Best Lightweight BJJ Gis Reviewed & Compared

Thinking of trying your luck with a lightweight BJJ Gi? 

We know, that training with a standard BJJ Gi, especially in the summer months or in warmer climates can be exhausting and take away from the enjoyment of grappling. 

Luckily, there are Gis designed for that purpose (and more) and we have the ultimate guide to picking the best lightweight BJJ Gi for you right here!

Our Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall – Hayabusa Ultra Lightweight BJJ Gi 
• Best for Competition – Sanabul Core Competition
• Best Design – Shogun
• Lightest – Gold BJJ

What is a Lightweight BJJ Gi?

Brazilian Jiu-Jtsu requires a lot of pulling, tugging, grasping, and all other sorts of manipulating of the training gear (Gis). This means that not just any garment is going to last long in regular BJJ training. 

Jiu-Jitsu Gis tend to be sturdy and stiff, usually weighing somewhere around the 4-5 lbs mark (~2kg). This makes them heavy, uncomfortable after sweating in them for a while, and also a nuisance to wash on a regular basis. Not to mention the extra weight when you travel.  

Lightweight BJJ Gis remedy all this. They are way more comfortable, easy to pack and take care of, and allow for a much bigger range of motion during training.  

The latest models also provide durability and resilience, qualities that were missing from the first versions of lightweight BJJ gis about a decade ago. 

Best Lightweight BJJ Gis

If you’re looking for the best BJJ Gi for warm weather, or you just prefer training in a lighter gi, you’ve come to the right place. 

Whether you’re buying a lightweight Gi for the very first time or already have a preference, we have all the best options organized and reviewed for you: 

Hayabusa Ultra Lightweight BJJ GI

Hayabusa is a brand synonym with BJJ Gis since Jiu-Jitsu went global. Interestingly, my first encounter with this brand was through a highly uncomfortable heavyweight GI, but that does not mean they don’t offer some of the best lightweight BJJ Gis available. .

Hayabusa’s ultra-lightweight Gi is made from comfortable pearl weave material, offering a sensation of free, unrestricted motion during training It is also highly durable with dedicated stitching reinforcing key stress areas (lapels, knees, crotch, armpits, shoulders)

This Gi is pre-treated for fading, so the color of the Gi and accompanying embroidery is not going to fade, even after repeated washing. 

7 different sizes are available, as well as 4 different colors. The material is 100% cotton, IBJJF-approved for competition. The pants feature a bungee cord drawstring closure. 

Gold BJJ Ultra Lightweight Aeroweave Gi

As a huge fan (exclusive, actually) of lightweight Jiu-Jitsu Gis, I tend to grab a hold of a Gold BJJ Gi wherever I can. The brand has other Gis on offer, but they truly excel in the lightweight BJ Gi department. 

The jacket of this Gi is extremely light, 40% lighter than the standard pearl weave Gis. It is perfect for warm weather training, and for everyone who loves lightweight Gis. Durability is guaranteed by strategic reinforced stitching. 

There is an ultra-light sensation to wearing this Gi, it kind of feels like you only have a rashguard on. It does not retain sweat, eliminating that drenched feeling.  

Gold BJJ is so confident in their Gi, that they offer to replace any Gi that rips in any spot. 

Available in 13 different sizes and 5 different colors this Gi isIBJJF-approved. The material is 100% cotton, and there is minimal branding, giving the gi a clean look. 

Sanabul Core Competition Gi

If you’re looking for a budget Gi that you can rely on, Saanbul has you covered, and that includes very lightweight Gis. 

Everything about this Gi screams competition. It has an athletic, tapered cut for a snug fit, leaving very little for an opponent to grip. Moreover, there is strategically placed cross stitching that makes holding on to the Gi very uncomfortable. 

Tested by professional athletes, Sanabul takes pride in this Gi’s durability, marked by a strong, yet light, double weave competition-grade fabric. 

Sanabul’s Core Competition Gi is available in 5 different sizes and 6 colors. The white, blue, and black colored Gis are IBJJF-approved.

Sanabul Essentials Lightweight Pre-Shrunk Gi

When something is good, why stop at one? Sanabul’s lightweight BJJ Gi collection has another representative:  the Essentials Pre-Shrunk Gi 

This Gi blends together firmness (stiff collars) with the feeling of freedom lightweight Gis offer. It has a tapered fit and is constructed of very breathable single-weave fabric

The Essentials Gi is different from Sanabul’s Core Competition Gi in the material. This Gi is lighter, more comfortable, and slightly less durable than the competition-tailored one.  If you like to travel a lot and train hard, this is the perfect Gi for you. 

