Best BJJ Gi for Competition: Top 5 Picks for 2026

A competition gi is not just any gi — it's a specialised piece of equipment designed to meet strict regulatory requirements whilst giving you every possible advantage. Unlike training gis, which prioritise comfort and durability above all else, competition gis balance three critical factors: regulatory compliance, minimal weight, and performance under pressure.

The consequences of getting this wrong are severe. Turn up to an IBJJF event with a gi that doesn't meet inspection standards, and you'll be disqualified before you step on the mat. Wear a gi that's too heavy, and you've unnecessarily reduced your allowable body weight for your division. Choose a gi that fits poorly, and you'll spend your matches distracted by fabric bunching or sleeves that pull short when you grip.

Professional competitors understand this. At the IBJJF World Championships and European Open, you'll see the same brands appearing repeatedly: Shoyoroll, Hyperfly, Kingz, Tatami, and Progress. These manufacturers have built their reputations on producing gis that pass inspection every time, weigh as little as regulations allow, and hold up under the stress of multiple matches in a single day.

The investment in a proper competition gi pays for itself the first time you step on the scales knowing you've maximised your weight allowance, or when your gi sails through inspection whilst others are sent back to make adjustments.

In late 2024, the IBJJF introduced stricter gi regulations that every competitor must understand before purchasing a competition gi. The most significant change reduced the tolerance for sleeve and pants length from 5cm to 2cm — a change that has caught many competitors off guard.

Sleeve requirements: When your arm is extended forward, the distance from the edge of the sleeve to your wrist must not exceed 2cm. The sleeve opening at full extension must be 7cm. This tighter tolerance means gis that barely passed inspection under the old rules may now fail.

Pants requirements: Pants must reach no more than 2cm above your ankle bone (tibial malleolus) when standing. Again, this stricter measurement has made many older 'competition cut' gis obsolete.

Collar specifications: The collar must be 1.3cm thick and 5cm wide. EVA foam or similar materials are permitted inside the collar if they meet IBJJF rigidity standards.

Colour rules: Only white, royal blue, and black are permitted for IBJJF competition. Navy blue, grey, and other colours will result in immediate disqualification.

These requirements matter because IBJJF inspection is strict and unforgiving. There is no official second chance on the scale or at inspection — if your gi fails, you're disqualified from that division. Read our complete IBJJF requirements guide for patch placement rules, weave restrictions, and other critical details.

Walk through the bullpen at any major IBJJF event and you'll notice certain brands appearing far more frequently than others. This isn't random — it reflects years of reputation-building, athlete sponsorships, and proven performance under competition conditions.

Shoyoroll has earned its status as the luxury brand of Brazilian jiu jitsu. The company sponsors high-profile competitors including Marcus Buchecha Almeida and Leandro Lo, and their Competitor Gi is considered one of the finest on the market. The quality comes with a premium price tag, but professional competitors trust Shoyoroll for the most important matches.

Hyperfly focuses specifically on lightweight gis and sponsors some of the sport's biggest names, including the Mendes brothers (Rafael and Gui). Their Starlyte Pro has become synonymous with ultra-lightweight competition gis, though be aware that some Hyperfly models fall below IBJJF minimum weight requirements.

Kingz was the official sponsor for the 2024 European Jiu-Jitsu Championships, a testament to their competition credibility. The Kingz Comp 450 V6 delivers competition-ready performance at prices ranging from £130 to £180, making it accessible to competitors who can't justify Shoyoroll prices.

Tatami Fightwear, based in the UK, revolutionised gi aesthetics without sacrificing function. They bring European design sensibility to BJJ gear and sponsor many top-level athletes and events. UK competitors particularly favour Tatami for reliable next-day delivery and excellent customer service.

Progress Jiu Jitsu, another UK brand, has seen their M6 series worn by IBJJF World Champions. The M6 Mark 6 was worn in a gold medal match at the IBJJF World Championships, proving its elite-level credibility.

What these brands share is consistent sizing (critical for competition planning), quality control that ensures IBJJF compliance, and construction techniques that minimise weight without sacrificing durability. Compare all major gi brands to understand the differences.

Pearl weave dominates competition and for good reason. A 450 GSM pearl weave jacket strikes the ideal balance: lightweight enough to keep total gi weight between 1.5-2.2kg, durable enough to survive multiple matches in a single day, and breathable enough to prevent overheating during warm-ups. Pearl weave is currently the most used fabric for BJJ gis due to its combination of strength, durability, and relatively light weight.

Single weave offers the lightest option, typically around 350 GSM. This can be useful if you're cutting weight and need every gram to count. However, single weave gis are noticeably less durable — they may not survive a full day of competition if you're fighting through multiple rounds to the podium. The fabric also tends to be less breathable and can feel clingy when wet with sweat.

Gold weave (550 GSM) is too heavy for most competitors. Whilst it's extremely durable and prestigious for training, adding 300-500g of unnecessary fabric weight makes no sense when you're trying to maximise your body weight for your division. The only exception might be heavyweight competitors who have significant margin under their weight limit.

Ripstop pants have become the standard for competition. They're significantly lighter than traditional cotton twill pants whilst maintaining excellent durability. The reinforced grid pattern in ripstop fabric prevents tears from spreading, which is critical when your opponent is working knee-slice passes all day.

