compete in them.
On the other hand, travel Gis can sometimes be made entirely from rather lightweight materials, for instance, ripstop. This gives them their signature light and touch feature, but they may also not always cut IBJJF competitions.
How much does a competition Gi or a lightweight Gi go for? The price varies depending on many factors including the fabric, brand, and much more. You can expect a competition Gi to set you back this much money:
Competition Gi price range
Zone | Price range |
USA | $100 – $150 USD |
Europe | €80 – €120 |
UK | £70 – £110 |
Australia | $150 – $225 AUD |
As the name suggests, premium Gis usually feature higher quality materials, more embroidered logos and patches, and many more material reinforcements in comparison to a budget Gi. While competition Gis are made for high-intensity training and official competitions, premium Gis can be much pricier than competition Gis on many occasions. This is mostly due to the embellishments and “gorgeous” additions. These Gis may also include a Gi bag – very helpful for post-training activities.
“Exotic” materials can be found in some premium Gis, like hemp which is used in Senso, Flow, and Datsusara Gis.
Over the years some Gi manufacturers have come out with limited edition Gis, taking inspo from animals, famous fighters, as well as many mythological beasts. As they are priced high and included additional patches, artworks, and/or embroidery, these Gis are aimed at the premium side of the market. And as you could guess, the limited edition Gis will put a significant dent in your wallet (for a gi).
When searching for the best BJJ Gis (premium), they should generally:
Have a high-quality weave. Make sure your Gi is made from either gold weave or a pearl weave. Avoid Gis featuring other weaves as there is a chance that they will have a cheaper, less durable body. Also, keep away from double weaves as they make the BJJ Gi unnecessarily heavy.
Be made from good quality fabric. Cotton is the most popular fabric material for Gis. Some budget Gis comes in a blend of cotton and more fabrics, while premium Gis are usually 100% cotton. There are also premium Gis made in hemp which can be quite beneficial in many aspects.
Be durable. Longevity is one of the determinants of a BJJ Gi. A premium Gi normally features more stitching and fabric reinforcement all over the Gi compared to a beginner or budget one.
Be preshrunk. Before being made into a Gi, the Gi fabric is shrunk. This minimizes, not completely removes, any shrinking that would happen after it went through some regular wash cycles.
Have a good fit and offer a large range of sizes. Regardless of price, any good Gi should have a nice fit. However, more premium Gis may come in a larger range of size options, like “heavy/husky” or “long.”
Include a Gi bag. As premium Gis are pricey, they tend to come with various items like belts and bags. A Gi bag comes in handy for training and traveling.
Be creative. When a premium Gi is concerned, the world is a brand’s oyster. This is the place where they get to implement their cutting edge improvements and place a hefty price tag over it. So it better be worth every single penny.
How much does one premium Gi go for?
As with the other two kinds of Gis, the price of a premium Gi will change with brand, fabric, and extras (if included). On average, these are the price ranges:
Premium Gi price range
Zone | Price range |
USA | $125 – $160 USD |
Europe | €110 – €135 |
UK | £100 – £120 |
Australia | $200 – $250 AUD |
With a highly affordable price tag, the FUJI All Around Gi is the perfect single weave Gi to claim the title of “best value” Gi available today. This Gi is great if you’re just starting off in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The design and price make this Gi a top pick for many buyers.
However, don’t think that there’s a lack of quality just because of the affordable price. The material may only be a single weave and the design not the intricate ever, but this Gi features incredible reinforcement in all stress points.
The cuffs receive triple stitching and are taped with a bit of twill cotton. Every single seam in the jacket is reinforced with the same twill tape too, something many Gis lack. The side vents as base jacket hems are similarly reinforced.
For the pants, they have a double layer reinforcement, covering the ankle to the knee area. This is a contrast to an average Gi which most likely will have reinforcement only in the knees. As you kneel, there’s a connection between your knees to the ankle and the ground, making the entire area one stress zone. Additionally, the cuffs are also reinforced with triple stitching and twill tape.
Delightfully, the Gi isn’t as light as you would assume, coming in at about 1.7 to 2 kg. It’s comfortable and soft for long hours of training.
What We Liked:
What We Didn’t Like:
Despite the lower price, the Sanabul Essentials V.2 Ultra Light Gi features not a single weave, but an ultra-lightweight pearl weave. This makes the total weight of this BJJ Gi come at around 1.5 – 1.7kg, yet it remains tough.
