Training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in hot weather is a different animal.
If you’ve never trained through an Arizona summer, it’s hard to explain just how brutal it can be. When it’s over 100°F+ all day, every roll feels heavier, you gas faster, and thick gis become a liability.
At Grapplers Graveyard, we train in Arizona, one of the hottest training environments in the U.S., and because of that, we’ve had to be extremely intentional about what gis actually work in high-heat conditions.
This guide breaks down the best BJJ gis for hot weather, separating:
- ultra-lightweight training gis (typically not IBJJF legal)
- competition-legal gis that still perform well in warm climates
All rankings are based on real training, washing, and long-term use.
What Actually Matters When Training in Hot Weather
In hot climates, the wrong gi compounds fatigue fast. The biggest factors to consider are:
- Weight (GSM) – lighter fabric = less heat retention
- Weave type – looser weaves breathe better
- Drying speed – faster drying reduces odor and bacteria
- Cut & mobility – excess fabric traps heat
For pure training in extreme heat, lightweight gis outperform everything else even if they aren’t competition legal.
Best BJJ Gis for Hot Weather
Best Overall Gi for Hot Weather Training
Gold BJJ AeroWeave Gi
The Gold BJJ AeroWeave is the best hot-weather training gi we’ve tested, full stop. We have had this Gi for over three years now, and continuously it ranks number one across a lot of major categories. Gold BJJ is one of the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear companies out right now and not a lot of others are going to be better to choose from.
It’s one of the few gis that actually lives up to the “lightweight” claim without feeling flimsy or disposable.
Why it’s #1 in the heat:
- Extremely lightweight and breathable
- Noticeably cooler during long rounds
- Dries fast between sessions
- Comfortable even in triple-digit temps
Important note:
This gi is NOT IBJJF legal, and that’s completely fine if your goal is training performance in hot environments.
- Best choice for daily training in extreme heat.
Gold BJJ Aeroweave Full Review
This is our go to daily training gi. Overall it has lasted us a very long time, is extremely light and offers at a very affordable price compared to other gi's on the market
Video Review:
Best Lightweight Alternative (No Budget Requirement)
Origin Nomad BJJ Gi
The Origin Nomad is another excellent option for hot-weather training, especially if you prefer a more structured feel than ultra-lightweight cotton gis. The only real con about going with Origin is the fact that they are more expensive than something like Gold BJJ.
If you are training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and don’t necessarily have a budget, this is a great alternative to the Aeroweave Ultra Light Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi offered by Gold BJJ
Why it works well in the heat:
- Lightweight construction
- Excellent mobility
- High-quality materials
- Comfortable during extended sessions
Like the Aeroweave, this gi is training-first and not ideal for IBJJF competition.
👉 Great for athletes who want light weight without sacrificing structure.
Full written Review: Origin Nomad
Origin's products are some of the most premier products in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu industry. We love their gear, we love what they offer, but it does come with a premium price. For $133-$158, you get a great product that will last you a long time and has high quality standards.
To it, we're ranking this in our top 5 of one of the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu gis on the market. Giving this Brazilian jiu-jitsu gi a score of 9.25 out of 10.
- Perfect for keeping you cool
- Lives up to the Lightweight claim
- Fits True to Size with no Shrinkage
- No issues with mobility
Video Review:
Competition-Legal Gis That Still Work in Hot Weather
If you compete, or want one gi that can do both, you’ll need to stay within IBJJF requirements. The key is choosing gis that sit right at the lower end of legal GSM.
There is a full guide listed for some of the top-rated IBJJF competition legal Gis if you want to view that. What you will notice is that a lot of Gis on that list will also still be on this one that we’re about to go over
Best IBJJF-Legal Gi for Hot Weather
Gold BJJ Competition 380 GSM
If you want a gi that’s legal, durable, and still manageable in warmer gyms, the Comp 380 is one of the best options available.
currently, we’re in the works on working out our full review for the COP 380 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi offered by Gold BJJ. We currently have it in hand and think that it is recommended as the top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi that is both legal and great for hot weather
Why it works:
- Right at the lower end of IBJJF weight limits
- Breathes better than heavier competition gis
- Durable enough for regular training
- Comfortable compared to thicker builds
👉 Best balance of competition legality + heat management.
Gold BJJ Comp 380 review: Coming Soon
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: In The Works Subscribe when it drops
Origin Atleta BJJ Gi
Another strong competition option for warm climates, especially if you value mobility and fit. Again, anything that is coming from Origin will come with a premium price tag. They are made, built, and shipped out of the United States, so I guess that warrants a higher price tag on the product.
If you are a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete that doesn’t have a budget constraint, Origin product is going to be the best, bar none. If again, you are willing to splurge on their product
Why competitors like it:
- Athletic cut
- Clean construction
- Comfortable movement during scrambles
- IBJJF-legal
👉 A solid premium option if you compete but train in warmer gyms.
Full written review Origin Atleta
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:
Great Alternative Comp Legal Gis for Warm Weather: Sanabul / Venum / Elite Sports Competition Gis
For athletes on a tighter budget, several models from these brands sit within IBJJF guidelines and perform reasonably well in heat.
They won’t be as breathable as true lightweight training gis, but they’re acceptable for:
- local tournaments
- warm gyms
- frequent training on a budget
We have reviewed a lot of Brazilian jiu-jitsu gis. Here is the individual list of the reviews for all listed recomendatuons for Sanabul, Venum, and Elite Sports gis:
- Elite Sports BJJ Gi Review [Best for super tight budgets]
- Venum BJJ Gi Review
- Sanabul Essentials Gi Review
- Sanabul Highlights Pro Gi Review
- Sanabul Core Series Gi Review
Gis We’re Testing Next (Hot-Weather Focus)
There are several brands known for lighter builds that we plan to test and rank in future updates:
- Hyperfly BJJ Gi (Lightweight and Comp)
- Fuji BJJ Gi (Lightweight and Comp)
- Tatami BJJ Gi (Lightweight and Comp)
Once reviewed, they’ll be added to both this guide and our Best BJJ Gi rankings.
How to Choose Between Training vs Competition in the Heat
Here’s the simple rule:
- Training in extreme heat → choose the lightest gi possible
- Competing → choose the lightest gi that’s still IBJJF legal
- Doing both → consider owning two gis (if your budget allows for it) or get a gi that suits both situations
Trying to make one gi do everything in hot climates usually leads to compromise.
Final Verdict: Heat Changes the Rules
If you train in hot environments, comfort and breathability matter more than tradition.
The best gi for hot weather:
- keeps you rolling longer
- reduces unnecessary fatigue
- dries fast
- and doesn’t turn every session into a survival test
For pure training, lightweight non-IBJJF gis like the Gold Aeroweave are unmatched. For competition, stay close to 380 GSM and prioritize fit and mobility.
If you want our full breakdown across all climates, styles, and experience levels, check out our Best BJJ Gi guide — updated as we test more gear.
