Thinking about buying your first Gi? Or maybe you are considering switching from a brand you’ve used to a different Gi brand? Allow us to help you in your decision-making by providing a review of the best Gi brands for Jiu Jitsu, as well as some of each brand’s best-selling Gis.
Even if you’re just wondering about some often used terms when describing Jiu Jitsu Gis, like “weave”, “GSM” or “Shrinkage”, you’ll find the answers below. Keep reading!
Reviews of the Best Gi Brands for BJJ
FUJI Sports
The Fuji sports brand was established in 1969 by Frank Hatashita, 8th Dan (degree) in Judo. Their first products were Judo Gis, before expanding to include BJJ Gis following the global spread of Jiu Jitsu.
Their goal is to produce high-quality Gis that are built to last and withstand the rigors of competing at the highest possible levels. Many of the best athletes in BJJ and Judo swear by Fuji brand Gis, including Xhande Ribeiro, Jena Bishop, Bruno Bastos as well as US Judo Olympians Kayla Harrison and Travis Stevens.
The brand’s logo features Mount Fuji, a location in Japan where the Samurai used to train.
A great example of why Fuji is one of the best Gi brands in the world is their best-selling Fuji BJJ Uniform:
Fuji BJJ Uniform Review
- Your All-Around BJJ (Brazilian Style Jiu Jitsu) Gi: The FUJI All-Around Gi (Kimono) is recognized by…
- Designed For The Best Jiu-Jitsu: The FUJI All-Around Kimono top jacket is mid-weight with a stiff,…
- For Comfort and Competition: Developed by 4-time Olympian, 2-time Olympic Medalist Jimmy Pedro, the…
- 100% Competition Certified: FUJI BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) apparel is tested and approved by…
- Perfect Fit for Martial Arts Clothing: This gi comes in various sizes to offer the perfect fit, a…
The Fuji BJJ Uniform is a medium-heavy Gi, primarily designed to be long-lasting. It has a thick and stiff collar, and multi-layered reinforced stress points. This Gi is IBJJF certified and is the trusted option for thousands of top-level professional BJJ athletes.
The Fuji BJJ Uniform Gi features a premium cotton blend material that provides comfort and ensures a tight fit.
It is an award-winning Jiu Jitsu Gi, as confirmed by numerous industry-specific publications.
You can get this BJJ Gi in white, black, blue, or pink color. Additionally, you can choose from a range of sizes from A1 to A6. Does not include a belt.
VENUM Fightwear
The man behind Venum Fightwear is Franck Dupuis, an IT sales manager at IBM who decided to drop everything and start a passion project in 2004 – launching the Venum brand.
Franck’s goal with the company was to form an iconic brand, representative of combat sports and the mentality of athletes. Quickly adopted by MMA fighters as early as 2005, Venum kept growing, emerging as one of the best Gi brands that lead industry standards today.
What sets Venum apart from the others is that the brand’s philosophy is to constantly evolve with the market. As such, they constantly develop innovative technologies and designs that offer a unique experience.
Their products are not specific to BJJ, but rather offer a full spectrum of combat gear. In 2021 Venum became the official outfit partner of the UFC.
Interestingly enough, Franck Dupuis, the founder, and CEO are involved in every aspect of the brand, from designs and photography to quality control, logistic, management, etc.
Venum Contender 2.0 BJJ Gi
- IMPORTANT CARE INSTRUCTIONS: Always wash your Gi at a cool temperature setting – never hot. Always…
- Jacket 350 gsm with rounded, reinforced slots
- Pants 230 gsm 100% cotton with reinforced stitching inside leg and around ankle circumfrence
- Does not include belt
The Venum Contender BJJ Gi has a second version out. Made out of 100% Pearl Weave cotton, with a 350 GSM jacket and 230 GSM pants, this is a lightweight BJJ Gi designed to last. The jacket has EVA foam-filled collars, and the pants have an innovative fast clamping drawstring system. This Gi arrives pre-shrunk and is IBJJF certified.
A special feature of the Venum Contender 2.0 BJJ Gi is the rounded and reinforced slots on the jacket, as well as reinforcements on the inside leg and around the ankle circumference. This makes the Gi very durable and long-lasting, which is usually not the case with lightweight Gis.
Available colors are black, white, blue, grey, and green, in sizes A0-A4 (including in-between sizes like A1.5, etc).
KINGZ Kimonos
Kingz Kimonos is a company based out of San Diego, established in 2011. Now, they have offices now in both the US and the UK and represent one of the most trusted BJJ Gi brans in the world.