The weight consideration is simple mathematics: a lighter gi means you can weigh more yourself at weigh-in. Since you weigh in with your gi on, choosing a gi that weighs 1.5kg instead of 2.0kg effectively gives you 500g more allowable body weight — muscle mass you can carry into your matches. See our complete weave comparison for detailed technical specifications.

A competition gi should fit within IBJJF tolerances with room to spare. This is not the time to buy a gi that barely passes measurements — one hot wash or one vigorous roll could push it out of spec, and you won't discover this until you're standing at inspection.

Account for stretching during matches. Fabric stretches when wet and under stress. Your sleeves might measure perfectly when you're standing still at inspection, but after your opponent has been gripping and pulling for five minutes, that fabric has stretched. If you started at exactly 2cm from the wrist, you might now be at 3cm or more.

Sleeves and pants should be slightly long rather than borderline short. You can always cuff your sleeves slightly if they're a bit long (though this gives your opponent more grip, it's better than disqualification). You cannot, however, add fabric if your sleeves are too short.

The fit should be snug but not restrictive. You need full range of motion for technical movements. A competition gi cut too slim might look sharp, but if it restricts your ability to shoot for takedowns or shrimp out of bad positions, you've sabotaged yourself.

Consider the gi when wet. Sweat makes fabric cling to your body and can make the gi feel shorter as it adheres to your skin rather than hanging freely. Some competitors deliberately shower in their gi before competition to simulate this effect and verify their measurements hold up.

The safest approach is to measure your gi multiple times during the break-in period, checking measurements after each wash and after intense training sessions. Use our sizing guide to find the right starting size for your body type.

Never debut a brand-new gi at competition. This is one of the most common mistakes inexperienced competitors make, and it can end your day before your first match.

Wash the competition gi 3-5 times before competing. This ensures the gi has reached its final dimensions through any residual shrinkage. Even 'pre-shrunk' gis can shrink an additional 1-2cm after the first few washes, and that's exactly enough to push you from passing inspection to failing it.

Measure after every wash. Use a tape measure and record the sleeve length, pants length, and collar dimensions after each wash cycle. You're looking for stability — once measurements stop changing, you know the gi has fully settled.

Break in the collar. New collars can be extremely stiff and uncomfortable, even painful against your neck during matches. Fold the collar repeatedly, roll it, even sit on it if necessary. A broken-in collar flexes with your movement rather than digging into your neck.

Train in the competition gi at least 5-10 times before the event. You need to know how this gi feels under stress. Does it bunch when you invert? Do the pants ride up during guard work? Does the jacket gap when you're in defensive positions? These are questions to answer in training, not during competition.

Mark the gi if required. Some competitors use small stitches or marks in inconspicuous locations to identify their gi in the bullpen (many white gis look identical when piled together). Just ensure any marks comply with IBJJF patch regulations.

Treat your competition gi as a specialised tool, not just another piece of training equipment. Download our complete competition preparation checklist to ensure you've covered every detail.

After extensive research into competitor preferences, brand reputations, and performance at major IBJJF events, these are the five gis that represent the best options for UK competitors in 2026. Each has been selected for IBJJF compliance, proven durability, and availability in the UK market.

Why gi weight matters comes down to simple mathematics: every gram your gi weighs is a gram you cannot weigh yourself. For IBJJF gi competitions, athletes weigh in wearing their full gi outfit — jacket, pants, and belt — and the total weight must fall at or below the division limit.

Approximate gi weights: A pearl weave jacket (450 GSM) with ripstop pants typically weighs between 1.5-2.2kg depending on size and manufacturer. An ultra-lightweight competition gi can weigh as little as 1.4kg in smaller sizes. Since you weigh in with your gi on and the gi adds approximately 1.5-2.0kg to your body weight, choosing a lighter gi effectively allows you to carry more muscle mass into your division.

Weight class strategy varies significantly by division. Lighter weight classes (rooster, light feather, feather) benefit enormously from ultra-light gis. When your total allowable weight might be only 70-76kg with gi, every 200-300g you can save on gi weight is meaningful — it represents potential muscle mass and strength you can carry into your matches.

Heavier weight classes (medium heavy, heavy, super heavy, ultra heavy) have more margin. If you're competing at 94kg or 100.5kg with gi, the difference between a 1.6kg gi and a 1.9kg gi is negligible. These competitors often prioritise durability and fit over absolute minimum weight.

Know the weigh-in rules for your specific event. IBJJF and most UK competitions weigh you with your gi on for gi divisions, but some smaller local events may weigh without the gi. Confirm this before you plan your weight cut. There is no official second try on the IBJJF scale — if you are over the limit, you are immediately disqualified from that division.

The cost of ultra-light gis: Manufacturers achieve extremely low weights by using thinner fabrics, minimal reinforcement, and lightweight collar construction. These gis are often more expensive (£120-180) and less durable than standard competition gis. If you're fighting multiple matches to reach the podium, an ultra-light gi might not survive the day.

The optimal approach for most competitors is a quality 450 GSM pearl weave gi with ripstop pants, which balances weight savings with durability and typically costs £80-140. Read our analysis of whether premium ultra-lightweight gis are worth the investment for your situation.