Fighter — cat_Gear

If you're a competitor, you know the importance of a solid ultralight gi. Because, really now, when are we ever NOT close to weight?? Jiu jitsu is a demanding activity, so you gotta constantly fuel up... But maybe you had one too many tacos with your acai bowls, and now you're looking at the scale with more than a little trepidation. 

Never fear... The Ultralights are here! Here are some of the best lightweight gis we offer: 

Kingz Nano

When almost all ultralight gis in the market featured ripstop pants, Kingz was one of the first brands to offer a super lightweight gi with cotton pants. In order to keep the Nano light enough to compete with the ridiculous lightweight-edness of a their traditional Kingz Ultralight gi, they made a few smart design and construction decisions. For one, they chose the lightest materials they could, without going too light and risking a flimsy, easy-to-tear gi. With this in mind, they chose a lightweight 370 GSM pearl weave jacket and 8 oz drill cotton pants. And while most ultralight gis at the time featured sewn-on logo patches, Kingz chose to give the Nano a little class with embroidered details, but kept it minimal to keep the weight of the gi down.

• 370 GSM Pearl Weave jacket
• 8 oz drill cotton
• Women's and Kid's cuts, too

Tatami Elements

Meet one of the newest additions to Tatami's lineup, and one of the lightest it has ever produced: the Tatami Elements Gi. Weighing in at less than 3 lbs (for an A2), it's one of the lightest gis in the industry. Like the Kingz Nano, Tatami chose to feature an ultralight gi with cotton pants. Tatami decided to take it a step further by featuring a 300 GSM pearl weave jacket and 8 oz twill cotton pants. They kept the adornments of the Elements simple, yet stylish, with two matching patches along the shoulders and subtle contrast stitching. 

• 300 GSM Pearl Weave
• 8 oz twill cotton
• Men's/unisex cut only 

Hayabusa Pro Lightweight

For those of you seeking that traditional ultralight gi feel, with some modern touches, Hayabusa has got you covered - literally - with their Pro Lightweight gi. Featuring an ultra-lightweight 350 GSM cotton pearl weave jacket and 10 oz cotton/polyester blend ripstop pants, this gi is both light and indestructible. Keeping the gi light, yet distinctly Hayabusa, the Pro Lightweight features designed patches and embroidery adornments with the iconic Hayabusa falcon. 

• 350 GSM pearl weave jacket
• 10 oz cotton/polyester blend ripstop pants
• Men's/unisex cut only

Maeda Red Label

One of our favorite ultralight gis isn't even marketed as an ultralight! Comparable to Maeda's Fujin Gi, which was their original lightweight gi, the Maeda Red Label is actually their basic gi... so you get both a great, inexpensive gi and an ultralight gi in one! For the Red Label, Maeda chose a lightweight 350 GSM "super fine" pearl weave jacket and 8 oz drill cotton pants. As its name suggests, the "super fine" pearl weave is a tighter, more durable weave than a regular pearl weave. Keeping with their super stylish design aesthetic, the Red Label has minimal patch details, in a fresh pop of bright red color, and their custom-designed stamp logo embroidered on the shoulder and back of the jacket. 

• 350 GSM Lightweight Super Fine Pearl Weave jacket
• 8 oz drill cotton pants
• Women's and Kid's cuts, too

 Train... and eat... on! Oss.

Atama has been a stalwart gi brand for... well, a really long time. Since 1989, in fact. Indeed, it was one of the pioneers in the jiu jitsu gi market; one of the first brands to tailor the traditional - i.e. suuuuper old-school - judo gis to fit the movements and needs of the Brazilian jiu jitsu fighter. 

Which means it's safe to say that the guys at Atama know their stuff. 

Since it first launched many years ago, their Mundial model has been their best-selling gi. Now in it's ninth version - yeah, you read that right... NINTH - the Mundial Model 9 is better than ever. The Mundial Model 9 features their tried-and-true "Carioca Weave" jacket, which is a Brazilian-manufactured 100% cotton, densely woven single weave that's made to withstand some serious grabbing and pulling. In order to keep the gi nice and light, the Mundial features a lightweight polyester/cotton ripstop pants, and ripstop covered lapel. Slightly tailored toward the cuffs of the jacket and pants, yet roomy around the shoulders and knee area, this gi was made to balance a tailored fit - and all of its lovely grip-deterring benefits - with unrestricted movement. Simply designed, the Atama Mundial features the iconic Atama logo embroidered in high-quality stitching along both shoulders, leaving plenty of ripe real estate for your favorite academy patch and jiu jitsu brand logos. 

Plus, having been the gi of choice for some of the community's biggest women's jiu jitsu names - like Leticia Ribeiro and Bia Mesquita - Atama has made sure to offer their popular Mundial Model 9 in a specially-designed women's cut! 

Don't believe us? Try it for yourself! 

