Looking to buy a new gi in 2021? When buying a BJJ gi there are quite a few factors to consider. Most of them are personal preference, but there are a few things you must get right, especially if you are going to be doing IBJJF competitions. If you are a complete beginner, the size and shape don’t matter too much as long as you’re in the ballpark. If you’re not fully committed to BJJ training yet, you can always buy a discounted used gi on eBay, since the amount of people who quit is so high.
Each brand is slightly different from one another for sizing and quality of the kimono. So some people usually figure out what they like best and then stick with this brand for their entirety of BJJ.
Table of Contents
The Non Negotiables
Durability & Longeivity
The quality of a gi matters massively in BJJ. This is because unlike other martial arts such as karate, the gi takes much more of a beating every time you train. BJJ is a full contact sport with people pulling your collars, sleeves and pants. Therefore you can rule out buying the cheapest gi from China. It will rip and tear very easily, wasting your money on a product that should really be lasting around 2 years.
Therefore it is best to buy a well known brand that has a reputation. Yes, it will be more expensive, but if you pay $150 for a gi which lasts for 2 years. You’re essentially paying $75 per year to wear that gi. If you train 100 times per year, that works out at 75 cents per session – which is not bad at all.
A lot of people mention the type of “weave” when looking at the quality of a gi. You don’t really need to consider this if you’re buying from a well known brand since none of them will use a single weave. There isn’t much difference between double, golden, pearl of honeycomb despite what people say. Unless you are a professional tailor, you won’t be able to tell which one is superior quality and all will last for a good 2 years.
Length Of Sleeves & Gi Pants
Whilst you may not care about your gi being IBJJF legal, you don’t want to look like you’ve been sewn into your gi. Neither do you want to look like a wizard with giant sleeves.
If you’re unsure about what size of gi you should buy, remember it is always a good idea to go a little bit bigger rather than a little bit smaller. Although almost all modern day gi’s are preshrunk, they can still be put in a hot wash and will shrink a small amount. Remember to NEVER put your gi in a dryer as it can ruin the rubber lining in the lapel. Once this material is ruined, it will never go back to its original shape.
Here is a general guide for size & weight for what gi you should buy:
A1 – Weight approximately under 65kg. Height approximately under 5″8
A2 – Weight approximately under 85kg. Height approximately under 5″11
A3 – Weight approximately under 100kg. Height approximately under 6″3
A4 – Weight under 130kg
In general, weight is more of what you should be considering when buying. Height does matter and some people are short and stocky, whereas others are short and thin. If two guys are the same height and one is a giant build. They could well wear A1 and A3 respectively. This is why weight matters more when choosing a gi size.
Personal Preference
Brand
Almost everybody in BJJ will have their personal favorite gi brand. This is generally from a positive past experience where we feel that we got really good value for money. It’s not usually the cheapest or the most expensive, but something which just sits in the middle of being a good price for great quality.
To be honest, there really are a lot of great gi brands out there (mentioned below in the review section). Some of them have distinctive designs and patterns, whereas others are more understated. In general, it is the BJJ rashguard where a lot of brands separate from one another with clever art designs and logos. The kimono is generally a less loud and more conservative old-school BJJ way of dressing. The differences in appearance are usually very subtle, but the gap in quality can sometimes be very large.
Color
Everyone has their personal preference of which color gi they like best. Not everyone wants to wear a tie-dye gi like Kent Peters, and even if you did, not many places sell them.
Some gyms may have rules on gi’s such as not wearing black. I’m not really sure where this ruling came from, but I do remember Cobra Kai wore black gi’s in the karate kid.
A white gi is considered a safe bet as it’s a classic, although dark blue is becoming equally as popular these days.The benefit being that blood stains and other general marks will not show up as much if you can’t get them out after several washes.
Weight
The weight of a BJJ kimono mostly matters to a competitor for obvious reasons. If you’ve got a gi which is almost 1kg lighter than another, this can be the difference between cutting 1kg of muscle for a competition. Overall the general range of BJJ gis is approximately 1.5kg at the lightest with 2.5kg being the heaviest.
With that being said you must find the right balance between a heavy gi and a light gi. The heavy gi will almost always be more durable since it is certainly made of a thicker fabric blend. It will be less likely to rip and will generally be more durable, thus lasting for a significantly longer time.
The drawback of having a heavy gi over a light one is carrying the weight around. You don’t want what feels like a wet mattress on your back when in the final round of sparring against a maniac. Heavy kimonos can often soak up more sweat which adds to the weight, as well as taking a much longer time to dry. If you do a lot of jiu-jitsu, you will know that laundry is actually a big part of the sport, unfortunately.
Cotton Collars
As a side note, competitors will often favor a collar made out of cotton. This is somewhat rare in the average BJJ kimono since rubber is cheaper as well as more durable. Therefore the only real benefit to having a collar made out of cotton is its lighter weight. When added on to an already lightweight gi however, this can be another small edge you can get over your opponent.
