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In Jiu-Jitsu, the kimono we wear is called a Gi. When we compete there are two styles of competition, gi, and nogi. Both styles offer a different feel for the game. We are on a mission to discover the best brands on the market to share with grapplers or parents interested in finding the best brand to train with. We prefer nogi because it allows us to be more agile in our movements, but jiu-jitsu was originally started with training in the Gi.
Like the clothes we wear on the street, gi’s allow grapplers to stand out and look good while competing or training. There are three colors that gi’s usually come in blue, black, and white.
Here is a list of some awesome brands to check out! Because you are here, we have some exclusive discounts for some of the Gi’s listed below!
Best BJJ Gi Rankings
Here at Grapplers Graveyard, we take our reviews seriously. we have bought and tested all gi’s mentioned below, used our rating scale to rate them, and complied a list for you to navigate thorough. We took our list and ratings to Reddit to find that hundreds of people agreed with our ratings.
- Gold BJJ 9.6/10
- Future Kimonos (not sold) 9.5/10
- Sanabul Highlight Pro 9/10
- Sanabul Core Series 8.8/10
- Sanabul Essentials 8/10
- Elite Sports 7.4/10
- Shogun Jiu Jitsu 7.3/10
- Moya Brand (no score)
- Hayabusa Gi (no score)
- Best Overall: Gold BJJ
- Best Lightweight Gi: Gold BJJ
- Best Bang-for-Buck: Anything Sanabul
- Best Budget: Elite Sports
- Best Competition Gi: Gold BJJ
- Best Gi For Kids: Sanabul Essential Gi or Sanabul Highlight Pro
- Best For Women: Gold BJJ, Sanabul
BJJ Gi Specs
Material
BJJ gis are typically made of either cotton or a cotton-polyester blend. Cotton is the traditional choice, and it is a comfortable and breathable material. Polyester blends are more durable and tend to be less expensive.
Weave
Different weaves can affect the wight, durability, and breathability of the gi. Some common weaves include pearl weave, gold weave, ripstop, single weave, and double weave. Choose a material that suits your needs and preferences.
Fit
The fit of the gi is crucial. There is nothing worse than a poorly-fitted Brazilian jiu-jitsu gi. This can unfortunately affect performance and comfort while you are on the mats. make sure to check the sizing chart of the brand before you move forward with a purchase. If you end up buying something that is too small, you may not be able to compete in the gi.
Design
While design is not as important as the material and fit, if you care about how cool the gi looks then it could be an important factor in deciding what is going to be the option you end up choosing. SOme brands offer unique styles, while some stick with a more traditional look. Personally, we like to roll in style but not everyone is like that. Choose what works for you!
The Best Jiu Jitsu Gi’s on the Market
This list of gi’s will be an ongoing list of all the companies that we like. We buy a new Gi or get gifted them pretty often and have tried most of the products on the list. If we have not tried their Gi, chances are we have their rash guards, have a pair of shorts or asked someone who does what their experience with the brand is. With that out the way, here is our list.
Gold BJJ is a combat sportswear company that specializes in producing apparel and gear for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) practitioners.
Gold BJJ is known for its high-quality and stylish products that cater to the needs of BJJ athletes. The company offers a range of gear, including BJJ gis (uniforms), rashguards, shorts, spats, and accessories such as backpacks, hats, and patches. Their products are designed to withstand the rigorous training and competition demands of BJJ while providing comfort, durability, and mobility.
One thing that we love about Gold BJJ is how great their customer service, their engagement, and how well they treat their community. They strive to build camaraderie among BJJ practitioners and do a great job at doing so.
At this point, we have a lot of Gi’s. Gi’s do not come in equal shapes or sizes. I personally love this lightweight Gi from Gold BJJ. I think this is honestly the best BJJ Gi that I currently own and could not recommend it more. Itis both lightweight and stylish. Also can be delivered to your door fairly quickly. It may not be the cheapest option but by far the best one right now.
Gold BJJ took things into its own hands and made an ultralightweight gi that is IBJJF competition approved, pre-shrunk, breathable and makes training in the gi fun.
It is actually lightweight
At this point, I have bought and tested 9 different BJJ gi’s with many more in the pipeline to try out. Gold BJJ is the only Gi that has lived up to its claim of being lightweight.
Light Gi’s just make me feel more athletic on the mats. When you feel light you just move a little bit easier. If you want to train in a gi that is big and heavy be our guest, but for us it has to be lightweight. Gold BJJ Gis are an excellent choice for a purchase if you are in the market to buy a gi! They have two types (foundation Gi and Aeroweave Gi) in multiple colors ranging from white, blue, grey, or black!
Pros
- Actually Lightweight
- Comfortable (and lots of people love it)
- Affordable
- Durable and will last you years
Cons
- Not the cheapest Gi on the market
- Only simple design choices
Clean, minimalist, and ultralight. The perfect lightweight gear for men, women and kids.
Sanabul (Highlight Pro, Essential & CORE Series)
Sanabul is a well-known brand that offers a variety of combat sports gear and apparel, including BJJ gis (uniforms). Sanabul BJJ gis are popular among practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu due to their quality, affordability, and stylish designs.