Sanabul offers a free belt of any color with every purchase of this model.  

There are 6 colors and 5 sizes of this IBJJF-approved Gi. The pants are ripstop, with drawstring closure, and the material for the entire gi is 100% cotton.

Hayabusa Lightweight Gi

As lightweight Gis become more and more popular, Hayabusa is not playing around, expanding their offer with more than just one lightweight BJJ Gi. 

This Gi is yet another Hayabusa well-rounded product. The 420 GSM jacket is light and comfortable, reinforced at key areas. The pants are ripstop, from a cotton-polyester blend, built for strength. 

This Gi is more resilient and sturdier than the Hayabusa Ultra Lightweight Gi, but at the expense of the sensation of lightness – this one feels more like a standard BJJ Gi. 

Design-wise, the Gi has patches and embroidery on the chest, lapel, shoulder, back, and legs, as well as coming in a few non-standard colors like grey/pink and navy. 

You can get this Gi in 7 sizes and 6 different colors. Approved by the IBJJF for use in tournaments. 

FUJI Suparaito BJJ GI

When it comes to getting a BJJ Gi, Fuji is one of the best brands out there. Originally a Judo Gi brand, they offer specialized and very high-quality products for grappling martial arts. 

The name of this Gi, SUpraite translates to lightweight in Japanese. What makes it lightweight is the specialized pearl weave. Reinforced with extra rows of stitching and rip-stop panels on the pants, this Gi is built for competitors and designed to last. 

This Gi is constructed using a premium blend of 55% cotton and 45% Polyester, giving it flexibility and a uniquely comfortable fit. 

Available in 6 colors (including original burgundy and military green) and as many as 15 different sizes, IBJJF-approved and favored by many legendary competitors like Xande Ribeiro, Renzo Gracie, and Roger Gracie. 

SHOGUN Fight Jiu Jitsu Gi Ultra Light ‘Kanji’

Shogun fight gear is made by fighters, for fighters, taking the needs of BJJ competitors into account during the design phase of the gear.  

The Ultra Light ‘Kanji” Gi is a token of respect to the Japanese roots of Jiu-Jitsu, in terms of this Gi’s design. It features embodied logos throughout, with Japanese symbols and art as the centerpiece.

Dye-sublimated printing ensures the rich, colorful art that is a part of this Gi design lasts for as long as the material does.  

All in all, this is a high-quality lightweight Gi with interior sleeve cuffs and reinforced seams for ultra-durability. 

Available in 7 Sizes and 1 color (white). Made out of 10% Cotton, featuring a drawstring closure for the pants, and IBJJF-approved.

Gameness Air Gi 2.0

Wrapping up our deep dive into the best lightweight Gi for BJJ is one of the first lightweight Gis in the market – Gamenss’ Air Gi.  

The Gameness Air Gi was one of the first pearl weave Gis in Jiu-Jitsu. The 2.0 version features a 60% rich cotton/40% Polyester blend for emphasized maneuverability and flexibility. 

Durability is a big factor with this Gi, built using modern piercing methods which ensure both comfort and a long lifespan. 

7 sizes and 3 different colors means you have lots of options with this Gi. It is IBJJF-approved with a technical rope drawstring.  

How to Choose a Lightweight BJJ Gi

Picking a Gi tends to be a pretty demanding task, even for experienced BJJ practitioners. There are known factors to consider like weave, size, color, brand, and price.

Then, there is the attention-consuming question of figuring out seize charts, before adding in personal preferences. And just when you think you’re done, price becomes a factor. 

We’ve eased all of these Gi selection headaches by doing most of the hard stuff for you. All that’s left for you is to follow our guide and double-check sizes before you order your lightweight BJJ Gi.  

In case you’re curious how we picked the above to be the best lightweight BJJ Gis, here are the criteria we applied to each and every product: 

Weave

Weave refers to the way the Gi fabric is brought together to form the Gi. The weave affects the weight, stiffness, and comfort of the Gi, and affects possible shrinkage rates. 

For lightweight Gis, the pearl weave is the most common option. It is a proven way to craft lightweight, yet resilient Gis that can withstand all the tugging that goes on during BJJ training or competitions. 

The single weave is the original lightweight Gi weave, but it does not offer the same strength as the pearl weave does. 

