When you start training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the first thing you really need to invest in is a Jiu Jitsu Gi. You can get away without buying a BJJ rash guard for a while but there is no escaping a Gi. However, they can be quite expensive and you may be wondering what to look for in a good Gi. Below we have reviewed some of the best Jiu Jitsu Gis to help you decide and put your mind at ease.
What to Look for in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/BJJ Gi
First of all, you cannot mistake BJJ Gi’s with other martial arts Gis (Karate, Taekwondo etc.). Even the traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu Gi is different to that of a BJJ Gi. BJJ Gi’s are made to be durable and last a long time through all the grabbing, pulling and tugging. Therefore, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gis are generally heavier than Gis in other Martial arts that require less grappling.
Judo Gis are also quite tough and durable. However, the sleeves are generally wider than a BJJ Gi. Therefore, you probably don’t want to use a Judo Gi when training BJJ so that you don’t give your opponent more to grip. They might even be able to get their whole hand in your sleeve and grip tightly making it very hard to escape.
The most important feature of a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi is the Weave. This determines how much material has been used to sew the Gi together and therefore the thickness and durability of the Gi. Most Gis are either single or double weave. Single weave Gi’s are generally lighter in weight and less durable. They are also generally less expensive as a result. This might be a good choice if you are just testing the waters and getting started in BJJ and unsure whether you will be sticking around. However, if you are going all in, I would suggest going with the double weave Gi as this will stand you the test of time.
The Best BJJ Gis
Valor Bravura BJJ Gi
I currently only this Gi and love it! From wearing several other BJJ Gis, this is my favourite as it is light yet strong and durable. It is cheaper than a lot of other bigger BJJ brands. However, for the quality it is just as good as some of these other big brands. Valor has some high-quality martial arts gear and in particular BJJ Gis.
The Gi Jacket is made of high-quality pearl weave cotton with reinforced stitching on all the major stress points. The Valor patches on the sides are also up to IBJJF regulations. The pants are made of 10oz canvas cotton with double reinforced knee padding.
Available in a variety of colours (Grey, Blue, White, Black and Navy) ranging from A1-A3L.
Gold BJJ Gi
This Gold BJJ Gi is a very strong choice for your BJJ Gi collection. It is a little bit pricier than some of the other selections. However, this is because it is of very good quality. The Gi features a mid-weight 450 gsm Pearl weave Jacket and is very durable. It is light enough to help you make weight when competing, but heavy enough to make it tricky for your opponent to grab a hold off. The inside lining consists of rash guard liner making it very comfortable to wear, with 10 oz ripstop pants.
It is available in White, Blue & Black to meet Competition regulations. If you are willing to spend a little more money and invest in a top of the scale Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi, then this is definitely a fantastic choice
Sanabul Essentials V.2 Gi
Sanabul is a very popular brand for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gis. They provide really comfortable and durable Gis. Repped by some of the top BJJ and MMA competitors in the world like BJJ black belt Guilherme Bomba and legendary Jiu Jitsu coach, John Danaher. The Anti Shrinking technology helps ensure that the Kimono survives many washes and stands the test of time.
This is a great Gi, whether you are just starting your BJJ journey or whether you have been training for years. This Sanabul Essentials V2 Gi comes in various colours e.g., Black, White, Blue, Navy, Grey, Green etc. In addition, it has got some really great reviews on Amazon with over 4.5 stars so this is definitely a trustworthy Jiu Jitsu Gi.
Hayabusa Lightweight Jiu Jitsu Gi
This Lightweight Hayabusa Gi is made of 100% cotton and has a very nice comfortable fit. It is ideal for all body types and training styles. When training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, sometimes Gi’s can be quite restricting. This Gi provides good comfort allowing you to be flexible and loose when training. It’s a great choice if you are just starting your BJJ journey or if you are vet.
It’s also pretty lightweight, weighing around 3lbs (in A2 size) so it won't add any unnecessary weight when training or competition. The Gi also comes in IBJJF approved colours, along with other colours that are a bit fancier (e.g., Green and stone White), if that’s what you’re after.
