Choosing the right BJJ gi matters more than most people realize.
Your gi affects how you move, how grips work against you, how comfortable you feel during long rounds, and how long your gear actually lasts. The wrong gi can restrict mobility, shrink unpredictably, or wear out far sooner than it should especially if you train consistently or even take your chances at competing.
This guide breaks down how to choose the right BJJ gi based on real training experience, long-term wear testing, competition requirements, and value. Whether you’re buying your first gi or refining your rotation as a regular competitor, this will help you make the right call.
TL;DR
- Fit, weight, and durability matter more than brand name the right gi should match your body type, training style, and climate.
- Most athletes should choose a midweight pearl weave gi in the $100–$150 range, which offers the best balance of comfort, longevity, and value.
- We only recommend gis we’ve trained in and scored using the Graveyard Scale, with fit, mobility, durability, shrinkage, and price guiding every pick.
Why Trust us at Grapplers Graveyard?
At Grapplers Graveyard, we don’t just look at specs we train in the gear we review and leave unbiased reviews about all of them. To date, we have spent thousands of dollars on the gear that people wear everyday and have helped over 1,000 different BJJ practitioners choose the right options.
Every gi referenced in this guide has been:
- purchased independently (we don’t accept free gear and if we do we would say it)
- trained in across regular classes, open mats, and competitions
- washed repeatedly to test shrinkage and durability
- evaluated using our Graveyard Scale, which scores fit, mobility, durability, maintenance, and value
This guide is built from hands-on experience, not manufacturer claims or recycled opinions.
Why Choosing the Right BJJ Gi Actually Matters
In our opinion, the BJJ Gi you choose is not just some piece of clothing you wear, it’s a tool that a lot of people spend their hard money on. Most of the Gi’s out on the market today are north of $100, to some thats not much but when it comes down to it we respect your money that you put your time into making so we feel like you should be getting the most out of what you buy.
The right BJJ gi feels different and can help you train longer, move better, and avoid unnecessary frustration.
Mobility
Gi cut, sleeve taper, and fabric weight all impact how freely you move. A poorly fitting gi can bind at the shoulders, hips, or knees, making scrambles and guard work feel harder than they should.
Nobody wants to feel sluggish on the mats. Some gis will make that happen just by feeling too heavy or being to stiff i the areas that you need room in.
Grip Fighting
Fabric thickness, weave type, and lapel construction directly affect grip strength and fatigue. Some gis are easier to grip; others are built to resist pulling and collar control.
Durability Under Stress
BJJ gis take constant pressure, collar pulls, sleeve drags, death grips, and awkward positioning. Reinforced stitching and quality fabric determine whether a gi lasts months or years.
Comfort for Long Rolling Sessions
I don’t know about you but I always want to feel good in the gear that I am wearing. not sometimes. Always.
The gym gets hot and this sport is hard. You deserve to have gear that suits you in these kinds of conditions. I know that it is unreasonable to think everyone will care about comfort but at the end of the day we write from a standpoint of getting you the best value out of the money you spend on a gi.
Competition Legality (IBJJF Rules)
Not all gis are competition legal.
Sleeve width, weight, pant length, collar thickness, color, and patch placement can all result in a failed inspection if ignored.
If you plan on competing it matter what kind of gi you have.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
Most beginners make at least one of these mistakes when buying their first gi:
- Buying a gi that’s too heavy for their climate or conditioning. This makes you feel like you are overheating.
- Ignoring brand-specific size charts
- Overspending before knowing their preferences
- Choosing the wrong weave type for their training style
- Buying for aesthetics instead of function
You don’t need the most expensive gi to train well you need the right one.
Our guide on the best BJJ Gi’s on the market can and will help you decide which option is best for you.
Price Expectations for BJJ Gi’s
Before diving deeper, here’s a simple truth:
- Under $100 → Entry-level, usable, but limited lifespan
- $100–$150 → Best value for most practitioners
- $150–$200 → Premium builds, competition-ready
- $200+ → Specialty or handmade gis (worth it only if you know what you like and can afford to splurge)
Price alone doesn’t equal quality, construction and fit matter far more. There are a lot of crummy BJJ Gis that are high priced.
Understanding the Making of a Good BJJ Gi
To choose the right gi, it helps to understand how it’s built. Every component plays a role in performance and longevity.
Gi Jacket (Kimono)
The jacket takes the most abuse during training and competition.
Materials
Most gi jackets are made from cotton or cotton blends. Higher-quality cotton improves comfort and durability, while certain blends can reduce shrinkage.
From trying so many gi’s at this point you can tell when you are wearing a gi that is made from cheaper material. It feels like it traps more heat and sits a little heavier on the body.
Weight
Jacket weight influences grip resistance, heat retention, and competition legality. Lightweight jackets are cooler and faster; heavier ones are more durable but harder to manage.
Personally, we train 90% of our days in lightweight bjj gis, the only time we are wearing anything over 300 gsm is if we are stepping onto a competition mat.
