Brazilian jiu-jitsu gi

BJJ blackbelt Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu chokes his opponent using the gi at the 2009 Pan-Am Championship.

The gi (outfit, from Japanese 柔術着 jujutsu gi 'jiu-jitsu uniform') used in Brazilian jiu-jitsu was adapted from the uniform commonly used in Japanese martial arts. It is typically composed of a heavy cotton jacket and reinforced trousers. A cloth belt is worn over the gi, both to keep the jacket closed, and as a signifier of the skill/rank of the practitioner. The term kimono is sometimes used to describe the whole outfit, or occasionally just the jacket.

General regulations

The only colors allowed for international championships are white, black or blue. In some jurisdictions this is relaxed to allow any single solid color. In many clubs it is customary for practitioners who are white belts to only wear a white gi, but once a blue belt is obtained they are free to wear any color.

According to article 8 of IBJJF rules,^[1] a competition gi must conform to these specifications:

• The gi must be constructed of cotton or similar material and be in good condition. The material may not be excessively thick or hard to the point where it will obstruct the opponent.
• Colors may be black, white or blue, no combined colors (white kimono with blue pants, etc.)
• The jacket is to be of sufficient length down to the thighs, sleeves must reach the wrist with arms extended in front of the body. The sleeve should follow the official measurements according to IBJJF (this is measured from the shoulder to the wrist).
• Belt width must be 4–5 cm, with belt color corresponding to the practitioner's rank. The belt must be tied around the waist with a double knot, tight enough to secure the kimono closed. An extremely worn/discoloured belt may need to be replaced before competing.
• Athletes are not permitted to compete with torn kimonos, sleeves or pants that are not of proper length, or with T-shirts underneath the kimono (except for females).
• A BJJ practitioner is not allowed to paint his/her gi. Exceptions can be made for teams competition.

In addition to the above requirements, pockets of any kind are not allowed in a gi used at tournaments.^[1]

A special gi checking tool is often used to determine acceptable measurements and fit of the gi. This tool resembles a block of wood 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm x 15 cm with a slit cut in the middle and is used to measure the following:^[1]

• The jacket lapel must be 5 cm wide.
• There must be at least 7 cm of room from the bottom of the competitor's wrist to the bottom of the sleeve.
• The jacket lapel must not be thicker than 1.3 cm.

Patches

According to article 13 of IBJJF rules,^[1] patches may be placed on the gi in one of thirteen different locations:

On the jacket:

• Left upper arm
• Left upper shoulder
• Front right upper shoulder
• Front right upper arm
• Front below the belt
• Back below the belt
• Back below the collar and above the belt

On the pants:

• Above the front left knee
• Above the front right knee
• Below the front left knee (with at least 15 cm of space to the floor without patch to allow for grabbing)
• Below the front right knee (with at least 15 cm of space to the floor without patch to allow for grabbing)
• Along the back of the left leg
• Along the back of the right leg

Fabric and weave

Pants

Traditionally, gi pants are made of a sturdy cotton canvas, or denim (with reinforced seams/knees). Tough and light weight materials have started to become more popular in recent years as cooler hot weather gis have become more popular.^[2] It is common in tournaments to see competitors wearing ripstop pants with a standard cotton gi top.^[3]

Jacket

Single Weave Cotton: This is lighter and typically less expensive. It is often used for hot weather training. Being lighter weight (typically between 300–550 g/m²), this weave is not as durable as a heavier fabric.^[4]

Gold Weave Cotton: This material is in-between the single and double weave with regards to weight and durability. Gold weave is a standard that was originally required for competition by the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Confederation, although this has now been relaxed to allow different jacket weaves.^[5]

Double Weave Cotton: This gi top is made of significantly more fabric than a single weave. It is heavier, harder wearing, and is typically more expensive. The thickness of the gi can make it more difficult for an opponent to grip the fabric, but the weight of the gi (typically between 650–1050 g/m²) makes them retain more heat. The stiffness of the material can make double weaves more abrasive on the skin of opponents and wearers alike.^[6]

Ripstop Fabrics: Ripstop fabrics are made of many different materials (cotton, silk, polyester, and nylon) woven together to produce an extremely strong and light weight material that is difficult to tear or rip. Due to the weave of the material this type of Gi top can be made light weight (lighter than a single weave gi) while still remaining strong. Since this material is woven thinner than cotton gis, an opponent can more easily grab and manipulate it.

• 
  Closeup of double weave pattern on an HCK competition double gi.
• 
  Closeup of gold weave pattern on an OTM blank white gi.

Washing and maintenance

Due to the nature of wrestling/grappling and the diseases that can come from close contact between people, the gi is typically washed after each class. As with most cotton products, a cotton gi must be laundered in cold water and line dried to avoid shrinkage.^[7] This is important to most Jiu-Jitsu practitioners as even pre-shrunk gi material has a tendency to shrink further in hot water and a hot dryer cycle. To preserve the life of the Gi, bleaching is highly discouraged, as this can weaken the fibers of the material and cause them to tear more easily. Line drying in bright sunlight is commonly suggested to help remove smells from the gi, due to the bacterial killing properties of UV light. Hanging the gi in direct sunlight can damage the integrity of the fabric and reduce its durability, and can also stiffen up fibres in a gi.^[8]

While most gis sold today are made of a colorfast material, some manufacturers recommend that a darker coloured gi (blue, black, red, etc.) be washed with 2-3 cups of white vinegar the first time that the outfit is laundered. This helps to set the dye in the gi and will minimize fading.^[7]

How to dry the jiu jitsu gi

It is sometimes advised to leave a gi to dry in indirect sunlight, although, avoid drying the kimono in dryers, it can cause shrinkage. Another method of drying gis is to leave them in a shady, dry area.^[9]

Similarity to the Judogi

The Jiu-Jitsu gi is similar to the judogi with a few slight differences. Jiu jitsu regulations allow for tighter cuffs on the pants and jacket, and the skirt (section of the gi beneath the belt) is shorter. This allows the practitioner to benefit from a closer fit, providing less material for an opponent to manipulate. Team, sponsor, and manufacturer's patches are often more prominently displayed on a Jiu-Jitsu gi than would be allowed in judo. A judo gi may be worn for BJJ tournaments, but a Jiu-Jitsu gi will not meet guidelines for a judo tournament.^[10]

See also

• Judogi
• Jujutsugi
• Keikogi

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brazilian jiu-jitsu gi.

• What is the Difference Between a Jiu Jitsu Uniform and a Judo Gi? Karatemart.com 15 May 2010.
• Jiu Jitsu Gi Buyer's Guide BJJWire.com 7 October 2014
• Everything You Need To Know About BJJ GI
• BJJ Gi materials explained