What is the best BJJ gi for beginners and what are the important factors to consider when choosing a gi as a BJJ newbie?
Read on to find out exactly the best BJJ gi for any newbie to BJJ.
As a beginner in BJJ, choosing the right gi is a pretty important decision to make.
But don’t worry, in this post we look at the best BJJ gi for beginners best on your particular circumstances including:
- Your schools requirements
- Fit/Size
- Training frequency
- Budget
So let’s get into it and find the best BJJ gi for you as a beginner based on the important factors listed above.
Your School’s Requirements for BJJ Gi’s
The best place to start when considering buying a BJJ gi as a beginner would be to ask your head instructor.
Often each school have gi’s available for purchase.
And obviously the gi’s available for purchase at your particular school would meet the requirements for acceptable gi’s to train in at your school.
Asking your head instructor or other higher belts and students at your school is always a good idea as some schools only allow white or blue gi’s on their mats.
And some schools only allow white gi’s – no exceptions.
And with the wide range or colors and designs available these days, your safest option (and which is acceptable in all schools) would be a plain white gi with no patches on it.
Some BJJ schools or academies may have specific requirements or recommendations regarding gi sizes and fits.
It’s a good idea to consult with your instructor or gym staff to ensure you choose a gi that complies with their guidelines.
Best BJJ Gi for Beginners – Size/Fit
Choosing the right size and fit for your BJJ gi is important for comfort, mobility, and performance on the mat.
Below is exactly how to choose the best size and fit BJJ gi for you as a beginner.
i) Use the sizing chart!
Most BJJ gi manufacturers provide sizing charts on their websites.
All you need is a tape measure.
Then you take measurements of your height, weight, and other relevant body dimensions, and compare them to the sizing chart provided by the brand you’re interested in.
This will give you a pretty good idea of which size range to consider.
ii) Consider shrinkage
Keep in mind that some gis may shrink slightly after washing.
Check if the manufacturer provides any information on shrinkage, as this can affect your choice of size.
If in doubt, you may want to consider buying a size up to accommodate potential shrinkage.
iii) Trying the gi on first is the best way
If you have the opportunity, try on the gi before making a purchase.
This is probably why buying your gi from your school or academy is one of the safest ways to ensure you get the best gi for your body shape and comfort.
This can give you a better sense of how it fits your body and whether it provides the range of motion you need.
If trying it on in person is not possible, consider ordering from a retailer with a flexible return policy so that you can exchange or return the gi if it doesn’t fit as expected.
Training Frequency
For most beginners, training 3 times per week is a good way to learn and keep improving.
1-2 days per week allows you to maintain your current level but makes improvement a bit more difficult.
So ideally if you want to improve in the fastest way training 3-5 times per week would be ideal.
But if you just enjoy training and plan to keep training for a long time and can only get to training 1-2 times per week this is absolutely fine also.
In fact training with less frequency would mean you probably only need one gi and a cheaper, less durable gi should be fine to take you through the next few months and potentially year or more of your training journey.
If you are planning on training up to 5-6 times per week then I would highly recommend having more than one gi.
Training is hard on your gi in terms of wear and tear and having two gi’s available also allows you sufficient time to wash and dry your gi in between training sessions.
So in terms of training frequency, the best gi for you would also be determined by your budget. If you are training 5-6 times per week you would need two gis I think which can be expensive depending on which brand you choose.
So let’s discus more on budget next.
Best BJJ Gi for Beginners Based on Budget
If you’re looking for affordable BJJ gis without compromising too much on quality, then there are some excellent options available out there.
Once again always check with your school or academy to ensure your selection would fit their requirements and allowances for training in their gym.
But overall a quality budget BJJ gi should be:
-Fairly durable and able to withstand weeks if not months on end of at least 2-3 training sessions per week
–Single weave rather than double weave. A single weave gi that is lightweight but strong is a great option.
Heavier double weave gi’s tend to be more expensive but tougher and more robust. But for a beginner a light weight single weave gi should serve your purposes just fine.
Here are some options that are often considered to be the best for beginners on a budget:
Vital BJJ
The Vital BJJ Gi range has focused on producing high quality training and competition Gis.
The Vital BJJ gi brand also markets to BJJ Gi collectors and aficionados with their decorative and aesthetic Gi designs and colors.
Prices range from $99.00 – $199.00 from basic to decorative collectible gi’s.
Here you can read my Review of Vital BJJ Gi’s
Fuji Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi
Fuji offers a range of gis at different price points, including budget-friendly options.
Their All-Around BJJ Gi is a popular choice for beginners due to its durability and affordability.
Sanabul Essentials V.2 Ultra Light BJJ Gi
Sanabul is known for providing cost-effective training gear. The Essentials V.2 BJJ Gi offers good quality and comfort at an affordable price.
Elite Sports Ultra Light BJJ Gi:
Elite Sports produces gis that are known for their affordability.
The Ultra Light BJJ Gi is lightweight and durable, making it suitable for beginners who are conscious of their budget.
Hawk Jiu-Jitsu Gi:
Hawk offers a range of affordable gi’s that are specifically designed for beginners. Their gi’s provide a good balance of quality and affordability.
Gold BJJ Aeroweave BJJ Gi:
Gold BJJ offers the Aeroweave BJJ Gi, which is a lightweight and budget-friendly option.
It is made from a breathable fabric that provides comfort during training sessions.
Wrap Up – Best BJJ Gi for Beginners
Overall the best way to decide which gi is best for you as a beginner would be seek advice from your head instructor of higher belts and other beginners at your school.
As discussed some schools have strict requirements on the type of gi you are allowed to wear at their school. For example some schools only allow white gi’s on their mats.
Also many schools sell gi’s so this way you can try them on and judge what is the best fit for you.
