Gi buying woes

Blue beltVerified

621 forum posts3340/200

Mostly just trying to find gis for my ridiculously tall and lanky frame. I'm usually an A2L but GBWear doesn't sell L sizes. I also prefer a women's cut gi if I can get it.

I've had to sew extensions onto two gis to make the arms and legs long enough. Now I just buy Fenom gis in size A2T and sew GB patches onto them.

Black belt 3rd degreeVerified

1126 forum posts21045/1000

I'm just curious. What are your biggest pain points when buying gis online? A huge problem for me is consistent sizing. ie: I have bought the same gi from brand X and they both fit totally different. I've burned through a more than okay amount of cash buying gis that just don't fit right.

True. Same manufacturer sometimes makes same sizes but different fits. When I had a production facility and tried bamboo fabric, the fit was smaller than expected. It's the nature of the fabric. When the fabric is damp from sweat it stretches considerably. However if the same fabric is used for the size but it doesn't fit the same, it's usually a sign that the manufacturer has sub-contracted that batch to a different factory.

Jorgen Matsi

Black belt 2nd degreeVerified

1772 forum posts17315/1000

My size going on the average is A1H but hardly noone makes those.

Some A1s used to fit me alright when I was 10 kg lighter... Most A2 have too long pants / sleeves.

Megaton

Black beltVerified556 forum posts6875/1000

I have purchased a few "off the rack" Gi's and my last one was a custom GI. Started with the standard A2 then sent in all the measurements waist, inseam, wingspan, top length ect. These had an extra for the shrinking of the GI as it is washed and it is the best fitting so far! The GI is well made but the material I picked I would change next time. The top is too light and soft for me and the pants are thick. Haven't been able to roll in it as much as I would like because I just got it in March after they shut us down.

Black beltVerified

9 forum posts1150/1000

I am pretty much in between sizes for most gis, so do I buy an A2, and hope it fits across the chest, or buy an A3, and shrink it a bit to fit me? Keiko's A2H gis have fit the best, but they don't offer that size in every model. Vulkan's A2's have been ok, but sometimes a bit too tight across the chest.

First world jiu-jitsu problems, I guess.

Simina Cosma

Blue beltVerified

1 forum posts880/200

For me gis online fail my sizing as I have curvier thighs/lower body only, very frustrating!

Blue beltVerified

621 forum posts3340/200

For me gis online fail my sizing as I have curvier thighs/lower body only, very frustrating!

I have heard this complaint a lot on the Women's Grappling Network (FB group). Kind of weird how something that isn't exactly form-fitting still misses so many body types!

Tatu Piispanen

Black beltVerified

1355 forum posts10295/1000

I am the ideal middleweight male @ 180cm and a little over 80kg of athletically-shaped body mass, so about 90% of A2 gis are like tailor-made for me. :) Also so far 100% of size Large rashguards are just the perfect fit.

Thus my pain point is that I have way too fucking many gis & rashguards. :D

Black belt 3rd degreeVerified

1126 forum posts21045/1000

I am the ideal middleweight male @ 180cm and a little over 80kg of athletically-shaped body mass, so about 90% of A2 gis are like tailor-made for me. :) Also so far 100% of size Large rashguards are just the perfect fit. Thus my pain point is that I have way too fucking many gis & rashguards. :D

we seem to be the same size so don't blame me if your beautiful gi's go missing :)

Drew Brunning

Black beltVerified

235 forum posts3190/1000

I am the ideal middleweight male @ 180cm and a little over 80kg of athletically-shaped body mass, so about 90% of A2 gis are like tailor-made for me. :) Also so far 100% of size Large rashguards are just the perfect fit. Thus my pain point is that I have way too fucking many gis & rashguards. :D

At 182cm and around 82kg I end up opting for A3 in most of the brands I get and my biggest problem is that anything A2-A4 is always sold out by the time there are clearance sales. Being average means almost always having to pay full price.

Steven Zoll

Black belt 1st degreeVerified

648 forum posts10660/1000

I'm 6'6" and about 245-250 lbs. Everything is usually too short, too baggy, or both.

Rafael Leite

Purple beltVerified27 forum posts735/400

Found out that I am an A1L... unfortunately, not all brands have these sizes, so most my gis look a bit big on me :( I get no respect on the mat.

R. David Gonzalez

Black belt 4th degreeVerified

4764 forum posts34325/1000

I have two Xguard brand gi's and I love them. I only wear them to train at home though. I have had some many gi's over the years. The same brand never fits exactly the same.
They even mess with the collars. Sometimes the collar is on point and then I get the same gi and the collar is completely different. I hate that crap. At least be consistent.
Does not matter what brand they are either, from high end to low end, there is no consistency.

Black belt 3rd degreeVerified

1126 forum posts21045/1000

Having had wholesale accounts with several gi brands and/or using these over the years:

HCK (now defunct) baggy/boxy fit good for folks with barrel chest, thick hips, large quads. The single weave was a cheese grater.
Keiko Raça : baggy fit but less so than HCK built like a tank
Red Nose: slim fit with the exterior jacket like sandpaper
Krugans: baggy fit sandpaper
Atama: regular fit but inconsistent with fit - shrinkage is an issue too
MKimonos: similar fit to Keiko (depending on model) Smooth and soft fabrics
SYR: generally slim but the Comp Standard are baggier. Built in self destruct mechanism on the pants
Vulkan: didn't like the honeycomb weave - odd fit with super short jacket and baggy pants

I believe that back in the day there wasn't such a thing as a 'BJJ' gi, and it was mostly Judo gi with longer sleeves. I started rolling with a judo gi back in the day.
Since competitors wanted an 'advantage' of making it more difficult for their sleeves and collars to be grabbed, gi designs became more streamlined for this purpose hence the inconsistencies with the fit as some still cater to the old school rollers while others have a tight jeans group.