This Gi features strong reinforcement in a jacket’s and pants’ typical areas to make up for the lightweight material. But, some users have mentioned that the material on this is really easy to grip, which could work against you in a match. Hence, we wouldn’t recommend this Gi for competition purposes. It’s best for hot climates and traveling, however.
The specially treated fabric promotes dryness, keeping you comfortable for long. Besides, it will actively fight bad odor and halt microbe growth as a result of sweat. Much like with the previous model, the fitting on this Gi is quite good as well. The sizing chart seems to be accurate enough.
Sanabul gives an athletic and tapered cut to this gi, reducing the overall bagginess. While you do get a snazzier fit, it also makes the BJJ Gi run somewhat smaller.
What We Liked:
What We Didn’t Like:
If you train in a warm climate or in a gym without air conditioning, a lightweight Gi is much needed. On top of that, a light Gi helps to make weight easily.
The Zero-G V3
is the third installment to the popular Zero-G line series from Tatami, and it’s definitely the best one. The jacket is a 475gsm pearl weave design with ripstop cotton around the lapels and collar. The areas under the side vents and near the armpits are reinforced too.
Owing to the contrast stitching, the Gi has a stylish look. The cuffs have a folded seam tape lining with the Zero-G logo, giving more character to the design.
Switching out their usual twill cotton, Tatami used 11oz ripstop cotton for the pants in the V3. Additionally, they are double reinforced.
Weight-wise, the 475gsm jacket and 11oz pants do make this Gi significantly heavier than other lighter Gis. There is a trade-off involved here – you sacrifice a bit of comfort for a well-constructed and sturdy Gi. Quite minor, but still a tradeoff. The entire weight of the Gi is about 1.5kg.
Users have said that Tatami does provide a “roomier” fit. You might or might not like that. The skirt is also a little longer than a regular one.
What We Liked:
What We Didn’t Like:
Goorudo is a signature range from Hayabusa and is the third addition to the line. This premium Gi is constructed from a 550gsm gold weave alongside 12oz twill cotton pants. This adds to the weight of the gi, and Hayabusa uses it to their advantage, marketing it as a Gi perfect for competitions. In fact, Hayabusa is a super popular name in the market for this purpose.
Like you would expect from a competition gi, the Goorudo features reinforced stress points across the jacket and pants to prevent tugging and pulling. The use of gold weave instead of the more common pearl weaves add an element of durability to the Gi but it also adds weight.
If you aren’t a fan of flashy Gis, this isn’t the one for you. The patches and intricate embroidery call for a lot of attention, and some practitioners would genuinely appreciate that. Apart from the standard contrast stitching, bold kanji characters are embroidered all over. Interesting fact: These are the “kanji” for Japanese words like strength, courage, respect, and pride.
What We Liked:
What We Didn’t Like:
The Flow Kimonos Air BJJ Gi will be your new best friend when competing or training in hot climates. Dubbed “the best lightweight training gi”, it’s built with pleasantly soft yet fabric– combed pearl weave cotton reinforced all over. If we had to pick one, we would say this one is the best BJJ Gi from Flow Kimonos.
Coming in at only 350gsm, the Air BJJ Gi is definitely on the lighter side. With the combed cotton pearl weave, ripstop cotton pants weighing 8oz, and global tonal stitching, this one will surely be able to withstand a few years of rigorous beating. We surely enjoy this factor – it’s light, breathable, but still strong.
Once you are dragged into the world of BJJ competitions, whether it be participating in them or simply watching them, you will start to observe a lot of these BJJ Gis. Many competitors prefer this over others as it does exactly what it is advertised to do.
One more bit – the drawstrings are made of high-density foam, so you don’t have to worry about stopping the practice/match midway to tighten your pants.
If you want something light or travel often; if you participate frequently in competitions and need something to keep you cooler while you go through your demanding routine, this Gi is a solid choice.
What We Liked:
What We Didn’t Like:
Fuji is a reliable name in the BBJJ Gi industry, and products like this are exactly why. The Suparaito gets its name from the Japanese word for “super light”. With a decent pearl weave fabric, this Gi stands at about 420gsm on the weight scale.
The side vents of the jacket are reinforced with ripstop material alongside tape, while the collar received a ripstop cotton build. We really love how the cuffs’ interiors also feature a tape lining with the Suparaito logo. Overall, it also excels in the minimalistic aesthetic side with its popular contrast design.
Like most other pants on this list, this one too features ripstop cotton but with triple reinforcement from the knee below. For added protection, the crotch area received reinforcement.
