First Time Buying a Gi? Here is Our Sizing Guide
If its you first time buying a beginner gi for bjj you’ve come to the right place.
Wondering what the best BJJ Gis for beginners are? Well, this post will assist with finding your gi size, provided detailed reviews, and our recommendations.
>>>Jump to: Our Full BJJ Gift Guide (Gi’s included)
Listen, on my first day of bjj training, I showed up wearing a gi that I wore when I did two months of aikido as a teenager, needless to say my sleeves were too long, too wide, and the jacket was very poorly fitting (on the plus side – no one could easily play spider guard).
But you don’t want to be me on your first day, so take a look at this post and our recommendations for the best bjj gis for beginners.
Most people buying their first gi are often stuck with the question, “how do I find my gi size?”
No worries! We’ve been there.
First things first – when it comes to BJJ Gis are finding the correct sizing. However, take note that sizing is mostly defined by who manufactured the gis. Meaning, the manufacturer is king, as they say, when it comes to sizing.
Fortunately, most gi producers often follow this size chart;
Of course, it’s likely that other manufacturers don’t offer certain sizes like these. But, it gives you a general idea of what’s common in the market and a good idea about which size might be best for you.
Some of the terminology and abbreviations used in the above chart may be uncommon when referring to other types of apparel.
Here’s how it works;
| Abbreviation | Means | Good for |
| A | Adult (Men’s) | |
| L | Long | someone who may be too tall for a certain size but too light for the next size up |
| S | Short | someone who is too heavy for a certain size up but too short for the next size up |
| H | Heavy | someone who is heavier and prefers a wider fit in both jacket and pants |
| XL | Extra Large | someone who is heavier and prefers a wider fit in both jacket and pants – this is larger than the “heavy” size |
Considering your measurements, the components of your gi clothing should touch a set length to and from specific body areas, such as your wrist or ankle.
How Do I Know What Size Gi I Need?
While there are a lot of varying opinions with regard to the correct BJJ Gi size, some of it still boils down to personal preference.
However, if you’re like most people who want to have a guide, then there are things you have to consider to determine if it’s the correct length.
| TOP | BOTTOM | |
| Too short if… | …sleeve lies 2 inches before your wrist bone | … pants sit 2 inches above where the ankle meets foot |
| Too long if… | … sleeve lies 3 inches past wrist bone | … pants sit 2 inches past where the ankle meets foot |
Best BJJ Gi For Beginners – Our Reviews
Now that you’ve got a grasp of how to get started with your BJJ Gi purchase, it’s time to find out real products and assess how each one can benefit you.
For starters, a nice Gi can mean different things in terms of appearance and effectiveness. These Gis are great in their own rights.
But, with further evaluation, you can own not just a gi with the right sizing. But also one that is durable, cost-effective, and comfortable to wear.
Gis vary in weight, material, fit, aesthetic, and other factors. So, when buying a gi, you should consider all of these factors.
Gold BJJ Foundation Gi – Best All Around GI*
Color: Royal Blue, White, Black
| About This Item: |
| Lightweight |
| Designed by Athletes |
| Rash Guard Neck Liner |
| IBJJF Competition Legal |
This gi is indeed lightweight. It’s the perfect everyday gi that fits well from day one.
If you’re looking to compete in BJJ tournaments, this gi is competition legal and designed to meet all rules and requirements. Not just everyday clothing for simple training, but also for professional use.
All three colors (royal blue, white, and black) are owned and operated by Jiu-Jitsu athletes, making it a reliable Gi from the get-go.
The Medium weight 450gsm Pearl Weave jacket, paired with 8oz ripstop pants is filled with intricate detailing. It has a rash guard neck liner that keeps your neck and shoulders cool and comfortable.
Fuji All Around Gi – Best-Fitting Gi
Colors: Black, Blue, Navy, Pink, White
| About This Item: |
| Designed for Fit, Durability, and Comfort |
| Premium Cotton Blend Twill Pants |
| 100% IBJJF certified |
| Best-selling and Most Trusted Fuji Gi |
The #1 BJJ uniform in terms of sales and credibility.
As the best-selling BJJ uniform in the world, the FUJI All Around BJJ Gi has won numerous awards.
This gi is renowned for its excellent quality, style, and longevity thanks to its construction from FUJI’s signature Premium Cotton Blend. More schools put their faith in the FUJI All Around than any other brand.
The quality is great and you will like the textured design of the top and logo. The brand’s emblem isn’t gargantuan and plastered on every surface.
The Gi has a sophisticated, professional style that you’ll appreciate. It has the polish of a professional product.
This Gi has plenty of smooth areas for patches or embroidery should you ever decide to personalize it.
Sanabul – Most Affordable Gi
Color: Black, Blue, Green, Grey, Navy, White
| About This Item: |
| Stand Up To Extended Use |
| Takes Pride in Correct Sizing |
| Lightweight, Heavy-Duty |
| Uncluttered Style |
Sanabul Gis is known for its nice fit and material. Since it’s a brand powered by enthusiastic combat and martial arts fans, the gis you’ll receive is tested and adjusted with sufficient dedication.
You can tell the firm is serious about producing high-quality gear by the fact that it has over 150,000 happy customers.
When the weather is warm, this lightweight Gi is the way to go. That being said, this gi is sturdy as well.
