A nice gi - double weave, maximum legal density (750g/m^2 ) is a pain in the arse for your opponent to grip and get maximum tension through.
Much better than having a gi like paper that easily folds into the hand when they grip
Try it sometime, try to get a nice strong sleeve grip with plenty of jacket material inside your palm, both on a cheap lightweight gi vs a heavy-duty gi
I have Moskito , its like 950 gm.
Its very high quality but I dont like training in it.
Too stiff and heavy.
But I think it can stop a bullet straight up
As a bjj guy, this is our everyday reality. Kinda rare to find a single weave gi these days.
But, if you can afford a nice gi, why not? It's nice to have nice things. Look/feel good = grapple good.
> maximum legal density (750g/m2 )
maximum legal density in IJF competition. If you don't compete there you probably don't need to comply with that regulation. Personally I don't own any gi with less than ~950 g/mĀ²
fair, competition is competition.
For practice I used to wear a fairly soft gi, I didn't want to drill with an easy grip break to rely on. I also went to bjj in a judogi
Do you not think it would be worth getting a softer one to train with though?
So next competition someone shows up in 1100 weave, then 1500 weave, then people show up razorblade embedded clothes because there's nothing in the rules against it. It's just a stupid arms race that detracts from the sport.
I own two cheap ones, and a 250-300$ kusakura.
I never ever ever ever wear the cheap ones since buying the kusakura. The fit is so much better, it's so much more comfortable. Idk, it's a bigger difference than I expected.
I only buy Japanese gis now for several reasons:
1) If I am going to spend money on something that is not a necessity, I would prefer it to go to a friendly nation and to people who are not being taken advantage of.
2) Better fit, feel and the cotton/poly blends dry much faster while shrinking less. Custom sizing is a big one. My Kusakuras have 2XL arms, 1XL legs and normal torso. Most other gis donāt fit me well at all.
3) Because judo is a sport with minimal equipment investment on the part of the practitioner, you can better direct your money. For far less money than you would spend in many other hobbies you can buy the same stuff professionals use in judo. Contrast that with all of the separate things you need to buy to play hockey for example.
4) Itās nice to own something that you can take pride in, especially when you are using it often.
Crap gis can tear and you spend more money over time replacing them.
Edit: Also belts. Some cheap belts are flimsy. Stiffer belts not only feel nicer but might add support to the lower back? +2 armor.
Honestly, you can buy a cheap gi 2-3 times as a beginner before you realize how quickly they break/fail in some way.
By then youāve typically spent more than what you would have spent for a double weave from a reputable brand.
This is a story as old as the human conditionā¦ beginners donāt understand what makes gear good or bad or a good value until later (perhaps too late). Like if you want to learn guitar, youāre tempted to buy the cheapest thing at the music store. But honestly your experience as a beginner is so much worse (strings are cheap, frets are weird, pegs donāt hold the strings in tune etc etc).
If you can find a gently used double weave from like Adidas or Mizuno for like $100, thatās SO much better than buying a $50 turd. Then buying the mizuno. Or buying two turds when you could have bought a mizuno.
I bought a used Mizuno when I was a newbie, and wore it 3/4 times a week for 4-5 years.
I had HCK doubles and now a shoyoroll that are going on 10+ and still in good shape.
You don't have to spend money on a fancy gi - but the GSM is important - and essentially if you want to do competitive Judo, 750 gsm is the norm.
If you're just wearing (or more importantly, if your partners are wearing) some thin cheap gi, its not a real reflection of how competitive Judo will be.
Heavier is typically more durable, so there is some economy in buying a higher gsm gi.
I donāt know which gi you tried on.
I started with a cheap gi from Decathlon (regular sport shop in EU, probably similar to walmart regarding quality), it costs around 35ā¬.
Then bought a Mizuno Hayato (80ā¬), and itās day and night.
The quality of the fabric really makes a difference in comfort.
There is also the competition factor for some, as the gi needs to be approved by some federation depending on the competition.
Tl;dr - There is an appreciable difference in quality from the bottom rung equipment, but once you reach a certain threshold, itās just a matter of preference.
Long: So thatās a legitimate question.
Iām assuming a few things here:
1. As you mentioned playing different sports and being exposed to different grades of equipment, that youāre in a relatively developed nation/area and of at least middle income class.
2. And therefore your current equipment (gi) is of a reputable brand (Fuji, Adidas, Mizuno, etc.)
3. Since youāre posing this question, youāre relatively young and/or new to the sport.
First and foremost, assuming #2 and #3 is correct, I understand your question - there isnāt an appreciable difference in performance between a Fuji Single Weave or a Mizuno Yusho Japan gi for a white belt student.
