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Judo is getting all the more love around the world with its increasing popularity. With more and more people being added to the list of judo enthusiasts, the demand for judo gear is steeply on the rise. That means even youngsters are interested in practicing judo. So the first gear you’ll need to get into Judo is a Judo Gi. But with so many options in the market, which one should you choose to opt for? Don’t worry, we’re going to help you find out!
Whether you are in your teen or twenties, you should always opt for a beginner gi. IF you want to dish out all that cash for professional attire, be my guest. But it’s always recommended that you start with a Gi for beginners. That’s why we’ve made a list for the best judo gi for beginners. This will help you decide which Gi you should get as a beginner. We’ll also guide you through the things you should consider before buying.
Before you go out and buy a Judo gi, you should keep a few things in mind. You should also know that Judo is much different from BJJ, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which is a grapple-based form of martial arts. Here are the key points you should keep in mind before making your purchase.
Just like any other attire, a Judo Gi needs to fit you perfectly. So you better go for a size that will suit you. It’s incredibly important for you to be able to move freely and flexibly in a Judo Gi. Whether you’re going for a Uchimata grab or a Kesa Getame Grapple, you want your legs to move fast.
If you get a tight or a loose fitted one, you’re going to struggle in a match. And since you’re a beginner, you might even get discouraged. Your weight and height play an important part while choosing your judo Gi.
Since you’re a beginner, you would probably want to get a Judo gi that will likely last a couple of years. As a beginner, you would want to move to a professional Gi further down the road. You can get two types of thicknesses when it comes to Judo Gis. They are either thick on thin. The beginners should opt for the thinner Gis that performs well in all-weather situations. If you’re planning a more competitive route, go for the thicker ones.
Every gear should come with maximum comfort. No matter how pricey or premium the materials are, if they are uncomfortable to wear, you won’t like it. Try it on and see if you can move freely. That should do the trick.
The next thing to consider before buying your gi is the color. Don’t go and buy a BJJ gi. For judo, you can only wear white or blue colored Gis. But if you want a gi just for training sessions, you can opt for other colors too.
Typically, for a Judo gi, you need to opt for the thick-collared ones. Pro-tip, your judge will pretty much disqualify you if he finds out you’re wearing a BJJ gi for a Judo match. So get a gi that will allow you to grab on to your opponent in a match. A double weave is a preferable way to go when it comes to Judi Gis.
If you’re unsure about what type of stitching your gi came with, check for the double stitching. If there’s a second layer of stitching, you can rest assured that you got a good gi.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s dive into the best Judo Gis for beginners. We’ve gathered the top-rated Gis on the market for your convenience. Each of them has its unique quirks and features. So pick out the one that will suit your needs perfectly.
The first Judo gi on our list is from Mizuno. If you’re living in Japan, there’s a chance that you’re already familiar with this brand. The Japanese love products from Mizuno. The quality and fine details their gear comes with are top-notch. The Mizuno gi featured on our list is no exception.
You’ll get this one in two different colors, the traditional blue, and white. You will also find it in up to 5 different sizes too. So if you want to start practicing Judo with your teenager, you can both get matching Gis. The Yusho from Mizuno is one of their best sellers. This gi has become the most popular judo gi around japan, and gradually, around the world too.
The stitching on the gi is IJF approved so you don’t have to worry about breaking rules with your gi. The hi is manufactured with the IJF regulations kept in mind. The seams, both reverse, and back are top-class. The knee part is double-stitched. The shoulders are reinforced with extra padding to keep you from getting hurt.
Moving on to the pants, you wouldn’t get drawstrings anywhere else at this price point. What’s more amazing is that the incredibly low shrinkage. So you won’t have to worry about it shrinking and gradually becoming unwearable.
Product Benefits:
If you lower the budget a bit, you’ll find this Judo gi from Fuji. The company has its role in almost all the industries. Although they’re pretty new in the Judo gi making business, they have quickly risen to the top ranks. And this double weave gi speaks for itself.
Just like any other professional gi, you will get this one in blue or white. But you can order a customized version if you only wish to train with your gi. The gi has a thick collar which makes the entire gear quite durable. You won’t have to worry about your opponent ripping off your gi with a grab.
If you opt for the Fuji, you will experience utmost comfort at with incredible value for money. You can use this gi in both professional competitions or while training. Hundreds of class-leading Judo centers use the Fuji for their aspiring students. So you can get an idea that this one is no joke! The gi is made from premium cotton so you won’t feel uncomfortable with this on.
The durability aspect of this gi is also commendable. You can easily spend a couple of years of your professional life with this Judo gi. This one is surely built to last. If you get the correct size for yourself, you can move around swiftly and freely with ease no matter how tightly you wear the belt.
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Our next entry on the list of the best judo gi for beginners is this one from Elite Sports. Although they are pretty new in the game, they have already climbed the ladder and are now extremely popular. They are great at making top-quality double weaved Judi Gis. All of their products are approved by the International Judo Federation too.