Kingz Kimonos are known for their exceptional quality and superior attention to detail. Because they claim that their Gis are different, they spend a lot of time innovating, experimenting, testing and then testing again.
With the people behind Kingz sharing over 30 years of combined experience in Jiu Jitsu, they know the sport and how it’s evolving and understand what works and what doesn’t. As a result, they deliver some of the very best BJJ gis, as confirmed by the likes of Leandro Lo, Bruno Malfacine, Ida Floisvik, Eduardo Telles and many others.
What sets Kingz Kimonos apart as one of the best Gi brands in the world is their unique No-Grip sleeve technology on their all-cotton Gis, as well as the Coolmax lining, which whisks away moisture and denies build-up.
KINGZ The One BJJ Gi
- Kid’s cut
- 400 GSM High Tech Pearl Weave jacket
- Triple reinforced stitching across all stress points
- Made of one piece fabric for superior strength and durability
- Synthetic heat resistant vulcanized rubber lapel insert
“The One” KINGZ BJJ Gi is a premium quality Gi with a 400 GSM High Tech Pearl Weave jacket. The collar contains a synthetic heat-resistant vulcanized rubber lapel insert. The pants are cotton, 10 oz, with a 6-loop cord drawstring. There is soft cotton seam taping on all seams of this lightweight Gi. It comes pre-shrunk and is IBJJF certified.
A key feature of this Gi is that it is constructed out of one-piece fabric, resulting in maximal comfort. It is also strategically reinforced across all stress points with triple stitching and also features double knee padding.
Fit for both training and competition, “The One” perfectly embodies KINGZ’s innovative technologies, featuring No-Grip sleeve technology to make it very difficult for opponents to hold on to grips.
Sizes include everything in the A0-A5 range (including specialized in-between sizes for different body types). Available in white, black, and blue color.
GAMENESS
Gameness is one of the biggest and best Gi brands in the world. It also happens to be one of the oldest BJJ Gi brands. Gameness was originally founded in Nashville, TN, but was then bought by current owner Kris Horner and its headquarters moved to Dallas, TX.
The brand’s goal is to provide low-volume, high-quality custom products for athletes and gyms, thus filling the void left by demand for Gis in academies across the US. Gameness prides itself on world-class customer service. They produce all kinds of BJJ gear, including rash guards, spats, gym bags, and more.
Speaking of how well established they are, Gameness is the first-ever US BJJ Gi brand. They also helped establish the US Jiu Jits scene by helping put together tournaments, sponsoring athletes, and helping the BJJ community in any way they can.
Gameness Jiu Jitsu Air Pro Gi 2.0
No products found.
A Comb weave 350 GSM Gi jacket paired with military-grade ripstop fabric with reinforcements around the knees and a 4 loop drawstring closure system. This Gi has very few visual elements, resulting in a simplistic, yet captivating design. It has a very tight fit while allowing for a maximal unimpeded range of motion during rolling. It is pre-shrunk and dries very quickly on account of being thinner than most other BJJ Gis.
Available in sizes A0 to A6 and in white, blue, and black colors. Belts are not included.
The outstanding feature of this Gi is its lith weight. It is one of the lightest Gis on the market, making it the perfect choice for traveling and/or training in hot climates. On account of the comb weave, the Gi is exceptionally strong and durable, even though it is thin. IBJJF approved.
TATAMI Fightwear
The Tatami Fightware brand was founded by Gareth Dummer and Lee Jones in 2009, in South Wales. Today, this is one of the best gi brands in the entire world.
Their main goal when starting was to address the need for high-quality Jiu Jitsu products at affordable prices. As the brand’s popularity grew, it also embarked upon the journey of exposing combat sports to more people worldwide. Tatami’s range of products includes anything from Gi’s to rashguards to leisurewear.
Some of the most famous BJJ athletes representing the brand include JT Torres, Vitor ‘Shaolin’ Ribeiro, Robson Moura, and Michelle Nicolini.
Founder Gareth Dummer is himself a black belt who spent years teaching the sport in lower-income areas and local communities. Founding it increasingly difficult to find quality products that his students could afford he came up with the idea of creating the Tatami brand.
TATAMI Nova Absolute Gi
- Lightweight BJJ Gi
- Jacket made from 350GSM pearl weave fabric
- 10 oz. cotton pants
- Primed athletic fit with shorter jacket and tapered pants
- Built for training and competition
The Tatami Nova Absolute Gi features a 100% cotton 350GSM pearl weave jacket and 10oz cotton tapered pants. There are Tatami logos on the pants, the outside of teh jacket, and the inside of the hem. The Gi comes pre-shrunk, and it will last the longest if washed at 30°C and hang dried. IBJJF approved.