IBJJF Legality
Since becoming a federation of BJJ, the IBJJF has rules which can be quite strict about what you can and can’t wear. In general, you won’t be measured and tested extensively, but there will always be the finger test (to see if a hand can fit inside your sleeve) at the very least. Their rules can be found here if you are an active competitor.
There may be requirements you didn’t know about such as the thickness of the lapel must be at least 1.3cm or the width of the collar being 5cm. These things really don’t matter to the average person since nobody cares this much in the gym. But it would be a terrible way to lose a tournament before you’ve even started. Especially if you have traveled to another country to compete.
Cost
This is obviously case-by-case. Some people earn more money than others. Some people are willing to spend more money on a gi than others. Overall you will generally find that the least amount of money you want to spend on a BJJ gi is around $70. Anything less than this and you’re risking getting a very low quality gi which won’t last very long.
At the top end of the range, you’re probably not going to spend over $250, with this being pretty expensive already. There are some gis which cost more such as Shoyoroll limited editions. However, for the most part, people aren’t often training in these unless they’re very wealthy or prefer this style. I am yet to see why Shoyoroll is superior quality to any other high level brand. Although if people want to pay more for this, that is their decision – it is their money, they can do what they want with it.
Best BJJ Brands & Gi Review For 2021
Senso
Senso is quite possibly the most underrated BJJ gi manufacturer we know of. They are a US based company that are heavily influenced by Japanese designs. Senso actually means “battle” in Japanese so the brand is aptly named. Their gi’s are very high quality and really look quite minimalist yet striking. They are above average price, but well above average in both style and value for the money spent.
Senso Jiu Jitsu Aizome Blue BJJ Gi
It goes without saying this is a basic but awesome design, you can see that for yourself. The color is a dark blue which we don’t usually see with BJJ gi’s, so it’s unique in that regard. It’s a very lightweight gi so would be ideal for a local competition. What you can’t see from the image is that it also has some really cool Japanese artwork on the inside. Obviously, this isn’t necessary but just adds to what was already a great quality gi which is excellent value for money.
Senso Jiu Jitsu Yuki White Gi
Improving on what was an already lightweight gi, the Yuki is actually slightly lighter than the Aizome. This is about as light as a BJJ can actually get without being ripped apart. The gi has a Yakuza kind of style to it. Its design is heavily based around the Koi karp with a small stitched panel on the outside of the gi, as well as cool artwork lining the inside. Senso has also lined parts of this gi with coolmax fabric, which means it won’t soak up as much sweat as a normal gi. In addition to this, it will dry faster when washed.
Venum
Venum is a brand that offers a variety of price points and styles throughout their range. This is good because if you want to stick to a single brand due to sizing, you can choose from a number of different prices and variations. Venum isn’t the most stylish or innovative with their brands, but have been around forever and always keep the quality of their kimonos at a very high standard. If you’re new to BJJ you may have seen them before as they’re very popular in MMA and other sports such as Muay Thai.
Venum Contender 2.0
The contender 2.0 is at the budget end of the Venum brand. The contender series is one of the best selling gi’s worldwide due to its price point. Obviously for under $100 you aren’t going to get the best gi in the world, some people complain that the pants are weaker on this model than some of the others. You will get a solid fitting kimono as Venum’s sizing is always on point.
Venum Power 2.0
A step up from the contender series, the Venum power range is more quality for more money. It probably sits around the average to expensive end when you look at gi’s as a whole. Once again, the sizing is pretty much on point since they offer a helpful chart to look at before you buy. The power is significantly more durable than the contender which is why it’s more expensive. Like the contender, this gi also comes in the 3 staple colors of BJJ gi’s which is black, white and navy blue.
Fuji
Fuji is one of the oldest brands within BJJ as it has been supplying Judo Kimonos since the late 1960s. It’s best known for its great price point for a quality and durable gi. In general, their gi’s are below the average market price and slightly above the market average in terms of quality. Therefore you’re always going to get great value for money. If you’re looking for a luxury gi, Fuji won’t be the best quality gi you ever find. But you certainly will never feel ripped off buying from a reputable manufacturer such as Fuji.
Fuji BJJ Kimono (Standard)
It does what it says. It’s a no-nonsense all-around BJJ uniform, once again available in all of the standard colors (blue, black & white). The gi is quite heavy and stitched well, but they make up for the weight gain by having a cotton collar. Fuji is one of the few to not use rubber on their cheaper gi’s (not sure why) but it makes for a nice change. Due to their experience in making MMA, BJJ & Judo apparel, their sizing is also very good.
Fuji Submit Everyone BJJ Gi
Unfortunately, this gi will not give you special powers and you will not get to submit everyone as the name says. This is one of the best competition gis you will find for the price. It’s durable, lightweight and IBJJF approved. Whilst it is at the top end of Fuji’s price range, it’s pretty average for BJJ gi’s in general and well worth every dollar spent. Due to it’s low weight, you will find moving around a lot easier, even when you’ve had a long session.