The dense single-weave construction and rubberized, stiff collars and sleeves ensure that strength is not compromised while moving quickly.
It comes in different colors, so you won’t be short on options.
Kingz Gi – Best Lightweight Gi
Color: White, Blue
| About This Item: |
| Peak Performance Gear |
| Flexible and Lightweight |
| The Jacket Uses a Rubber Lapel Insert |
| Set Includes 10 oz 100% Natural Cotton Pants, and a White Belt |
| Premium Strength Materials |
Kingz Gi comes to mind when it comes to gi flexibility. Kingz is a premium Jiu-Jitsu Gi because of its exceptional mobility and comfort in a lightweight uniform made for success on and off the mat.
Like most of the gis mentioned, the white and blue Kingz gi is officially IBJJF-approved for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions.
The gis’ 400 GSM pearl weave and open back provide lightness and breathability.
The gis is constructed from a single piece of fabric and features triple-reinforced stitching at all stress points for maximum strength and longevity.
Kingz gi is one of the greatest, highest-performance Jiu-Jitsu gis and clothes on the market, with more than ten years of production experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Wash Your Gi?
When you arrive home following a training session, the first thing you should do is flip your gi inside out and wash it in the washer using the proper laundry detergent.
To wash your clothes, use cold water in the washing machine. When the washing machine is done, hang up your gi to dry.
Will My Gi Shrink?
If you wash your gi in hot water and then dry it, the fabric will get more condensed or shrink. Both of these are things that should be avoided at all costs.
Not only will they cause your gi to become smaller, but they will also create unnecessary damage that will eventually cause it to become worn out sooner than expected.
How Do I Care for My Gi?
After training, you have to wash your gi immediately in warm water with soap to remove any sweat and dirt that may have accumulated.
You shouldn’t wait too long to wash your gi after training; doing so raises the risk that it may develop that dreaded permanent funk smell.
It’s best to wash your BJJ gi and gear in a separate load from the rest of your clothes. Never use bleach or other strong detergents.
What Do the Different Types of Weaves Mean?
Some gis may have somewhat different-looking cloth than others. This is because of the fact that weaves do vary.
This relates to the interlacing of the “weft” and “warp” in the weaving process. The warp is the set of threads that are stretched out on the loom initially before the weft is weaved through them to create the final fabric.
Weave determines BJJ gi durability. Before buying your next gi, learn about the different weaves so you know what you’ll get!
What Should I Wear Underneath My Gi?
Your choice of undergarments for your BJJ gi is entirely up to you. Comfort should be your top priority. Wear your favorite athletic shorts or leggings and a t-shirt to train in.
Additionally, you can also use something called a rashguard, which can help you avoid skin damage.
Warmth and flexibility are both enhanced by wearing a rash guard during grappling. The polyester and spandex used to make rash guards are practical for preventing sweat from seeping through to your gi.
Can I Use a Gi From Judo, Karate, Aikido, or Tae Kwon Do?
There is no universal Gi that can be used across all martial arts. Therefore, it is not recommended that you wear a Judo, Karate, Aikido, or Tae Kwon Do Gi while doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
It may seem easy and economical to merely utilize the same gi from a former martial art. However, we strongly advocate getting a new gi suited for BJJ.
A gi designed for Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) will have a different cut and fit than a gi designed for other martial arts.
What Color Gi Should I Wear?
It makes no difference what color your Gi is. The sole limitation on BJJ Gi colors is that the IBJJF and many other BJJ competition federations only accept white, blue, and black.
White, blue, or black GI is appropriate for contests and training, whereas any other colored GI is solely used for BJJ training.
If your gym allows you to wearing a specific gi or color, and you do not intend to compete in that specific gi, feel free to wear any color gi you like. It is entirely up to you.
Should Beginners Do No-Gi BJJ?
It is advised that beginners learn both gi and no gi BJJ. Both will help you progress as a BJJ practitioner.
However, the no-gi style of training is great for teaching fundamentals like grip fighting and self-control to newcomers.
Due to the smaller expense and time commitment required, no-gi is also a fantastic place for beginners to begin.
Whatever path you choose, decide what you want from training and select the ideal approach for you.
Is Gi or No Gi Better for Self-defense?
Which of these two forms of grappling is superior for self-defense is not so cut and dry. If we must generalize, I would say that no-gi is superior for self-defense. Why?
It’s because of its faster tempo, more frenetic character, and reliance solely on body mechanics.
Yes, if you’re looking to learn self-defense, you can’t go wrong with either the gi or no gi. However, you shouldn’t base your jiu-jitsu game too much on grips that may or may not be there in a real-world self-defense scenario. Hence we encourage more no-gi training for self-defense.
How Much Should You Pay for a Gi?
For a BJJ gi, the average price will be from ~$70-$120. What you are paying for at the higher end is fit, material, quality, durability, and often brand name. You should be expecting to pay ~$100 on a BJJ gi.
Gis worn for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is distinct from those worn for other martial arts. The reason for this is that a BJJ gi fabric is designed to be snagged and tugged.
Therefore, you should select a garment that is both reasonably priced and long-lasting.
How Many Gis Should I Own?
If you are training multiple times a week we recommend two gis. This way you will always have a clean gi to train in and can avoid showing up in a damp gi or worse becoming the smelly kid in class.
Your level of cleanliness is directly proportional to your GI collection size. The more resources you have, the better.
