By Lewis Budden  |  28 September 2019   

The Uniform or Gi is a key component to a great workout or a successful competition no matter what type of Martial Art you participate in. 

Choosing the right Gi | Fighting Arts Health Lab

A Gi prepares you for battle. It often differs between make and martial art depending on size, durability, and weight. 

The range of Gi inside the world of your specific art can also vary, as the market to tailor to the individual grows in popularity. 

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has some leading brands providing top class, durable Gi. 

Two of the biggest MMA equipment companies, Origin and Elite, have both recently released their latest lightweight Gi. 

But, How Do You Decide on the Right Gi for You?

Well, we have battled it out to see who is providing the leading gi in the ever-growing world of BJJ and MMA.

Origin

Origin has been making BJJ gear since 2009 with the intent of building a brand for everyday BJJ enthusiasts. While their early products failed to penetrate the early mainstream market, that all changed with the Axiom Gi in 2013. This happened when Origin made their own weave of the fabric.

This weave utilized in the new “DISCIPLINE EQUALS FREEDOM Gi” is marketed as a “Smart Gi.” Due to the American Smart Pearl Weave, the new performance woven textile is lightweight, fast-drying and 10x stronger than the traditional Pearl Weave.

The Smart Gi offers Origin's PRO Pants, which has abrasion resistant, inside-out moisture wicking, and soil release fabric. It has Origin’s commitment to being entirely made in the USA, as they say “from dirt to shirt.”

Elite

Elite sets out to offer varied, affordable martial arts products ranging from gym bags, shorts, gloves, and belts. They tailor equipment for the individual and now released the Elite Sports Ultra Light Gi.

Their Gi is made from a light-weight 400 grams per square meter (gsm) Pearl Weave preshrank fabric and features a rope drawstring for tightening for tying the top and lightweight pants. The material has an anti-odor and antimicrobial treatment to prevent bacterial build-up, something that is unique to this brand.

Pros & Con's

Origin's Discipline Equals Freedom Gi

Pros

  • Abrasion resistant, inside-out moisture wicking, and soil release fabric
  • Breathable and durable fabric, built for the mat
  • Fast drying fabric
  • Comes with a Swiveloc belt for secure pant closure

Cons

  • The size chart can be unreliable. It is advised that you purchase a size larger than usual, but this can cause the arms and legs to be oversized.

Elite’s Sports Ultra Light Gi

Pros

  • Material has an anti-odor and antimicrobial treatment to prevent bacterial build-up
  • Lightweight and pre-shrunk fabric 
  • The stripe bar is included with belt
  • The stiff stitched collar is built to last

Cons

  • After heavy washing, shrinking can be seen even in cold water washes

Conclusion:

Overall, the Origin Gi provides an exciting and genuinely remarkable product through its use of alternative fabric. A fast drying, breathable fabric is worth the cost whether you are competing in a competition or just training on the mats. It’s perfect for more intense training sessions and holds up under extreme abuse. If you decide to buy an Origin Gi or anything else you can get 10% off your purchase by using Coupon Code GREEN101.


The Elite provides a lightweight, stylish Gi that is built to last and considers hygiene. It’s better for training that requires a complete range of motion and softer styles.


In either case, you can't go wrong with these high qualities Gi's. It truly depends on your training style. 

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About the author

Lewis Budden is a culture writer based in the north of England where he reports on the strange and wonderful stories of MMA across Northern Europe. He has been training in Shukokai Karate for 12 years and is a black belt in that discipline. He has a passion for MMA in all of its forms.

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