During your first few classes, sweats or any other loose-fitting, exercise type of clothing can be all you need for some great initial lessons. It is definitely more about showing up than what you are wearing (and in reality, it always will be, so keep that top of mind). However, most schools offer a mix of gi and no-gi classes, so in order to truly open up the schedule and fit as much Jiu Jitsu in as you can (which is a constant life goal, of course!), that first uniform is a must. The main issues you have to factor in when choosing your first gi are weight (some of those sets of pajamas are as thick as a comfy down comforter, and turn into a weighted body suit when you sweat), sizing (as with many other types of clothing, each maker takes a loose set of sizing standards and throws in some curveballs), and purpose (are you looking to compete, just train, a little of both? Let’s look at each of these in turn:
Weight
- When talking about weight, most people will in turn refer to the “weave” of the gi – simply put, single weaves are on the lighter side and offer more comfort at the expense of durability and gripability (less thickness means partners will have an easier time gripping and controlling you via the gi), double weaves are, you guessed it, akin to single weaves but down twice over so they give you a longer-lasting, harder to grip suit of Jiu Jitsu armor, and gold weaves come in as a hybrid of the two, trying to be more durable than the single weave but lighter and more breathable than their double weave counterparts.
- With a little digging, you will undoubtedly run into many more variations of the aforementioned staples (Pearl weaves, honey comb weaves, platinum weave, super mojo palladium weaves…ok maybe not the last one but you catch my drift), and my main advice is this: Most of those are somewhere on the spectrum in between a single weave and a gold weave, and there are neat bells and whistles that many gi manufacturers purport to throw in, but at the end of the day it’s a jacket and pants…not some sort of futuristic exo-suit.
- Along these same lines, you will also see many references to the “GSM” count of a particular gi, and contrary to popular belief, this acronym does not stand for Global Satellite Munitions for calling in airstrikes during a particularly laborious session…rather, it is short for Grams per Square Meter (I like my decryption better, but what can you do?). All fabrics have a weight, and the standard measurement for the weight and quality of fabrics is a GSM count. Consequently, the higher the count, the heavier the gi.
Sizing
- Every site and every gi producer should and most likely will provide you with a handy sizing chart, based on height and weight ranges. Yes, I said ranges. This is only the tip of the iceberg on where gi sizing can be quite a Byzantine enterprise at first- what happens when you are at the upper end of the weight range for one size but decidedly shorter than the height scale shown? Do you go up or stay down? Many gi makers have extended a helping hand to those caught in the spaces in-between, and offer “H” and “L” variants for some of the sizes, standing for “Husky” (cut more generously for fuller figured Jiu Jiteiros) and “Long” (cut longer in the arms and legs, for those lankier grapplers out there), respectively.
- Secondly, and perhaps disappointingly so, but one size does not fit all. And no, I do not mean the obvious here, but rather that an A2 from one company can and most likely will fit differently from another manufacturer’s offering. There is just no way to get around this. Once you find roundabouts where you lie on the sizing spectrum, good luck replicating the exact fit across different brands, or even styles within the same brand’s offerings. But that is honestly half the fun – experimenting and finding a size and fit that eventually makes that gi an extension of yourself while on the mat!
- Third, while most brands employ pre-shrunk cotton as the main ingredient in their gi recipes, there are still some companies out there with shrink-to-fit options for the braver or more experienced gi aficionados. As the term suggests, shrink-to-fit gis allow you to pop them in the drier, heat them a bit, try them on and repeat the cycle until you hit that personal sweet spot. Just be sure to set some dedicated dryer-watching time, as there is nearly no feeling worse than springing for a gorgeous new shrink-to-fit gi and then letting it get all skinny-jean like on you. Which you can definitely still try to rock at the academy…just kiss your guard game (and mobility in general) goodbye!
Purpose
- The main split here is going to be whether you want a gi to compete in or one for your day to day. If this is your first gi ever, err on the side of everyday use – which itself has a few factors to consider. The heavier weaves are going to stand up to a lot more abuse than the lighter ones, but they are consequently on the pricier side as a result. And unfortunately, there is no golden ratio that will give you a definite valuation on how many single weaves you will run through in the span that it takes a double weave to tap out from rigorous training. My advice? Go lighter (and yes, a little cheaper) until you find a cut or brand that you definitely know works for you and your game. Then maybe grab a heavier weave for everyday use (especially if you are training in less than ideal warmth conditions…per-workday class goers, I am looking at you) when you know the investment is sound.
- Looking to compete? Then weight and fit are crucial, as you will not only want to feel as close to a million bucks when wearing your eventual choice, but will mostly likely want to go as light as possible. Why? You might be easier to grip, but some competitions make you weigh in with the gi on. On the cusp of one weight class, or the victim of imprecise scales? Don’t want to risk it either way? Go with a lighter weave, grip fight like a lunatic (remember, lighter = easier to grab), and you will be fine. Also, color and design come into play when medal chasing, since some tournament runners will only allow white, blue, or black gis. Stroll onto an International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation competition mat in another color? Be prepared to buy another gi on the spot (if you are lucky and they feel like giving you the time to do so), and then compete in something that feels as foreign as a sub-titled masterpiece on Campus Film Festival Day.
As you can see, there is no one definite answer to the “What Gi should I Grab?” question. It is very advisable to ask your instructor what they recommend (and do not be afraid to ask why, BJJers love talking shop, as evidenced above). Sometimes your Professor will have an “in” with a company and be able to get you a good price; regardless, their input will help steer you along what has become a choice fraught with 1001 options.
Hope this helped, see you on the mats!