Best BJJ Gis & BJJ Gi Brands Reviewed

Tatami Estilo 6.0 – Our Best Ranked BJJ Gi

I’ve long been a fan of the Estilo series by Tatami, with their 6^th iteration being the best to date. Not only does it sport an awesome looking design, it has the quality to match.

The kimono is made from 550 gsm pearl weave material. If you don’t know what that means, I go into detail on the different types of weaves at the end of this article. All you need to know now though, is that pearl weave gi’s are lightweight and very durable.

Even the cuffs and the base of the jacket have woven tape lining that is designed to prevent any tears or fraying. It’s the small details like this that make the Estilo 6 one of the most durable gi’s ever to be made.

The pants of the Estilo 6 are made using 12oz canvas material with reinforced seems. 12oz is definitely on the heavier side of things when it comes to BJJ pants, so the Estilo 6 probably isn’t the best option for competitions. This is especially true if you’re close to the top of your weight bracket, as you’ll need to weigh in wearing the gi you’ll compete in.

The pants also utilise a drawstring fastening system, which is placed inside the top of the pants. I don’t know about you, but I really dislike when brands put the drawstring on the outside of the gi.

Fortunately though, this isn’t the case with the Estilo, meaning you wont have that annoying drawstring getting in the way or being used against you when rolling.

In terms of design, you’ll find the Estilo in 6 different color options and variations, all of which are IBJJF legal. You’ll also be pleased to hear that Tatami have also expanded on the traditional "A" based sizing system, offering “L” variations to most of their sizes.

The only downside to the Estilo 6.0 is the price. It’s definitely fairly pricey, so it’s probably more suited to those of you who’ve been doing BJJ for a while and are looking for a long lasting gi to train in.

Gold BJJ Aeroweave

Up next we’ve got an extremely lightweight option from Gold BJJ. While a relatively small company (family run I believe), their gear is exceptional, both in terms of price and quality.

Take their Aeroweave gi for example, which utilises Gold BJJ’s own type of weave, which as you can probably guess, is called ‘Aeroweave’. This means that the kimono is up to 40% lighter than gi’s that utilise pearl weave. If you’re training in a hot climate, this type of weave could be perfect for you.

Much like the jacket, the pants are also lightweight, being made from 10oz rip stop material. This fabric, as the name suggests, is designed to not rip, even if a slight tear is forming.

Although one of the lightest designs I’ve ever come across, the durability is definitely still there. This is largely due to the fact that Gold BJJ have implemented reinforced stitching alongside all of the seems. In fact, they’re that confident that the gi wont rip, that if it does rip, they’ll replace it free of charge.

What’s more, the collars of the kimono have been bolstered by EVA rubber material. This, as Gold BJJ puts it “made them an asset, not a liability”, which I think is pretty cool.

You’ll be able to find the Aeroweave in four color options; black, grey, blue and white, all of which sport a minimal and clean looking design.

When it comes to price, I feel as though the Aeroweave is very reasonable, especially considering its uniqueness. If you’re looking for a lightweight, comfortable gi, then you really can’t go wrong with the Aeroweave.

Fuji Suparaito

It’s safe to say that Fuji know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to creating a gi that lasts. Thanks to it’s awesome looking design and top quality build, the Suparaito gi has become Fuji’s flag ship model.

Although costing a pretty penny, you’ll struggle to find a more comfortable gi anywhere. This is due to the fact that Fuji has made use of ultra-lightweight pearl weave material to create the kimono.

What’s more, the pants are made from rip stop material, with the seems being triple reinforced. This results in an insanely durable pair of pants that can most definitely withstand the demands of both training and competing.

Whilst on the topic of competing, this is definitely a great option for those of you who like to compete. It’s very lightweight, durable and also possesses an extra stiff collar, making it slightly harder for your opponent to establish a solid grip, which is especially helpful if they’re fan of gi chokes.

For Fuji, this is actually a fairly brash design, utilising stitching to contrast with the color of the fabric. I especially like the light green stitching on the blue model, it’s eye catching but not too loud.

You’ll also find this gi in a good range of sizes, starting at A0 and topping off at A6, meaning that almost anyone can fit into the Suparaito.

All in all, a great gi for any experience level BJJ practitioner.