This double weaved gi from Elite Sports is one of their top sellers. This one is popular among the customers as the Kimono Gi. If you compete professionally, you can opt for the white or blue version. But if you just want to use the gi for training sessions, you can choose the black one.
The gi is made with all the IJF specs in mind so you can surely bring this to a competition. The Gis made by the company is incredibly durable so you don’t have to worry about getting a new gi every two months. You’ll be glad to know that the cotton used in the gi is pre-shrunk, which means that it won’t shrink further after a couple of washes.
The gi comes with a free white belt too. You will experience superior comfort when you wear this one. The build quality is sturdy and strong while keeping it fairly lightweight. You can move around easily with this one.
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Now this is a company that needs no introduction. You can even argue that this is the number one sports gear company in the world. So if this company makes a Judo gi, you know that it’s going to be good! Introducing the Adidas Judo gi for beginners. This one is shaped for the beginners to use in their practice sessions and even some amateur matches.
Adidas entered the Judo market with this gi and they went right up on the leaderboard. Their gi comes in blue and white according to the recommended color scheme from IJF. The gi has a premium quality so you can say that you get what you pay for with this one. The gi has a double weave but you can get the single weaved version too.
With a thick collar and stitching that screams quality, Adidas has taken the Judo Gi market by storm. You will get a free belt with the package to get you started on your amateur tournaments. But the gi was primarily launched with training sessions in mind.
You can easily recognize the gi from afar by seeing the legendary Adidas stripes on the shoulders. Don’t worry, they are perfectly fine according to IJF. They have done an amazing job with this Gi. If you’re just planning to get into Judo, this one is a solid recommendation.
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Next up on our list of the best judo gi for beginners is the Yamato Sakura Gi. This is as basic as you can get. The gi comes in just one color, the plain white, and its made from premium bleached cotton. This is one of the only single weaved gi on our list but it rightfully earned its place here.
The Yamato Sakura gi is one of the best Gis among the budget options. You probably cannot get a deal with any other gi. If you’re just starting your Judo career and you want a solid gi that will last you long enough, you can easily opt for this one. The gi is lightweight and is pretty breathable. The gi was made keeping comfort in mind.
The shoulders are reinforced and you also get extra padding on the knees. So you can guess that the durability is right up there with the best. Before buying, check out the size chart to select the best fit for you. After you’re done with a match, you can easily throw it in the washing machine without worrying.
The kimono gi is extremely light in weight and quite compact. You can easily fold it and stash it in your school bag if you’re in the school team. This is not the best gi on the market by any means, but it certainly offers amazing value for money so you should consider it.
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Pro-Force is a big-league player when it comes to making sports equipment. They make great quality Judo Gis for both amateurs and professionals. The Gladiator from Pro-Force is truly a people’s favorite when it comes to Judo Gis.
If you’re just starting your Judo career, the Gladiator will easily get you through your early years. You can rest assured that the premium cotton and thick collar of the gi will serve you well. Whether you’re taking this to a professional match or a sparring session, this gi won’t disappoint.
The material is very soft and light in weight. So you can move around fast and easy with this gi on. The knees are padded with thick materials and you also have double stitched shoulders. If you manage do get the fit right, you can concentrate on your match instead of constantly worrying about your gi,
The lightweight fabric makes the gi incredibly breathable. The inner lining absorbs the sweat quite fast too, making it less prone to odor. Once done with a match, toss it into the washing machine without worrying. You can safely count on it as this one will last you at least a year.
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The last entry on our list is this top-class Judo Gi from Fighting Films. The company has made a name for themselves by developing quality judo Gis over the years. The Superstar is their flagship gi that everyone seems to prefer.
Whether you’re a beginner or a professional well into their Judo career, this one will suit you. The gi comes in the two IJF approved colors but adds quite the unique twist. They make the gi “slim fit” so that it adds a few style points. This is surely a welcome addition.
The superstar is built with premium cotton that has a coarse inner lining. Your sweat is absorbed quickly due to the inner lining letting you dry off quicker. The incorporation of polyester into the design was a brilliant idea. This adds to the already highly-rated durability of the gi.
You can get the Superstar in multiple sizes. So choose the best size for you. If you can select the perfect size, rest assured that you can move around fast while in a match. This one is a solid contender for the best judo gi for beginners and rightfully so.
Product Benefits:
Although you can use one Gi for quite some time, having a spare Gi never hurts.
Most top-quality Gis come preshrunk. So you won’t have to worry about shrinkage when you throw it into the washing machine.
For Judo matches and competitions, you will be good to go if you have a blue or white-colored Gi.
Judo Gis are being made by hundreds of companies now with the sport’s rising popularity. So it can get tricky to choose the perfect one for you. That’s why we’ve gathered the top-rated Gis for you on this list. Aside from the Gis in our list, you can consult the buying guide to choose the best judo gi for beginners. Good luck on your Judo journey!
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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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