Available in black, white, blue & khaki. Sizes range between A0 and A6, with lots of in-between special options included. Comes with a free white belt.
The Nova Absolute is a combination of all the best features from previous editions of the Nova Gi. As such, it provides the most complete Gi experience, perfect for both competing and training. The Gi features a special competition cut and is built for style and comfort.
ATAMA BJJ Fightgear
Atama is one of the first BJJ Gi brands in the world, created in 1989 in Brazil. Today it is a world-renowned company that has a European branch as well, based out of Lisbon, Portugal.
Atama gear is developed and produced by specialized professionals, using nothing but top-quality materials. The brand’s goal is to provide courteous, informed, and professional customer service. Their line includes apparel and accessories for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Grappling, and MMA.
The word Atama is of Japanese origin meaning head, mind, and intelligence.
ATAMA Classic BJJ Gi
The Atama Classic BJJ Gi is made out of 100% cotton Single Weave fabric. The lapels are filled with super light antibacterial rubber. The Atama Jiu Jitsu logo is embroidered on both sleeves. The pants are cotton, rip-stop, reinforced on the knee area. The gi dries very quickly. IBJJF approved.
Available sizes range from A1 to A5. It comes in competition legal, black, blue, and white color. Ships without a belt.
Atama is one of the best BJJ brands for competitors. This gi is the perfect example, featuring a jacket with no seam on the back to provide more comfort when your back is on the ground. The gi is very resistant and rigid, making it extremely hard for your opponent to hold their grips.
ELITE Sports
A company conceived by veterans of MMA, Elite sports provides a wide variety of combat sports gear for BJJ, MMA, Muay Thai, Boxing, Wrestling Judo, and Crossfit. Their goal is to revolutionize the way people look at the products they buy and the prices they pay.
The brand prides itself on devoting particular attention to detail and design. Every product the brand offers is designed with heavy use in mind.
Elite Sports was born out of the necessity to fill a quality gap in the market. As martial arts become more popular, the quantity of poorly designed and made products increases. Elite sports aims to provide high-quality, long-lasting products at affordable prices. This approach helped establish Elite as one of the best gi brands in the world very quickly compared to other brands.
Their slogan is “Embrace the pain”.
A very famous athlete sponsored by Elite sports is BJJ world champion and UFC fighter, Mackenzie Dern.
Elite Brazilian Jiu Jitsu BJJ Gi
- ✅ ADVANCE SIZING: Our sizing is superior to any other brand out there, we do not believe in 1 size…
- ✅ NO SHRINKING- MACHINE WASH IS OK- Lets be realistic most Gi brands want you to hand wash and…
- ✅ IBJJF APPROVED – This IBJJF GI is approved from International BJJ Federation, so you can wear…
- ✅ FREE WHITE BELT w/ STRIPE BAR – Our lightweight men’s BJJ kimono is complemented with a free…
- ✅ REDUCE THE RISK OF BAD SMELL – Lightweight material in our Jiujitsu GI disperses sweat faster,…
Elite’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi is made from lightweight 400gsm Pearl Weave preshrunk fabric. The pants are 400 GSM CVC 60% Cotton 40% Polyester fabric with a rope drawstring closure system. There is contrasting and reinforced stitching in seams and other key areas. In order to have the Gi last long, it is recommended to wash it in cold water and hang dry it. IBJJF approved
Size options range from A0 to A5 while available colors include black, blue, and white. A free white belt comes with every gi.
A distinctive feature of this Gi is the antimicrobial inner lining fiber. It provides Fabric anti-odor, antimicrobial and sweat-wicking properties that help keep this Gi clean and extend its lifespan.
What Makes Some BJJ Gi Brands Better than Others?
The only honest way to approach the debate about which is the best BJJ Gi brand out there is to keep in mind that people value different qualities in Gis, which means there can’t really be an objective way to pinpoint one or two absolute best brands. That said, we can look at a few different aspects that usually make people decide upon their favorite Jiu Jitsu Gi brand.
Personal Gi Preferences
In terms of personal preferences, people usually tend to put the weight of the Gi high on the decisive factors list. After a few years, most people involved in BJJ develop a taste for lightweight, mediumweight, or on a rare occasion, heavyweight Gis. The weight of a Gi has to do with the weave, which I will touch upon further in this article.