Kingz
Kingz is a relatively new brand on the BJJ scene and has not been around anywhere near as long as some of the other companies featured on this list. With that being said, they have become a reputable name in a short period of time and have a good range of budget and expensive gis. Leandro Lo is often seen competing in Kingz apparel, so obviously, they are a decent competition gi.
Kingz IBJJF Approved “The One” Gi
“The One” gi is the lowest price of all Kingz gi’s, but is still pretty decent and is IBJJF approved, as are all of their kimonos. When buying a Kingz gi, you’re generally getting what you pay for. As the price goes up, the quality of weave in the gi fabric goes up. So really this means if you pay more you’re getting a gi that lasts longer. I’m can’t be confident of exactly HOW much longer it will last, so buying a cheaper model like this is always a safe purchase.
Kingz Balistico 3.0
Overall this gi is just a higher quality version of “the one”. The reinforced stitching is standard across all BJJ gi’s that are worth paying for and generally, the main differences are weight and weave. As Kingz are more focused on BJJ competition – all of their kimonos will be pretty much the lightest they can be without skimping on quality. If you are a regular competitor then this is probably the best gi you can buy on this list.
Hayabusa
Hayabusa is another company that gets its identity from Japan (understandable since this is the home of martial arts). It is an extremely reputable brand and has been around for a very long time. It doesn’t only produce BJJ equipment and also makes striking and MMA apparel. When I first saw this brand I thought the logo was a dagger, but it is actually a falcon which is the Japanese translation of Hayabusa.
Hayabusa Warrior Gi
This gi is very aptly named, it really is a warrior. If you’re looking for the most durable BJJ gi, this is pretty much it. Of course it’s heavy than almost all of the others, but generally, you’re going to give up some weight if you want your gi to last for a long time. It has a top grade weave and is really reasonably priced. You would expect to pay more for a super durable gi, but that is really not the case with this model. It will probably shrink a little more than a lightweight gi when first washed, so keep that in mind.
Hayabusa Ultra-lightweight Gi
This is the complete opposite end of the spectrum compared to the Hayabusa warrior and is pretty much a pure competition gi. Obviously you’re going to sacrifice a little bit of durability whenever you get a lightweight gi, this is just a decision you need to make. However, it is a really solid and lightweight gi. Once again, the price is really on point being a very average spend, for a good quality competition gi.
Shogun
We are now seeing a big pattern between BJJ gi’s and Japanese inspired brands. Shogun are probably the most diverse company on the list who make kimonos as they also make other martial arts clothes along with bags and everyday wear such as t-shirts and hoodies. This can be seen in the artwork on their gi’s which is superior to any other design on this list.
Shogun Fight Tao Premium BJJ Gi
Probably the most unique gi we have reviewed. It’s a little pricey and comes in above average. But you’re paying for a good quality gi with one of the best designs on the market. It has a rash guard lining on the inside with some Japanese style artwork. You will rarely see kimonos manufactured this way as most brands will view it as an unnecessary cost. Even with all the cool art, the gi is also pretty lightweight and IBJJF legal, so can be used in all competitions.
Shogun Ultra Light Kanji
There is not too much to say about this gi. It is at the budget end of the Shogun range and is once again good quality (or else it wouldn’t have made the list). With that being said, Fuji offer a very similar gi to this which is quite a bit cheaper. This gi isn’t bad value for money, but certainly isn’t the best value you can find either.
Ronin
Ronin are a relatively small family operated business out of New York state. They have been manufacturing various martial arts kimonos since the 1970’s and entered the BJJ market in the 1980’s. Due to the fact they are family operated and a bit smaller than the other companies, you can always rely on their high level of customer service.
Ronin Insignia V2
This is a quality gi for being the budget end of Ronin’s range. However, even at the budget end, Ronin gi’s are still quite expensive compared to their competitors. The nice thing about this gi is that they have deliberately left the design quite empty so that you can place patches on if you wish. Whilst this has never appealed to me personally, I know some people will appreciate this thought.
Ronin Oni-Bushi
The Oni-Bushi is one of the most expensive gi’s that made the list. It is mostly here because it’s a high quality gi with a great design. The outside of the gi looks pretty typical. But it has some awesome artwork of a samurai inside (hence the brand name Ronin). Whether you buy this or not is going to be based pretty much on whether you think the design is worth the money. There are cheaper gi’s of a very similar quality on the list such as the Fuji submit everyone kimono.
Overall Best BJJ Kimonos
Here are our picks from the reviews above for the best gi in each category.
Best Value BJJ Gi – Fuji Submit Everyone
Best Budget BJJ Gi – Fuji BJJ Kimono
Most Durable BJJ Gi – Hayabusa Warrior Gi
Best Lightweight Competition BJJ Gi – Kingz Balsitico 3.0
Gi With The Best Design – Senso Aizome
