Choosing a Jiu Jitsu Gi - Part 2
Continued from part 1, available here.
Gis are typically sold at brick-and-mortar martial arts, mma, or jiu jitsu gear shops and online through manufacturer, mma gear shop, and marketplace websites. The obvious advantage of purchasing a gi in person is that you can physically compare several different styles and try them on to ensure a proper fit. Some people prefer the efficiency of internet shopping and choose to order gis online through gi manufacturers, Brazilian jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts gear vendors, and large online marketplaces such as Amazon. Whether you purchase your gi at a local martial arts store or choose to order online, consider the following steps before buying:
Determine whether or not the gi is pre-shrunk, particularly if you intend to put your gi in the dryer. If purchasing the gi in-person, ask the salesperson about the gi’s potential shrinkage. When purchasing online, gi manufacturers will often include this information in the product description. If the gi you’re considering is not pre-shrunk, you may want to purchase a gi at least one size larger if you intend to dry it, but this can vary from gi to gi.
Check the size chart on the gi manufacturer’s website. Be sure to measure yourself and select an appropriately sized gi.
If you’re unsure which size to purchase, try reading the gi’s reviews on the manufacturer’s website, online mma and jiu jitsu forums, and subreddits such as r/bjj. You might also try a Google search of the gi name followed by the word “review.”
Another affordable option for buying a Brazilian jiu jitsu gi is to shop for used gis through online marketplaces such as Ebay, Facebook marketplace, and Poshmark. One of the families in our youth program successfully shops these marketplaces for used jiu jitsu gis for their kids. These gis are often being sold by individuals who recently began training, found it wasn’t for them, and decided to sell their newly acquired gi. Oftentimes, buyers can bargain the asking prices down considerably and purchase a used gi in good condition at an extremely discounted price. If you choose to go this route, try to research the used gi’s sizing information using the tips in this post.
-Eddie
If you are a grappler looking for fundamental and advanced instruction in gi Brazilian jiu jitsu, look no further than Oregon Grappling Arts in Portland, OR led by Hannah Sharp and Eddie Jamrog.
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Contact us through our online form here or via email at info@oregongrapplingarts.com.
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