Budget BJJ Gi Guide: Best Value at Every Price Point

The UK BJJ gi market has grown considerably, with options ranging from under £30 on Amazon to over £200 for premium competition gis. Several factors determine where a gi sits on the price spectrum.

Materials and weave type are the biggest cost drivers. A basic single weave gi uses less cotton and simpler construction, keeping costs low. Pearl weave — the most popular option — strikes a balance between weight, durability, and price. Premium gis use higher GSM fabrics (450-550 GSM) with tighter weaves that last longer and feel better on the mat. For a deeper look at how fabric affects quality, see our weave types guide.

Construction quality separates budget from mid-range. Reinforced stitching at stress points (knees, armpits, collar), triple-stitched seams, and EVA foam or rubber-lined collars all add cost but dramatically extend lifespan. Our durability and quality guide covers what to inspect.

Brand and country of manufacture also play a role. UK-based brands like Tatami, Progress, and Valor can offer competitive pricing because they avoid import duties and international shipping costs. International brands like Hyperfly and Origin carry higher price tags partly due to shipping and potential customs charges.

The sweet spot for most UK practitioners sits between £60 and £100, where you get pearl weave construction, reinforced stitching, and IBJJF-legal designs without paying for premium branding.

Gis under £50 are entry-level options best suited for absolute beginners, casual trainers, or children who will outgrow them quickly. At this price, expect basic construction with thinner fabric (typically 350 GSM or below), less reinforcement at stress points, and simpler collars that opponents can grip more easily.

Top picks under £50:

• Valor Bravura Classic — £49.99 from select UK retailers. Pearl weave jacket with 10oz canvas cotton trousers, reinforced from shin to ankle. Patches placed per IBJJF regulations. Comes with a free white belt. A solid entry point from a respected UK brand.
• Amazon UK budget gis — Starting from £27-£40 for brands like Elite Sports and Sanabul. The Elite Sports Lightweight BJJ Gi features quick-dry technology and pre-shrinking. Quality varies significantly, so check reviews carefully.
• Venum Contender 2.0 — Frequently discounted to around £40-£50 (from an RRP of approximately £70-£90). Features a 350 GSM pearl weave jacket with EVA foam reinforced collar. When on sale, this represents excellent value.

Durability expectations: Budget gis typically last 6-12 months of regular training (2-3 sessions per week), or roughly 100-150 sessions. Single weave fabrics may show wear sooner — collars losing stiffness and knee reinforcement fraying are the first signs.

If you are just starting BJJ and want to try it without a large financial commitment, this tier makes sense. However, if you know you will train regularly, spending a bit more upfront often saves money long-term. For more budget options, see our cheapest BJJ gis guide.

This is the beginner sweet spot — the tier where quality takes a meaningful step up without breaking the bank. You get proper pearl weave construction, reinforced stress points, IBJJF-legal cuts, and gis that can handle 2-4 training sessions per week for 1-2 years.

Top picks £50-£100:

• Tatami Nova Absolute — £65 from UK retailers like Fight Equipment UK. A 350 GSM pearl weave jacket with 10oz cotton trousers in a modern competition cut. IBJJF approved and available in multiple colourways including the new Khaki option. Comes with a free white belt. This is one of the most popular beginner gis in the UK for good reason. Read our full Tatami review.
• Progress Academy Gi — £68 from the official Progress JJ UK store. A 380 GSM pearl weave with 8oz ripstop trousers. IBJJF legal, lightweight, and fast-drying. Comes with a free white belt and a remarkable 90-day returns policy plus 6-month damage guarantee. See our Progress review for details.
• Scramble Standard Issue V3 — £65-£75 from UK retailers. A 450 GSM pearl weave top with 10oz ripstop trousers — heavier and more durable than many competitors at this price. 100% cotton, IBJJF approved, and available in black and white.
• Valor Bravura — £65 from the official Valor Fightwear store. Pearl weave cotton jacket with reinforced stitching at all stress points. A strong option from this respected UK budget brand.
• Kingz The ONE V2 — £80 from the official Kingz UK store. Features a 400 GSM pearl weave jacket, triple reinforced stitching, and a synthetic rubber lapel insert. Excellent construction for the price.

Durability expectations: Mid-range gis typically last 1-2 years of regular training (3-4 sessions per week), or roughly 200-400 sessions. Pearl weave fabrics at 380-450 GSM hold up well when properly cared for. For care tips that extend lifespan, see our washing guide.

Moving into the £100-£150 range brings a noticeable quality improvement. Fabrics are heavier and more refined, collars are stiffer and harder to grip, cuts are more tailored, and finishing details like embroidery and reinforcement are markedly better.

