BJJ Gi for Short & Stocky Athletes: The Complete Fitting Guide

Standard BJJ gi sizing assumes that height and weight increase proportionally. This model works well for athletes with average body proportions, but it fails spectacularly for short and stocky builds.

The problem manifests in two ways:

• Size for width, get excess length: You buy an A3 to fit your chest and shoulders, but the sleeves hang past your hands and the pants bunch around your ankles.
• Size for length, get insufficient width: You buy an A2 for the correct sleeve length, but the jacket barely closes across your chest and feels restrictive in the shoulders.

This creates significant training problems: bunched fabric in the armpits, restricted shoulder mobility, excess sleeve material that violates competition regulations, and pants that drag on the mat. For this guide, "short and stocky" typically means under 5'8" but heavier or broader than average for your height — though the solutions apply to any grappler with a wide torso relative to their arm and leg length.

The good news? Multiple brands now offer husky sizing, and there are proven strategies to get a gi that fits your build, not the other way around.

A proportional fit for stocky builds means the gi accommodates your wider chest, shoulders, and possibly waist without creating excess length in the sleeves and pants.

Standard sizing creates these mismatches:

• The width mismatch: Sizing up to an A3 or A4 for adequate chest room creates 5-8cm of excess sleeve length and similarly long pants.
• The length mismatch: Sizing down to an A1 or A2 for proper sleeve length leaves insufficient width across the chest and shoulders, causing the jacket to pull open or restrict movement.

Key Measurements for Stocky Athletes

Before buying any gi, measure yourself accurately. The critical measurements for stocky builds are:

• Chest circumference: Measured at the widest point around your chest
• Shoulder width: From shoulder point to shoulder point across your back
• Arm length: From shoulder to wrist bone with arm extended
• Inseam: From crotch to ankle bone
• Waist circumference: At your natural waistline where you'll wear the gi pants

Compare these measurements to size charts. If your chest and shoulder measurements suggest A3 but your arm length suggests A2, you need a husky size or an alternative sizing strategy.

Husky sizes — designated with an "H" suffix like A2H or A3H — solve the proportional fit problem by offering the same height range as standard sizes but with significantly wider measurements in the chest, shoulders, and waist.

What "H" Designations Mean

An A2H gi has the sleeve and pant length of a standard A2, but the chest, shoulder, and waist width of an A3 or wider. This creates a proportional fit for athletes who are shorter but carry more weight or muscle mass.

Available Husky Sizes

The industry offers three main husky sizes:

• A1H: Less common; for very short, stocky athletes
• A2H: Most widely available; typically fits 5'6"-6'1", 210-250 lbs
• A3H: Second most common; typically fits 5'10"-6'2", 215-255 lbs

Not all brands offer husky sizes, and availability is significantly more limited than standard sizing. This makes finding husky-size gis more challenging, particularly in the UK market.

Measurement Differences: Standard vs Husky

Comparing 93brand Standard Issue sizing:

The husky size offers 50-60 lbs more weight capacity at a similar or slightly shorter height range, achieved through wider torso and thigh construction.

Only a handful of brands offer dedicated husky sizing. Here's the complete list of brands with H-size options available to UK buyers.

Brands Offering Dedicated Husky Sizes

Fuji Sports — The most reliable option for husky sizing. Both the Fuji All Around (£100-120) and Fuji Suparaito (£115-135) come in A2H and A3H, plus standard sizes up to A6. The All Around is their best-selling gi and receives consistent praise from stocky grapplers. Available from UK retailers including My Fight Gear and via Fuji Sports UK.

93brand — Offers A2H and A3H sizing in their Standard Issue 2.0 line (approximately £80-110). The 93brand sizing runs slightly more generous than some competitors, making their husky sizes particularly accommodating. Available from Rollmore UK.

Inverted Gear — Offers one husky size option designed for A2-range athletes with wider builds. Known for excellent customer service and a large size range covering 4'8" to 6'6". Particularly popular among shorter and stockier grapplers in the BJJ community.

Kingz — Offers A2H sizing with specific attention to preventing the gi from opening around the midsection, a common complaint from stocky athletes.

Shoyoroll — Produces limited-edition gis in husky fit alongside tall fit and athletic fit options. Stock availability is inconsistent due to their drop model.

Brands That Run Wide/Boxy Naturally

Some brands don't offer H sizes but cut their gis wider by default, making them suitable for stocky builds in standard sizing:

• Atama: Runs wide in the chest; an A2 or A3 fits stocky builds well without needing H designation
• Keiko Japan: Known for boxy, generous cuts
• War Tribe and Ronin: Both run wider than average
• Gameness: Extends to A7 sizing (up to 325+ lbs)
• Gorilla: Specialises in larger athletes up to 6'6" and 420 lbs

Brands to Avoid if Stocky

Some brands cut slim or athletic, making them unsuitable for stocky builds even when sizing up:

• Tatami: Known to shrink significantly in the chest
• Many competition-cut gis (designed for weight cutting) run slim

Comparison Table

If husky sizes aren't available in your preferred brand or model, a controlled shrink-to-fit approach can work well for stocky builds.

The Shrink-to-Fit Approach

The strategy is simple: buy a gi one size up for adequate width, then shrink the length to fit. This works because most gis shrink more in length than width, and you can control shrinkage through washing temperature and drying method.

Step-by-Step Shrinking Process

1. Buy one size up: If you normally wear A2 for length but need A3 for width, buy the A3.
2. Wash before first use: Always wash at least once to remove sizing agents and allow initial shrinkage.
3. Measure after first wash: Assess how much more shrinkage you need in sleeves and pants.
4. Targeted shrinking: Hot water washing and tumble drying create maximum shrinkage. Cold water washing and air drying prevent further shrinkage.
5. Incremental approach: Shrink in small increments rather than all at once. You can't unshrink a gi.

