Blog & News

Your first gi is the piece of gear you'll wear every session, so it pays to choose well. Here's what actually matters.

Weave & weight

Beginners are best served by a single-weave or pearl-weave gi (around 350–550 GSM). It's durable, breathable, and light enough for daily training without the bulk of heavier competition cuts.

Most serious grapplers train both gi and no-gi. Here's the kit each style demands.

The gi game

A quality gi plus a rank belt is your foundation. Grips, collars, and sleeves are part of the sport, so fabric quality directly affects your game.

The no-gi game

No jacket means gear that stays put: a rash guard (short or long sleeve) and grappling shorts or spats. Look for four-way-stretch, moisture-wicking fabric and flatlock seams that won't chafe during scrambles.

Gear that's cared for lasts longer, smells better, and performs when it counts.

Wash cold, every time

Hot water breaks down fibres and accelerates shrinkage. Wash your gi and rash guards in cold water after every session — sweat left to sit is what causes odour and bacteria.

Air dry

Skip the dryer. Hang your gi to dry to protect the weave and prevent shrinkage; direct sun helps kill bacteria and brighten whites.