Top picks £100-£150:

• Tatami Estilo Black Label — £110-£130 from Tatami direct and UK retailers. The flagship Estilo line features a premium 550 GSM pearl weave jacket and 12oz canvas trousers with Y-Vent technology. Over a decade of development has produced one of the finest gis in this range.
• Progress M6 Mark 6 — £120 from UK stockists. A 450 GSM weave with multiple reinforced stress points, competition cut with slimmer trousers and sleeves, and high-density embroidery. Comes with a ripstop gi bag. IBJJF legal.
• Scramble Athlete 4 — £100-£120 from scramblestuff.com and UK retailers. A step up from the Standard Issue with premium construction and a more tailored competition fit. Read our Scramble review.
• Kingz The ONE V2 Limited Edition — £90 from kingz.co.uk. Limited colourways with the same excellent construction as the standard version, at just a small premium.

Durability expectations: Gis in this range typically last 2-3 years of regular training, or 400-600+ sessions. The higher GSM fabrics and superior reinforcement mean these gis maintain their shape and structure much longer than budget options.

Premium gis represent the top end of construction, materials, and design. You are paying for the finest fabrics, competition-grade cuts, limited edition designs, and brand prestige. Diminishing returns set in compared to the £100-£150 tier — the quality jump is smaller for a larger price increase.

Top picks £150+:

• Hyperfly Starlyte III — From approximately £95-£110 on hyperfly.uk (sale price). Hyperfly's UK store ships domestically with DPD Express for £4.99. Ultra-lightweight competition gi favoured by elite competitors.
• Hyperfly ProComp 4 — Approximately £150-£160 from hyperfly.uk. The flagship competition gi with premium construction throughout. See our full Hyperfly review.
• Origin Axiom — From $185+ (approximately £145-£165) from originmaine.com. Made in the USA from American-grown cotton. Note: ordering from Origin to the UK incurs international shipping plus potential customs charges (12% duty + 20% VAT). See our Origin review.
• Tatami Estilo Gold Label — £140-£160 from tatamifightwear.com. The pinnacle of Tatami's range with the finest materials and construction.

Durability expectations: Premium gis can last 3-5+ years with proper care, or 600-1000+ sessions. Golden weave and heavy pearl weave fabrics at 500+ GSM are exceptionally hard-wearing.

The true cost of a gi is not the sticker price — it is the cost per training session over its lifetime. Here is how the tiers compare:

The mid-range tier (£50-£100) consistently delivers the lowest cost per session for most practitioners. A Progress Academy Gi at £68 lasting 300 sessions costs roughly £0.23 per session. A budget Amazon gi at £35 lasting 100 sessions costs £0.35 per session — 50% more expensive per use.

The false economy of cheap gis: Buying a £35 gi every 6 months costs £70 per year. Buying a £68 gi that lasts 18 months costs £45 per year. The "expensive" gi is actually cheaper.

When premium is unnecessary: If you train once or twice a week, a £160 gi will last so long that you may want to replace it for style or fit reasons before it wears out. The durability premium is wasted on low-frequency trainers.

Your ideal gi budget depends heavily on how often you train. Here is a practical breakdown:

There are clear signals that it is time to move up a price tier:

• You have trained consistently for 3+ months — BJJ is no longer an experiment; it is part of your routine. Investing in quality gear makes sense.
• Your current gi is showing wear — Fraying collars, thinning knee patches, and persistent odour despite proper washing are signs your budget gi has done its job.
• You are preparing for competition — A competition-grade gi with a precise fit and stiff collar can make a genuine difference. The collar alone affects grip fighting significantly.
• Fit matters more — As you progress, you will notice how gi fit affects your game. Premium gis offer more size options (including half sizes like A2S and A2L) and more tailored cuts.
• You have specific body proportions — Tall athletes, short and stocky practitioners, and plus-size athletes often need to spend more to find a proper fit, as budget gis typically only come in standard proportions.

The sticker price of a gi is just the start. Here is what your first year of gi ownership really costs:

Care products (annual):

• Sports detergent or antibacterial wash: £8-£15 per bottle, lasting roughly 2-3 months. Annual cost: £30-£60.
• White vinegar (for odour removal): £1-£2 per litre. Annual cost: £5-£10.
• Stain remover: £3-£5 per bottle. Annual cost: £5-£10.

Replacement frequency by tier:

• Under £50: Replace every 6-12 months at heavy use (£80-£100/year)
• £50-£100: Replace every 12-24 months (£35-£100/year)
• £100-£150: Replace every 24-36 months (£40-£75/year)
• £150+: Replace every 36-60 months (£30-£55/year)

Alteration costs: If you need trouser hems taken up or sleeves shortened, expect to pay £10-£25 at a local tailor. Some BJJ-specific tailoring services charge slightly more.

Year-one total estimates:

For women's budget considerations, see our women's gi guide. For children's gis where outgrowing is the primary concern, see our kids' gi guide.