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BJJ GI The BJJ GI is a uniform required for training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a martial art and combat sport based on ground fighting and submission holds. The word GI is adapted from the longer word keikogi, which is used in modern Japanese martial arts. It is typically white in color and is similar to a kimono, which is often a word used to refer to a BJJ Gi by non-Japanese speakers
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The Gi consists of a pair of pants, a jacket, and a colored belt that denotes the athlete's rank. The pants, traditionally, are made of sturdy cotton canvas or ripstop; however, it is not uncommon to spot competitors wearing a ripstop or canvas pants with a standard cotton Gi top. A piece of ripstop fabric is woven by reinforcing techniques that make them resistant to tearing and ripping. The more rigid and lighter material has gained popularity in recent years along with the popularity of cooler hot weather Gis. The fabric used for the jacket is commonly cotton, but the fabric's weave may differ. Single weave cotton is often used in hot weather training. It is typically less expensive and lighter, making it prone to tear compared to other heavier fabrics. The pearl weave, the most common type in the BJJ industry, is strong and very durable and, as the name suggests, has the appearance of multiple strings of pearls aligned together. This effect is established when two wefts are used, one thin and tight and one looser and broader. The gold weave cotton, regarding its weight and durability, lies somewhere between the single and double weave. It was initially the standard weave required in BJJ competitions, but the rule has now been relaxed to allow for other jacket weaves. The double weave cotton Bjj Gi top is made with significantly more fabric than single weave, making it heavier and harder to wear but also very expensive. The thick material makes it harder for the opponent to grip the fabric, but the heavy material retains extra heat. The stiff material can also prove to be abrasive on the skin of the user and opponent alike. Ripstop fabrics are made of many materials like cotton, silk, polyester, and more that are woven together to produce a solid yet lightweight material that proves challenging to rip or tear. However, since this material is woven thinner than cotton Gis, the opponent can grip and manipulate it more easily. There are strict rules in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that the jiu-jitsu Gi's can only be either white, black, or blue, and no mixed colors, like blue pants and white jacket, can be used. The entire uniform needs to be the same color. A competition Gi must conform to certain specifications. It must be constructed of cotton or similar material and be in good condition, and the material must not be excessively thick or challenging to the point that it obstructs the opponent or the wearer. Athletes with torn BJJ kimonos, pants or sleeves that are not of proper length, or with t-shirts underneath the kimonos, except for females, are not allowed to participate in the competitions. A BJJ practitioner is not permitted to paint their Gi, the only exception can be made in case of team competition. The jacket is also meant to be a sufficient length down to the thighs with the sleeves reaching the wrists when the arms are extended in front of the body. In addition to these requirements, there must also be no pocket on the jiu-jitsu uniform. The jacket's lapel must be 5 cm and not be thicker than 1.3 cm. There must be at least 7 cm of room from the bottom of the competitor's wrist to the bottom of the sleeve. According to the BJJ rules, Patches of any kind can only stand placed on 13 locations on the Gi BJJ. On the jacket, the patch can be placed on the left upper arm, left upper shoulder, front right upper shoulder, front right upper arm, front below the belt, back below the belt, and the back below the collar and above the belt. As for the pants, they can only be on 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 a patch to allow for grabbing), or below the front right knee (with at least 15 cm of space to the bottom without the patch to allow for grabbing), along the back of the left leg, and the back of the right leg. These regulations are not meant to be taken lightly, and any rule broken can easily lead to the competitor's disqualification. The Gi requires proper maintenance as close contact between the athletes can lead to diseases. But care is needed while washing a Gi. Like all other cotton fabrics, the Gi must be washed in cold water and line dried through indirect sunlight instead of in a dryer to prevent shrinkage. To increase the life of a Gi, it is highly advised not to use bleach as it can weaken the material's fibers and cause them to tear more easily. While most Gis sold today are made of a colorfast material, some manufacturers recommend that a darker colored Gi be washed with 2-3 cups of white vinegar the first time the outfit is laundered. That helps to set the dye in the Gi and will minimize fading of the color.
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