Sanabul Gi Review 2026: Is it worth buying?
Sanabul is one of the more popular MMA sports apparel brands out there. They produce high-quality gear at affordable prices. The thing about Sanabul that makes them so special is that you can glide your fingers across their Gi or gloves and know it’s a premium good. Moreover, the price is well within most people’s budget. However, it doesn’t look like a “budget” good at all. From the looks, you would think it’s top-of-the-line, and fortunately, it performs like that as well.
It’s safe to say that there isn’t an MMA/BJJ product Sanabul doesn’t make. You can find literally everything you would need to train and take it to the next level. Now, you came here for their gi’s and that’s what we’re going to get into right now.
Sanabul produces a wide range of Gis in different colors, quality, and materials. Their products satisfy unique niches like beginner gi’s, kids gi’s, competition gi’s, and much more.
The Sanabul Essential V.2 and the Sanabul Highlights Professional Gi are two of the most commonly bought Gis from their brand. We already know that they have an edge because of their competitive pricing; but are they worth it? Are people just buying it because it looks good for the price? If there’s anything we know about the market right now, it’s that you don’t have to settle for mediocre products even when you have a low budget.
This Sanabul Gi review will answer all the questions you should ask yourself before making the purchase. We mention all the features, pros, and cons of the options so the choice gets easier for you. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into the review!
Sanabul BJJ Gi Review
Sanabul Essentials V.2 Gi Review
Design
The Essentials V.2 has a compact, minimal design that looks modern without being flashy. Built with 380 GSM 100% cotton — a breathable and comfortable fabric — this gi stays light on the mat while still offering decent durability. Its smaller logos and single‑color pants help some color options (white, royal blue, and black) meet IBJJF 2025 uniform standards, making them acceptable for regulated competition use in those colorways.
Although the aesthetic is understated, the clean stitching, reinforced seams, and rope drawstring lend a polished appearance that feels good for gym rolls and casual competition alike.
Fit
Unlike many lightweight gis, the Essentials V.2 is preshrunk cotton, which means the fit stays consistent wash after wash. Sizing can still vary between individuals, but Sanabul’s size guide and responsive customer service help make online ordering easier for most practitioners.
Weighing in at roughly 3.5 lbs, this gi comfortably sits in the ultralight category — ideal for hot conditions and for athletes who want minimal bulk without sacrificing mobility.
Performance
The Essentials V.2 lives up to its name with breathable, soft‑feeling material that allows for long rolling sessions without feeling restrictive. The rubberized collar and lapels help make gripping slightly more challenging for your partner, giving a small competitive edge during training.
Shrinkage after washing is minimal thanks to the preshrunk fabric, and the gi generally retains its color and shape over time. For an ultralight gi, this one shows good durability, especially in the jacket.
Care
Maintaining the Essentials V.2 is simple: wash in cold water and either drip dry or tumble dry low. The preshrunk cotton means you won’t have to worry about unexpected size changes, and the material holds up well to regular cleaning and training use.
What We Didn’t Like
- Limited IBJJF compliance: Only certain color combinations (like white, royal blue, and black) are IBJJF 2025 compliant — not all colorways are valid for official competition use.
- Pants durability: Some wear on pants may occur faster than you’d expect from heavier gis — a common trade‑off with ultralight models.
- Sizing variance: Although improved with the preshrunk design and sizing guide, finding the perfect fit online can still require some trial and error.
Sanabul Highlights Gi Review
In this section of the Sanabul Gi review, we break down the Highlights Gi. No frills and thrills but pure reinforced strength, this gi is a great choice when you want something well-fitting for competitions.
Apart from the construction and design that provides wearers a competitive advantage over the opponent (because they will face a tougher time getting a grip), it’s also IBJJF approved. Training or competitions, it doesn’t getter better than the Highlights Gi.
Fabric
The preshrunk fabric has been woven into a lightweight jacket that’s easy to move around in. But at the same time, it gives a bit more allowance when you need to weigh in before a fight.
Construction
Just because this gi is lightweight doesn’t make it any less reliable. Despite the single weave construction, the reinforced seams coupled with the contrast stitching give double-weaved gi’s a run for their money.
Fit
Bagginess is the last thing you want in your gi. However, most traditional gi’s are somewhat loose and don’t have the best fit. The Sanabul Highlight is a pleasant exception. Keep in mind that the sizing is different from the majority of other brands. We would suggest you get the gi one level larger since these fabrics tend to shrink over washes.
Odor-Free Material
We were super impressed with the anti-microbial feature. Now you can stay fresh and odor-free even after those rigorous hours of action.
Design
You can get the Highlights gi in five different colors and patterns: white, all white, black, all black, and blue. And though some of the combinations are somewhat bright, the design is still minimalistic. You don’t want to be a walking log of patches.
Price
Sanabul has made us rethink that it’s impossible to get a great gi when you can’t spend a lot. The price could be kept to a minimum due to the single-weave. You don’t have to break the bank for your Jiu-Jitsu anymore.
What We Didn’t Like
- No belt: This isn’t a problem for most people because you could just grab a belt separately. However, if we were to be noting meticulously, the addition of a belt could be the cherry on the icing.
- Sizing: No surprises here. The same applies to the Essentials 2.0. The sizing is a general problem for gi’s online.
Sanabul Gi Review – Final Verdict
Overall, for the amazing and top-notch combat apparel featuring a clean, sophisticated aesthetic, these gi’s are certainly a steal. If you’re wondering whether you should invest in one, we would highly suggest that you do. Sanabul has been in the market for some time now and their products rarely disappoint. That concludes our Sanabul gi review. Hope this was helpful!
