Fighter — cat_Gear

Few questions have been asked as much - and as often, especially around competition season - than "how much does a gi weigh"? Oh that elusive answer! The reason it is so hard to answer is precisely because there are a number of factors involved that affect the weight of a gi. 

Why Ask? 

First of all, why do people need to know so badly? For those who compete, the answer is fairly simple: because of weight cuts. There are relatively few competitors out there who don't try to cut weight for a tournament. The reason being is that they want to be as lean and mean as possible, so that they end up on the top of their weight division, where they believe they'll have the best opportunity to smash their opponent. As tricky as it is - because dropping weight without sacrificing strength due to overly-rapid weight loss and dehydration - nearly everybody does it. And if you've ever cut weight, you'll know that every ounce counts. 

Which is why a BJJ gi's weight is important. The heavier the gi, the more weight one has to cut, because weigh-ins are usually done in the uniform a competitor will compete in, and usually right before he/she goes out on the mat. 

For those who don't compete... well, the preoccupation with gi weight probably has to do with some neurotic obsession with feeling "dragged down" by a heavy gi. This is funny to me because unless you're wearing a serious double weave gi, you can't really feel the difference of a few ounces, especially when you're wearing the bloody thing. 

So What Affects the Weight? 

It's silly to ask "what's the weight of a jiu jitsu gi" because the very question assumes a universal standard in gis. The fact is, there isn't one. The weight of a gi depends on four factors: fabric type, size, cut, and adornment. 

• Fabric - First of all, not all gis are made from exactly the same fabric. There are a number of different jacket fabrics, as well as pant fabrics, to choose from. Each weave or fabric type will have a certain weight per square yard. Some brands give you a clue as to the weight of the gi when they identify the fabric type. For example, if you're looking at a gi with 450 GSM jacket and 10 oz pants, you'll know it'll be a bit heavier than a gi with a 375 GSM jacket and 8 oz pants. Please note, that doesn't mean that pants themselves weigh 10 oz, just that the fabric they were made out of was a 10 oz weight fabric. 
• Size - This should be self-explanatory, but here I go anyway. The bigger the size, the more fabric needed to construct it. More fabric = more weight. How much more depends on the fabric type and cut. 
• Cut - This is the factor that explains why a size A2 Kingz Kimono is not the same weight as a size A2 Tatami gi. Every gi brand has their own special cut, and some brands even have a variety of different cuts. A gi with a slimmer profile will use less material than a gi with a wider profile. 
• Adornment - Every little piece of fabric or stitching on a gi affects the weight. Individually, they may not matter, but when you have ten patches, a sublimated lining, and the gi brand logo stitched on every available piece of real estate... that all adds up to weight. Looking for an ultralight gi? Choose the plainest one you can find. 

So How Do You Know For Sure??

Some - and probably sometime in the near future, ALL - gi brands include gi weight in their size charts. However, sometimes these gi weights are out-dated, so always check with customer service before you rely too heavily on those charts. 

The absolute best, most accurate way to check the weight of your gi is to weigh it yourself. For those of you geniuses who can't figure out the logistics of doing this: 1) step on scale without gi, 2) step on scale again while holding gi, 3) subtract the weight in step 1 from the weight in step 2. 

Train... and weigh... on. Oss. 

The name itself gives you a bit of a clue... obviously, if you're training NoGi jiu jitsu, there will be "no gi" involved. Whoever coined the term was a veritable genius.

For those of you who wilt and suffocate under the weight of a heavy gi, this is fantastic news. You can still practice the gentle art, without having to deal with the insufferable kimono. But... what do you wear when training NoGi BJJ? 

Back in the days, a t-shirt and/or speedo would suffice. Yeah, really. Spend enough time with some old-school Brazilian grapplers, and they'll regale you with stories of their speedo days. Today, that doesn't fly too well. 

In the last decade, the NoGi uniform has professionalized. In replace of your everyday t-shirt - which tears easily and stretches when wet, creating bear traps for any unwitting toes or fingers - grapplers now wear lightweight rash guards, much like those used by surfers. Commonly made out of a durable, stretchy polyester and spandex mix fabric, rash guards are made to fit you like a second skin. Aside from the obvious - protecting you from rashes or mat burns while you're fighting to the death - they also protect you from mat-borne illnesses, such as ringworm, staph, and MRSA. Plus, because they're easily sublimated, rash guards have become a serious fashion statement on the mats, sporting anything from the academy logo, to superhero armor, to Chuck Norris, and everything imaginable in between. If you plan to become, or are, a competitor, several event promotions require you to wear a "ranked rashguard," which features your belt color... probably so you don't sneak into the black belt division and they have to carry your broken body off the mat. 