As for fit, the Gi is nicely tapered. The skirt falls on the shorter side which can be an advantage for some competitors but a disadvantage for the other depending on body type. In comparison to many of its rivals, the Suparaito experiences the least amount of shrinkage.
The gi’s material is such that it won’t stretch when wet, easing up grip breaking. It also lets the Gi retain its tapered shape when you are rolling in sweat from training.
What We Liked:
What We Didn’t Like:
The Elite Gi has been Gameness’ top-selling offering for some time now, and we especially enjoy the 2015 version. Make no mistake, this premium Gi comes with a premium price tag. The jacket features a 500gsm pearl weave but there is a stylish, convenient inner rash guard lining adding to the total weight.
The inner rash guard lining covering the whole inner Gi jacket gives it the luxurious touch you were hoping for. Apart from effortlessly wicking away sweat, the Gi adds an extra layer of comfort. Many users have reported that the stretchable rash guard lining can resist years of wear and tear.
It might not be the most reinforced premium Gi in the market, but the reinforcements are quite enough. Durability isn’t a problem when the Gameness Elite is concerned. It’s perfect for daily training as well as competitions.
What We Liked:
What We Didn’t Like:
Sanabul has finally listened to the pleas of every practitioner. No more settling for a weirdly fitting “unisex” Gi that doesn’t even seem to fit in one spot properly. We think this is the best BJJ Gi for women in the market right now, based on design and price.
Sanabul’s Women’s Essential Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi was developed for women and it’s quite sad how very few brands design and make Gi specifically for women, even with the rising rate of females in the BJJ space.
This Gi has a tapered athletic cut with the elimination of the awkward bagginess that traditional Gis offer. On top of that, it’s improved to be super lightweight – ideal for beginners and professionals alike. It’s as light on the wallet as it is on the body. The value on this Gi is truly phenomenal.
Finally, no more shrinkage as this fabric is preshrunk, making sure you won’t grow out of the Gi you bought a week ago. That plus the specialized size chart and you can be sure you will find a Gi that fits like a glove!
What We Liked:
What We Didn’t Like:
If you ever conduct a comparison between two or more Gis, you will notice weave, fabric material, and gsm, or grams per square mentioned for the jacket. Often, the pants will have their weight and material listed – the weight is listed in ounces.
We can’t say there is a single best combination of fabric, weave, and weight to make the best BJJ Gi Although generally, many popular Gis on the market feature a cotton body, pearl weave jacket with a pair of ripstop pants. The weight of the jacket stays between 350 to 550 gsm. Here’s what they all imply:
Fabric: As mentioned before, the majority of Gis are made from either 100% cotton or a blend of cotton, although some premium Gis come with hemp or also bamboo fabric.
Weave: The weave basically shows how the fabric yarns are sewed, with a pearl weave being the most popular jacket weave. There are quite a few other weaves as well, like a honeycomb, gold weave, double weave, etc. Weaves for the best BJJ Gis are typically selected based on a balance between weight and strength so your Gi won’t weigh a tonne but it won’t rip either.
Weight (gsm or oz): When deciding between Gi options, you’ll usually find a gsm number mentioned for the jacket, and the pants sometimes come with an ounce listing. For instance, a g with a “500 sm gold weave cotton” jacket with an “11oz cotton twill bottoms.” This refers to the density and weight of the jacket or pants. On average, competition jackets have a gsm between 350 to 450, and the normal training Gi jackets will fall anywhere between 450 to 600 gsm. To give you a better idea to compare, denim is usually 400gsm (approx.).
We have listed a few of the most important qualities that make up the best BJJ Gi. Check these out before making the purchase.
We have talked about what makes the best BJJ Gi, and we have also mentioned the best ones in our opinion. Any of these should fit your needs well. In the end, your decision will decide whether you get a high-quality BJJ Gi to accompany you for years. And for that, you need some good insight.
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I'm Timmy and I'm the chief-editor and co-founder of Jiu-Jitsu Street. You'll usually find me on the mats and also cross-training Muay Thai. Besides martial arts I'm also into functional fitness and all things health. Jiu-Jitsu Street was created to provide useful information for BJJ beginners and seasoned practitioners alike to help you on your journey and love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Oss!
Jiu-Jitsu Street is a community of fun loving and hard rolling BJJ enthusiasts. Born out of our passion for the gentle art, we have decided to create this blog and help you on your journey. Let’s grow and learn together on this never-ending journey. Oss!
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