It’s no secret that Jocko Willink is a huge fan of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and has trained the martial art for well over a decade. Not only is the ex-SEAL a black belt in BJJ, but he’s also done something that many people can only dream of, which is mixing business with his main hobby. That’s right, Willink actually co-owns Origin USA alongside Pete Roberts.
For those wondering, Origin USA doesn’t just produce gis and BJJ wear either. They also offer lifestyle clothes such as t-shirts and hoodies. However, Origin is a bit different compared to most clothing brands, especially where gis are concerned.
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Where are Origin gis made?
Unlike most, they produce their clothes in-house, meaning they aren’t made abroad in common places like Pakistan and China. In other words, Origin gis are made in the USA. There is one trade-off with this, they aren’t cheap and they can take over 2 weeks to arrive after being ordered. As you may have figured by their full name, the HQ of Origin in is Maine.
The beauty of this though is that you’re guaranteed quality. Literally, everyone who wears Origin gis has said about how good and durable they are. Look below at the picture. There’s literally no gis like that on the current market which have that level of detail on the stitching. Often, gi manufacturers will put this level of detail into the collars, but not other areas of the gi which is telling.
The good news is, if you’re a fan of Origin gis, you can also buy their rashguards too which have a similar level of quality, albeit in rashguard form.
Jocko Willink uses his brand to build an empire
Since leaving the SEALS, Jocko Willink has been a busy man. He’s got Origin, his podcast, best selling books, his own supplement line, and is also a successful speaker and consultant. Interestingly though, a lot of this stuff is actually linked and compliments each other. For instance, imagine Willink wants to sell more Origin gis.
He can literally talk about this on his podcast, or on other people’s podcasts if needed. This will reach his target audience who are likely to already be into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Furthermore, due to the sporting image of BJJ, he can also advertise this alongside his Jocko fuel supplement products. In other words, it’s no coincidence that it all ties in together nicely.
Jocko is a smart man and it’s not surprising that he’s a successful business owner. What’s more, the rise of Jocko’s popularity has also meant the rise of Origin and his gis. The more he is known and talked about, the more his gis get exposure and grow as a result. This is a classic case of a celebrity successfully leveraging their image to enhance their business ventures.
How good are Origin gis?
Whilst staying neutral, it’s fair to say that Origin gis are possibly the best in the world. That is quite a statement but remember, they’re not made in bulk in a factory where time is a huge issue, therefore compromising quality. Instead, a lot of time is spent with Origin gis, and this yields superior quality. For example, one cool thing about Origin is the use of Atomic Twill GEN 2.
Whilst this may sound like some kind of fancy marketing jargon, it’s basically a scientific material that transfers your sweat from the inside of the gi towards the outside of the gi. This is obviously pretty handy when training, both strategically and hygiene-wise. Furthermore, the Origin gis apparently use a material that is twice as strong as typical ripstop materials. Therefore, they really are built to last and the made in USA tag isn’t just a gimmick.
Of course, not everyone can afford these which is probably why they’re not more popular. However, if money is no object then getting an Origin gi is a pretty good purchase as far as longevity goes.
Check The Price Of Origin BJJ Gis On eBay