The bottoms of your NoGi uniform will vary just a bit. If you're attending a very old-school Gracie academy, it's likely that you'll fight yourself right back into a pair of gi pants (with a rash guard). However, most NoGi grapplers prefer to wear a pair of grappling shorts and/or spats. Unlike your standard pair of board shorts or athletic shorts, grappling shorts have no pockets - again, to prevent your or your opponent's fingers and toes from getting caught and injured - and are made from a slightly stretchy (but not too stretchy, though) polyester material. Many grapplers - mostly women, but some men, too... we don't judge - opt to wear "spats" instead. These are basically athletic leggings, typically made from a spandex and polyester mix fabric, that were designed to withstand the rigors of jiu-jitsu training. Just like a rash guard, they provide full-length protection against mat burn and other skin infections. And then there are even those who opt to wear both spats and grappling shorts, combining the protection of the spats with the modesty (because spats can be a bit too skin tight for some) of the grappling shorts. 

Whatever your style, remember to train safe and always, always wash your gear soon after use. Nobody likes to roll with the funky guy.

Train on... Oss. 

Photo by: Blanca Marisa Garcia

While this question can easily be answered by spending a few minutes actually shopping for a gi - especially here, at the Fighters Market website, where we have some handy dandy price filters - I'll go ahead and humor the idea... as well as raise you a few insights on cost versus value. 

The vast majority of gis range from approximately $70-$90 for a simple, basic gi to approximately $160-$180 for a fancier and/or more durable gi. Of course, you can always find those off-brand jiu jitsu gis sold on Amazon for much less, but you have to keep in mind that "you get what you pay for". That doesn't mean that all basic gis aren't worth buying. I actually wrote a blog, "Battle of the Basics: BJJ Gi Comparison", about those basic gis that we felt were definitely exceeded their worth. Since then, other gi brands - such as Maeda Brand with their Red Label Gi and Progress with their Foundation Kimono - have really stepped up their basic gi game. 

So what makes a BJJ gi worth more? More often than not it's the quality of materials and construction. A jiu jitsu gi that costs more should - we would hope, anyway - last much longer than a cheaper gi. The fabric is typically a thicker or tighter weave, or is a brand new weave technology that might be lighter but is designed to withstand greater stress, or the attention to detail and care taken during construction is on a different level. Sometimes the extra cost is directed into the aesthetic elements of the gi, such as an illustrated interior jacket lining, or fancy patching and embroidery work. These latter increase the cost of labor for each and every piece made. Then, of course, there are some gi companies that can charge $200+ for their gis... but the "higher value" is usually thanks to clever branding and marketing ploys rather than any real inherent worth. 

So, how much should YOU pay for a gi?

That's really all relative to your budget and preference. If you're just starting jiu jitsu and you're an average Joe, I would suggest starting with a single basic gi until you decide that you're really going to stick with it. Once you're hooked, you'll quickly find that you'll need at least three or four gis to get you through the week. At that point, you might consider investing in a couple slightly higher quality gis, as well as a nice fancy gi that you can go compete in. If you're just starting jiu jitsu and you're the type of guy or gal who likes to show off his/her success... go crazy. Just please, make sure that whatever you buy, it fits and makes you feel like a boss. Here's a little guide on how to do that. 

See you on the mats.. Oss. 

Probably the number one, most-asked question in jiu jitsu is: "what is the best jiu jitsu gi"? Of course, every jiu jitsu company is going to offer their own - highly-biased - opinion on the matter, but it really all comes down to personal preference and budget. 

Not the answer you wanted, I know. But hold on, I'm going to give you some tips on how to actually find the best jiu jitsu gi... for you! 

Budget

You can easily spend hours and hours shopping for gis out of your price range... but then you'd have less and less time to actually train. You don't want that. Narrow your search by filtering for only those gis in your budget. Gis can get pretty darn expensive, so knowing what you can afford is key. The vast majority of gis range from about $80 for a basic, entry-level gi, to more than $200 for an extra-durable double weave. If you plan on training more than once or twice a week, you'll definitely need more than a few (so that you can cycle them through the wash and dry process). "You get what you pay for" is just as true with gis as anything else, so keep in mind that while you might be paying less for a gi, you might end up paying more in the long-term when that gi falls apart too soon. That being said, there are some exceptions: the Maeda Red Label, for example. 

Materials

Not all gis are created equal. In fact, there's quite a lot of variation in the bjj gi market, which is cool because not everyone likes the same thing. Another consideration when shopping for the "best jiu jitsu gi" is what kind of fabrics do you prefer? If you plan on competing in IBJJF events, you're limited to a cotton weave jacket, but you can decide what "weight" weave you prefer. Do you like ultra-lightweight weaves, or a bit more structured, heavier weaves? Some gis even have sublimated linings in the jacket, which wick sweat from your body and helps keep you cool during a hardcore training session. You can also choose which kind of pant you prefer: cotton or ripstop? 

