You should buy a lightweight BJJ gi. I love them. They’re way more comfortable and breathable than normal gis. So go ahead and pick one from my list of the best lightweight BJJ gis.
budget light
Sanabul Essentials
The Sanabul Essentials is a great budget gi. Sanabul can make this gi so cheap because it’s quite thin (that’s how they save costs). But the unexpected upside of this is that it’s also a great lightweight gi for hot weather. It’s a win win!
Ultra Light
Gold BJJ Aeroweave
The Gold BJJ Aeroweave is the lightest BJJ gi ever made (275 gsm compared to 350 gsm) and due to the reinforced stiching it’s a lot stronger than the cheaper lightweight gis. And because it’s relatively affordable I always recommend it.
Breathable
Fuji Suparaito
The Fuji Suparaito is a lightweight gi of 350 gsm (grams per square meter). It’s one of the most popular lightweight BJJ gis, and I’ve heard people say it’s more breathable than other lightweight models, but I can’t really tell the difference.
Also read: The Best BJJ Gi 👑 The Ultimate BJJ gi buyer’s Guide (2022)
What is a lightweight gi for BJJ?
Before we can crown the best lightweight BJJ gi, we need to establish which gis count as lightweight. There’s no official rules for this, but I’ll use the following definition:
A lightweight BJJ gi is a gi that weighs 350 grams per square meter (gsm) or less.
This definition is not perfect, but it covers the vast majority of lightweight gis in Brazilian jiu jitsu.
For your reference: a normal BJJ gi is typically between 450gsm and 550gsm. So a lightweight gi is usually about 30% lighter than normal BJJ gis, which I think you’ll agree is a substantial difference.
How is the weight of a bjj gi reported?
The weight of a BJJ kimono or gi jacket is expressed in grams per square meter (gsm) of fabric.
To make things confusing, the weight of gi pants is typically expressed in ounces per square yard, which always gets abbreviated to simply ounces (oz). You can convert ounces per square yart to grams per square meter by multiplying them by 34; so gi pants that weigh 9oz, also weigh 306gsm.
Because gi weights are not expressed in absolute terms, you should also always look for a gi that’s slim fit, because if 2 gis have the same grams per square meter (gsm), but one has more meters because it’s more loose fitting, it’s still going to be heavier in terms of absolute weight.
What is the lightest BJJ gi?
Why do I Need a lightweight gi for BJJ?
There are three main reasons for buying a lightweight gi for BJJ:
- Competition: the best BJJ competition gi is always a lightweight gi, because that helps you make weight more easily, and gives your opponent less to grab.
- Hot weather: The best BJJ gi for hot weather is always a lightweight gi, just because it’s less hot to wear.
- Comfort: this is subjective, but most people find that their most comfortable BJJ gi is made of lighter material.
- Travel: a lightweight gi packs smaller and weighs less in your luggage. If you fly to competitions or train while traveling, shaving a pound or two off your bag makes a real difference.
Lightweight gis also dry faster after washing, which matters when you’re training multiple days in a row and don’t have time to wait for a heavy gi to air dry overnight.
However, even the best lightweight gi does not meet all 5 of these requirements. Instead, lightweight gis can be divided in 2 groups, where each group meets some of these requirements but not all of them.
The two types of light weight gi
Before I tell you what the best lightweight BJJ gi is, let me share what I think is the most important consideration when you buy a lightweight gi:
There’s two types of lightweight gis: cheap lightweight gis, and premium lightweight gis.
Their functions are completely different.
Premium lightweight bjj gis 💎
Premium lightweight gis are high quality, strong and durable gis, manufactured by major bjj gi brands.
The premium lightweight gi mainly suits the needs of competitors, as in competition a lightweight gi is a major advantage during the weight cut. The best BJJ competition gi will always be a premium lightweight gi.
Additionally, these gis suit the needs of those that predominantly train BJJ in hot weather conditions. The best BJJ gi for hot weather will be a premium lightweight gi, if you train more than twice a week and still want your lightweight gi to be durable.
Finally, some people think that a lightweight BJJ gi is more comfortable than a heavier gi. Of course, this is subjective, but I definitely think my most comfortable BJJ gi is my lightest gi.
Which BJJ Gi Should I Buy?
Let me recommend you a gi based on your answers to 3 questions.
Also read: The ultimate BJJ gi buyer’s guide
My top picks for: Beginner gis | Premium gis | Gi brands | Cheap gis | Lightweight gis | Gis for skinny guys | Gis for big guys | Durable gis
Cheap lightweight bjj gis 💲
Cheap lightweight gis are lower quality gis, manufactured by minor BJJ brands. But, they’re not terrible quality, and they should be durable enough for those that train Brazilian jiu jitsu casually.
