What is the best Gi for brazilian jiu jitsu competition?

Question

I have a competition coming up in a little over a week and i wanted to buy an extra gi, because i only have one. What is the best brand to buy? Should i buy a light weight gi or a heavier gi? Are there advantages or disadvantages to certain styles of gi? Thanks.

Answer 1

I prefer Koral, the stiching in the Komono seems to give me the best uninhibited movement.  To some degree this will be a personal preference, but if you stick with HCK, Koral or Atama Gi's you will get a good quality BJJ Gi.

Some folks like a sleeve that is tighter around the wrist area and some prefer to swim in their GI with so much extra room.  I have more of a wrestler with submissions style than a traditional BJJ style so I prefer the the more snug Gi.

Talk to your instructor and ask him/her what they think will better compliment your style, they will have the best answer for you Im' sure, we've never seen you grapple.  Good luck in your tourney my friend, train hard.

Answer 2

I owned the 'Fightgear' company. We sold most makes of gi including Koral, KF, Atama, Mizuno, Vitamins and Minerals, Machado, BTT, Aries, Machado, Adidas and Gameness.

I tried most of the makes and my students bought most of the different brands over the last 5 or 6 years so I have a pretty good idea of the qualities of most gi.

Personally, I would say Gameness is head and shoulders above the rest. The quality is incredible and the cut is superb. Lets put it this way, its my choice. Of the rest, HCK, Koral and Adidas are very good but my second choice would be a Machado/Lutadore gi.We used to have a special area of our website which reviewed gi/kimono as sent in by customers or users which was good. I think someone told me that a few other sites have now copied this and put it in their sites so it might be worth checking out.

If I was choked and made to recommend a top 5 of gi I would say

1) Gameness (USA)

2) Machado

3) Koral (overpriced)

4) Atama (varying quality)

5) Adidas (can shrink a lot if not washed properly)

As for lightweight against heavy.... heavy will last longer and wear better. If you train in a warm climate then lightweight is more comfortable (Gameness and HCK make very good lightweights) and wash and dry faster. Personally, I'd go for heavyweight.

Hope that helps