So when purchasing your next gi, have your fav gi brand/model and ask for comparison notes on the fit.

Black belt 3rd degreeVerified

1126 forum posts21045/1000

Oh nowadays, I wear Flow Kimonos mostly cos they are super light weight and fit me well (I'm keeping an eye on you Tatu)

Chance HarrisOP

Brown beltPending

37 forum posts0/700

Having had wholesale accounts with several gi brands and/or using these over the years: HCK (now defunct) baggy/boxy fit good for folks with barrel chest, thick hips, large quads. The single weave was a cheese grater. Keiko Raça : baggy fit but less so than HCK built like a tank Red Nose: slim fit with the exterior jacket like sandpaper Krugans: baggy fit sandpaper Atama: regular fit but inconsistent with fit - shrinkage is an issue too MKimonos: similar fit to Keiko (depending on model) Smooth and soft fabrics SYR: generally slim but the Comp Standard are baggier. Built in self destruct mechanism on the pants Vulkan: didn't like the honeycomb weave - odd fit with super short jacket and baggy pants I believe that back in the day there wasn't such a thing as a 'BJJ' gi, and it was mostly Judo gi with longer sleeves. I started rolling with a judo gi back in the day. Since competitors wanted an 'advantage' of making it more difficult for their sleeves and collars to be grabbed, gi designs became more streamlined for this purpose hence the inconsistencies with the fit as some still cater to the old school rollers while others have a tight jeans group. So when purchasing your next gi, have your fav gi brand/model and ask for comparison notes on the fit.

haha built in self destruct

Jamie Bacon

Brown beltVerified

11 forum posts1245/700

Mostly just trying to find gis for my ridiculously tall and lanky frame. I'm usually an A2L but GBWear doesn't sell L sizes. I also prefer a women's cut gi if I can get it. I've had to sew extensions onto two gis to make the arms and legs long enough. Now I just buy Fenom gis in size A2T and sew GB patches onto them.

Have you tried Lanky?

Jamie Bacon

Brown beltVerified

11 forum posts1245/700

I'm just curious. What are your biggest pain points when buying gis online? A huge problem for me is consistent sizing. ie: I have bought the same gi from brand X and they both fit totally different. I've burned through a more than okay amount of cash buying gis that just don't fit right.

Get a Killer Bee with your measurements. A little more pricey, but should fit better.

Chance HarrisOP

Brown beltPending

37 forum posts0/700

Get a Killer Bee with your measurements. A little more pricey, but should fit better.

ive considered them a number of times. I just know zero people who have them to confirm quality. Have you owned one before?

Blue beltVerified

621 forum posts3340/200

ive considered them a number of times. I just know zero people who have them to confirm quality. Have you owned one before?

I have one. Didn't care for it tbh. It just didn't feel as nice as my other gis. It's on my grappling dummy now.

But I only got the $100 custom gi. Maybe the more expensive ones are nicer.

Blue beltVerified

621 forum posts3340/200

Have you tried Lanky?

No, but I have heard of them. I think I will once they get my size in again. Right now their size pickings are mighty slim.

Jamie Bacon

Brown beltVerified

11 forum posts1245/700

ive considered them a number of times. I just know zero people who have them to confirm quality. Have you owned one before?

It honestly feels old school. High school classmate (and black belt) had one and it was his favorite gi. I bought a pair of their pants and liked them.

Michael Meistrich

Brown beltVerified

34 forum posts1585/700

A2H seems to fit me well in most brands

Drew Brunning

Black beltVerified

235 forum posts3190/1000

ive considered them a number of times. I just know zero people who have them to confirm quality. Have you owned one before?

I've been wearing the same Killer Bee gi for about 6 years now. They're good gis, they used to be even better for me when they could come non-custom since the A3 was my ideal size/cut so it was also a bargain. The custom ones do have some quality of life options that would make it worth it for me when I have to replace this one though (I'm a sucker for pants with a gi material gusseted crotch).

Edited 5 year(s) ago

Randy

Black belt 1st degreeVerified

267 forum posts3345/1000

I’ve had issues with sizing just like the OP. Now that I finally found a gi company that I like the fit from I likely won’t deviate much. It’s like finding those jeans that fit just right.

Eric Correll

Purple beltVerified5 forum posts1020/400

Whoever solves this dilemma should be awarded a Nobel Piece Prize, heck I have two different A2 from same company and they both fit different

Chance HarrisOP

Brown beltPending

37 forum posts0/700

Whoever solves this dilemma should be awarded a Nobel Piece Prize, heck I have two different A2 from same company and they both fit different

I used to sell suits years ago. And to me i think Gis would do better to go off suit sizing. based on chest size, wingspan, coat length, Then do jogging pant sizing for the bottoms, ie: XS-XXL paired with inseam.

Blue beltVerified

621 forum posts3340/200

I just found out that 93Brand/Kitsune now makes an A1XL. For people 5'10 - 6'2, 145-175 lbs. I ordered the one on sale at BJJHQ yesterday. I can't wait to try it!

Megaton

Black beltVerified556 forum posts6875/1000