Hybrid weaves like the gold weave, honeycomb weave, and iceweave are also great for lightweight Gis, but tend to be more expensive. 

GSM

GSM refers to Grams per Square Meter and is a measurement for the density of the fabric in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gis. GSM determines the weight of the Gi – the lower the GSM number is, the more lightweight a Gi is going to be. 

Color

Gi colores tend to vary a lot, and this is one aspect of picking out a Gi that is almost entirely down to personal preferences. I say “almost” because the IBJJF (and other similar organizations like the UAEJJF) only allow three colors in tournaments: blue, black, and white.  

In training, you are free to use any type of Gi color, or combination of colors, as long as the academy allows it. Some BJJ academies, like Gracie Barra, for example, have uniform standards in place, but most schools don’t bother with such details. 

What this means is that if you like colorful Gis, but also like to compete, you’ll need to pick the best lightweight BJJ Gi for both occasions.    

Brand

This completely comes down to personal preference, usually defined by a brand’s original attributes.

With lightweight BJJ Gis, there is not as much choice as with regular Gis, meaning the best bet is sticking to brands that have proven products in that department, like the options we provided for you above. 

Size

Size is where things get sticky. The rule of thumb to remember is that every brand has its own specific size chart. You need to take a careful look at the size charts provided by brands and measure yourself according to their directions in order to be able to pick out the right size for you. 

All bands use standardized sizes, depicted by the letter A and a number, usually between the values of 0 and 6. However, what is A1 in one brand, is not the same as another, despite being close. 

There is also the question of shrinkage, which has to do with the type of weave and is another thing brands precisely outline.

Almost all Gis have a shrinkage rate, including lightweight Gis, but with pre-shrunk options, it is not as noticeable. 

Price

The final, and most defining factor of picking out a Gi. With BJJ Gis, the same things hold true price-wise as with everything else – the more expensive is usually the better. 

That said, there are some high-quality budget options available, like Sanabul’s Gis.

A simple guide is to select a lower-priced Gi if you are buying a lightweight Gi, (or any Gi) for the first time so that you figure out if it works for you. 

When you know what you’re looking for, in terms of all the criteria described above, you can opt for more expensive versions, which will definitely last longer.  

Why Use a Lightweight Gi?

Simple. They’re more comfortable. They allow for a better range of motion. It is easier to travel with them. They do not soak up bad smells as much. You don’t have to weight cut as much when you compete with a lightweight BJJ Gi. 

I personally like them because I prefer No-Gi more to Gi, but train in both. I like the feeling of wearing something similar to a rashguard while training/competing in the Gi. 

Lightweight Gis are also great for travel since they don’t take up a lot of space, and they weigh significantly less than standard BJJ Gis. 

Also, if you’re training in warm weather, even if it is for a portion of the year, invest in a lightweight BJJ Gi. You can thank me later. 

Popular BJJ Gi Brands

Hayabusa

Hayabusa is one of the most trusted BJJ Gi brands. They offer all types of martial arts gear, for BJJ, Judo, MMA, grappling, Muay Thai, etc.  

Established way back in 2006, Hayabusa has been on the cutting edge of combat sports apparel ever since. Their offer includes some of the best-looking and performing BJJ Gis on the market, with an emphasis on their lightweight Gi options.  

Sanabul

Sanabul offers a range of combat sports apparel for budget prices, without compromising quality in the way. 

Since its inception in 2014, the brand has aimed to produce gear that is tailored to the needs of athletes, sticking to a collection that offers variety, but not going overboard with the number of products they offer. Instead, they focus on the quality. 

Fuji

One of the oldest brands specializing in the production of Gis for both Judo and Jiu-Jitsu. Active since 1969 they know more about Gis than anyone else, something that is reflected in their product line. 

This pioneering role in the field means that Fuji’s prices are not cheap, but any Gi you do get from them, lightweight or not, is going to last you as long as you train and compete.

Fuji also supports the community by sponsoring professional grappling athletes in BJJ and Judo. 

Final Thoughts

If you’re not sure what to get in terms of a BJJ Gi, go for a lightweight Gi. Particularly if you are a beginner. Lightweight Gis allow you more range of motion, feel more comfortable, and do not get in the way as much as standard Gis. 

If you’re wondering which is the best lightweight BJJ Gi for you, we’ve already covered everything on the subject above, so now all that’s left is to get one, slap, bump, and roll!