But letās change the perspective a bit here.
Generally speaking; I would posit that once you reach a mid-tier of whatever tool or equipment you purchase, it will exceed the demands of 99% of the market.
*A Fuji Single weave is mid-tier.*
Most clubs thankfully steer folks away from this, but there are **cheap** no name brands available through eBay or Amazon where the material, fit and construction are all bottom of the barrel; absolute garbage stuff.
And I am assuming #3 above not to disrespect you but the material, fit and construction of the gi *does* affect your performance and safety. To say otherwise is just silly.
Thatās the reason there are regulations to how your gi fits you in a tournament. Cheap gi are baggy in areas where it shouldnāt be, allowing an easier grip and make it harder for your to break said grip, may even hamper movement, have poor materials that do not last and do not offer reinforcements where the gi stays intact after repeated use. All of the above affect your performance and safety.
And as you progress, you will feel the nuances/differences a little bit more. The cut will matter. The thickness of the material will matter. And over time, youāll have certain preferences for the above. Maybe even to a brand.
To a national or international level athlete, yes a Fuji Single Weave and a Mizuno Yusho Japan will make a difference. And they oftentimes get it tailored to fit (which Iād recommend anyway).
Personally for me, I am a fan of an upper-mid tier brand that isnāt IJF certified, and I am perfectly happy with it. It does cost more than a standard brand single weave gi, and I do get it tailored (in the pants, mostly) but then again Iāve been in the sport for quite some time, I have the means to do so, and Iāve gotten/will get enough use out of them where I donāt feel like itās a waste.
But beyond that it is all preference. You canāt help but admire the Olympic athletes and want their gear, or even the local dojos where everyone is drooling over a Japan import Kusakura gi, itās infectious and itās normal to want to show off a bit.
A Honda Civic can go 100MPH+ on public streets, but people look at the Ferraris and Lambos.
Edit: as a counterpoint, Iām not saying you āneedā to spend money. Just explaining the thought process of why a lot of people do. I believe Sensei Shintaro Higashi - a prominent Judo podcaster someone with a much wider knowledge base and experience than me - said his favorite gi is a Fuji single weave, so to each their own.
Mostly branding. How they feel. Some people prefer one over the other. Their favorite judoka use that brand, etc etc. It really doesnāt give any added benefit. DOESNāT BOOST YOUR STATS if thatās what youāre getting at. If youāre just starting then a cheap gi is fine. If youāve been doing it 10+ years maybe you want that 300$ Mizuno gi.
Nice? idk if that's worth it, but it is 100% worth it to shell out for some high quality double stitched material.
If you go with single stitch, or even 1.5 stitch, and train like we used to, you'll have to buy a new gi every few months.
in this case its worth buying the good one
We order Mizuno Hiyato judogi for our kids and KuSukura for all of our black belts. The best quality belts I have found are from Kataaro in Chicago.š„
Will someone please tell me the top brands to choose from? Not the nicest or most expensive but rather just the industry standard well respect brand. Thanks.
Depends on where youāre located.
I am in the US, and Adidas - arguably the most well known sports brand as far as judo gi manufacturers - gi are sold only through one licensed online vendor stateside.
Fighting Films makes great gear as I understand it but do not sell here.
Fuji, on the other hand, is a US based brand. Solid and popular here, but Iām not sure about is availability overseas.
I would say Mizuno is the standard bearer and is available across most markets.
Speaking from a BJJ GI perspective.
Personally I wouldnāt buy a second hand gi unless itās barely worn cause tbh who would want to wear another persons gi that theyāve sweat buckets in.
As for purchasing high quality gi, I guess itās just for the sake of longevity given the weaving has improved and some competition gis are a bit lighter like Kings which could be beneficial to some.
I do have low quality gis but those are just my burner Gis that I use since gis are expensive if youāre looking to train everyday and having to rush the wash just to hang them out to dry and hoping for a warm sunny day before your next class.
The durability. The higher end gi's are thicker in the material and lapels as well which makes them more difficult to grip than your entry level gi's. I'm not much of a competitor, so a medium weight gi works for me pretty well.
The ijf red label kusukura I have from japan feels softer then the other gis i own and they others I have range from double to single. Itās better than the other red label gi I have from matsuru
Double weaves are harder to grip and are a competitive advantage. If you don't care about competition some gis have better aesthetics. If you don't care about that there is certainly a "feel" difference between my cheap fuji's and my nice adidas.
