Gi guide
What to wear on the mats
Bring one, borrow one, or buy one. Here are the simple rules so nobody has to guess before their first round.
Gi checklist (PDF)
One page with everything from your welcome email — what to pack, loaner gis, where to buy, patches, the camouflage reservation, and how the night runs. Save it or print it and bring it to class.
Bring
Bring or borrow
Bring or borrow a gi
If you own a gi
- A clean gi (jacket, pants, belt) if you own one. White is standard and never wrong.
- A rashguard or plain t-shirt to train under the jacket.
- Athletic shorts with no pockets, zippers, or drawstring hooks for no-gi rounds.
- Flip-flops or slides for walking off the mats, plus a water bottle and a towel.
- Trimmed nails, no jewelry, and no fever, rash, ringworm, or open wounds.
If you do not
You still train. We keep a small number of loaner gis on hand, first come while they last. Request one when you reserve your mat and we will set it aside with your name on it.
No loaner left? Wear a rashguard or plain t-shirt and shorts without pockets. Nobody sits out for lack of a gi.
Buy
Where to buy your first gi
Where to buy your first gi
A basic single-weave white gi is all you need for years. Size by the A-scale on each brand's chart (height first, then weight). For youth, buy the size that fits now rather than one to grow into — a gi that drowns a kid is a safety issue in grip fighting. We have no affiliate relationship with these storefronts.
Patches
Patches and colors
Patches and colors
Wear any gi and any patches you like — academy, ministry, event, or team. We do not police brands or colors, and there is no required uniform for our gatherings.
One reservation
Camouflage gis
Reserved for military service members and veterans
The one thing we respectfully ask: camouflage gis are worn only by military service members and veterans, out of respect for what that pattern represents and for those who earned the right to wear it. No one will be asked to prove anything at the door — we simply trust the room to honor it.
FAQ
Quick answers
Gi questions
- Do I need a gi for my first session?
- No. Bring a rashguard or plain t-shirt and athletic shorts without pockets or zippers, and we will get you on the mats. We keep a few loaner gis on hand while they last.
- Where can I buy a first gi?
- A basic white A-size gi is all you need. Fuji basic gis on Amazon are the simplest starting point, and Origin makes gis in the USA if you want to invest more.
- Can I wear patches on my gi?
- Yes. Wear any gi and any patches you like, including academy, ministry, and event patches.
- Can I wear a camouflage gi?
- We respectfully reserve camouflage gis for military service members and veterans, out of respect for what that pattern represents. Any other color or design is welcome.