This forum seems rather quiet, so might as well ask the usual question - what gi would you recommend, and why? Speaking personally, the next one I plan to buy is a Vulkan (http://bjjmart.com/produto_detalhe.asp?qiNuProduto=354) because it's lightweight: although I don't have to drop much weight for competition (should be finally getting round to one next month), would still help. ;)

I have to wonder how well the Vulcan will hold up with a light weave and all. My experience with light weaves is that they lasted about two to three months and that is pricey for only that length of time. Atama has always been okay for me and I also like the Swain S Series. I try to stay away from anything that is single weaved.

I've been using Toraki brand Gi's for about 10 years now, I still have the original heavy weight gi I bought and it's in decent shape. I prefer a more middleweight double weave now days tho.

http://www.toraki.com/index.asp?region=eu

Some guys at my school are very happy with their vulcan gis. They've held up nicely.

The most popular gi at our school is the Koral, and I have just inherited a nice hand-me-down Koral from a friend and love it. I can't afford them new though.


My favorite gi at the moment, though, is my gold weave Sirius Gi. Right price and high quality. This is a nice sturdy gi (I got the heavier gold weave, but they also make a lighter gold weave version). What is nice is that after a month of washing it hasn't shrunk length wise. I'm long and lean, so my biggest problem with gis is shrinking length wise. I also like the one piece construction of the jacket better than the ones with skirts. Anyway, I found it in the clearance section of the Sirius Athletic website for ~$85, so ended up a little less than $100 delivered to my door.

I also own a couple of Atama gis, one single weave, and one gold weave. These gis hold up nicely, but I don't particularly like the cut of the gis. They stay long like the Sirius, but just never seem to fit quite right. It's looser all the way around, especially in the sleaves, and seems to have more lapels. If you like using your gi to attack others (sleaves and lapels) Atama is good for that stuff, but it also allows them to use it against you. Also, when I was shopping around last for gis I noticed that prices on Atamas have gone up since I bought them.

So, I think my next gi purchase will be another Sirius. I also have to praise the Koral too, but I think even if I had the money I would stick with Sirius.

That last post on Atama Gi's is encouraging. Thanks! I actually like a loose fitting Gi - ya see, we're not always grappling. We do a lot of standing techniques as well as standing joint locks. I hate a Gi which comes out of your belt as soon as you raise your hands. In fact, my worry is that the front of the Gi is not long enough - I'm looking at the Atama Mundial. Does anyone have this Gi? I'm also looking for a decent price. If I put my hands up above my head - would this Gi come out of the belt?

Also, how heave is the Mundial - I like a durable Gi but I'm not looking to wear Armour.

Someone told me thheir Atama Gi shrunk 5 inches; someone else said it didn't shrink at all.... hmmmmmm

I'll stick with my Ouano's. For the price they seem to offer fairly consistent quality and reliability. My more expensive gi's (Koral) didn't outlast them so I have to ask why would I pay more?

Ultimately, however, each gi has a particular feel and fit. You have to find one that suits you. Big guys like the korals because they tend to be roomier, same with atama. The Howards are really stiff and thick, which I'm not crazy about. My KF fighter gi's shrunk to a ridiculous extent so that I couldn't even wear them anymore.

So far, I've found I'm most comfortable in my Padilla & Sons (http://www.matrat.us/store/ccp0-catshow/padilla.html) gold-weave. Looks like they're back in stock, so hopefully that will still be the case when I next need to buy another gi.

Great customer service, good fit, and damn cheap (cost me less than £60 despite having it shipped to the UK). Very good review here (http://smashpass.blogspot.com/2007/07/gi-review-padilla-sons-gold-weave.html), which is what got me interested in them in the first place.

Well I jsut ordered an Atama Mundial from a store in California - allowed me to pay through paypal and gave me a 13% discount (which is the shipping). I'll let you all know what it's like when I get it. I'm still concerned about the length of the skirt (I like them a little longer) but I did order a size up. I order and A4 and I'm 5"11 207lbs. So hopefully it'll have some extra room in it.

I was bought a Vitamins and Minerals one from Brazil which is great but expensive. We had a problem getting good affordable Gi's so my instructor has had some designed and made for us which are proving very popular. We're selling them for £50 (about $100?) which is cheap for the UK. Touch wood they are selling well.

Don't you just hate picking out a new Gi? The best one I ever had was sewn by an old Sensi of mine, he did it as a side-line, too bad I grew out of it years ago.

I recently bought a Howard's. It fits a little different than my Atama, but I honestly don't think you can get a better Gi for the money.

Ok, I got my Atama in the mail. It's awesome! But I'm sending it back. :rolleyes:
This Gi is perfect - the Mundial has all kind of reinforcements and the cut is great. The pants are the most comfortable I've ever tried on. However, watch the sizes!!

I'm 5'11 and 207 so I picked: 6'0-6'4 200-250lbs. That fit perfectly. However it JUST fit perfectly. The Gi is made of 100% cotton - thick; they are not pre-shrunk. So, if it shrinks even 1" then it's too small for me.

