The clothing Judokas wear while competing and training in the sport of Judo is referred to as a Judogi – where gi essentially means ‘uniform.’ A Judo Gi is an extremely durable and heavy-duty outfit designed to be held and pulled on aggressively, during competition, without tearing. So, how much does a Judo Gi weigh?
A Judo Gi weighs between 300 and 550 g/m2 (10.58 and 19.4 oz/m2) if it’s single weave and 650 to 1000 g/m2 (22.93 to 35.27 oz/m2) if it’s double weave. A single weave Judo Gi is lighter and more breathable, but it lacks the strength and durability of a double weave Judo Gi. Of course, a judogi can weigh more or less than this.
In this article, we discuss the different types of Judo Gi, their intended purposes, how much does a judogi weigh, and different factors that may influence that weight. Plus, we have a brief buyer’s guide for how to choose and where to find a high-quality Judo Gi for a fair and reasonable price.
Choosing A Light Vs Heavy Judogi
Judogi is the traditional uniform of Judo practice and competition and consists of three articles: pants, a jacket, and a belt. The entirety of the Judogi is fabricated from dense cotton material and designed to withstand incredible amounts of use and abuse.
During a Judo contest, both competitors will grip onto each other’s Gi with full force in an attempt to control and overpower their opponent. This means that the Judo Gi must be strong, and thus the material can be very heavy on the athletes.
Before we can say exactly how much a Judo Gi weighs, a distinction must be made. There are two basic types of Judo Gi: single weave and double weave. Single weave and double weave Judo Gi will have different weights because they are designed differently.
Single Weave
While the weight will vary from brand to brand, the typical single weave Judo GI will weigh somewhere between 300-550 g/m2 (10.58 and 19.4 oz/m2) of material.
The single weave Judo Gi is a much lighter material than the double weave. The lighter material works to provide relief to Judo players in training by providing a cooler and more breathable alternative. But because they’re not woven as thick. So a single weave Judo Gi is not as tough or durable as a double weave.
Double Weave
A double weave Judo Gi weighs between 650-1000 g/m2 (22.93 to 35.27 oz/m2) – that’s twice the weight of a single weave Gi. The double weave Judo Gi is very heavy-duty and tough. There’s no give in this fabric whatsoever.
A double weave Judo Gi is more reliable and more likely to stand the test of time, but they’re relatively heavy. This can sometimes cause athletes to overheat and fatigue faster than they would like, and wearing one all the time may catch up to you and drag you down if you’re not used to it.
Factors That Influence the Weight of a Judo Gi
Again, the exact weight of a Judo Gi will vary from brand to brand. However, other factors may affect the weight of a Judo Gi that should be taken into account. The two main factors of Judo Gi weight beyond brand name and design are size and sweat absorption.
Size
Judo players come in all different sizes, shapes, and weight categories. Because of this, each athlete will have to choose a Gi based on their particular sizing needs, and there isn’t much that can be done about controlling the weight of the Gi.
Naturally, the larger the Gi size, the more fabric there will be, thus, the more it’ll weigh. Conversely, if you wear a smaller size, the Gi won’t be as heavy.
Sweat
Judo is highly explosive and intense and can get the heart pumping, causing athletes to sweat heavily as a result.
Because the Judo Gi is made from cotton, it can absorb sweat. Over time, this will add weight to your Gi. While this added weight is usually something negligible that you may not directly notice, Judo is a game of inches, and every factor – no matter how small – can influence a match.
To help prevent your Judo Gi from absorbing and retaining sweat, wear a rash guard under your attire. A quality rash guard will also help keep you cool so that you sweat less in the first place. You should also know how to properly wash your judogi.
How To Choose a Judo Gi (Buyers Guide)
Those new to the sport of Judo may be a little bit confused on how to go about choosing the right Judo Gi and the criteria to base the decision on.
The most important thing to look for is when picking out a Judo Gi is how it fits. A Judo Gi must be the right length to accommodate your unique bodily proportions. If a Judo Gi isn’t properly fitted to an athlete, a competition judge may disallow the uniform from being worn by the athlete.
Sizing
A Judo Gi shouldn’t be overly tight, but you don’t want it excessively loose either.
Your Gi should be comfortable and not restrict your movement or mobility in any way. You should be able to move your arms and legs freely in the Gi with no difficulty.
The length of your sleeve should be roughly 1-2 inches (2.54-5.08 cm) from your wrist joint when both arms are extended out in front of you. The sleeves should never fall over your hands or ride too high up the forearm. Again, we’re looking for a comfortable medium here.
The same principle applies to the length of your Judo Gi pants. 1-2 inches (2.54-5.08 cm) above the ankle joint is ideal.
Quality
A Judo Gi is an investment; it’s meant to stay with an athlete for a long period, much like a baseball player’s glove.
Buying a cheap and low-quality Judo Gi isn’t a good idea because you’ll likely find yourself replacing it earlier than anticipated, and it may also let you down in competition. Plus, It can take a long time and a lot of use to break in a Judo Gi and soften it up.
This doesn’t have to mean that a good Judo Gi should be overly expensive. Rather, it’s about making an informed decision and knowing what to look for. Even the highest quality Judo Gi is relatively inexpensive when you factor in how much use you’ll get out of it, so it doesn’t make sense to go for a poor brand.
Where To Buy
Judo Gi can be purchased online in all different shapes, sizes, and colors.
In our opinion, the most cost-effective Judo Gi on the market is the Fuji Sports Double Weave. This particular Gi is suitable for any level of competitor and is considered a great universal option for that reason.
Many Judoka will own a second Judo Gi, typically a single weave, for backup and training purposes. Fuji Sports also produces one of the most reputable single weave Judo Gi on the market, the Fuji Sports Single Weave Judo Uniform.
Having a backup Gi will ensure that you’re ready and prepared for any situation.
Does The Weight Of Your Judogi Affect Competition?
The weight of your judogi can affect competition. Mostly due to the ability for your opponent to grab your gi as well as having extra weight to weigh you down. However, it might not be as important as it is in other sports such as BJJ. This is simply because you must weigh in your gi before most BJJ competitions. So naturally, a heavy gi could put you in a higher weight division.
Conclusion
There are two different types of Judo Gi, single and double weave. A single weave Judo Gi will normally weigh between 300 and 550 g/m2 (10.58 and 19.4 oz/m2) of cotton material, and a double weave Judo Gi is roughly double that. Both types of Judo Gi offer unique benefits that the other doesn’t, and it may be useful to own one of each.