Fuji Judo Gi (Our Overall Favorite)
Fuji Sports Single Weave USA Judo Gi
Fuji Double Weave Judo Gi (Premium Choice)
Ronin Judo Gi – Professional Made
Elite Sports Double Weave Judo Gi (Best Value for Money)
When you start on your Judo journey, it will be an exciting yet fearful experience. One thing you will need is a uniform for training and you owe it to yourself to get a good Judo gi uniform.
What to Look for in a Judo Gi
The first step to finding the ideal gi for you is to know what you are looking for. The word ‘gi’ is derived from the Japanese words ‘keikogi’ or ‘dogi’, which means “uniform for training”. So, it is not surprising that ‘gi’ is worn for several different types of martial arts. However, they are not all the same.
There is a Karate gi, a Tae Kwon Do gi (also called a dobok), and a Judo gi. All come in two parts, a top and trousers with pull strings. Generally speaking, Judo gis are most similar to BJJ gis, although they are generally longer with wider sleeves than BJJ gis. Karate gis are much lighter. The Tae Kwon Do gi has evolved away from the lighter wrap around gi in favor of a shirt-like top with a v-neck.
The governing body of Judo is the International Judo Federation (IJF). They are the ones responsible for setting the guidelines for the acceptable gis at Judo competitions.
Choosing a good gi is not too difficult. However, there are a few things to consider to ensure you purchase a gi that meets your expectations.
Strength
The strength of a gi will matter significantly for adults just getting started on the mat. You will especially need a strong material if you are a heavy person.
The strength of a Judo gi will be determined by the weave of the gi. It will also be determined by the material that is used.
Cotton is the most common material used to make gis. Cotton is strong and durable but there are synthetic fabrics that prove to be just as strong but lighter than cotton.
The thickness of the fabric will determine the strength of a gi. The collar should be reinforced with rubber or foam to be thick and firm. This makes it more difficult for your opponent to grip it.
Brand
The brand of Judo gi uniform can be important if the manufacturer cares about its reputation for quality. Although with better quality usually comes a higher price.
Other companies are known for affordability. So if you are looking for a Judo gi on a budget then you will likely have to sacrifice some quality. However, it is possible to find an affordable brand that has acceptable quality. A comparison between different brands will give you an idea of which is which.
Another thing to note is that different brands will often have different size charts. Therefore, be sure to use the size chart of the brand you are purchasing.
Country of Origin
Although it is far from an absolute rule many experienced wearers of gi claim that the best gis are made from the country of origin of the sport. This suggests that the best BJJ gis come from Brazil, the best taekwondo gis from Korea and the best Judo gis come from Japan.
Japanese manufacturers argue that their years of experience in developing a gi specifically for the sport of Judo is what makes their gis stand out from all the rest. Their gis are typically of very good quality and can outlast gis from other bigger brands.
The downside of purchasing a gi made in Japan is that they can set you back more than a gi from other places. However, if quality is more important than price, then have a look at Japanese made gis.
Weave
An important aspect to any gi is its weave. The weave is what determines the quality and characteristics of a gi.
The two types of Judo gis are single weave and double weave gis. Single weave gis are usually light and breathable offering a great opportunity to train in heat. They are usually preferred for training rather than competition.
Double weave gis on the other hand, are usually of higher quality and are also more durable. They are great is for competition when performance is key. They also typically cost more than single weave gis.
A single weave gi is perfectly acceptable for a beginner. Once you start thinking about competing you may want to consider purchasing good quality double weave gi.
Our Top 5 Recommended Judo Gis for adults:
Fuji Judo Gi (Our Overall Favorite)
Fuji Sports Single Weave USA Judo Gi
Fuji Double Weave Judo Gi (Premium Choice)
Ronin Judo Gi – Professional Made
Elite Sports Double Weave Judo Gi (Best Value for Money)
Product Reviews
Fuji Judo Gi
Fuji is a reputable maker of Judo gis. They have several types of judo gis. The Fuji Judo uniform is their simplest and most basic judo uniform.
