Gis
Find your next gi.
Seven picks for first classes, hot gyms and competition. Compare the fit, the fabric and the catch before you buy.
Updated October 2026
The shortlist
Find the pick that fits.
Each pick does a different job. Read the review for the useful details, the catches and the sources behind it.
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Compare the picks
Swipe across to compare all four columns.
| The pick | Best for | Price band | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuji All Around | beginners | Budget | Runs warm in a hot gym |
| Tatami Nova Absolute | value | Budget | Not IBJJF legal for juvenile, adult or master competition |
| Kingz Kore V2 | competition | Mid-range | Plain cotton pants rather than ripstop |
| Gold BJJ Aeroweave Ultralight | hot climates | Premium | Not IBJJF legal under the post-2024 rules |
| Hayabusa Lightweight Jiu Jitsu Gi | premium lightweight | Premium | Expensive next to budget gis |
| Sanabul Essentials V.2 | cheap starter | Budget | Versions and jacket weights differ |
| Elite Sports Ultra Light Gi | Lowest price | Budget | Sizing differs from other brands, and can run small |
- 01
Best for beginners
Fuji All Around
A roomy starter gi discussed by the linked reviewers. The heavier jacket can feel warm in a hot gym.
- Jacket
- Mid-weight cotton, most listed at 550 g
- Pants
- Cotton twill
- Shrinkage
- Pre-shrunk
What reviewers like
- The most common starter recommendation on r/bjj
- Durable enough to survive daily training
- Pre-shrunk, so less guesswork with sizing
Worth knowing
- Runs warm in a hot gym
- Plain looks, little embroidery
- 02
Best value
Tatami Nova Absolute
A light 350 GSM training gi with a white belt. It falls below IBJJF's 380 GSM jacket minimum for juvenile, adult and master competition.
- Jacket
- 350 GSM pearl weave
- Pants
- 10 oz, per retailer listing
- Extras
- White belt included
What reviewers like
- Light and cool for the price
- Free white belt included
- Frequent sales bring the price down
Worth knowing
- Not IBJJF legal for juvenile, adult or master competition
- Athletic fit: check the exact size chart
- 03
Best for competition
Kingz Kore V2
A 380 GSM micro pearl-weave gi with reinforced knees. A competition pick, though heavier than the ultralight options.
- Jacket
- 380 GSM micro pearl weave
- Pants
- 275 GSM cotton, reinforced knees
- Stitching
- Triple-reinforced
What reviewers like
- Stated IBJJF legal by the brand
- Reinforced stitching and knees
- Mid-weight: durable but not hot
Worth knowing
- Plain cotton pants rather than ripstop
- Not as light as the hot-climate picks
- 04
Best for hot climates
Gold BJJ Aeroweave Ultralight
A 275 GSM gi for hot gyms and travel. Gold BJJ confirms it is no longer IBJJF legal under the post-2024 uniform rules.
- Jacket
- 275 GSM, per Gold BJJ
- Pants
- 10 oz ripstop
- IBJJF
- Not legal under the post-2024 rules, per Gold BJJ
What reviewers like
- Much lighter and cooler than a standard gi
- Dries fast, packs small for travel
- Women's and kids' cuts
Worth knowing
- Not IBJJF legal under the post-2024 rules
- Thin lapel is easier to grip
- Costs more than budget gis
- 05
Best premium lightweight
Hayabusa Lightweight Jiu Jitsu Gi
A 420 GSM pearl-weave jacket with ripstop pants and reinforced knees. A premium option with a narrower size range.
- Jacket
- 420 GSM pearl-weave cotton
- Pants
- 8 oz ripstop cotton-poly
- Reinforced
- Lapels, knees, stress points
What reviewers like
- IBJJF compliant in all three legal colours
- Ripstop pants resist tearing
- Light without being flimsy
Worth knowing
- Expensive next to budget gis
- Narrower size range
- 06
Best cheap starter
Sanabul Essentials V.2
An older budget training gi. V.2 and the newer Essential Competition are different models; check the exact version instead of mixing their specifications.
- Coverage
- Older Essentials V.2, not the newer Essential Competition
- Jacket
- Listings vary; confirm exact version and fabric weight
- IBJJF
- 350 GSM fails the juvenile/adult/master minimum
What reviewers like
- Low-cost starter option in the linked reviews
- Older V.2 reviews describe an included white belt
- Roomy fit reported by reviewers
Worth knowing
- Versions and jacket weights differ
- Older and current models are not interchangeable
- 07
Lowest price
Elite Sports Ultra Light Gi
A budget gi with a white belt included. The brand lists a 450 GSM jacket, and reviewers suggest checking the sizing carefully.
- Jacket
- 450 GSM pearl weave, pre-shrunk
- Pants
- 65/35 cotton-poly, rope drawstring
- Extras
- Free white belt
What reviewers like
- Lowest price on the list
- White belt included
- Pre-shrunk
Worth knowing
- Sizing differs from other brands, and can run small
- Cotton-poly pants breathe less
Buying guide
How to choose a gi
Most of the difference between gis comes down to four things: how heavy the jacket is, how it's cut, how much it shrinks, and whether it passes an IBJJF gi check if you plan to compete.
Jacket weight is listed in GSM (grams per square metre). Lighter gis, around 275 to 380 GSM, are cooler and dry faster; heavier ones, around 450 GSM and up, last longer and are harder to grip. Pre-shrunk cotton still shrinks a little, so wash cold and hang to dry.
What to check
- Weight: light for heat, heavy for durability
- Cut: roomy suits more builds, athletic looks sharper
- Shrinkage: buy pre-shrunk, wash cold
- Competition: white, royal blue or black, and fitted to the IBJJF length rules
Questions
Quick answers
What is the best BJJ gi for beginners?
The Fuji All Around is one of the starter gis discussed by the linked reviewers: durable, pre-shrunk and sold in sizes A0 to A6. The Sanabul Essentials and Elite Sports Ultra Light are cheaper starters if budget is tight.
What GSM should a BJJ gi be?
Lighter jackets can suit warm gyms, but training and competition have different requirements. For IBJJF juvenile, adult and master divisions, jackets must be 380–650 GSM. The gi must also meet the current colour, construction, label and fit requirements. A 275 or 350 GSM gi does not meet that jacket minimum.
What colours of gi are IBJJF legal?
White, royal blue or black, with the top and pants matching and the collar matching the top.
How do I stop my gi shrinking?
Buy a pre-shrunk gi, wash it cold and hang it to dry. Hot washes and tumble dryers are what shrink cotton.