The funny thing is that manufacturers of cheap lightweight gis, don’t really try to accomplish any other goal than to make cheap gis, but in the process they find out that they can cut costs by using less fabric. So the fact that these gis are lightweight is a byproduct, rather than their purpose.
Cheap lightweight gis are not suitable for competition, as they’re not really sturdy enough to handle that kind of intensity. The best competition gi for BJJ is always a premium gi.
But, cheap lightweight gis are not a bad choice for those that predominantly train in hot weather, or even for those that want an extra summer BJJ gi. The best BJJ gi for hot weather is still a premium one, but if you train twice a week or less, even a budget lightweight gi will last you quite long.
And they’re also suitable for those that want a lightweight gi because they find it more comfortable (again, comfort is a matter of preference).
The Best Lightweight BJJ Gis
Now that you know what to look for in a lightweight gi for BJJ, let’s get into my top rated lightweight BJJ gis and what I think is the very best lightweight BJJ gi.
| Gi | Weight (GSM) | Material | Quality | Price Range |
| Gold BJJ Aeroweave (Amazon) | 275 gsm | Pearl Weave | High | $90-110 |
| Scramble Athlete 4: 375 (Amazon) | 375 gsm | Pearl Weave | Premium | $130-160 |
| Fuji Suparaito (Amazon) | 350 gsm | Pearl Weave | High | $80-100 |
| Hayabusa Pearl Weave (Amazon) | 350 gsm | Pearl Weave | High | $100-130 |
| Gameness Air (Amazon) | 350 gsm | Pearl Weave | High | $80-110 |
| Sanabul Essentials (Amazon) | 350 gsm | Pearl Weave | Budget | $40-60 |
| Elite Sports (Amazon) | 350 gsm | Pearl Weave (cotton/poly blend) | Budget | $40-55 |
1. Gold BJJ Ultra Lightweight Aeroweave
- Way lighter than any other gi (275 grams per square meter))
- Great quality
- Best for hot weather, weight cutting and competition
The Gold BJJ Ultra Lightweight Aeroweave is by far the lightest BJJ gi on the market. It’s 275 gsm, which is 22% lighter than all the other lightweight BJJ gis (which are 350gsm). And it’s equally strong as any other lightweight jiu jitsu gi so you can feel secure if you compete in it.
I calculated that this gi is about 2 pounds lighter than regular gis and 1 pound lighter than any other lightweight gi for an A2 size (assuming an A2 gi is made of 5 square meters of fabric, which I think is on the low side). And I have been disqualified twice because I just missed my weight cut over less than a pound over the allowance, so if you compete, I think you should respect those two pounds!
So if you want the lightest and highest quality BJJ gi, for competition or just your normal training, this is the gi you should get.
2. Sanabul Essentials Ultra Light bjj gi
- Affordable option
- Lightweight
The Sanabul Essentials V2 Ultra light BJJ gi is a budget gi that’s lightweight because the manufacturer cuts cost by making the gi a little thinner than usual. This makes it a little less durable, but it’s actually an upside if you want to train BJJ in hot summer weather.
I wouldn’t recommend this gi as a competition gi, because you might want something stronger for that. But if you want a lightweight gi for the comfort or to cool down, this is your most affordable option.
3. Fuji Suparaito BJJ gi
The Fuji Suparaito BJJ Gi is a good quality, lightweight gi.
And ‘Suparaito’ translates to ‘Super Lite’ in Japanese.
It’s 350 gsm which is standard for lightweight gis. I’ve heard multiple people say it’s the most breathable BJJ gi they ever had. (I don’t necessarily feel it’s more breathable than other lightweight gis, but maybe I’m crazy.)
4. Elite Sports Ultra Lightweight Gi
I think this gi is somewhat comparable to the Sanabul Essentials BJJ gi. But I like the Sanabul gi a little better because it looks a little more classic. (And I know a lot of beginners that wear the Sanabul gi.
5. Hayabusa Ultra Lightweight Pearl Weave Gi
- 350 gram / m2
This gi is in all regards very similar to the Fuji Suparaito. It’s the same weight, and it’s also nice for warm weather conditions and competitions.
Sadly I don’t train with anybody who owns this gi, but the customer reviews are positive.
6. Gameness Air Gi
- 350 gram / m2
I don’t have a strong reason to prefer this Gameness gi over the Suparaito or the Hayabusa, but I’m mentioning this one because its sizes are a bit different from the other brands. So if you fall in between sizes for the other gis, you can check if this one fits you better.
7. Scramble Athlete 4: 375
- 375 gsm pearl weave jacket
- 9oz cotton twill pants
- Minimal branding (patch-friendly)
The Scramble Athlete 4: 375 is Scramble’s lightweight competition cut from their flagship Athlete line. At 375gsm, it sits between the ultra-light Gold BJJ Aeroweave (275gsm) and the standard 450gsm training gis, giving you a noticeable weight reduction without sacrificing too much durability.