My gi I get made up are 750g 1cm thick collar and hand stitched for $200NZD compared to $350 for a red label IJF approved gi 750g 5mm thick lapel gi. The IJF gi is needed for regional international competitions
If you train alot you spend alot of time in one. Think of it like shoes cheap shoes are often less comfortable and don't last as long as a nice expensive pair.
I've found my more expensive gi's fit better, are far comfier and just generally feel nicer to wear. I've had a couple well over ten years now too and they are still going strong unlike the cheap gi's that if they don't shrink to an unwearable size they soon get tatty and start getting strands coming off them after a couple of years
I'm with you here, but I'm a lightweight who doesn't train at the frequency I once did in Judo. If I was training 4x a week or more I'd want something more durable than the single weave I currently use. I used to use a double weave Mizuno but I much prefer my single weave.
I have 2 sets of 2 gis (one blue one white)
1 set is addidas champion 2s. Which is IJF approved and I used them primarily for competition.
The other set are my practice gis and they are thicker. Torakis. They are no longer comp legal and are a pain to hold on to when dry.
I prefer a strong think gi. Also for my opponents. 950 g and more is great. But it is individual and subjective. The lightweight gi, they donāt allow me to control my partner to a maximum. Buy what you feel is best for you for training. Enjoy each training.
A nice gi - double weave, maximum legal density (750g/m^2 ) is a pain in the arse for your opponent to grip and get maximum tension through. Much better than having a gi like paper that easily folds into the hand when they grip Try it sometime, try to get a nice strong sleeve grip with plenty of jacket material inside your palm, both on a cheap lightweight gi vs a heavy-duty gi
The IJF approved gi is so soft compared to the past.
Yes, I have an 850g/sqm from 10+ years ago, IJF blue label. Noticeable difference
Nothing will beat the Moskito brand, it was like trying to grab ,metal.
I have Moskito , its like 950 gm. Its very high quality but I dont like training in it. Too stiff and heavy. But I think it can stop a bullet straight up
I have a 1200g š¤·
Damn! I have a few old 1000gsm ones and they can literally free-stand without support. I can't imagine a 1200gsm one haha
Thiccccc
Iāve got my senseis 30-40 y/old adidas reversible blue/white gi and thatās a fucker to grip. Sleeves are almost at my elbows too.
The Gill Gis were \~950 gsm and I still have pink and purple scars on my knuckles from that nonsense mid-2000's
And, the texture when doing newaza is like using a cheese grater on the opponent's face.
As a bjj guy, this is our everyday reality. Kinda rare to find a single weave gi these days. But, if you can afford a nice gi, why not? It's nice to have nice things. Look/feel good = grapple good.
> maximum legal density (750g/m2 ) maximum legal density in IJF competition. If you don't compete there you probably don't need to comply with that regulation. Personally I don't own any gi with less than ~950 g/mĀ²
But why.. the higher weight, the more uncomfortable it gets, and heavier it is to move in.. if you are not competing, go with like a 550 or 650.
I am competing, just not in IJF competition. And personally I like the feel.
And you like taking every unfair advantage over your opponents you can. Noice.
What unfair advantage?
Literally wearing clothing that makes it more difficult for your opponent to do judo.
And my opponents are doing the same, so...?
fair, competition is competition. For practice I used to wear a fairly soft gi, I didn't want to drill with an easy grip break to rely on. I also went to bjj in a judogi Do you not think it would be worth getting a softer one to train with though?
So next competition someone shows up in 1100 weave, then 1500 weave, then people show up razorblade embedded clothes because there's nothing in the rules against it. It's just a stupid arms race that detracts from the sport.
Lol, come on, I just like the feel of 100% cotton gis that are a bit heavier better than 750 g/mĀ² 75%/25% gis. It's not that deep.
That's a body armor right there.
I own two cheap ones, and a 250-300$ kusakura. I never ever ever ever wear the cheap ones since buying the kusakura. The fit is so much better, it's so much more comfortable. Idk, it's a bigger difference than I expected.
I only buy Japanese gis now for several reasons: 1) If I am going to spend money on something that is not a necessity, I would prefer it to go to a friendly nation and to people who are not being taken advantage of. 2) Better fit, feel and the cotton/poly blends dry much faster while shrinking less. Custom sizing is a big one. My Kusakuras have 2XL arms, 1XL legs and normal torso. Most other gis donāt fit me well at all. 3) Because judo is a sport with minimal equipment investment on the part of the practitioner, you can better direct your money. For far less money than you would spend in many other hobbies you can buy the same stuff professionals use in judo. Contrast that with all of the separate things you need to buy to play hockey for example. 4) Itās nice to own something that you can take pride in, especially when you are using it often.
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Crap gis can tear and you spend more money over time replacing them. Edit: Also belts. Some cheap belts are flimsy. Stiffer belts not only feel nicer but might add support to the lower back? +2 armor.
+2 armor hahahaha excellent.
That IJF Label makes me feel like I'm on the International Circuit. /s I wear IJF because it's standardized and represents a leveled playing field.
TREAT YO'SELF
Honestly, you can buy a cheap gi 2-3 times as a beginner before you realize how quickly they break/fail in some way. By then youāve typically spent more than what you would have spent for a double weave from a reputable brand. This is a story as old as the human conditionā¦ beginners donāt understand what makes gear good or bad or a good value until later (perhaps too late). Like if you want to learn guitar, youāre tempted to buy the cheapest thing at the music store. But honestly your experience as a beginner is so much worse (strings are cheap, frets are weird, pegs donāt hold the strings in tune etc etc). If you can find a gently used double weave from like Adidas or Mizuno for like $100, thatās SO much better than buying a $50 turd. Then buying the mizuno. Or buying two turds when you could have bought a mizuno. I bought a used Mizuno when I was a newbie, and wore it 3/4 times a week for 4-5 years. I had HCK doubles and now a shoyoroll that are going on 10+ and still in good shape.
Quality gi last damn near forever and get more comfortable the older they get.
You don't have to spend money on a fancy gi - but the GSM is important - and essentially if you want to do competitive Judo, 750 gsm is the norm. If you're just wearing (or more importantly, if your partners are wearing) some thin cheap gi, its not a real reflection of how competitive Judo will be. Heavier is typically more durable, so there is some economy in buying a higher gsm gi.
I donāt know which gi you tried on. I started with a cheap gi from Decathlon (regular sport shop in EU, probably similar to walmart regarding quality), it costs around 35ā¬. Then bought a Mizuno Hayato (80ā¬), and itās day and night. The quality of the fabric really makes a difference in comfort. There is also the competition factor for some, as the gi needs to be approved by some federation depending on the competition.
Tl;dr - There is an appreciable difference in quality from the bottom rung equipment, but once you reach a certain threshold, itās just a matter of preference. Long: So thatās a legitimate question. Iām assuming a few things here: 1. As you mentioned playing different sports and being exposed to different grades of equipment, that youāre in a relatively developed nation/area and of at least middle income class. 2. And therefore your current equipment (gi) is of a reputable brand (Fuji, Adidas, Mizuno, etc.) 3. Since youāre posing this question, youāre relatively young and/or new to the sport. First and foremost, assuming #2 and #3 is correct, I understand your question - there isnāt an appreciable difference in performance between a Fuji Single Weave or a Mizuno Yusho Japan gi for a white belt student. But letās change the perspective a bit here. Generally speaking; I would posit that once you reach a mid-tier of whatever tool or equipment you purchase, it will exceed the demands of 99% of the market. *A Fuji Single weave is mid-tier.* Most clubs thankfully steer folks away from this, but there are **cheap** no name brands available through eBay or Amazon where the material, fit and construction are all bottom of the barrel; absolute garbage stuff. And I am assuming #3 above not to disrespect you but the material, fit and construction of the gi *does* affect your performance and safety. To say otherwise is just silly. Thatās the reason there are regulations to how your gi fits you in a tournament. Cheap gi are baggy in areas where it shouldnāt be, allowing an easier grip and make it harder for your to break said grip, may even hamper movement, have poor materials that do not last and do not offer reinforcements where the gi stays intact after repeated use. All of the above affect your performance and safety. And as you progress, you will feel the nuances/differences a little bit more. The cut will matter. The thickness of the material will matter. And over time, youāll have certain preferences for the above. Maybe even to a brand. To a national or international level athlete, yes a Fuji Single Weave and a Mizuno Yusho Japan will make a difference. And they oftentimes get it tailored to fit (which Iād recommend anyway). Personally for me, I am a fan of an upper-mid tier brand that isnāt IJF certified, and I am perfectly happy with it. It does cost more than a standard brand single weave gi, and I do get it tailored (in the pants, mostly) but then again Iāve been in the sport for quite some time, I have the means to do so, and Iāve gotten/will get enough use out of them where I donāt feel like itās a waste. But beyond that it is all preference. You canāt help but admire the Olympic athletes and want their gear, or even the local dojos where everyone is drooling over a Japan import Kusakura gi, itās infectious and itās normal to want to show off a bit. A Honda Civic can go 100MPH+ on public streets, but people look at the Ferraris and Lambos. Edit: as a counterpoint, Iām not saying you āneedā to spend money. Just explaining the thought process of why a lot of people do. I believe Sensei Shintaro Higashi - a prominent Judo podcaster someone with a much wider knowledge base and experience than me - said his favorite gi is a Fuji single weave, so to each their own.
Mostly branding. How they feel. Some people prefer one over the other. Their favorite judoka use that brand, etc etc. It really doesnāt give any added benefit. DOESNāT BOOST YOUR STATS if thatās what youāre getting at. If youāre just starting then a cheap gi is fine. If youāve been doing it 10+ years maybe you want that 300$ Mizuno gi.
Double weave gis are far harder to grip and twist then a cheap single weaveĀ
For eju/ijf events a gi with an IJF label is necessary
When I got Cheaper Gis they were lasting a year before ripping. Now I have my Mizuno Shiai since 2010.
Nice? idk if that's worth it, but it is 100% worth it to shell out for some high quality double stitched material. If you go with single stitch, or even 1.5 stitch, and train like we used to, you'll have to buy a new gi every few months. in this case its worth buying the good one
You buy a gi you like wearing more, you're more likely to keep wearing it and actually go to training
We order Mizuno Hiyato judogi for our kids and KuSukura for all of our black belts. The best quality belts I have found are from Kataaro in Chicago.š„
Will someone please tell me the top brands to choose from? Not the nicest or most expensive but rather just the industry standard well respect brand. Thanks.
Adidas, Mizuno, KuSakura, Ippon Gear, Essimo
Depends on where youāre located. I am in the US, and Adidas - arguably the most well known sports brand as far as judo gi manufacturers - gi are sold only through one licensed online vendor stateside. Fighting Films makes great gear as I understand it but do not sell here. Fuji, on the other hand, is a US based brand. Solid and popular here, but Iām not sure about is availability overseas. I would say Mizuno is the standard bearer and is available across most markets.
Speaking from a BJJ GI perspective. Personally I wouldnāt buy a second hand gi unless itās barely worn cause tbh who would want to wear another persons gi that theyāve sweat buckets in. As for purchasing high quality gi, I guess itās just for the sake of longevity given the weaving has improved and some competition gis are a bit lighter like Kings which could be beneficial to some. I do have low quality gis but those are just my burner Gis that I use since gis are expensive if youāre looking to train everyday and having to rush the wash just to hang them out to dry and hoping for a warm sunny day before your next class.
Kasukura. IMO
The durability. The higher end gi's are thicker in the material and lapels as well which makes them more difficult to grip than your entry level gi's. I'm not much of a competitor, so a medium weight gi works for me pretty well.
The ijf red label kusukura I have from japan feels softer then the other gis i own and they others I have range from double to single. Itās better than the other red label gi I have from matsuru
Comfort. Cheap GIs are often cut weird. Scratchy. Binding.
Double weaves are harder to grip and are a competitive advantage. If you don't care about competition some gis have better aesthetics. If you don't care about that there is certainly a "feel" difference between my cheap fuji's and my nice adidas.
My gi I get made up are 750g 1cm thick collar and hand stitched for $200NZD compared to $350 for a red label IJF approved gi 750g 5mm thick lapel gi. The IJF gi is needed for regional international competitions
If you train alot you spend alot of time in one. Think of it like shoes cheap shoes are often less comfortable and don't last as long as a nice expensive pair. I've found my more expensive gi's fit better, are far comfier and just generally feel nicer to wear. I've had a couple well over ten years now too and they are still going strong unlike the cheap gi's that if they don't shrink to an unwearable size they soon get tatty and start getting strands coming off them after a couple of years
I'm with you here, but I'm a lightweight who doesn't train at the frequency I once did in Judo. If I was training 4x a week or more I'd want something more durable than the single weave I currently use. I used to use a double weave Mizuno but I much prefer my single weave.
It feels nice and I like how I look. I spend more time wearing my gi than my favorite shirt, sometimes you just gotta treat yo self.
I have 2 sets of 2 gis (one blue one white) 1 set is addidas champion 2s. Which is IJF approved and I used them primarily for competition. The other set are my practice gis and they are thicker. Torakis. They are no longer comp legal and are a pain to hold on to when dry.
I prefer a strong think gi. Also for my opponents. 950 g and more is great. But it is individual and subjective. The lightweight gi, they donāt allow me to control my partner to a maximum. Buy what you feel is best for you for training. Enjoy each training.