Tatami Fightwear Nova Absolute BJJ Gi
We would feel remise not adding Tatami or Venum into the mix when talking about BJJ gear. We have included this Jiu Jitsu Gi as it is high quality and relatively cheap. The Jacket is light (350 gsm) with a comfort cut pearl weave for extra thickness without any added weight. The pants weight is 10 oz with a tapered fit.
The fabric is of high quality with a comfortable modern cut and reinforced stitching in all the stress points throughout the Gi. For the cheap price, it’s definitely a bargain for the quality you receive. A great addition to your BJJ Gi wardrobe.
Best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi – Other Shoutouts
Venum Elite 2.0
Again, you know you are getting good quality when you choose Venum or Tatami. Venum has a very good BJJ Gi selection and this Elite 2.0 Gi is a great choice in terms of price point and quality. This Venum BJJ Gi is made up of 450 gsm reinforced pearl weave making it a very tough and durable GI. Because of this top-quality material, it is a little more expensive that some other Gis, but you definitely get top quality. Some other Gis out there are more expensive and nowhere near as good quality.
The EVA collar also helps you to better resist grips and counters from your opponents. The lightweight pants consist of 226 gsm Ripstop fabric and is reinforced at tension points throughout. If you are looking for a great BJJ Gi for training and competition that will stand the test of time then this is a great choice.
Fuji BJJ Uniform
This Fuji BJJ Gi is a very reliable Gi selection if you are looking to add to your collection. It is definitely a fan favourite and very popular on Amazon generating lots of reviews with an overall 4.5 rating. It is currently one of Amazon’s top sellers and therefore a very popular choice among BJJ practitioners. A lot of people love the fit and comfort of the Gi and that it is not restricting (unlike many other Gis) when rolling.
The Gi has a multi layered design with reinforcement across all stress points making it durable and long lasting. This GI has been worn and tested by some of the finest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners including several of the Gracie family and is 100% IBJJF certified.
IBJJF Competition Gis – Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
When competing in BJJ Competitions remember you need to select either a Black, White or Blue Gi. Make sure the Gi does not have much design and is pretty plain apart from the patches and Brand name/logo. The size of the Gi also needs to be a good fit so it is not too tight or loose on you when competing. Your sleeves can’t be too short or long. This is the same for the pant length. You need to also make sure that your Gi is in good condition and does not have any noticeable wear and tear.
It is probably best to choose a Gi that is lightweight especially if you want to maintain a low competing weight. Also, any Gi that makes it difficult for your opponent to grab a grip of is a bonus, e.g., Gold Bjj Gi. Many bjj practitioners that are serious about competing tend to have at least 2 Gis in their collection. One for normal every day training and one for competing. This will help ensure your competition Gi lasts longer without general wear and tear.
Best BJJ Gi Brands
Tatami: A staple of any Bjj gym across the world, Tatami Gis are very popular among bjj practitioners repped by some of the most popular BJJ and MMA athletes
Venum: Another giant in the game of BJJ and MMA. Venum produce high quality Gis for very reasonable prices for you to add to you jiu jitsu collection
Hayabusa: Hayabusa create very reliable and durable Bjj Gis. They are another big-name brand that focus on a wider variety of products across various martial arts disciplines.
Sanabul: Sanabul is another brand that casts a wide net offering a wide variety of products across various other disciplines, even spanning into general fitness. However, in the MMA world is still repped by some big-time players.
Gold BJJ: An up and coming brand in the world of BJJ specifically. Gold BJJ is well renowned for the premium quality of their Bjj Gis
Valor: Valor Gis are not as common across Bjj gyms. However, their Quality and design of Gis are very good and a brand that I currently own and love.
Let us know your thoughts below or if you think there should be another BJJ Gi in this list!
Also, check out our reviews on the best bjj rash guards out there
Get in touch