Back to the Americas with our featured brand series... Introducing Ronin Brand, the Brooklyn-based kimono brand that also caters to the judo and karate markets. Actually, "introducing" might be the wrong word. Ronin Brand has been around for a hot minute. First appearing on the scene in 1980, it's an in-house brand of martial arts supplier Kinji San, which has been in business since 1976. So these guys know their stuff.

Ronin Brand is particularly focused on producing solid, well-constructed gis, with extra reinforcement stitching. We know, because very few of their gis get returned due to fabric tears or other construction failures. As such, Ronin Brand isn't too concerned about producing flimsy, ultra-lightweight gis. The lightest gi they offer is the Koi Jiu Jitsu Gi, which features a 420 GSM jacket and 9.5 oz cotton pants. However, almost all of their gis feature a sturdy 450 GSM pearl weave jacket and between 10 oz to 11 oz cotton or canvas pants - pretty much the ideal combination for a long-lasting training and competition gi. For those who love that heavier gi, Ronin has got you covered: their Ronin Emperor Gi features a 500 GSM jacket and 12 oz duck canvas pants, and their Imperial Double Weave Gi, features a seriously durable 890 GSM jacket.

Ronin Brand also has a very well-defined aesthetic: it's all about the Japanese samurai warrior. In fact, the brand itself is inspired by the "ronin" (literally translated to "drifter" or "wanderer"), which was a samurai without a lord or master, due to the death or fall of his master, or because he fell out of favor. Therefore, the embroidered details and interior artwork (for those models with sublimated linings) feature traditional Japanese iconography, such as the samurai weapons - such as swords, shuriken throwing blades, and bow and arrows - as well as men-yoroi battle masks, Japanese crests and Kanji lettering.

Our favorite of the Ronin lineup? The Ronin Blackout Samurai Jiu Jitsu Gi, a limited edition collaborative design with artist Blackout Brother, featuring a deep green/black fabric, an incredibly detailed samurai mask embroidery on the left arm, and a wickedly cool Blackout Brother samurai mask fully subliminated on the interior CoolMax lining of the jacket. Check it out: 

If you attended this year's IBJJF World Championships, you might have noticed two things: 1) the fights were even more exciting than any year before, and 2) the number of athletes wearing Kingz had grown noticeably.

As to the latter, by far the most popular Kingz gi on the mats was the Balistico 2.0. There's a reason for this.

In our opinion, the Balistico is the most high-tech gi in the Kingz lineup, and certainly one of the most sophisticated gis in the jiu jitsu market in general. This thing was built to perform, which is why it is the gi of choice for such jiu jitsu greats as Leandro Lo and Bruno Malfacine. 

What's all the fuss exactly? Let me tell you...

First of all, it's made from a sturdy 480 GSM cotton Pearl Weave jacket; light enough for competition, but far from the flimsy ultralights that you can't just use and abuse. It's a Chinese pearl weave, as opposed to originating in Pakistan, so it has a little bit more structure and texture (both locations produce excellent gis, but Pakistan tends to use a bit softer cotton in their fabrics). Because it's a little heavier fabric than the ultralights - and therefore traps more body head during a vigorous roll - Kingz has added some Coolmax® lining along the shoulder area to wick sweat and keep you feeling cooler. 

What makes this gi jacket really special, however, is the lining inside the sleeves. The Balistico features what's called "NO-Grip" technology, which is a piece of ultralight ripstop sewn on the inside of the sleeves, to about halfway up the forearm. This dual un-fused layer, combined with the mix of fabric types, makes it a lot harder for your opponent to maintain his or her grip. We've tested it for ourselves... they really have to work to keep a hold of our sleeves - absolutely perfect for those guard passing enthusiasts.

While most of Kingz' gis have matching cotton pants (don't worry, Kingz also offers ripstop separates for sale), the Balistico features a lightweight 8oz cotton/polyester ripstop, which adds even more to the indestructible mystique of the gi. And because it is so high-tech, Kingz gave it a cool, military theme, with a custom-designed eagle crown logo embroidered on both shoulders. 

Not fully convinced? Try it for yourself! (Also available in a women's cut, as well as a military green and slate gray color scheme).

Train on. Oss. 

When it comes to European jiu jitsu brands, you're probably most familiar with Tatami Fightwear. But you should know that Tatami isn't the only game in town... new kid Progress Jiu Jitsu is quickly making a name for itself in the jiu jitsu apparel market. 

Founded in 2012, Progress is based out of Manchester, England - yup, home to one of soccer... oops... football's greats. Though a relatively young brand, Progress nevertheless impresses us with its mature sense of style and impeccable construction. The brand's aesthetic features a seamless melding of Brazilian culture and Southern California laid-back vibes, with fresh, Manchester street style. Manchester's long history as an industrial powerhouse gives it a gritty, city vibe that gives root to a cool urban flavor, with its strong lines, timeless color schemes and some cheeky humor. 

But don't take our word for it... check it out for yourself!