Another major aspect in terms of personal preference has to do with Gi design. In most cases, a certain Gi design, with a specific combination of patches and/or embroidered accessories, as well as an inner lining with a certain type of art are things that people get hooked on.
Furthermore, on some occasions, it is not as much a choice for people, as it is about practicality. Namely, some people are built in a way that only a certain size from a certain Gi brand fits them comfortably.
Finally, there’s Gi color. Some people like colors that fall outside the competition approved white, blue, and black. In most gyms this is not a problem, so colors like khaki, gray, pink, or even differently matched pants and jackets are a usual sight.
Materials and Durability
Most Jiu Jitsu Gis are made out of 100% cotton, although some brands do employ the use of cotton and Polyester blends for the Gi pants (like the Elite Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi). In most cases, cotton provides softness, while being resilient enough to guarantee the Gi can withstand the rigors of grappling for extended periods of time. Also, cotton is the easiest to handle in terms of washing and drying.
The often mentioned ripstop fabric can be made from a variety of materials (cotton, silk, polyester, nylon) and is usually the manner in which BJJ Gi pants are constructed with durability in mind. Ripstop is woven thinner than usual Gi jacket weaves (check out the next section) making it more comfortable to wear.
The rule of thumb is that the weave and adhering to recommended washing and drying instructions are the two key factors that determine how durable a BJJ Gi is going to be. Generally, lighter weight Gis are less durable.
What Exactly Is A Gi Weave?
A Gi weave refers to the way a Gi is stitched together, most often in regard to the Gi jacket. In essence, the different stitching patterns you can notice on Gi jackets have different names. The weave defines how light or heavy a Gi is going to be, and also impacts its durability.
Weaving cotton into a square pattern is how Gi fabric is made. The reason some certain weaves are heavier than others has to do with how much fabric is used to put the Gi together.
There are many different weave patterns that are in use for BJJ Gis. The most popular include Single weave, Double weave, Pearl weave, Gold weave, Comb weave, Crystal weave, etc.
Usually, people tend to prefer the Pearl weave, as it produces a strong, yet light Gi.
Another term you often hear in regard to Gi weaves is GSM. It refers to “Grams per Square Meter” and directly describes the weight of a Gi. The GSM range of BJJ Gis is 350 – 890 GSM.
Gi Shrinkage
For most BJJ Gis out there, you can expect a certain shrinkage rate. It is most noticeable during the first few months of wearing it. The shrinkage can range from 1 to 2 inches, depending on the type of weave.
The deciding factor, however, in terms of gi shrinkage is how you wash and dry your gi. As long as you follow instructions, you will not experience a shrinkage that will greatly affect how your gi fits. As a rule of thumb, wash the gi in cold water, and avoid using dryers, sticking to hang drying.
Some Gis come pre-shrunk (like the Venum Contender 2.0). This does not mean that it will not shrink further during the first months of use, but it does mean you won’t be able to notice the shrinkage (1-3%).
FAQs
Why are only some colors allowed in competition?
The black, white, and royal blue colors are considered to be traditional for Jiu Jitsu, which is why the IBJJF has deemed them the only colors allowed in their competitions. Moreover, the Gi has to be uniform in color, which means mixing and matching parts of a Gi is not allowed, even if both parts are of a permitted color.
How do I figure out the right size Gi for me?
The best way is to carefully consult the size chart that all Gi brands provide. Take the measurement as per their instructions to figure out the closest appropriate size for you. Keep in mind shrinkage rates.
A practical way of determining size would be to try on a specific Gi brand from someone in your academy, but that is not always possible.
Lightweight or heavyweight Gi?
That is a very personal decision, but if I had to choose for you, I’d say lightweight. It dries easier, it is more comfortable to wear, and easier to travel with. However, you should figure that one for yourself, preferably by acquiring one of each and testing them for a period of time.
How many Gis do I need?
The answer to this depends on how many times you train per week. However, the bare minimum I’d suggest is two Gis, so that you have time to do laundry after each training. Moreover, you can have one official Gi for competition and another you can customize more for training if you so desire.
Conclusion
Figuring out the best Gi brand for you is not an easy task, which is why we covered key aspects of every brand out there, reviewed some of their best products, and did our best to explain and answer some of the most frequently asked questions in terms of picking the most appropriate Gi for you.
Ogi is a black belt that does Jiu Jitsu full time and is very passionate about anything grappling-related.
He is also the head coach of Enso Jiu Jitsu in Macedonia and an aspiring Globetrotter.