BJJ, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, is known as one of the more 'gentle' martial arts, using leverage and positioning to achieve submission holds and chokes, so it’s important to find a comfortable gi that you're able to move in easily.
It can be tough to shop online for the perfect BJJ gi, especially when you can't try the uniform on before you order, and with so many brands out there, it can be an overwhelming search.
To save you hours of trawling the internet, we’ve researched the best gis for BJJ available, whether you’re looking for a low-cost starter gi or a more professional-level gi for competitions.
Let’s dive in.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi Reviews
1 - Gold BJJ Aeroweave Gi
One of the lightest gis on the market, but at the same time one of the most durable. If sweating while practicing is an issue, say goodbye to it.
2 - Hayabusa Goorudo 3.0 Gi
Really light, so you’ll forget you’re wearing it. The perfect combination of softness and weight, good for anything from small competitions to huge tournaments.
3 - Elite Sports Ultra Light BJJ Gi
A competition-approved, pre-shrunk, comfortable gi. Elite Sports is known for creating some of the most durable and comfy gis on a budget.
4 - Origin “The Path” Gi
The only gi manufacturer that makes their robes in the US. This gi uses their classic pants and their polysynth yarn, stronger than any pearl weave on the market. It’s a little bit more expensive than other choices, but you’re paying for quality and durability here.
5 - Tatami Essentials Gi
One of the lightest and also most durable gis out there. It features a modern slim-fit tailored style but it’s still competition approved. Fight in style.
6 - Scramble Athlete Gi
The best weight to strength ratio, that just beat Tatami and Elements on the market. A much lower cost choice that’s still good quality and reliable for both competitions and training.
7 - Sanabul Essentials V2
The V2 gi takes everything great about the original gi and makes it better. Worn by world champions, the Essentials Gi has become a firm favourite for competitors around the world. Despite how strong it is, it is really lightweight.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi - A Buyer's Guide
There are many options to consider when deciding which gi is right for you.
Use our handy list of considerations to narrow down what you want and need from a BJJ uniform before you start your search.
Colour
Blue, black and white are all officially approved colours for BJJ suits if you're planning on competing in the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation).
If you're just looking for a gi for training then the colour doesn't matter too much, but always check with your professor before making a wild colour choice, as some prefer you to stick with traditional colours.
Collar Filling
There are a few types of collar available when choosing a gi for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, each with their own advantages and disadvantages, but the main options are cotton filled or, more recently, rubber filled.
Cotton filled collars are more comfortable than rubber and not as restrictive, but they're easier for an opponent to grip.
Rubber filled collars are more difficult to grip and don't harbour as many bacteria/germs as cotton collars, but they're more uncomfortable in a choke.
Weave
Surprisingly, there are many different styles of weave when it comes to BJJ suits. The type of weave can determine how heavy the gi is, how long it will last and, of course, the price tag.
Single Weave
The original and most basic gi on the market is a single weave.
Pros
Cons
Double Weave
The double weave gi is essentially two single weaves weaved together.
Pros
Cons
Gold Weave
The gold weave takes the best aspects from a single and double weave gi and combines them to make the perfect suit for Jiu-Jitsu.
Pros
Cons
Pearl Weave
The pearl weave is a relatively new concept that combines the lightweight advantage of the single weave with the strength of a gold weave gi.
Pros
Cons
Price
Once you've considered all of the above, the bottom line when choosing a suitable gi will always be the cost.
If you're a BJJ beginner, you're probably best looking at lower priced suits until you've decided whether it's for you.
When you've been practicing BJJ for a while, it might be time to invest in a more durable uniform that will help you raise your game, but will likely be more costly.
Final Thoughts
BJJ is great for people of all ages and sizes, as it is designed for smaller, weaker practitioners to be able to subdue much larger opponents, meaning it’s the perfect way to learn self-defence.
It’s therefore super important to have the right suit to wear while you’re training and competing to allow for easy movement.
Hopefully you’ve found this useful for learning about the different types of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu apparel available and what will work for you, to help you find the perfect gi.