Pearl weave, gold weave, 450 GSM: gi listings assume you know what these mean. Here's the plain-English version, and how each one feels on the mat.
GSM: the number that matters most
GSM means grams per square metre: how heavy the jacket fabric is. It's the quickest way to compare gis.
- Light (around 275 to 380 GSM): cooler, dries faster, packs small. Less durable, and a thin lapel is easier to grip. The Gold BJJ Aeroweave sits at the very light end.
- Middle (around 380 to 450 GSM): the everyday range. The Kingz Kore V2 is a 380 GSM jacket and the Hayabusa Lightweight a 420.
- Heavy (450 GSM and up): durable and harder to grip, but hot. The Fuji All Around is a heavier, traditional gi.
The jacket weaves
Pearl weave
The most common weave in BJJ: a tight, pebbly texture that's strong for its weight. Tatami describes it as the most common weave in the industry, and strong and durable. Most of the gis on our list are pearl weave.
Single weave
A lighter, simpler weave. Cheap and cool, but less durable. Common on budget gis.
Double weave
A thick, heavy weave. Very durable and very hard to grip, but hot and slow to dry.
Gold weave
A middle ground between single and double: heavier than single weave, lighter than double.
The pants: cotton or ripstop
Gi pants are usually cotton twill or ripstop. Ripstop has a grid of reinforcing threads that stops small tears from spreading, and is lighter and quicker to dry. Twill is the traditional choice and softer.
Which should you choose?
- Training somewhere hot: go light. See the Gold BJJ Aeroweave.
- First gi, want it to last: a mid or heavy pearl weave, like the Fuji All Around.
- Competing: check fabric weight and construction as well as fit and colour. See IBJJF uniform rules.
Fabric weight if you compete
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. The 350 GSM Nova and 275 GSM Aeroweave do not meet that jacket minimum. See the current manual and our uniform guide.
FAQ
What is the best weave for a BJJ gi?
Pearl weave is the most common and the best all-rounder: strong for its weight. Choose a lighter jacket for heat and a heavier one for durability.
What does GSM mean on a gi?
Grams per square metre, the weight of the jacket fabric. Lower GSM means a lighter, cooler gi; higher GSM means a heavier, more durable one.
Is ripstop better than cotton for gi pants?
Ripstop is lighter, dries faster and resists tears spreading. Cotton twill is softer and more traditional. Both are common on good gis.
Updated on 28 October 2026. Source links accompany the revised buying guidance.