Scramble is a well-respected brand in the BJJ community, and the Athlete line has been their main competition gi for years. The 375 version uses a pearl weave jacket paired with 9oz cotton twill pants. The construction quality is a step above most gis in this price range.
One thing to note: the lightweight material can shrink more than heavier gis if you’re not careful. Wash cold and air dry to keep the fit. The minimal branding is nice if you compete under a team that requires specific patches, since there’s plenty of open space on the gi.
The downside is the price. At $130-160, it’s the most expensive lightweight gi on this list. But if you want a competition-grade lightweight gi from a premium brand, the Scramble Athlete 4: 375 delivers.
Conclusion: What’s the best lightweight bjj gi?
To summarize, I think the Gold BJJ Aeroweave gi is far and away the best lightweight BJJ gi, simply because it’s lighter than all the other lightweight BJJ gis.
If you’re on a budget and you’re looking for a lightweight BJJ gi that you aren’t necessarily going to compete with or train hard in every day, I think the Elite sports ultra lightweight gi a good budget option.
Related BJJ Gi Guides
Looking for more gi guidance? Check out these related guides:
- Best BJJ Gi: Ultimate Buyer’s Guide – Our complete guide to finding the right gi for any budget and body type
- BJJ Gi Size Calculator – Interactive calculator covering 13 brands with L/H/S variants
- BJJ Gi Fit Guide – How to check if your gi fits, IBJJF measurement rules, and what to do if it doesn’t
- Best Gi for Tall Skinny Guys – L-size recommendations and brand-by-brand sizing for lanky builds
- Best BJJ Gi Brands – 15 brands ranked with detailed reviews and comparisons
What is considered a lightweight BJJ gi?
A lightweight BJJ gi typically has a jacket fabric weight of 350 GSM (grams per square meter) or less. Standard training gis range from 450-550 GSM, so a lightweight gi is roughly 30% lighter. Ultra-lightweight gis like the Gold BJJ Aeroweave go as low as 275 GSM. The pants weight is measured separately in ounces, with lightweight pants usually being 8-10oz ripstop.
Are lightweight BJJ gis less durable?
Not necessarily. Premium lightweight gis from brands like Gold BJJ, Fuji, and Scramble use reinforced stitching and high-quality pearl weave fabric that holds up well to regular training and competition. Budget lightweight gis (under $60) do tend to wear out faster, but that’s more about overall build quality than weight alone. If you train 3+ times per week, invest in a premium lightweight gi for better longevity.
What GSM is best for a lightweight BJJ gi?
For most people, 350 GSM hits the sweet spot between weight savings and durability. That’s what Fuji, Hayabusa, and Gameness use for their lightweight models. If you need the absolute lightest gi for competition weigh-ins, the Gold BJJ Aeroweave at 275 GSM is the clear winner. The Scramble Athlete 4: 375 at 375 GSM offers a middle ground for competitors who want something sturdier than 275 GSM but lighter than standard.
What does GSM mean for a BJJ gi?
GSM stands for grams per square meter. It measures the density of the gi fabric, not the total weight of the gi. A higher GSM means thicker, heavier fabric. Most BJJ gis range from 275 GSM (ultra-lightweight) to 550+ GSM (heavyweight). Gi pants use a different measurement: ounces per square yard, typically abbreviated to just ounces (oz). You can convert oz to GSM by multiplying by 34.
What is a pearl weave gi?
Pearl weave is the most popular fabric weave for BJJ gis. The weave pattern creates small, pearl-like bumps in the fabric that make it lightweight yet tough. Pearl weave replaced older styles like single weave and double weave because it offers the best balance of low weight, durability, and comfort. Nearly every lightweight gi on the market uses pearl weave for the jacket.
Is a judo gi lighter than a BJJ gi?
No, judo gis are actually heavier than BJJ gis. Judo involves more aggressive gripping and throwing, so judo gi jackets use thicker, heavier fabric to withstand the pulling. Judo gi pants can sometimes be lighter than BJJ pants, since judo involves less ground work and less stress on the pants. A judo gi is not a good substitute if you want a lightweight option for BJJ.
Can I use a lightweight gi for everyday training?
Yes. A premium lightweight gi (like the Gold BJJ Aeroweave or Fuji Suparaito) is durable enough for daily training. Many competitors use lightweight gis as their primary training gi, not just for competition day. The main trade-off is that a thinner gi gives your opponent slightly less material to grip, which some training partners might find annoying if they’re working on gi-specific techniques.
Also read: BJJ Gi Fit Guide: How Should Your Gi Fit?