Sanabul gear is easily accessible on Amazon and is most people’s first choice when they start to train and get on the mats. We know this because when we first started a lot of the guys we trained with had these Gi’s on. If you are into combat sports as a whole this brand has something to offer you not just with Gi’s.
As you can see in the top 9 list, there are three separate Gi’s that we reviewed from Sanabul. You can check their respective review videos below or find them here:
Sanabul gear is already affordable but with our code ‘GRAPPLERGRAVEYARD’ you will get 10% off your entire order! Check out their latest pricing today!
Breakdown
Essential
We recently purchased and tested out the BJJ Gi from Sanabul and have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the product. Out of all the Gi’s I own at this point (nine) I would rank this at the number 5 spot of the Best BJJ Gi I currently own.
Pros
- Affordable (only $70) and available on Amazon
- Simple yet stylish
- Lightweight (not as light as Gold BJJ)
- Comfortable to train in
Cons
- Shrinks after some use (probably smart to go a size up)
- Pants are a bit tight
Highlight Pro
After a week of trying out this Gi, I do have to say that I enjoy this Gi more than the other Sanabul Gi’s that I have tested out (Essential Gi Review & Core Series Gi Review). The main reason I liked this one more is because 1) it has the cool sleek liner on the inside that added a bit of flavor to the Gi 2) it combines the best aspects of the Essential and Core Series into one product.
This Gi is on the light side, breathable, does not constrict movement, and overall an objectively good product.
Pros
- Cool design elements with the liner on the inside
- Movement is easy, especially in the pants
- Relatively lightweight
- Perfect fit and high-quality product
Cons
- $100 product (I think it is a fair price for what you get)
CORE Series
At first glance, I knew this Gi was going to be a good one when I cracked up the packages that were sent our way. I liked the colorway of this product and ultimately got a few compliments inside the gym but what really stood out to me after wearing it a handful of times is the feel and breathability that comes with the gi. The gi feels sturdy and did not shrink after using it a handful of times, washing it, and letting it air dry. If you have been following me on YouTube, you will know I run into this issue a ton because I am one of the spectrum sizes (A1L, A2L, A3L, etc.).
At the end of the day, this gi got a pretty high rating on our end based on the metrics that we looked at that will be outlined more in the later parts of this review. For $80 product this is a steal in our opinion.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Breathable and promotes athletic movement
- Pricing is incredible for this product
- Quality fabric that will last me a long time
Cons
- I do not have any complaints about this Gi
- Others have experienced shrinking (so again buy a size up if you are a spectrum size)
Video Reviews
Best Budget: Elite Sports
Elite Sports is easily the biggest and most accessible Gi brand on the market right now and is 100% a staple to our Jiu-JItsu Gi Collection. We have been training in the Camo Gray Gi for the past couple of months and LOVE how the product fits and feels.
The Gi is both light and fits very well. We also have gotten a lot of compliments on the Gi which is always a nice thing to get.
The gray camo does not only look good but has gotten us many compliments on the attire while we were training in it this last week. These days I do not find myself training in this gi as much as I used to but I would still say for that for the price I paid it was worth it in the end.
If you are on a budget and just need gear, I think you cannot go wrong with Elite Sports. It is also helpful that their gear is available on Amazon.
Pros
- Cheap for a nice-looking Gi
- Gets a lot of compliments
- Great all around to train with
- Amazing Design and light
- Can buy right through Amazon and get products in a couple of days
Cons
- A little stiff when wearing it for the first couple of times
- Sized a little big
Premium BJJ Gi's without breaking the bank
Shogun BJJ GI
Shogun BJJ gi’s are extremely stylish Brazilian jiu jitsu gis that can easily be bought right through Amazon. The gi is made from cotton and should be washed by hand, so this may be a little more work on your end owning one of these Gi’s.
I have to say this is by far the coolest designed Gi on the market and I love the artwork on the inside of the Gi. At first, I was worried that the material on the inside would fade after some use and some time spent outside to airdry but to my surprise, the material has held up well and still looks/feels the way it did when I first bought it.
There are three different options to choose from and they all look great. If you plan on competing this gi is IBJJF-approved, lightweight and ultra-durable. There are multiple sizes so they can fit everyone’s needs! They are a little more on the pricey side compared to other options on the list but by far one of the best looking Gi’s you can get.
Sizing seems to be the biggest issue that I have when it comes to finding a good Gi these days. No one seems to be doing it right. I am 5’10 and 160 lbs and every sizing chart I read says I would fit into their A1 and I have yet to run into a size chart that has told the truth on this statement. Unfortunately, Shogun did drop the ball in this category but many others seem to be having the same issue.
Pros
- Best designed BJJ gi we have. It looks very cool
- Great add-on to our collection of Gi’s
- Clearly made with quality in mind
Cons
- The sizing chart is off… get a size bigger and wash/dry it a couple of times to get it to fit properly
- Pretty stiff when you first put it on
- Warm when training inside in the gi
On the Graveyard Scale, we are rating this Gi a 7.3. Easily one of the best-designed Gi's on the market. The artwork on this thing is incredible.
