The wrong gi restricts movement, falls apart within months, or gets a competitor disqualified at check in. Here is what actually matters before buying one.
Grappling has become a core part of MMA preparation, even for fighters who never plan to enter a Brazilian jiu jitsu tournament in a gi. Gi training sharpens grip fighting, distance management, and ground control, skills that carry directly into MMA. A well chosen gi holds up through years of hard training, while the wrong one warps, rips at the seams, or turns uncomfortable after a handful of sessions.
Fabric weight comes first
Jacket weight, measured in grams per square meter (GSM), drives both durability and how hot the gi runs. A light jacket sits around 350 to 450 GSM, a mid weight jacket between 450 and 550 GSM, and a heavy jacket goes past 550 GSM. The IBJJF requires a minimum of 380 GSM for its competitions. Pants are usually rated in ounces instead: 7oz works out to roughly 230 GSM, 8oz to 270 GSM, 10oz to 340 GSM, 12oz to 405 GSM, and 14oz to 475 GSM.
A lightweight gi suits summer training, long sessions, and beginners who want something that moves easily. A heavier gi holds up better against repeated grips from a training partner, but runs hotter and takes longer to dry after washing.
Pearl weave, single weave, gold weave: three fabrics for three jobs
The weave shapes texture and durability on top of raw weight. Pearl weave has become the industry standard: it delivers the best strength to weight ratio, which is why most brands build both their competition cuts and their training cuts around it. Single weave, thinner and lighter, suits beginners and hot climate training, trading off some durability. Gold weave, older and heavier, still shows up on a few lines built for hard daily training, but it has largely given way to pearl weave on current releases. Pants cut from ripstop fabric, lighter and reinforced with a grid weave, resist tearing well and dry fast, a real advantage in competition or humid climates.
Getting the size right
A gi made from non pre shrunk cotton can lose several inches across the jacket, sleeves, and pants after a hot wash or a trip through the dryer. Brands generally recommend finding your weight bracket on the size chart first, then narrowing down by height. Most charts build in roughly a 1 inch tolerance on each measurement. When stuck between two sizes, sizing up beats ending up with a jacket that is too short after the first wash.
Anyone who wants to avoid shrinkage altogether should look at a pre shrunk fabric, which costs more upfront but holds its fit reliably over time.
Staying legal for competition
Gis sold for everyday training do not always meet competition rules. IBJJF requires cotton or a cotton like fabric, loose enough for an opponent to grip. The collar must measure 5cm wide with a 1.3cm thick lapel, and the sleeve opening must reach 7cm when the arm is fully extended. Sleeves cannot extend more than 2cm past the wrist with the arm held out straight, and pants cannot ride more than 2cm above the ankle bone. Only three colors are allowed in competition: white, royal blue, and black, with the jacket, pants, and collar matching in tone.
A fighter training at a gym with no competition plans does not need to worry about any of this and can pick whatever color and cut they like.
Price tiers, from a first gi to a premium one
For a first gi, entry level lines like the Sanabul Essentials cover the basics: a standard pearl weave, a decent cut, and pre shrunk fabric on some versions. They suit someone trying grappling for the first time who does not want to spend much before knowing whether the sport sticks.
See price on AmazonSpecialist brands like Scramble build sharper cuts and tougher fabric aimed at regular training. These gis sell only through the brand’s own site, with no distribution through major marketplaces.
Premium lines, like the Hooks series from 93 Brand, lean on denser fabric, a competition cut, and finer finishing. As of November 2026, the Hooks V6 Jiu Jitsu Gi lists at 110.99 dollars on the brand’s official site. This tier targets regular practitioners who want a gi built to last several seasons.
See price on AmazonBrand new this week, Hyperfly listed its Hyperlyte 3.5 in a Safety Orange colorway as a new arrival at 160 dollars on its official site, a reminder that gi colorways and limited runs drop regularly outside the standard white, blue, and black lineup built for training rather than competition.
Washing a gi without ruining it
Cold water washing protects cotton fibers while still clearing out sweat. Harsh detergents and fabric softeners weaken the fabric over time and are worth avoiding. Air drying, away from direct sunlight, remains the safest way to protect the cut, since a dryer speeds up wear and shrinkage on a gi that has not been pre shrunk. Washing whites, blues, and blacks separately avoids color bleed, and letting a gi air out between sessions instead of leaving it damp in a gym bag cuts down on odor and fiber breakdown.
Anyone training several times a week benefits from rotating between two gis, which cuts down on wash frequency and stretches the life of each one.
Before building out the rest of a grappling kit, the complete gear list for an MMA fighter, from fight gloves to gym bag, covers the full picture. For standup protection, the guide to choosing MMA gloves rounds out the selection.
Does a new gi shrink when washed?
A gi made from non pre shrunk cotton can lose several inches across the jacket, sleeves, and pants after a hot wash or a trip through the dryer. Cold water washing followed by air drying keeps shrinkage to a minimum.
What is the difference between an IBJJF legal gi and a regular training gi?
An IBJJF legal gi has to meet exact measurements for the collar, sleeves, and pant length, and is limited to three approved colors. A regular training gi carries none of those restrictions, leaving color and cut up to the wearer.
Do I need a separate gi for competition and for training?
It is not required, but most regular practitioners keep a lightweight gi for daily training and a rules compliant, often tougher, gi reserved for competition days.