Fit

Definitely the trickiest part of shopping for a jiu jitsu gi is finding one that fits your body type the best. Luckily not all gi brands use the same design pattern for their models. Unfortunately, you don't really know how a specific brand will fit on your body unless you actually try it on! Arg. BUT, there are some resources you can use to get a better idea: 

• Sizing guides - While most sizing guides are pretty generic, offering only a height and weight reference, some provide more specific measurements, such as arm and leg length, wingspan, etc. 
• Customer reviews - Many reviews will offer insightful information into the fit of a gi, such as whether the fit is more tailored than others, or if it fits loose around the shoulders, or if the length runs shorter or longer than other gis. 
• Customer service - Especially here at Fighters Market, our customer service representatives are pretty savvy about the fit on a wide range of brands and can give you some valuable information about how they might fit your body. 
• Friends and Teammates - If you see a friend or teammate wearing a gi that you like, don't be afraid to ask if you can try it on. Considering how much sweat we exchange rolling on the mat, it won't be weird. 
• Event Booths - By far the best way to check the fit of a gi... is to actually try it on. Major jiu jitsu events - especially IBJJF events - typically have venders selling gis and other bjj gear and apparel. 

Hopefully this guide helps you to choose the "best jiu jitsu gi" for you. See you on the mat! 

Train on... and look sharp. Oss. 

At no other time do we - and every other e-commerce business - receive more returns than after Black Friday. We get it. Online shopping can be tricky, and things might not fit as you like.

However, returns are a hassle... both for you and for us. And on top of that, it's not the most eco-friendly practice, as this TED Talk points out. So we've decided to give you some tips to help you minimize your returns, improve your shopping experience, and keep more products out of the landfill. Read on...

Do Your Research

Especially during Black Friday, when there's this "rush" to omg-get-it-quick-before-they're-all-sold-out... it's easy to make impulsive buys without doing your homework about what's the best fit for you, or whoever you're buying for. The most common reason for product returns is - you guessed it - a wrong size. That's understandable. With online shopping, you can't "try on" anything... yet. I'm sure sometime in the future this might be a possibility. What you can do is research what size might be the most appropriate for you. There are many resources available in this regard: 

• Sizing guides - most brands/products will have a sizing guide. This should always be your first stop before buying an article of clothing. Check out both our provided sizing guide, as well as the brand's guide. 
• Reviews - After that, skim the reviews. See what previous buyers had said about the product, and particularly about its fit. Often some generous reviewer has included his/her height and weight, which gives you a very useful reference point when choosing your own size. 
• Customer Service - Customer service often gets a bad rap, but you should know that these brave guys and gals have heard it all, and answered it all, so they are highly knowledgable about appropriate sizing. Particularly at Fighters Market, almost all of our CS representatives train, so they really know their stuff when it comes to the fit of gis and training gear. 
• Social Media - Especially in the jiu jitsu community, there are a ton of online forums and Facebook groups where you can pose your questions about the fit or quality of certain brands. In my experience, people love to give advice, so you are bound to get any number of responses... some great, and some not-so-much, but hey, it's the thought that counts. 

Want vs. Need

Another major reason for returns is that the customer simply didn't want it anymore. This is the "want vs. need" dilemma. You've been there... you're browsing an online catalog and you see a cool rash guard that catches your eye. At that moment, you want it. It will look perfect in your collection, all your training buddies will "oooo" and "ahhh" over it. You gotta have it. You add it to your cart, click purchase, and done. It's yours. Except when that shopping adrenaline high wears off, you realize that you really don't need another rash guard... or maybe you need to pay your gas bill first. It comes, and you immediately send it back (after trying it on, of course, and getting all your sweaty armpit funk all over it). 

Fighters Market is a business, so we'd love to sell you as much stuff as possible, but we're also members of your jiu jitsu community. Not only do we want you to like and enjoy the products we provide, we also want you to be able to afford to keep living well and keep training hard. So before you buy, ask yourself: 1) can I afford this, 2) do I really need/want this, and 3) is there a possibility that I might return it? 

If You Really Must...

Now, you've done everything you can to prevent the dreaded return, but you find that you simply must do it. Here's how best to do it: 

• Please, for the love of Bob, don't wear it. Try it on, sure. But don't do it right after training, or a long day of burning through your deodorant, or right after you've just doused yourself in cologne. If an item returns to us with any kind of funk - good or bad - we can't sell it again. We wouldn't want to!
• Fold it back up as best as you can - yeah, we know there are some of you who can't even fold a hand towel - and return it in it's original packaging. Just because you don't want it doesn't mean that you should smush it up into a ball and return it like that. Don't be that guy. 
• FULLY read the Returns & Exchanges policies. This provides you easy-to-follow directions on how to return your item. You won't believe how many emails our poor, brave customer service reps get about returns, from people who are too lazy to look on the website. It takes less than a minute to read the return policies and fill out our return form. 

Just as recycling is becoming a norm - and not just something hippies do - we feel that being conscious shoppers should also become a norm, to keep as much returned items out of the landfill as possible... because the more we do to keep our planet healthy, the longer we - and our future generations - will be able to train jiu jitsu.

Train on... and shop wisely. Oss.