Over the years, since Judo and Karate, we’re the first martial arts that came in with Gis; they were the main ones used. As time went by, other sports such as Aikido and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu picked up the tradition. Training in a gi or uniform is a standard in many traditional martial arts.
So if you’re looking for the best judo gis, there’s a wide variety of them on the market; they’re usually made of either cotton or polyester and have a longer collar than a BJJ gi. We break down to you the essential things you need to know about the Judo gi characteristics so that you can make the best choice.
Bes Judo Gi Selection
After going through many gis and reviewing the most outspoken judo gi brands, here’s what we ended up with in terms of price, quality, durability, and comfort.
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The Fuji single weave is made of very durable material and is identified as the best judo gi. It maintains its color easily through multiple washes. Just keep in mind that this one will shrink a bit in the washing machine.
The sewing and embroidery are of great quality, making them suitable for hard judo training sessions. The impressive thing about the Fuji single weave is its thick collar; no matter how hard you pull on it, it will endure during your first couple of years of usage. There are also reinforced gussets on the pants and double stitching, which gives them the durability it needs.
When it comes to the fabric, it doesn’t leave any smell or moisture after being stored in a closet. The inside seams are covered, which prevents Gi burns. The Fuji Judo gi also comes in different sizes from heights of 4’4″ all the way to 6’5″.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Good Price: Quality ratio
- It comes with a white belt
- Suitable for children
- BJJ friendly
- Great sizing cut
- IJF approved
Cons:
- Slightly Heavy
- Fabric slightly hard on the skin
Overall the quality provided by Fuji for an entry-level judo gi is quite impressive. The stitching and reinforcements around the jacket and the pants make them a great fit for beginners that want a good sturdy judo gi. The Fuji Judo Gi will last you for years, and that’s due to the brand’s commitment over the years to high-end judo products.
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The Mizuno Shiai is the best judo gi because it’s made of very thick fabric, specifically to withstand competitions at the highest levels. As expected, the gi is heavy, but that does not restrict you in any movements whatsoever. The fit is slightly big, specifically for competition judo throws.
The Mizuno Judo uniform is made of a double weave fabric, making it the best judo gi in the market for high-level competition.
Pros:
- Pre-shrunk
- IJF approved
- Comes in white and blue.
- It comes with a white belt
Cons:
- It might be slightly hard on the skin
The Fuji Mizuno gi is a great choice for all the judo competitors, coming with sizes 1 to 8; this competition cut judo gi is of great quality and fit. The Mizuno Judo has been worn by the judoka world champions Kayla Harrison, so it has withstood the competition test without a doubt.
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The Ronin Judo Gi offers a slick single weave stitching with slightly short cuffs on the pants and cuffs, allowing for greater degrees of freedom for movement. This judo gi has reinforced stitching around the shoulders, lapels, sleeves, and knees, making them durable.
The embroidery consists of rice grain and diamond-pattern stitching on the lower part of the jacket. The blue judo gi is easy to clean, and the color never fades away. The Ronin Gi is 100% cotton, lightweight, and sturdy. The side gussets cut are well done, giving the gi that traditional samurai look.
Pros:
- Elastic drawstring pants
- Available from size 0 to 6
- Comfortable fit
- Durable material
- comes with a white belt
Cons:
- It doesn’t offer a lot of sizes
The Ronin Judo gi carries its name seriously by providing top-notch embroidery, and the softness of the fabric makes the gi all the better. If you’re someone whos allergic to the polyester gis, this gi is your go-to in comfort and design.
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The Yamato Sakura Judo Gi is a design reminiscing of the traditional gis worn in the old days of Judo. It’s made of 100% unbleached cotton with single weave stitching making it more lightweight than the other gis. This judo gi is great for those who travel a lot and want something light to pack their bags with.
The material is high quality, so no need to worry about it deteriorating with laundry. Since the judo Gi is unbleached, throw in some color catchers as you wash it in cold water to avoid any discolorations. The Yamato judo gi is very stiff, which is good for judo grips; it usually starts wearing off and becomes softer after two years of usage.
Pros:
- 100% cotton
- Good price
- Lightweight
- It comes with a white belt
- Comfortable fit
Cons:
- It might not be IJF approved.
The Yamato Sakura Judo Gi is of simple design and lightweight, making it suitable for backpacking if you’re on the road a lot and don’t want to carry a heavy judo gi. The quality is pretty standard, with a fabric that softens after about two years, but it should do well for intense judo training.
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The Pro Force Judo gi offers a variety of sizing starting from a size 000 (4′-4’3″ in height) up to size 4 (5’11” in height). Judo gis can be tricky with sizing sometimes; fortunately, the Pro Force judo gi offers good sizing and different colors.
The cut is very similar to the other judo gis, with a heavy cotton top and thinner pants. This is great if you’re someone who can’t seem to find the right size of judo gi. The pants have a standard drawstring waist and quilted knees. There is a durable seam cover to strengthen the main stress areas. There’s also extra fabric and stitched reinforcement to resist rips and tears.
Pros:
- 100% cotton
- Great sizing
- Drawstring Pants
Cons:
- It might not be IJF approved.
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The Elite Sports double weave judo gi is made of pre-shrunk fabric to fit your size accordingly without having to shrink it. This judo gi is made of anti-tear fabric, which is ideal for those who want to compete in judo. The thick collar of the gi allows for good grip fighting without damaging the fabric of the gi.
