When you compete in the gi, your gear matters more than most people want to admit.
A competition gi isn’t just something that “passes inspection.” It affects how grips land, how easily your opponent can control your sleeves, and how comfortable you feel when adrenaline hits and the pace goes up.
This guide focuses on IBJJF competition gis that are legal, reliable under stress, and built to give you the best possible performance on tournament day without gimmicks.
All picks below are based on hands-on training and testing through Grapplers Graveyard.
What Makes a Gi “Competition-Ready”?
A good competition gi is:
- IBJJF legal (or has a clearly legal version)
- tight enough to reduce grips, but not restrictive
- durable enough to handle aggressive pulling + scrambling
- consistent in sizing (no “surprise shrink” right before comp day)
What competitors usually want
Most blue, purple, and brown belts buying competition gear are looking for:
- a cleaner/tighter cut
- lighter weight without feeling flimsy
- stiff enough lapel to be durable, but not bulky
- reliable sizing so they pass inspection
Best BJJ Gis for Competition (Our Top Picks)
Best Overall Competition Gi (IBJJF Legal)
Gold BJJ Competition 380 GSM Gi
If you want one gi that is consistently strong for competition, this is it.
The Gold BJJ 380 hits the sweet spot competitors care about:
- competition-legal construction
- durable enough for hard matches
- comfortable enough to train in leading up to the tournament
- priced well for how solid the build is
Why it’s a great comp gi:
- Excellent balance of weight + durability
- Good structure without feeling overly stiff
- Clean, competition-friendly design
- Reliable “show up and perform” feel
👉 If you’re competing regularly and want a dependable tournament gi, start here.
Check out our full Gold BJJ Gi review
Gold BJJ continues to go above and beyond with all their products. After massive success around having the best lightweight BJJ Gi on the market they stepped up their game an introduced a competition legal Gi that competes with the best!
- Price Friendly
- Color options/designs are sleek and cool
- Great Brand reputation
- Good Quality product
Video Review: Coming soon
Best Premium Competition Gi (Performance + Mobility)
Origin Atleta Gi
The Origin Atleta is one of the best feeling competition gis we’ve worn especially when it comes to mobility and how clean it moves during scrambles. It is definetly mor eon the pricey side so if you are trying to ball on a budget this option probably is not the best one to choose from.
At the end of the day, Origin BJJ Gi’s are some of the best on the market but they do carry a pretty price tag. It’s a serious option for competitors who want a higher-end gi that still feels functional and athletic.
Why we like it:
- Athletic movement and clean feel
- High-quality construction
- Great option when you want to invest in a premium gi
- Strong tournament-day confidence
👉 Best for competitors who care about performance feel and want something built at a higher level.
Check out our full Origin Atleta review
The Origin Atleta BJJ Gi is one of those rare gis that checks all the boxes; comfort, quality, and performance. It fits true to size right out of the bag; for someone like me who usually wears an A1L, the A2 fit perfectly with no riding up or awkward length.
Video Review:
Best “If You Want Tight + Competitive” Pick
Future Kimonos Gi (Discontinued)
Future Kimonos made one of the best competition cuts we’ve tested, and it’s still one of our favorite gis to compete in.
That said, it’s currently not available, so we consider it a legacy pick rather than a primary recommendation.
Best Budget Competition Gis (IBJJF-Friendly)
Look we understand you’re already paying comp fees. There is absolutely no need to spend $200 on a gi on top of the competition fees that you’re already going to be paying.
What you really need is a gi that’s functional, fits, feels good, and is comp-ready.
Sanabul Competition Gis
Sanabul has multiple models that are solid for competition, especially if you want:
- acceptable durability
- a simpler competition-safe look
- good value for the price
- For the money, they’re some of the most reasonable options for competitors who train hard but don’t want to baby their gear.
To date we have reviewed three different models of Sanabul Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi’s. Below are all three models that we have gotten our hands on.
What we would personally recommend is the Highlight Pro as the option to go with of the three that we’ve reviewed.
On the Graveyard Scale this scored high and there are products on the market that are objectively worse than this priced higher. If you are looking for a good quality product for your kid or yourself, I do think that the Gi’s from Sanabul are a great choice.
- Cool design elements with the liner on the inside
- Movement is easy, especially in the pants
- Relatively lightweight
- Perfect fit and high-quality product
Video Review:
Honorable Mentions (Good Options Depending on What You Like)
Venum BJJ Gis
Venum has several models that can work well for competition as long as:
- the sizing is right
- you’re choosing an IBJJF-safe color (Blue, black, or white)
- and the fit isn’t overly loose
This is a solid “middle tier” brand for competitors who want something reliable without going full premium.
we reviewed the Venum x Assassin’s Creed Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi but you’re teetering on the fact that it might not be IBJJF regulated because of the design of the Gi. Rather being safe than sorry we would definitely suggest going with a different model on their website. Overall Venom Gi’s are high quality and they feel really great on the body
What to Avoid in a Competition Gi
Even if a gi is high quality, it can be a bad competition pick if it’s:
- too heavy (you’ll gas faster and feel slower)
- too loose (easier sleeve and lapel control for opponents)
- unpredictable shrinkage (failed inspection risk)
- flashy patches / wrong placement (rules risk)
Your competition gi should be boring.
IBJJF Competition Checklist (Quick)
Before competition day, confirm:
- ✅ gi is an IBJJF legal color
- ✅ sleeve and pant lengths fit properly
- ✅ patches are placed legally
- ✅ gi isn’t overly damaged or frayed
- ✅ you’ve washed it enough times to avoid surprise shrinkage
Pro tip: Never wear a brand-new unwashed gi at weigh-ins.
What We’re Testing Next (Coming Soon)
There are a few respected competition brands we’re actively working to test and review, including:
- Hyperfly (review coming soon)
- Fuji (review coming soon)
- Tatami (review coming soon)
Once we put them through training and scoring, we’ll update this guide with new picks and rankings. we’ve been told from a handful of communities of people that these options should be added to the list and ranked in some way, shape, or form. We’re excited to be able to get those this year for each and every one of you guys
Final Verdict: The Best Competition Gi Is the One You Trust
In competition, confidence matters.
The best gi for tournament day is one that:
- fits the way you like
- moves with you
- doesn’t give up easy grips
- stays legal and consistent
If you want our top overall recommendations across all training styles, see our full Best BJJ Gi list (with Graveyard Scale scores and reviews).