Hayabusa Ultra Lightweight BJJ Gi

Moving onto another top quality lightweight option, this time from Hayabusa. Available in black, grey, white and blue, their Ultra Lightweight model is one of the most popular designs in the world, and for good reason.

The jacket is made from 350 GSM pearl weave cotton, which in itself is incredibly lightweight. Pair this with the 8oz rip stop pants, constructed from a cotton and polyester blend, and you’ve got yourself one very, very lightweight gi.

As such, this is a fantastic candidate for anyone looking for a competition gi. 8oz pants is pretty much as light as you’re going to get, as is the 350 GSM pearl weave jacket. With that in mind, if you’re needing to save every ounce you can, then this is the gi for you.

Hayabusa offer their gi in the usual size range, starting at A0 and going up to A5, which might be a bit annoying if you’ve got a somewhat awkward body shape and need an L option or an A6.

In terms of design, this is pretty understated, especially for Hayabusa, who typically like to utilise bold patches placed around the jacket and pants. What’s more, the gi come’s “pre-washed”, which is designed to reduce the amount of color fade when you wash it for the first time.

Don’t confuse this with pre-shrunk though, the gi will most likely lose about .5 of an inch on the sleeve when you wash it the first time.

For a big brand like Hayabusa, the price is actually pretty fair and is far from the most expensive option on our list. As such, this is one of the best value for money gi’s you’re going to come across – it’s built to last, is comfortable and as lightweight as you’re going to get.

Venum Elite 2.0

The Venum Elite 2.0 is a great all-round gi for both training and competitions. Made from 450 gsm pearl weave material, the Elite Gi falls somewhere in the middle of the gi weight spectrum.

There’s definitely heavier gi’s and there’s definitely lighter one’s as well, making the Venum Elite 2.0 very run of the mill in terms of weight. The same can be said of the pants, which are constructed using 250 gsm rip stop cotton.

If you aren’t particularly fussy about the type of gi you want, or just aren’t sure, then the Elite 2.0 is definitely a great option. You’ll be comfortable, look good and have invested in a gi that’ll last you years.

What’s more, the pants’ major stress points have been reinforced, as have the knee areas. This makes the Elite 2.0 extremely durable and long lasting, which is particularly ideal if this is your first or only gi and therefore needs to last you the foreseeable future.

You can get your hands on the Venum Elite 2.0 in three different color variations; blue, white and black, which are the three colors allowed by the IBJJF. This makes the Elite gi a great option for both training and competing.

Venum typically attach a hefty price tag to their gear, which makes the barrier to entry pretty high. Fortunately, that’s not the case for the Elite 2.0 gi, costing much less than the previously mentioned brands.

As such, this allows you to get your hands on a top quality gi, without having to throw down a ton of cash.

Gameness Air

The Gameness Air is by far one of my favourite BJJ gi’s. It looks good, feels good and is priced very, very reasonably. As the name suggests (“air”), gameness have designed this gi to be ultra lightweight and ideal for both training in a hot environment and competitions.

They’ve done this by making use of 350gsm pearl weave material to construct the kimono, paired with lightweight 8oz rip stop pants. As such, this has become one of the most popular competition gi’s in the world.

With a lot of the lightweight gi’s out there, the durability and sturdiness just isn’t there. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the gameness Air, as they’ve reinforced all major stress points as well as triple stitched all patches and branding.

You can get your hands on the Gameness Air in the three IBJJF allowed colors; black, white and blue. The design itself isn’t too brash, with Gameness branding tastefully located on the top of the right arm and leg.

What’s more, you can pick up the Gameness Air in a good range of sizes (A0-A6). This is particularly ideal if you find the A5 too small, as not all brands go up to A6.

For me though, the best aspect of the Gameness Air is the price. How Gameness offer the Air for this little I don’t know, but it sure as hell isn’t something to complain about. If you’re a fan of getting a good bang for your buck, then stick with Gameness, as this is borderline insane.

Hayabusa Goorudo 3

We’ve got another awesome option from Hayabusa, this time we’re taking a look at their Goorudo 3 Gi, which is essentially the opposite of their lightweight model we discussed earlier.

The Goorudo 3’s jacket is constructed using 550 gsm gold weave cotton. This means that the material is fairly thick and heavy, however it’s probably one of the most durable gi’s you’re going to come across. It could be worth wearing a rash guard with this gi for the first few times, just to make it a bit easier on your skin whilst you break the jacket in a bit.

