With very few exceptions, the vast majority of jiu jitsu gis - across all brands - are manufactured in one of three countries: Pakistan, China, and Brazil.

We did a little digging to bring you a short history of the Brazilian jiu jitsu gi, as well as some insight into the differences between those made in Brazil, those in China, and those in Pakistan. 

Brazil 

As the birthplace of Brazilian style jiu jitsu, it makes sense that Brazil would be the first country to begin making gis exclusively for the BJJ market. Before they did, however, practitioners of the emerging new martial art wore traditional judo gis. Atama and Krugens were among the first to the scene, lengthening the jackets and tapering the sleeves and pants to produce a kimono more suited to the grappling art. They were also the first brands to produce a 100% preshrunk gi. However, many Brazilian brands haven't invested much into new technologies and trends (such as "L" sizes and cuts specifically for women), so in the last decade, two other countries have swiftly come to command much more of the international market as BJJ gi manufacturers.

Pakistan

Pakistan entered the market in the late 1990's, but didn't obtain widespread acceptance - due to political stigma centered around the entire Middle Eastern region in the early 2000's -  until around 2009. Some of the first brands to import Pakistan-made gis were Lucky and Ouano. In the last decade, Pakistan has made dramatic progress in their quality and manufacturing efficiency.  In particular, they produce a superior cotton fabric, which for all-cotton gis (both jacket and pants) puts them ahead of the curve. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the gis in the U.S. market are made in Pakistan. However, they have not yet mastered the 100% preshrinking process, so expect these gis to shrink slightly.

China

Despite a long-standing tradition of kimono manufacturing - for all kinds of martial arts - China came to the Brazilian jiu jitsu much later. However, they are known to produce some of the most durable gis in the market. Typically, Chinese gis are 100% preshrunk, and fabric manufacturers there are incredibly adept at producing specialty fabrics, including Ripstop, hemp, and bamboo. Pakistan still beats them on the quality - and softness - of their cotton, however. It is estimated that China produces approximately 20% of the gis in the U.S. market. 

In a Nutshell

All three countries produce quality gis, which will last a long time... as long as you care for them properly. And yes, there are some brands which opt to produce their gis elsewhere - such as in the U.S. or Japan - but the vast majority of jiu jitsu gis are manufactured in just these three countries.