Stitching & Reinforcement Zones
Look for reinforced stitching at:
- armpits
- lapel base
- sleeve seams
These are the first areas to fail on cheaper gis.
Sleeve Cut (Wide vs Tapered)
- Wide sleeves → easier grips, more traditional feel
- Tapered sleeves → harder to grip, competition advantage
Gi Pants
Pants are often overlooked.
I do not play around when it comes to gi pants. I lift outside of training BJJ so my body is constantly changing, like I started earlier I try to optimize for as much comfort as possible while on the mats. Gi pants are the easiest way to lose points on our system and it is always something to look out for when choosing the gear you go with.
Material Options
- Cotton: traditional, comfortable
- Ripstop: lighter, dries faster, slightly less traditional feel
- Blends: balance durability and shrink resistance
Knee Reinforcements
Double-layered knee panels significantly extend pant life, especially for guard players.
Rope vs Drawstring
- Rope drawstrings hold better under stress
- Flat drawstrings are easier to tie but loosen faster
Fit Differences
Pant taper varies widely by brand. Some favor relaxed fits; others go athletic and narrow.
Collar Construction
The collar is one of the most important parts of a gi.
- Thickness affects grip difficulty and comfort
- Stitching quality determines long-term durability
- Poor collars fold, soften, or fray quickly
A well-built collar holds shape even after dozens of washes.
Weave Types Explained
We have a full guide on BJJ Gi weaves that can be found on our sit but we can save you some time by throwing the high level details in bullet points below:
Single Weave
- Lightweight and breathable
- Less durable
- Rare in modern competition gis
Gold Weave
- Traditional competition weave
- Balanced weight and durability
- Slightly less common today
Pearl Weave (Most Common)
- Best balance of durability, weight, and comfort
- Used in most modern gis
Double Weave
- Extremely durable
- Heavy and hot
- Mostly obsolete for competition use
How We Evaluate BJJ Gis (Our Testing Process)
By now, you’ve seen that choosing the right BJJ gi comes down to more than just brand names or price tags. To make meaningful recommendations, we needed a way to consistently compare gis across different use cases, body types, and training styles.
That’s why every gi we review at Grapplers Graveyard is tested and scored using our proprietary system.
Graveyard Scale Criteria for BJJ Gi’s
To keep reviews objective and consistent, we score every BJJ gi on a 10-point scale, broken down into five categories that actually matter on the mats:
- Fit & Comfort – 2 points
- Mobility & Weight – 2 points
- Shrinkage & Maintenance – 2 points
- Durability & Construction – 2 points
- Price & Value – 2 points
Best BJJ Gi List
Below is our current running list of BJJ gis we’ve personally tested, along with their Graveyard Scale scores. This list is updated as we continue reviewing new releases and brands.
- Gold BJJ 9.6 / 10 – review
- Origin Atleta Gi 9.5 / 10 – review
- Future Kimonos (not sold anymore) 9.5 / 10 – review
- Origin Nomad BJJ Gi 9.25 / 10 – review
- Venum x Assassin’s Creed Shadows 9.25 / 10 – review
- Sanabul Highlight Pro 8.8/ 10 – review
- Sanabul Core Series 8.5 / 10 – review
- Sanabul Essentials 8 / 10 – review
- Elite Sports 7.4 / 10 – review
- Shogun Jiu Jitsu 7.3 /10 – review
- Moya Brand (no score)
- Hayabusa Gi (no score) – review
Scale: https://grapplersgraveyard.com/graveyard-scale/
How to Use This List When Choosing Your Gi
This list isn’t meant to tell you “buy the highest score and move on.”
Instead, use it as a filter:
- Narrow down brands worth considering
- Match gi traits to your training style
- Avoid low-quality builds that won’t last
A 9.6/10 gi might not be right for your climate, gym culture, or competition goals and that’s where the rest of this guide comes in.
Choosing the Right Size & Fit
Most BJJ brands will have some kind of size chart to match what would be best. For the most part, these sizing charts are accurate and help a lot in knowing the size that would suit you best. Every once in a while you may get a gi that’s too big or might shrink on you after a couple of washes.
Final Verdict: What Actually Matters When Choosing a BJJ Gi
Choosing the right BJJ gi isn’t about chasing the most expensive brand or copying what your coach wears or what they try to sell you on (whole other issue in the space don’t get me started).
Fit determines comfort and mobility.
Durability determines whether your gi lasts months or years.
Weight and weave affect grip fighting, heat management, and competition readiness.
Climate and training frequency should influence every buying decision.
Budget matters but value matters more.
If there’s one takeaway from this guide, it’s this: the best gi is the one that fits your body, your training style, and your environment not the one with the loudest marketing.
At Grapplers Graveyard, we test gis the same way you do through real training, repeated washing, and hard rounds. That’s why every recommendation in this guide is backed by hands-on experience and our Graveyard Scale scoring system.
If you want to go deeper, check out:
- our Best BJJ Gi list for quick recommendations
- individual gi reviews for detailed breakdowns
- or bookmark this page as we continue updating it with new brands and scores
