7 Best Durable Gis (Ranked and Reviewed)

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In a full-contact sport like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, durability in your equipment is non-negotiable. In Gi-based Bjj, there is a considerable emphasis on gripping your opponent’s uniform for control and advancing your position. As a result, the traditional BJJ gi is made of thick cotton capable of withstanding repetitive wear and friction.

For those training numerous times per week, having a uniform that will stand up to consistent use is essential. In addition, Gis are an expensive piece of equipment. Nobody wants to fork out money for something that won’t last. This article sets out some important considerations to make before purchasing a Gi. We then move on to the five most durable Gis available on Amazon.

How we chose

  • Quality. We included items produced by reputable manufacturers that adhere to good manufacturing processes.
  • Vetting. We take product selection seriously. We only want to recommend the highest quality products, which is why we carefully vet every potential supplier.
  • Price. We try to provide options for everyones budget preferences.

7 Best Durable Gis

1) Sanabul NASA BJJ Gi

Sanabul NASA BJJ Jiu Jitsu Gi (See Special Sizing Guide)
Pros:
  • NASA logo
  • Limited Edition
  • Lightweight without compromise

Best for BJJ

2) Venum Power 2.0

Venum is another well-known brand in BJJ circles. The Power 2.0 features a 450 gsm jacket and 280 gsm pants. This thickness adds to the reliability of this uniform. The jacket is not pre-shrunk. However, it does feature a three-times enforced stitching pattern on the exterior and interior sleeve. The collar on the Power 2.0 is firmly stitched, ensuring little wear with regular use. The chest and shoulders on the Power 2.0 are also reinforced, meaning that each pressure point on this jacket is ready for action.

The pants on the Power 2.0 feature three times enforced pant hem similar to the jacket sleeves. The knees have additional stitching, and the entire pants are put together with a cross-stitching technique. This technique means that the seams are overlapping, keeping them strong throughout repetitive use. The Power 2.0 comes in black, blue, or white and carries a strong brand recognition through Venum like Kingz.

Sanabul NASA BJJ Jiu Jitsu Gi (See Special Sizing Guide)
Pros:
  • NASA logo
  • Limited Edition
  • Lightweight without compromise

Best Design

3) Hayabusa Goorudo 3

Although not as renowned as the previous Gis, the Goorudo 3 offers a 550 gsm jacket and 405 gsm pants. The uniform is heavy, ranging from 4-6 lbs, depending on size. This weight is supported by three times enforced sleeve and a strong collar stitching to avoid friction wear. The chest and shoulders are both reinforced, providing an incredibly strong uniform for training and competition.

The pants on the Goorudo are similar to the jacket with reinforced pant hems and strong knee protection too. The entire uniform is semi-shrunk for durability, but it is susceptible to some shrinkage in the wash. Reviews of this gi are mostly favorable, with a couple of outliers highlighting the color fading. As a result, I would recommend the black or grey color for this uniform. This is, by far, the heaviest gi on the list.

Hayabusa Goorudo 3 Gold Weave Jiu Jitsu Gi



Pros:
  • 550 gsm gold-weave cotton top
  • 12oz twill cotton pants
  • Reinforced lapels, knees, and stress areas for high durability
  • IBJJF compliant (excludes Grey)
  • Pre-treated to preserve color
  • Stretch drawstring

Best BJJ Gi for Competitions

4) Venum: Contender 2.0

The final Gi on the list is another uniform from Venum. The Contender 2.0 offers a 350 gsm jacket and 230 gsm pants. As with the Power 2.0, the Contender features enforced sleeves and is pre-shrunk to add to durability. The chest, shoulders, and jacket hems also feature additional stitching. The collar is made of foam and provides extra stitching for added support.

The knee pads have extra stitching on the inside of the material. This provides two layers of support when working on the ground. Aside from that, the pant hems are supported as standard. The Contender is a great cost-effective option and comes in an interesting navy and grey as well as other standard colors. It comes in 5 main sizes, and although it has mixed reviews online, many of the negative reviews are not related to the uniform’s durability. If you’re unsure of your size, check out our BJJ gi size chart.

Best for Youth

5) Vector Sports Youth Gi

Vector Sports BJJ Kids Gi
Pros:
  • Free belt
  • Pre-shrunk
  • Heavy duty for kids

6) Shogun Gi

SHOGUN Fight Gi
Pros:
  • 350gsm pearl weave
  • Ripstop pants
  • Shogun logos

7) FUJI Double Weave Gi

FUJI Double Weave Gi
Pros:
  • Double Weave
  • Heavy duty
  • Cotton

Frequently asked questions

What to Avoid?

1) Lightweight Gis 

  • When it comes to comfort and hot climates, a lightweight gi is the way to go. Lightweight Gis will give you slightly more mobility and will undoubtedly allow more airflow whilst training. The critical issue with lightweight Gis is that they use less material and are therefore more likely to rip and tear under continuous use. The stitching on lightweight Gis is also weaker in crucial areas. If you plan on building up a Gis collection, then a lightweight option may be something to consider. If you only plan on having one or two, look for something thicker.

2) Cheap Gis 

  • Yes, BJJ uniforms are expensive, but you will be better set spending more money on one reliable Gi than purchasing several cheap Gis for the same price. The issue with cheap Gis is that the material used is of much lower quality than their more expensive counterparts. Additionally, the stitching and machinery used to put these Gis together are not conducive to a durable uniform. Trust me, in the long run, you’ll be happy you spent the money. 

3) New / Generic Brands

  • Although it may seem unfair to up and coming brands, there is a reason why a handful of Gi manufacturers dominate the Bjj world. The recognized brands have been tried and tested for years in competitions and academies across the globe. The highest level athletes wear these brands because they stand up to black belt level grappling day in and day out. Generic brands may offer a solid product, but inevitably, you are taking a bet on your purchase.

What to Look For?

1) Reinforced Stitching at Pressure Points

  • The critical pressure points on a Bjj gi are the shoulders, the elbows, the collar, the sleeves, the knees, and the pant hems. These are the areas that receive the most friction and contact while sparring. It is crucial, when considering a durable Gi, to make sure that these areas are reinforced through extra stitching or extra material either inside or outside the uniform.

2) High GSM Cotton Material

  • GSM (grams per square meter) refers to the thickness and weight of the material on the uniform. The higher the GSM, the more durable the uniform will be. Due to mobility purposes, the jacket will always be thicker than the pants. When looking for this information online, pants are generally listed in Oz. This figure can be converted to GSM online. 

3) Pre Shrunk Material

  • Many of us know too well the horror of pulling a shrunken gi out of the washing machine. Many Gis will specify whether or not they have been pre-shrunk or not. This factor will not only give you peace of mind when washing your BJJ gi, but it will also ensure that the cotton has been shrunken previously. This process brings the material closer together and adds another layer of durability to the uniform.

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Origin Fighter is a blog for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to learn about Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, Wrestling, Boxing, Health & Nutrition, Performance and more. Origin Fighter also provides information on how to train smarter with resources such as workout plans and diets tailored for your goals.

About the Author

I am a huge fan of both BJJ and MMA. Jiu-jitsu is my biggest passion, and I’ve been training it for more than 5 years. I have recently been promoted to a purple belt. In this blog, I will be giving you tips on how to improve and how to choose the best BJJ equipment! Learn More