Hey everyone, been a while but we’re reviewing another Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi. This time we got our hands on the Elite 5.0 BJJ gi from Venum. This was not a gifted product. It was purchased by Grappler’s Graveyard and we put this through a couple of weeks of training along with a handful of wash cycles.
Overall we love the design, look, and feel of this Gi. The only reason it’s probably not ranked higher on our list (still ranked top 3) is that we personally prefer lighter-weight Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gis in the state where we train (Arizona, its very hot during summertime).
As always, we review with a scale that we use internally known as the Graveyard Scale (here) this is a scale that we use to help us rate the gear that we get our hands on from 1 – 10. For BJJ Gis, our main review criteria are: Fit & Comfort, Mobility & Weight, Shrinkage & Maintenance, Durability & Construction, and Price/Value.
This Gi fits all the criteria for what makes a good Gi and I think anybody looking to buy this product is going to get their money’s worth! If you are looking for a well-constructed, comfortable, and generally affordable Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi to add to your rotation, you will not be disappointed with this Venum Elite 5.0 Gi.
Reminder: We are on a mission to help people find the best combat sports gear across categories. Our goal is to review a list that consists of 20+ gis and share our thoughts to the following Reddit communities r/fightgear, r/grapplersgraveyard, r/bjj and r/jiujitsu.
Overview of the Venum Elite 5.0 BJJ Gi
The Venum Elite 5.0 BJJ Gi is currently listed at $129.99, making it a very affordable product in comparison to a lot of other Gis on the market. I think for this price there isn’t a Gi at 450 GSM that’s comparable.
Looking at our list, the #1 Gi is Gold BJJ. We love it for its ultra-lightweight feel. The next best option is only something we would recommend if you have a higher budget threshold. That said, Venum hits this nice sweet spot by tackling quality, durability, and affordability, which is very rare in this market.
I personally am a big fan of Venum’s product. As we have grown our relationship they continue to impress me with the products that they put out onto the market.
Right now we’ve gotten about three weeks of intense training using this product and have virtually no complaints about it. We are writing this article as it’s starting to cool down in Arizona. Right now we do not mind having a heavier Gi while training. What I do anticipate, though, is that this Gi will probably get less rotation time among the products I already use during the summertime, when I am training more intensely and the weather is less forgiving.
Video Review: coming soon
Pros
- Super affordable
- Inner liner does not create too much heat
- Love the colorway that I went with
- Venum always comes out with high-quality products. This does not disappoint
- Very durable and unrestricted in movement
Cons
-
450 GSM can be a warmer product versus a much lighter product
The Venum Elite 5.0 BJJ Gi combines a comfortable fit, durable 450 GSM construction, and unrestricted movement at an affordable price. After three weeks of training and multiple washes, we experienced no noticeable shrinkage and rated it 9.4/10. A great addition to your gi rotation, though its heavier build can feel warmer during hot-weather training.
Fit & Comfort (1.7/2)
From a fit standpoint my body has changed pretty significantly since I originally started testing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gis. I’m now sitting comfortably in an A2 and I haven’t noticed any real discomfort or lack of mobility just due to product specs.
In all honesty the Gi itself is very comfortable and fits pretty well. What I do love is that when I’m stretching and getting ready to warm up for class, I don’t feel like the pants are going to blow out on me.
My sole complaint is that the Gi is sitting at 450 GSM so it is a little bit heavier than some of the other lightweight Gis that we do know and love. I know every product is going to be a little bit different. That’s why we ended up buying the Venum 3.0 Contender, which is their 380 GSM gi, to get a good comparison of Venum products in general.
Mobility & Weight (1.7/2)
From a mobility standpoint I don’t feel like this Gi is restrictive due to its weight. I’ve definitely had Gis in the past that have felt really restrictive, especially after several washes, when they shrink on you and create more friction. This Gi does not fit those criteria.