It is a single weave cotton gi that is thin and light. The tradeoff is that it is easy for your opponent to grap your gi when sparring. On the other hand, it is very breathable which provides a more comfortable training experience, particularly for beginners.
The gi has a multitude of size variations including sizes from children as young as four years old. The Fuji judo uniform sizes can be a bit larger for adults so be sure to follow the size chart carefully.
Fuji Judo uniform is made from 100% cotton which is soft and comfortable. It also has high-quality stitching.
The gi is very durable and is strong enough to withstand your being gripped and thrown to the mat. This is important, especially if you are a beginner.
It comes with a white belt and is competitively priced which makes it one of the best Judo gis for beginners.
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Fuji Sports Single Weave USA Judo Gi
For the more patriotic practitioners, there is another single weave Go by Fuji. This one is special in that it has embroidery of the American flag and silkscreen print of US patriotic phrases.
As you can tell from the name, it is a single weave gi that is not only easy to wear but also easy to travel with especially over long distances. You can easily fold it after wearing it and it will fit into the smallest of back packs.
You have a wide range of sizes (0 to 8) to choose from so can find a suitable size to fit you. This gi comes in white or blue.
As far as price is concerned, the gi is averagely priced but with good quality that makes it value for money. A portion of what you pay for this gi goes directly to the USA judo high performance fund which helps Elite athletes achieve their world and Olympic dreams.
The gi is not preshrunk so be sure to follow washing instructions.
For a little more Fuji also make a Sports Double Weave USA Judo Gi.
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Fuji Double Weave Judo Gi
Fuji has been one of the most prominent manufacturers of martial arts gear since their inception in 1969. That is over 50 years of experience perfecting their design and techniques.
The result is one of our very favorite Judo gis on the market, the Fuji Double Weave Judo Gi. It is very popular amongst experienced and hard training practitioners.
As you can tell from the name, the gi has a double weave construction that makes it very strong and durable. It is designed to specifically handle the abuse and friction of training every day.
Fuji’s double weave is made from cotton blend that is soft and comfortable. We think it is important to be comfortable when training, particularly as a beginner.
This gi comes in two colors: white and blue.
The downside, of course, is that you have to pay more for Fuji double weave gi does than you would for a single weave. However, the durability of the gi makes it a good investment.
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Ronin Judo Gi – Professional Made
Ronin is a company that offers some pretty good gear at a reasonable price. Many Judo practitioners trust this brand.
The gi is made of unbleached cotton that is strong yet comfortable and cozy. It feels good to wear this gi, just be mindful that opponents may find it easier to grab you.
The single weave of the gi makes it light and easily portable in a training bag or backpack. Being light also means it is more breathable and greater to wear when training in summer or outdoors.
The gi is reinforced on all the stress prone areas. The sides, the knees and the collar are all reinforced with extra stitching.
The gi comes in a multitude of sizes including children’s sizes ranging from 0 to 7 which.
The Ronin judo gi is that it is made in only one color: white.
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Elite Sports Double Weave Judo Gi
Elite Sports is an established brand known for making affordable but decent training gear for the martial arts community. They make a lot of gear for different martial arts discipline.
This gi is a double weave cotton uniform made with comfort and durability in mind. This gi will last as long as other more expensive gi and it can take hard grips and throw. The collars are particularly thick. That makes it more challenging for opponents to grab you during sparring or competition. The gi is IJF approved so you can use it judo tournaments.
The Elite Sports Adult Judo GI Uniform is treated for anti-odor and anti-microbial properties. This will help fend off potential smells and infections that can happen between washings.
The one single disappointment as far as the Elite Sports Adult Judo GI Uniform is concerned is the few sizes that are sometimes not proportional for everyone.
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Conclusion
When it comes to choosing judo uniforms there are certainly plenty of choices. I have recommended five that provide a good balance between quality and price.
There are a few things to consider such as the weave, strength and country of origin. If you want to train and compete in the same gi then make sure it is IJF certified for competition.
The all around favorite Judo gi is the Fuji Judo Uniform. Hands down the best value for money is the Elite Sports Adult Judo Gi. But if you don’t mind spending a little extra for a really good quality, premium selection than I recommend the Fuji Double Weave Judo Gi.