Now, I want this thing to last a LONG time; so I'm going to have to send it back, pay a bunch of shipping, and go for the A5. The A5 is also 6.0 - 6'4 but it's 225-275lbs - so I'm assuming the arms and skirt are a bit longer.

You know... If I could find a manufacturer to make a Gi to my specifications; I could sell them in droves!! Everyone I've talked to has the same complaints about cut - and to hear the women at the gym... whoo! There are very few Gi's out there to accommodate them.

Ok, I got my Atama in the mail. It's awesome! But I'm sending it back. :rolleyes:
This Gi is perfect - the Mundial has all kind of reinforcements and the cut is great. The pants are the most comfortable I've ever tried on. However, watch the sizes!!

I'm 5'11 and 207 so I picked: 6'0-6'4 200-250lbs. That fit perfectly. However it JUST fit perfectly. The Gi is made of 100% cotton - thick; they are not pre-shrunk. So, if it shrinks even 1" then it's too small for me.

Now, I want this thing to last a LONG time; so I'm going to have to send it back, pay a bunch of shipping, and go for the A5. The A5 is also 6.0 - 6'4 but it's 225-275lbs - so I'm assuming the arms and skirt are a bit longer.


That's kind of weird. I'm not a whole lot smaller than you (5'10", 190lbs.), and the A3 fits me just great. Wearing an A5 would be like wearing a tent.

Well I jsut ordered an Atama Mundial from a store in California

What store did you order it from?

You know... If I could find a manufacturer to make a Gi to my specifications; I could sell them in droves!! Everyone I've talked to has the same complaints about cut - and to hear the women at the gym... whoo! There are very few Gi's out there to accommodate them.

Have a chat with my instructor, he has all the contacts for manufacturers in Pakistan and can help you :wink2:.
As I said before ours are very good, having had them made for us but they would need a slight change for the US market..... the Union flag would have to be replaced by your flag!
Send me a PM if you think you could be interested for real!

I got it from a place called "North American Brazilian Jiu_jitsu Store"

http://nabjjf.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=49

You have an A3 and it's big? Is it a Mundial? Perhaps that's the size difference.

What's really funny is that the height for the A4 and the A5 is the same!! I talked to a gym owner who deal Atama and he said his shrunk 5 inches!! (I don't know if i believe that)

No mine is just a single weave that could be why.

Did your Atama shrink alot?

Not much at all.

Ok this is what sucks about buying Gi's. One Gi from the SAME company shrinks 10% and another doesn't shrink at all. What I'm hoping is that the A5 will be BIG and then I'll stick it in the wash and dryer a couple times to get a final size.

What if you get it and it doesn't shrink at all?

Well that would be a first. I've probably a dozen Gi's since I started martial arts 15 years ago and every one has shrunk - most by about 10% Hot water Hot dryer....

I dont know if this is pertinent or not, but the Mizuno Kano Judogi is remarkable. Very comfortable and breathable. I don't know if it is useful for Jiu-jitsu though, but it serves me well for judo/sombo.

I agree the Minzo is a great Gi. I actually have a Fugi which is a copy of the minzo. It only cost $60 and it's awesome. It's a Judo Gi and a lot of Jiu-Jitsu practitioners use them. However, the Minzo is BIG bucks.

I finally got my A5 Atama. The pants are big but have a drawstring on them. But Yes it did shrink!! I say it shrunk by about 10%-15% (no kidding); The sleeves originally went about half way down my fingers. After a soak, a wash and a hot dry they are now just past my wrist - about a 3" shrink!!

The Gi is very strong and very light and I'm going to roll in it for the first time tomorrow.

Well the Atama is great!! The only drawback is the size of the pants - WAY too big. But you can mix and match when you buy. Too bad I didn't know how it all fit before I paid for shipping. It's a very strong Gi and very thick. In the hot summer months it may be a real sweat machine. So I was looking at the Keiko Raca Gi's for a summer kimono. I found one for $120 but shipping is always shooting the price up. Anyone know of an affordable dealer?

I'm a Koral gal. For the women out there, I have found that Koral has the most tailored cut. Vulkan and Atama are a little boxy.

Dagney

I´m looking at ordering aGameness or Sirius Gi in the next couple of days but can´t makeup my mind.


http://www.jokerjitsu.com/gi/ has been a great help in narrowing down the field, I´d recommend anyone with something good or bad to say about a particular brand do so here, especially the lesser known brands people are always wondering about.

My only hesitation surrounding which of the 2 to get, is that the Gameness is apparently awesomely cut, resilient, and great for hot weather *im australian*, but, it comes with a bunch of patches sown on, and my school is pretty low key and not huge on that kind of thing, I suppose I could unpick the patches. The sirius gi looks simple, well made, well priced with the nice jujitsu symbols embroidered on the back, which is a nice touch without being overkill.

well, any feedback or thoughts would be appreciated, here or via pm.

cheers,

- BJ