Buying a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi for a child is very different than buying one for yourself.
Kids grow fast, training schedules change, and not every child sticks with the sport long-term. Because of that, parents don’t need the most expensive or “elite” gi on the market, they need something durable, affordable, comfortable, and competition-legal.
This guide is built for parents shopping for kids as young as five through their early teens, with a clear focus on value, fit, and practicality. Every recommendation below is IBJJF-safe and chosen with growth and budget in mind.
Why Trust Grapplers Graveyard?
At Grapplers Graveyard, we specialize in reviewing and ranking combat sports gear based on hands-on testing, long-term use, and real-world practicality.
We don’t just look at marketing claims. We evaluate:
- fit and comfort
- durability under constant grip fighting
- shrinkage after repeated washing
- price-to-value over time
Our recommendations come from testing gis across beginners, competitors, and different training environments, and we regularly update our rankings as new gear enters the market.
When it comes to kids’ gis, we apply the same process with one extra filter: what actually makes sense for parents
What Parents Should Look for in a Kids BJJ Gi
We do not believe that you should be going out and buying the most expensive product on the market for your child. There is absolutely no need for that. Over the last five years of training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in various combat sports, we notice that kids come and go. Some stick around long term, others don’t that should be expected.
Some of them may not want to train long term, but they’re currently enjoying the process of doing BJJ and making friends along the way.
When choosing a gi for a child, these factors matter most for most of the parents that we have spoken to about buying a gi:
Affordability
Kids will outgrow their gis. Spending $150–$200 on a kids gi usually doesn’t make sense unless you know exactly what you’re buying and why.
This Gi Guide is going to be focused on Gi’s that are at or less than $100, so you can buy multiple over time as your child grows and continues to get further into the sport. Now, if they decide to branch off and want to take the sport more seriously, there are better options that we have in guides on our website here.
Durability
Kids are tough on gear. Strong stitching, reinforced knees, and decent fabric quality matter more than premium branding.
Comfort
Rough collars, stiff fabric, or poor fits can turn training into a bad experience quickly especially for younger kids. we are also going to throw ease of access into this category as something that is important. What we mean by that is simply being able to buy it directly on Amazon or somewhere super easy to get access to more products
Competition Legality
Even if your child isn’t competing yet, choosing an IBJJF-legal gi avoids issues later if they decide to enter tournaments.
How Many Gis Does a Kid Actually Need?
For kids training more than once per week, we strongly recommend owning at least two gis.
Why?
- Keep a strong rotation of gear if you (or they) forget to wash it after class
- Training in damp gear leads to odor and bacteria
- Having a backup avoids missed classes and akes your life easier
Because of this, value matters more than premium features in our opinion.
Best BJJ Gis for Kids (Our Top Picks)
Best Overall Kids BJJ Gi
Sanabul Kids BJJ Gis
Sanabul is our top recommendation for kids. there are various options to choose from, from places that are easily accessible like Amazon. On our website, we have reviewed the Essential, Highlight Pro and Core Series, all of which should be available in children sizing.
If you kid is unable to fit standard sizing (A0 to A1) then we suggest going with their Future Legends BJJ Gi that goes from sizes K0 to K4)
These gis consistently offer the best balance of:
- price
- durability
- comfort
- availability
These Gi's are extremely affordable and come in sizes between K0 and K4. If you are looking for an affordable option that suits kids at or under the age of 13, this is going to be your best option.
Why Sanabul is ideal for kids:
- Affordable (usually $60–$80)
- IBJJF-legal options
- Comfortable for long classes
- Easy to replace as kids grow
- Widely available online
For parents buying multiple gis over time, Sanabul simply makes the most sense.
👉 Best choice for most kids and families.
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Description: On the Graveyard Scale, we are rating this Gi an 8.8. This Gi is an excellent purchase for beginners or intermediate BJJ athletes and fits well to the body. If you are a spectrum size (A1L, A2L, etc.) I suggest getting a size bigger and shrinking it one time. There are virtually no complaints about this Gi, it is built to last by a great company that offers quality products. |
Description: 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. |
Description: The Sanabul Essential Jiu-Jitsu Gi to set a high bar for what you can expect from a BJJ gi whether this is your first Jiu Jitsu gi or an addition to your current line up. Quality construction, clean design, and incredible value. |
On the Graveyard Scale, we are rating this Gi an 8.8. This Gi is an excellent purchase for beginners or intermediate BJJ athletes and fits well to the body. If you are a spectrum size (A1L, A2L, etc.) I suggest getting a size bigger and shrinking it one time. There are virtually no complaints about this Gi, it is built to last by a great company that offers quality products.
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.
The Sanabul Essential Jiu-Jitsu Gi to set a high bar for what you can expect from a BJJ gi whether this is your first Jiu Jitsu gi or an addition to your current line up. Quality construction, clean design, and incredible value.
Best Slightly More Premium Option
Gold BJJ Kids Gis
Gold BJJ makes excellent gis, and their kids options are well-built and comfortable. At the end of the day, Gold BJJ is one of the highest-ranking Brazilian jiu-jitsu gis that are on the market right now. We recommend a lot of their products to our audience on a very consistent basis, so it is no surprise here that they are on our list of good options.
That said, their kids gis typically sit closer to the $100 price point, which is why we rank them just below Sanabul for this category.
Why you might choose Gold BJJ:
- Strong build quality
- Clean, simple designs
- Comfortable cuts
- IBJJF-safe
👉 A good option if your child trains often and you want something a step up but still practical.
Gold BJJ is consistently ranked as one of the best brands to choose from for Athletes. They offer two gis' one that is competition regulated and that is lightweight. Both will be a bit more expensive than the other options on this list.
Best Budget Alternative
Elite Sports Kids BJJ Gis
Elite Sports is a solid alternative if:
- you want to switch brands
- Sanabul sizing isn’t available
- you’re buying an extra backup gi
They’re affordable, IBJJF-compliant, and easy to find.
Why Elite Sports works:
- Very budget-friendly
- Decent durability
- Readily available online
- Cool colorways to choose from (Pink, Camo, Red, Etc.)
👉 Not premium, but functional and reliable overtime. They sit right around the same price point as Sanabul and offer some cool colorways to choose from.
A great alternative option to choose from outside of our two top recommendations! Great colorways and an option that will not break the bank
Common Mistakes Parents Make (Avoid These)
- Overspending on a kids gi
- Buying only one gi for frequent training
- Ignoring size charts
- Buying too heavy of a gi
- Choosing style over comfort
Kids don’t need the same gear as adult competitors and that’s okay.
Sizing Tips for Kids
- Always follow the brand’s size chart
- Expect some shrinkage, even if labeled pre-shrunk
- If between sizes, sizing up slightly is usually safer
- Avoid overly tight fits — kids grow quickly
Never buy a gi that fits “perfectly” out of the bag.
Final Thoughts for Parents
When it comes to kids and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you don’t need to overspend to do things right.
The best kids BJJ gi:
- fits comfortably
- holds up to training
- stays competition-legal
- doesn’t strain your budget as your child grows
Brands like Sanabul, Gold BJJ, and Elite Sports consistently deliver what parents actually need — reliable gear that gets kids on the mat without unnecessary cost.
If you’re looking for recommendations beyond kids’ gear, check out our full Best BJJ Gi guide, where we break down gis for beginners, competitors, hot weather training, and more.