Expected Shrinkage

Most 100% cotton gis shrink 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm) in sleeve and pant length with hot water washing and tumble drying. Pearl weave and single weave gis typically shrink more predictably than gold weave, which can shrink excessively and unevenly.

Risks of Shrink-to-Fit

• Uneven shrinkage: Sleeves may shrink more than pants, or one sleeve more than the other
• Too much shrinkage: Overdoing it can push your gi out of competition-legal measurements
• Width reduction: While gis shrink more in length, some width shrinkage occurs, potentially negating your reason for sizing up

Best Gis for Shrink-to-Fit

Community feedback suggests these models respond well to controlled shrinkage:

• 100% cotton pearl weave gis (350-450 GSM)
• Moya gis (reportedly "come big" and benefit from intentional shrinkage)
• Single weave gis (shrink predictably but may lack durability for heavier athletes)

Avoid shrink-to-fit with:

• Pre-shrunk gis (limited additional shrinkage)
• Gold weave gis (excessive, unpredictable shrinkage)
• Cotton-poly blends (minimal shrinkage)

See our complete gi shrinkage guide for detailed instructions.

Based on community feedback, husky size availability, and fit characteristics, these are the best gis for short and stocky athletes available in the UK.

Best Overall: Fuji All Around BJJ Gi (A2H/A3H)

Price: £100-120
Available sizes: A2H, A3H (plus standard A0-A6)
Weave: 550 GSM traditional weave
UK retailers: My Fight Gear, Fuji Sports UK, BJJ Fightgear

Why it's best: The Fuji All Around consistently receives praise from stocky grapplers for its proportional husky fit, durability, and value. The 550 GSM jacket provides structure without excessive weight, and the cotton twill pants with reinforced knees handle the stress from heavier athletes. Fuji's husky sizing is widely available in the UK, making it the most accessible option.

Fit notes: Runs true to size in husky cuts. The A2H fits athletes 5'6"-5'11", 210-240 lbs comfortably. Jacket provides adequate closure across the chest without excess fabric bunching.

Best Budget Option: 93brand Standard Issue 2.0 (A2H/A3H)

Price: £80-110
Available sizes: A2H, A3H
Weave: Pearl weave
UK retailers: Rollmore UK

Why it's best for budget: 93brand offers genuine husky sizing at a more affordable price point than most competitors. The Standard Issue 2.0 has a loyal following among budget-conscious grapplers who need H sizes.

Fit notes: 93brand's husky sizes run slightly more generous than Fuji, which benefits very stocky builds. The lighter pearl weave reduces overall gi weight.

Best for Durability: Atama Mundial #9 (Standard A2 or A3)

Price: £90-120
Available sizes: Standard sizing (runs wide)
Weave: Gold weave
UK retailers: Various online retailers

Why it's best for durability: Atama gis are legendary for longevity, and the Mundial #9 runs wide enough that stocky athletes can use standard sizing. The heavy construction handles the stress from larger, stronger grapplers.

Fit notes: Order based on your height — the width will accommodate stocky builds. Note that Atama is known to shrink in the sleeves with hot washing.

Best Shrink-to-Fit Candidate: Inverted Gear Panda (Standard A3)

Price: £90-120
Available sizes: Standard A0-A6 plus one husky option
Weave: Pearl weave
UK retailers: Direct from Inverted Gear with UK shipping

Why it's best for shrink-to-fit: The Panda gi responds predictably to controlled shrinkage, and Inverted Gear's customer service is exceptional if you need sizing advice. The pearl weave construction shrinks consistently.

Fit notes: Order one size up and shrink to fit. Community reports suggest 1.5-2 inches of length reduction with hot wash and tumble dry.

When husky sizing isn't available and shrink-to-fit isn't suitable, professional alterations offer a reliable solution for stocky builds.

Common Alterations for Stocky Builds

Hemming pants: This is the most common alteration for stocky athletes. Shortening the pants by 5-10cm creates a clean, professional finish. Cost: £10-15 at most UK tailors.

Shortening sleeves: More complex than hemming pants due to the cuff reinforcement, but feasible. A good tailor can shorten sleeves while maintaining the reinforced cuff. Cost: £15-20 per gi.

Taking in the waist: Less common but possible if you've sized up significantly for chest/shoulder room. Cost: £15-20.

Finding a Tailor in the UK

Look for tailors who work with heavy fabrics like denim or workwear. BJJ gi fabric is thicker and tougher than typical clothing, requiring industrial sewing machines. Ask at your gym for recommendations — many UK BJJ gyms have a "go-to" local tailor who understands gi construction.

When bringing your gi to a tailor:

• Wash and dry it at least once first to account for initial shrinkage
• If you compete, inform the tailor of IBJJF measurement requirements (sleeves no more than 2cm from wrist, pants no more than 5cm above ankle)
• Ask them to use heavy-duty polyester thread and double or triple stitching

DIY Alterations

If you're handy with a sewing machine, hemming pants is straightforward:

1. Try on the gi and mark the desired length with pins
2. Remove the pants and measure 3-4cm below the pin line (hem allowance)
3. Cut the excess fabric
4. Fold the hem twice (2cm folds) and pin
5. Stitch with heavy-duty thread using a straight stitch

Shortening sleeves is more complex due to the reinforced cuff and is best left to professionals unless you have tailoring experience.

Cost Estimates

Alterations add cost, but getting a perfect fit is worth the investment if you train regularly.