- Best designed BJJ gi we have. It looks very cool
- Great add-on to our collection of Gi's
- Clearly made with quality in mind
Hayabusa Lightweight Gi
Okay, so I had high hopes for this Gi when I first bought it. Hayabusa is a well-known fightwear brand that has some sick-looking gear. Naturally, when I bought the lightweight jiu-jitsu gi I was hoping to have the same kind of quality as some of their other Gi but I slowly realized it was not what I hoped for it to be.
Not to say this Gi is not high quality, I just felt as though it had some problems. The biggest were the sizing, the durability, and the weight. For a lightweight gi I felt as though that it was still on the heavier side compared to something like the Gold BJJ Gi I have. Also, with this Gi being $120, I was hoping that no issues would arise with the quality of the product but again was mistaken.
After a couple of uses and air dry sessions, the Gi did experience some sun bleaching. Sure, that may have been my fault to a degree but it has yet to happen to any of the other gi’s I own. Also, sizing was a bit off so that also adds to it.
Pros
- Semi-Affordable
- Easy to purchase right through Amazon
- Breathable when you train in it
Cons
- Heavier than other lightweight jiu-jitsu gis
- Sizing chart is off
- Sun-bleached after a handful of uses
This gi’s ultra-lightweight construction allows you to move fluidly with no restriction as you roll. Its fabric is perfect for competition, and its durability makes it the perfect training gi as well. Dominate the mat in a Hayabusa Ultra-Lightweight Gi!
How to Choose The Best BJJ Gi
Now that you know which jiu jitsu gi brands are the best to choose from, how do you choose the right one for you?
Fit
The fit of the gi is crucial. There is nothing worse than a poorly-fitted Brazilian jiu-jitsu gi. This can unfortunately affect performance and comfort while you are on the mats. make sure to check the sizing chart of the brand before you move forward with a purchase. If you end up buying something that is too small, you may not be able to compete in the gi.
Material
Different weaves can affect the wight, durability, and breathability of the gi. Some common weaves include pearl weave, gold weave, ripstop, single weave, and double weave. Choose a material that suits your needs and preferences.
Design
While design is not as important as the material and fit, if you care about how cool the gi looks then it could be an important factor in deciding what is going to be the option you end up choosing. SOme brands offer unique styles, while some stick with a more traditional look. Personally, we like to roll in style but not everyone is like that. Choose what works for you!
Price
Price is always an important factor pretty much with most purchases. We do not mind spending a little more for the increase in quality of the product but not everyone is in the same state of min dor the financial situation. This is a preference thing and you should choose the gi that fits all the above criteria while being within your budget range.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Should a BJJ Gi Fit?
A BJJ gi should fit very comfortably so you do not feel constricted while in your training session. You should be able to move freely without feeling like your gi jacket or pants will give way and rip. If you have a jiu-jitsu gi that is just too tight, we would advise going up one size. Try not to get a gi that is too big otherwise, you will have trouble on the mats.
How to Get the Perfect Gi Fit
Finding the perfect bjj gi fit is pretty simple. Most brands will have a sizing chart on their site right before you purchase a gi, be sure to match your height and weight to the size and you should be good. The options you go with vary based on your body type.
How do I wash my BJJ Gi?
Most jiu-jitsu gis can be washed in a washing machine. There will be some that need to be hand-washed. All your gis should be left to hang dry, do not dry your jiu jitsu gi in the dryer, it will shrink. You will end up having to buy another.
How Often Should I Wash My BJJ Gi?
You should be washing your gi after every training session. It is not hygienic or a good practice to show up to your gym with a sticky gi, do not be this person. After every training session you have be sure to throw your gi in the wash machine and wash it in cold water, otherwise you may be susceptible to skin infection or giving others an infection.
How Many Gis should I own?
The above question tells you, that you should be washing your gi every time you train. If you train pretty often, you should have a rotation of GIs to choose from so you can make your life. a bit easier. We have found that having 3 -4 gis works best for us but some people have more.
What is Gold Weave?
Gold weave jiu jitsu gis are just the way the gi is woven. This helps the gi jacket be durable and comfortable to roll in. The weave does matter. Single-weave gis are lightweight and comfortable, while double-weave gis are heavier and more durable. Gold weave gis are a combination of the two, offering both durability and comfort.
What is Single Weave?
Single weave jiu jitsu gis are just the way the gi is woven. This helps the gi jacket be durable and comfortable to roll in. The weave does matter. Single weave gis are lightweight and comfortable, while double-weave gis are heavier and more durable. Gold weave gis are a combination of the two, offering both durability and comfort.
What is Double Weave?
Double weave jiu jitsu gis are just the way the gi is woven. This helps the gi jacket be durable and comfortable to roll in. The weave does matter. Single weave gis are lightweight and comfortable, while double-weave gis are heavier and more durable. Gold weave gis are a combination of the two, offering both durability and comfort.
Final Thoughts
You cannot go wrong with any of these options for gi’s. Over time, the original gi you own is going to get gross due to the number of times you sweat and get blood on it. When you are considering it time to upgrade from the one you currently use, be sure to check and consider the following in your list of options!
Happy Rolling
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