In the martial arts world, an athlete dons a BJJ kimono much like a warrior of old donned a suit of armor. And a point of fact is that both sets of gear have much in common. Ancient warriors were supported by entire industries devoted to the research, development and manufacture of armor. No less can be said for modern athletes participating in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Early Japanese people, of both genders, wore two piece clothing consisting of short pants and a jacket like top. Eventually, through time and a few innovations, the modern judogi was derived from this early simple clothing. Today's sophisticated, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gi is a modern adaptation of earlier martial arts uniforms.
While a keiko-gi is similar in appearance to any martial arts uniform to the uninformed eye, there can be some significant differences. Keiko, which means practice, and gi, which means simply clothing, can mean any type of uniform used for any type of sport or discipline which is practiced regularly. In Japan, gi is a word not found used alone, but in partnership with other words. Hence, judo-gi is a garment used for practicing judo and karate-gi is of course a garment used for practicing karate. BJJ-gi is a term for a garment which has been specifically designed for use in practicing and competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
The bjj-gi or just gi displays a variety of distinctive features and has seen many innovations. The bjj-gi has seen the recent introduction of rubberized collars and reinforced underarms. Opponents may find it more difficult to grab a rubberized collar than a cloth one. A good, hygienic choice may also proved to be a sound tactical choice. They include minimal use of seaming, a one-piece back which excludes a back seam, and reinforced knees. Some pants can be found with reinforcing below the knees.
Superior quality uniforms are made from a rip-stop, reinforced woven cotton. Emphasis is placed on pre-shrunk fabric. This is a desirable feature because cotton fabric has a tendency to shrink to nearly half its size when washed. The industry recognizes four weights of fabric - single weave, gold weave, double weave and platinum weave. These are not yet standardized terms and are often relative descriptions within individual retail firms. However, the term "gold weave" relates more to the quality of the fabric, which is derived from the long-fiber cotton that is used in the weave.
When students are ready to take their commitment to the sport to a higher notch they may want to invest in a higher quality gi as well. The double weave cloth with its superior durability can take the increased practice sessions and hold up to competition. It is a sturdier and somewhat heavier garment than the single weave cloth.
Gold weave fabric represents a serious investment and hence a serious commitment to the sport. It is not so much a distinctive weave as a reference to the type of long stapled cotton fibre used in its construction. Platinum weave is its lightweight version. The higher quality cotton gives the fabric a luster and comfort not found in the other weaves. Yet its durability is comparable to that of double weave. Instructors and competitors often invest in this grade of fabric for their gis.
While BJJ kimonos can come in a variety of colors, competition rules allow for blue, black and white. Jacket colors must match the pants and of course the belt must be the appropriate rank color. For demonstrations in-house and practice sessions, some clubs have established their own colors which they may encourage their members to use.