Fighter — cat_Gi Guides

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!

Not all basic gis were created equal. Indeed, there is a lot of variation between the "entry level" gis put out by brands throughout the jiu jitsu market. With some, you certainly get what you paid for... with others, however, you will be pleasantly surprised by the quality offered at such an economical price. 

You can be sure to count the Maeda Red Label gi - available in both a men's and women's cut - among the latter group. 

As gi connoisseurs, nothing peeves us more than when a "basic" gi looks basic, or when it starts to fall apart after only a few uses. Yeah, you are paying the bare minimum price, but we believe that a brand should put out a quality product, whether it's their premium model or their entry-level model. 

Maeda Brand outdid themselves in this respect. 

Take the construction, for example. The jacket is made from a lightweight 350 GSM Super Fine Pearl Weave cotton fabric, reinforced in all stress areas. The pants are made from durable, yet lightweight, 8 oz drill cotton. Compare that to their highly-popular. ultra-lightweight, all-cotton gi, the Fujin. There's not a lot of difference. Now remember, the lighter the fabric, the less durable it is over the long-term... so make sure you take proper care of it - and any of your gis, really - to ensure it lasts. 

In order to keep the price low, Maeda Brand limited the amount of decoration they put on the Red Label gi. However, it is far from looking too bare. Sporting their iconic "stamp" logo embroidered on the left shoulder and back of the jacket, and small fabric patches sewn on the other shoulder and left pant leg in bright pops of red, the Red Label looks really ridiculously sharp. We can't stress enough that this gi does not look like a basic gi. 

Still not convinced? Take a chance and try it out. At such a low price, your wallet is not going to take a beating if you do, and we're pretty sure you won't be disappointed by what you find. 

Train on. Oss.

Here at Fighters Market, we pride ourselves on stocking the best brands in the industry. So what would we be if we didn't offer products from one of the most recognizable brands in sport jiu jitsu? 

Kingz Kimonos has been producing top quality gis, no-gi gear, and apparel since 2011. However, in recent years, they've really begun to ramp up their investment in R&D and quality control, in an effort to both set themselves apart from the rest of the competition, and give their customers a product that really works on the mat. 

The magic behind the brand is that nearly everyone there trains, and most of them compete... so they know what works, what doesn't, and what the evolving needs are of the modern jiu jitsu practitioner. They essentially have their fingers on the pulse of the jiu jitsu industry, and they're able to both keep up with the trends, as well as set some off themselves.  

For example, have you checked out their Balistico 2.0 gi, yet? This thing is one indestructible piece of battle armor... which is probably why they gave it a military-influenced theme. The jacket features 100% preshrunk mid-weight 480 GSM cotton, patented Coolmax shoulder lining - to keep you cool even during the most rigorous training - and specially designed NO-GRIP sleeve lining (a second layer of ripstop material sewn into the bottom portion of the sleeves, which help prevent your opponent getting a solid grip). 

And since introducing their newly designed women's cut, they've been rocking the women's market ever since. Plus, unlike most brands which offer one or two - or no - women's gis, they feature the women's cut in almost all of their gi models - the Basic 2.0, Comp 450 V5, Nano ultra-light, and Balistico 2.0 - and have size options from F0 to F5, so you're bound to find something that fits you well and looks sharp on the mat. 

You might have noticed that their No-Gi gear has started to take on a new "timeless yet edgy" look. That's because they've also invested heavily in their design team, so they can bring you the freshest and most stylish gear out there. I mean, check out their Crown 3.0 Ranked Rash Guard!

But don't take our word for it... have you seen their impressive roster of sponsored athletes?! You know Leandro Lo - one of the biggest names in the sport jiu jitsu industry right now - wouldn't just trust any old brand. 

With so much momentum going already, you can be sure to expect some really cool things coming out of Kingz in the coming year! So stay tuned...

Train on. Oss!

Look across the mats of any Brazilian jiu jitsu competition and you'll see a wide variety of gi brands, but only a few seem to dominate the market more than the rest. One of these is Tatami. And the gi of choice for a lot of these competitors? The Tatami Estilo. 

As I've said before, there's a reason a gi is in it's umpteenth version... because it's a good one. Most jiu jitsu practitioners are an interesting mix of die-hard brand loyalists and demanding connoisseurs of well-fitted gis. It's really hard to find a "former" Tatami fan. Why? Because the brand delivers. But those same fans aren't hesitant to make their preferences known. If a gi model doesn't fit, they won't buy it, and it fades from the lineup. 

Now in its - incredibly - sixth edition, Tatami Estilo 6.0 is one of those gis with serious lasting power in the market. 

The Tatami Estilo has always been a competitor-friendly gi, featuring a durable mid-weight 550 GSM pearl weave jacket and 12 oz canvas pants. Sure, you can find gis with lighter jackets and pants, but remember: the lighter the material, the shorter its lifespan. Tatami designed their gis, and particularly their Estilo, to last, no matter how hard you train or how many times you step on the competition mat.  

The Estilo also features a nicely tailored competition cut: roomy enough in key areas (such as the shoulders) to allow unrestricted movement, but more streamlined in others (the sleeves and lower pant area) to keep your opponent from getting a solid grip. The jacket's unique Y-shaped jacket vent also creates a more fitted silhouette, so you look as sharp as James Bond in a fine Italian suit. 

The best part? The Tatami Estilo features an impressive range of sizes, accommodating just about any body type and size. In addition to their standard men's sizing, they also offer "S" (short), "L" (long), and "XL" (extra-long) sizes. Among the first brands to do so, they also offer a cut especially designed for women, offering the standard women's sizes, as well as "C" (curvy) and "L" (long) fits. 

Want to know more? Check out their promotional video below: