judo vs. jujitsu gis

[sooner_sadiq]

hey guys i currently train in bjj on the side but would like to obtain another gi for practice purposes. as i have been looking at various sites and stores i have noticed that judo gis seem to be half the cost of a bjj gi. is there any difference between the two that i should be aware of? any advantages/disadvantages of either?

[Budoka34]

The only difference that I'm aware of is the dedicated BJJ uwagi normally have tappered sleeves and possibly a slightly stiffer collar.

Hope that helps.

[WhiteBeltJones]

BJJ dogis seem to be more 'tricked out', (e.g, 'gold' weave, plenty of patches, pretty colors), though ditto to the narrow sleeves and stiff collars. And they cost about 2-3 times as much. :rolleyes:

Be aware that a BJJ dogi might not be legal in a judo shiai.

[Budoka34]

Be aware that a BJJ dogi might not be legal in a judo shiai.

Good point Kurt, that never crossed my mind.

[jabonn]

It really depends on what you purchase. I have a couple of Judogi that are $185. I could go out and purchase the Ki Brand of Judogi and spend $30. or pick up a sweet Mizuno Eurocomp for about 5 times that amount.

If you are thinking Kimono - a good all around choice is ATAMA. If you are thinking Judogi and use it for both Judo and BJJ then I would go with a Mizuno or Toraki. You can get the sleeves tappered and the jacket a little shorter than normal Judogi.

[Aaron T Fields]

All the posts on this have been right on so far. I would only add, to find what fits you the best and wear it.

Aaron Fields
www.seattle-jujutsu.org

[Ramirez]

I suspect those BJJ gis are really top of the line Judo gis, like the Toraki gold. The constant grappling is tough on gis and you should really get the heavier (hence more expensive) gi - at least the level of the Toraki bronze or maybe even the silver.

[Mekugi]

I find that many BBJ Uwagi (called kimono for some reason) are just judo uwagi with different colors.

That being said I would recommend:
HSU double Weave (probably the best bang for your buck)
or
Mizuno double weave (The Rolls Royce of Uwagi).

HSU is just as good as Mizuno in many ways, however here in Japan I have Mizuno custom made for me, which is pretty sweet.

-Russ

[WhiteBeltJones]

Out of curiousity, what does "double weave" mean, vs "single weave" or "gold weave"? I only have one judogi, which is a generic white one by Kwon, so I've never felt the difference firsthand. Can anybody here elaborate?

[Mekugi]

Out of curiousity, what does "double weave" mean, vs "single weave" or "gold weave"? I only have one judogi, which is a generic white one by Kwon, so I've never felt the difference firsthand. Can anybody here elaborate?

In laymans terms, it means that the material is thicker, heavier and more durable.
Technically it is a type of fabric weaving that makes two layers - one above the other - with two "warp" and two "weft" connecting them. So really, it double ups the layers when made, making it thicker like two pieces of material, but combined to be one.

[mateo]

BBJ dogis are also tighter in the body and made of a fabric which is a tighter weave, generally coarser and harder to grab. Hence the reason they would not pass at any important judo competition. (Some BJJ exponents wear the rash guards usually reserved for vale tudo practise because their 'kimonos' are so coarse. )

They really have elvolved for different purposes. The judogis are designed to provide the exponent with easy 'handles' and, with everyone wearing them, an even playing field. Even a judogi which has sleeves an inch too short may get called at competition, from what I understand.

I can't see your Brazilian JJ buddies being upset at you wearing a judogi to practise though. They'll probably be quite supportive! Much easier to grab.

If you go to Hatashita.com you can find a good range of these dogis, cheap and expensive. Fuji has a good less expensive uniform in both single and double weight. (Double to more durable, single is cooler!)

[Mekugi]

BBJ dogis are also tighter in the body and made of a fabric which is a tighter weave, generally coarser and harder to grab.

Just as a "so you know" kind of service here, the rule goes: tighter the weave the smoother the fabric. A good example is typwriter ribbon- which has an extremely tight weave, as to make it smooth. Another is Egyptian Cotton, renowned for its thread count. This is usually done with longer, thinner and more uniform fabrics, woven together for a sheer texture.

While it may be true that the BJJ "Kimono" (uwagi) is cut a little tighter at the shoulders and along the back, it's just like some of the Uwagi you can buy for judo in many, many senses- which also come in many cuts.