The double weave material of the gi allows for proper dispersion of sweat, reducing the risk of bacteria building up. This should always be a priority for you and your teammates since fungus and staph build up in the training room.
Pros:
- IJF and USJF approved
- Durable
- It comes with a white belt
- Double Weave
- It comes in white and blue
- Comfortable fit
Cons:
- No sizes those under 4’6″ or over 6’3″ in height
- Rarely ever available
The Elite Sports judo gi’s thick fabric makes for great durability, comfort for a very reasonable price. This by no means is cheap quality; the embroidery and thickness of the jacket will withstand any handgrip fighting.
Judo Gi Buyer’s Guide
So what makes a Judo Gi different from the other gis, like a BJJ gi? Here, we break down to you what you should expect from a gi from fabric to styling, embroidery, price, and more.
Fabric & Embroidery
The lapel is usually very thick; it also varies from one brand to another. The number of rows stitched into the lapel is the main thickness indicator.
The chest area and sometimes the back area is furnished with reinforced stitching since most judo throws emphasize that the grips on the jacket must be solid. There are also splits on the side of the jacket to give space to the legs when you’re kicking your legs up for throws.
A gi also comes with drawstring ties pants, which are different than the classic elastic drawstrings found in other martial arts gis. All good gis should have reinforcements at the knees; usually, the thicker they are, the better they will last on the mats.
Usually, a gi has a bobble weave at the top of the jacket and a diamond weave at the bottom of the jacket. This is a significant detail because many people buy Judo gis for BJJ, which could shorten the gi’s life span. BJJ has many gripping techniques from the bottom of the jacket (like spider guard or lasso guard techniques) compared to judo.
Quality
Most Gis are made of 100% cotton; nevertheless, some gis have polyester in them. Some even are 100% polyester; they’re usually cheaper and tend to be more durable than cotton. The cotton judo gis are nevertheless more comfortable to wear, so if you’re allergic to polyester, we suggest you go with a cotton judo gi.
Washing
The cotton judo gis do shrink slightly in the washing machine, so be aware of that. It would be best if you washed a Judo Gi either with cold wash or 30 degrees wash. Also, keep in mind that if you’re buying a white judo gi or a colored judo gi, you need to buy color catchers to preserve their colors.
Dry the judo gi in direct sunlight since it helps kill bacteria and take away any built-up smell. Just make sure you wash your judo gi after each training session, and don’t let it sit in the laundry basket!
Ideally, you would want to have a couple of judo gis if you’re training every day since they could take some time before they completely dry out.
Size
The sizing goes from 0000 (for 3″5′ height: kids size) up to 8 (for 6″8′ height and over). It is a little tricky, so if you’re planning on getting your child a judo uniform, check his height and assess his built, then pick the appropriate size.
The sizing system for judo gis assumes that the individual is of a slim build; if you have broad shoulders, a big back, you should pick a slightly bigger Gi than the one assigned for your height and vice versa if you’re a little skinny. So It’s not really a matter of weight and age like the sizing of gis in other martial arts, be sure to measure your height first before you go and shop for a judo uniform.
Conclusion: The Best Judo Gi For You
The best judo gi for you should be comfortable and affordable first and foremost; if you prefer double weave or single weave, it doesn’t really matter; it’s a personal preference. Just make sure to measure your height and check if it’s pre-shrunk or not because it could affect the sizing. If you’re a competitor, keep in mind that the International Judo Federation must approve the gi judo players’ wear.
FAQ
What’s the difference between double and single weave gis?
The single weave gis are a lot lighter in weight and less stiff than the double weave gis. Because of this, movement in it is much better and less stifling after a long judo practice. Double weave fabric is a kind of woven embroidery with two or more sets of warps connected; they’re usually thicker and heavier than the single weave judo gis for that reason.
How to prevent my judo gi from shrinking?
Please do not wash the gi hot and throw it in the dryer; that’s the number one reason why judo gis shrink! Instead, wash cold and let it dry out in the sunlight, as we’ve mentioned. That’s actually a way to shrink it if the judo gi is too big.
Can I wear a BJJ gi for judo?
Sure you can; a lot of jiu-jitsu athletes practice the art of judo with a BJJ gi. It’s just it could affect the durability of the gi since a judo gi is reinforced around the back and chest area to prevent it from tearing with throws. The material is of the gis are the same since they’re a similar grappling art. However, if you use a judo gi for BJJ, some have a thin collar, which can be a problem when trying to choke someone or grip fighting.
What does a blue gi mean in judo?
Usually, in a competition, judokas wear either white or blue gis to make it easier for the referees to distinguish one opponent from the other and score the fight. In training, it really doesn’t matter which color you wear.
What size judo gi do I need?
Well, it depends on your height; the sizing usually goes from 0000 (for 3″5′ height: kids size) up to 8 (for 6″8′ height and over). Keep in mind that some gis are pre-shrunk, and some gis can be shrunk in the washing machine using a hot wash.
Which judo gi is the best?
The best judo gi is the one you feel most comfortable in! Of course, if you want to compete, you need a gi approved by the IJF. In general, a good fit gi and with a thick lapel is all you need for judo practice.