Similarly, the pants are constructed using 12oz twill cotton, which again is slightly on the heavy side. It seems as though Hayabusa have taken a somewhat old school approach to the Goorudo 3, utilising more traditional material and weaves in their construction.

Still though, there’s no school like the old school and this gi is top notch in terms of durability.

The Goorudo 3 is available in black, blue, grey and white and features some pretty brash branding. There’s a number of patches and Hayabusa logos located around the gi, such as the arms, legs and back. Hayabusa have also nicely used contrast stitching that makes the gi pop a little more as well as complimenting the rest of the branding.

The downside to the Goorudo 3?

The price.

If you’re a beginner this probably isn’t the gi for you, as it’s could be best to get a fairly cheap gi until you’re sure you’ll be sticking with BJJ for the long haul.

That said, if you’re looking for a seriously long lasting Gi that looks good, then it’s 100% worth the price tag.

FUJI BJJ Gi

This is pretty much the staple of BJJ gi’s. I reckon around 30-50% of all beginner BJJ practitioners get this gi (I did), as it’s just so damn reliable and affordable.

You can pick this gi up in blue, white, black, pink and navy and is suitable for both men and women. If you’re a woman, follow the sizing chart that ranges from W1-W6 and if you’re a man, follow the A1-A6 sizing chart.

The gi is IBJJF certified, meaning that it can be worn in competitions as well as training. Be aware though, that only blue, white and black gi’s can be worn in competitions.

As you would expect from Fuji, they’ve implemented reinforced stitching along all major stress points of the kimono and pants. They’ve also implemented a stiff collar which helps to make it harder for your opponent or rolling partner to establish a grip.

All in all, if you’re looking for a reliable and affordable gi, you really can’t go wrong with the Fuji.

Sanabul Essentials V2.0 – Best Cheap BJJ Gi

I’m a massive fan of Sanabul as a brand.

Despite offering their gear for insanely cheap, the quality is actually very decent, surprisingly decent in fact.

Their Essentials V2.0 is available in blue, black, white, grey and navy and sized from A0-A4. One thing worth noting about this gi is that it comes pre-shrunk, meaning that when you wash it for the first time, it will barely shrink. I personally love it when a gi comes this way, as you don’t have to worry about it no longer fitting down the road.

In terms of quality and design, you really can’t ask for much more.

World renowned BJJ coach John Danaher was even involved in the creation of the Essentials V2.0, which should give you some kind of idea as to how well made this gi is. The knee areas feature reinforced stitching, as does all other major stress points throughout the gi.

The collars have been rubberised in order to increase their stiffness, which in turn makes it slightly harder to hold. What’s more, the sleeves feature a tapered cut, with minimal excess material, which again is ideal as it provides less material for your opponent to hold.  

To top it off, the gi itself possesses antimicrobial and anti-odor properties. This in turn makes it extremely hygienic, both for you and your training partner.

You can also get a free Sanabul belt when you buy the Essentials 2.0, which is particularly ideal if you’re new to BJJ, as it saves you having to buy one separately.

For the price, this really is the best value for money gi you out there.

Elite Sports IBJJF Gi

Last up, we’ve got another affordable option, this time from Elite Sports.

You can find the IBJJF Gi from Elite Sports in black, blue, green, grey, navy, pink and white color variations. Although, as I mentioned earlier, you can only compete in white, black and blue color gi’s.

The gi itself comes pre-shrunk, which is always handy as won’t shrink much, if at all when you wash it. When you do wash your gi though, make sure it’s on a cold wash and don’t tumble dry it, or it’ll definitely shrink.

You also get a free white belt thrown in with your purchase, making this a great option for beginners looking to get their hands on their first gi. This will save you time and about $20 bucks buying a belt separately.

The gi itself is constructed out of lightweight material, designed to keep you cool and comfortable whilst you train and compete. In turn, this should help to reduce the amount that you sweat, and therefore help to reduce the build up of odor in the material.

Lastly, I just want to touch on the price, which is the cheapest on our list, coming in at slightly less than the Sanabul V2.0 we just discussed. As such, if you’re on a tight budget, the Elite Sports IBJJF Gi could well be the way to go.