While it is 450 GSM, making it a slightly heavier Gi than some of the marketed lightweight Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gis we’ve tried, I don’t think it’s a deal breaker for whether someone should or shouldn’t buy this product.
The main colorways (black/white, traditional blue) would make this Gi IBJJF-regulated and I think it would actually be a pretty solid competition product due to its heavier build
Shrinkage & Maintenance (2/2)
One of the biggest things we personally look for when testing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guys is shrinkage, which some of them do end up having. unfortunately it’s very common for a Gi to shrink on you. I personally think it’s one of the crummiest things to have happen, especially when you spend a lot of money.
in this exact scenario the Venum Gi isn’t by any means overpriced and I have not experienced any shrinkage throughout my time testing this Gi. this Gi has the quality and feels like it’ll stick true to its size for a very long time so shrinkage is not something you have to worry about.
Durability & Construction (2/2)
Usually the heavier Gi’s have more enforced stitching. It’s more with the lightweight Gi’s that you have to be pretty careful and question their durability because they’re made of thinner material. The Venum Elite 5.0 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi is not one that you have to worry about potentially ripping after 3 or 4 wears.
What I am curious about is how well the patches on this Gi hold up over several years of actual use. It doesn’t give me any inkling that they would fall off, but during intense rolling sessions, I could see that the patches are probably where tears most commonly occur.
Overall I think this Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi is well constructed and very durable.
Price & Value (2/2)
Venum really did a good job creating a product that is fairly priced compared to others on our top 10 list.
Venum is among the cheapest options compared to our number-one-rated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi from Gold BJJ, the Aeroweave Gi. The Elite 5.0 Gi from Venum is literally priced at the same dollar amount. The only difference between the two is the GSM you’re getting from one product or the other.
Final Rating For the Venum Elite 5.0 BJJ Gi (9.4 / 10 )
If you’re in the market for a really cool designed product that is fairly priced and will last you several years, then the Venum Elite 5.0 BJJ Gi is definitely for you.
It’s been a very long time since we’ve shaken up the top 10 rankings here at Grappler’s Graveyard for our best BJJ Gi list but we are always open to new beginnings. Right now the Venum Elite 5.0 is sitting at the number three spot and we are giving it a 9.4 out of 10.
This is an amazing product!
Alternatives and Recommendations
- Gold BJJ Aeroweave (if you want lighter weight options) – Review
- Origin Atleta (if budget is not a concern and really want 380 GSM) – Review
Buying Guide
For all Grappler’s Graveyard audience members, you’re saving 15 percent off your purchase when you use our link. I would suggest buying any products from Venum directly on their website, using our code to help you save a little bit.
The updated list of Best BJJ Gi will showcase new pairs as we get around to updates. This list is trusted and showcases some of the top brands in the space. If you are a brand and want to see how you stack up on the list feel free to reach out for an advertising opportunity.
Best BJJ Gi List
The updated list of Best BJJ Gis will showcase new pairs as we get around to updates.
Here is the running list we have put together with the corresponding score:
Here is the running list we have put together with the corresponding score:
- Gold BJJ 9.6 / 10 – review
- Origin Atleta Gi 9.5 / 10 – review
- Venum Elite 5.0 BJJ Gi – 9.4 / 10 – review
- Origin Nomad BJJ Gi 9.25 / 10 – review
- Tatami Superlite BJJ Gi– 9.2 / 10 – review
- Venum x Assassin’s Creed Shadows 9.1 / 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
Honorable Mentions:
This is a list as of items that are featured but no longer sold because they were either limited or the company just stopped selling them…
- Future Kimonos (not sold anymore) 9.5 / 10 – review
Graveyard Scale Criteria for BJJ Gi’s
To keep reviews consistent, each product type has tailored categories while still balancing to 10 points. For BJJ Gis, here’s the breakdown:
- Fit & Comfort – 2 points
- Mobility & Weight – 2 points
- Shrinkage & Maintenance – 2 points
- Durability & Construction – 2 points
- Price & Value – 2 points
