Ever thought of buying a new gi? Before you even buy from the established companies, why not support the small ones? Have you ever thought of buying from the smaller companies that are lesser known in the market? In this article, we will make a list of small gi companies that you might want to support more.
As an avid Gi addict, I love gis coming from both small and big companies. For casual buyers though, they may be exposed to companies that have more capital to get their names out there. For instance, only a few big companies can get their names in IBJJF tournaments as a major sponsor, and even get famous black belts as part of their sponsored athletes. Since our consciousness is affected by the number of times we get exposed to certain brands, this leaves a smaller room for small brands to showcase what they are offering.
There are small brands that I do believe deserve the support of the BJJ community for their great products, out of the box ideas and even cool side projects. Because of that hunger to leave a lasting impression, given the dog eat dog competition of gi companies, some can come up with really great products.
Here is my short list small gi companies that you might want to support more. These companies come in no particular order.
Based in the UK, Grab and Pull started manufacturing gis way before most small companies started. Grab and Pull started in 2008. Influenced by surfing and music, these elements made Grab and Pull the company that it is today. Working with Moskova in developing their gi, and also Quicksilver, this brand is one of the most underrated players in the gi industry.Also, they have helped support UK based competitions.
What company do you think came up with the lightest gi? Yes, it’s Kauai Kimonos. This small company has a great number of things unique to them. One, they do not use pearl weaves, single weaves, hemps or gold weaves.
They simply make use of Rip Stop material for their gis (both for tops and pants). Two, unlike most companies that have factories to outsource to in China or in Pakistan, they run everything in Bali, Indonesia. Also, they also supported a gi donation drive for kids in Moldova and Dominican Republic. What I am waiting for though is for IBJJF to make their gis competition legal.
In terms creating the right gi for the consumer, I personally believe that Brendan has enough knowledge to make it work. As the main guy behind Gi Reviews, he has wealth of knowledge regarding the gi designs and manufacturing standards set by some of the best players in the gi industry today. OK! Kimonos has the right blend of a Meerkatsu made Tiger, and a market that can be potentially rewarding—kids gis.
The owner of the company simply thought that it was time to give back to the BJJ community when he started the company. Influenced by BJJ Globetrotter, he participated in a gi drive in Rio for kids to train on some free gis. As for those fans who are waiting for their next batch of gis, watch out mid-April as they have a new ones coming up.
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| Image taken from The Great Meerkatsu |
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Representing their Pinoy roots, Manila Kimonos initially offered $107 Tropic Lightweight gis that came in white, royal blue and black. After getting the attention of the market for their affordable and high quality gis, they released a two top gi (one pearl weave, one rip stop) called the Thrilla. The whole reason for the two top gi is to enjoy a standard competition/training gi and at the same time have a travel gi. Priced at $169, it was a keeper.
Now, their latest offering is the Finesse, a clean gi with a white piping. To ensure practical shipping fees for North American and European orders, the company has expanded to the US. Inking partnership with a West Coast based business partner, we can expect more of their gi in other regions of the world.
In recent months, Manila Kimonos joined with BJJ and comic artist Gawakoto to have a benefit tee for the victims of the Typhoon Haiyan.
Oss Gear
Though admitting that they haven’t pushed the brand in 2013, Oss Gear remains one of the companies out there with the catchiest names. Since the term OSS is widely used in the BJJ circles, it isn’t surprising how they are not the only one with such a name. In fact, they even sent a cease and decent order on its Brazilian counterpart for using similar logo. After working with projects such as the kickass shirt for the Miyao bros, OSS Gear has released The Original, The Daruma and The 50th State of Mind which is a tribute to Hawaii.
Who doesn’t love pandas? If you love pandas and you love to invert, Inverted Gear is the perfect brand for you. Being involved with Tap Cancer Out, Inverted Gear is a brand that has been out there in terms of being involved with great causes. In terms of branding, they used a panda which you expect to come from Meerkatsu. But no, it is an original concept that is cute, and clean. Unlike other gis with different bling, their gis are just simple and clean, which is a good way of focusing the attention on the inverted panda.
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| Say My Name |
There are two types of people who would love to support Strike Fightwear. One, you have to be an avid Walter White fan. Two, if you are after an ever improving company that is not afraid of reinventions, Strike Fightwear is the brand that you want to look at. Since the inception of this company, they have never settled. They continued to improve from the first gi to the latest that they have right now. The more recent gi release that they have is the Crowd Control II. Priced $89, this gi is a keeper not to mention you can mix and match your size.
31Fifty is a brand that started in 2009. Initially investing on shirts, they now released their very first gi, the Mano. Though it is their first time to release a BJJ gi, they are familiar with clean and simple designs. This Hawaiian company recently caught the Gi lovers’ attention with its Mano.
Probably one of the few brands that originated from the Land Down Under, MVNT offers clean with their premium gis and other BJJ apparel. They went under our radar, probably, simply because they are just producing gis per small batches, similar to what other small gi companies are doing. Looking at their logo, you can easily tell how they are heavily influenced by Eastern Designs.
I am looking forward to their future designs since they are following a clean and minimalist theme from their logo to their gi’s overall aesthetics.
Reversal Dogi Design Work is a Japanese based gi company that brought the FLASH Kimono. This design brought mixed reaction from different sites. For some reviewers, they listed it as one of the worst looking gis ever. For me, personally, I find this gi to be sharp.
Reversal is a brand that has been known to put style in fight and grappling apparel. Unlike other companies that have outsourced to either China or Pakistan, Reversal has maintained its production in Saitama, Japan. On the downside though, you may have to dig deep in your wallet if you want to get this gi. The Flash costs around $230!
If you want to buy one, you may have difficulty navigating the Japanese sites that offer minimal assistance to someone who doesn’t read Japanese. The best online retailer for you to go to would have to be chokesports.com
Honorable Mention
Progress JiuJItsu
An underrated brand based in the UK, Progress JiuJitsu is also a young player in the gi industry. They have offered clean looking gis such as the £86 (roughly $144), M6 which is a 350 gsm pearl weave gi that combines both durability and style. Started in 2012, they look up to UK brands such as Scramble and UK and aims to be a known worldwide brand in the near future. As for the future plans for this company, they are to sponsor top names from Atos San Diego this year and are planning to spend more time in California this year in order to grow the brands some more.
Aesthetic
When the Aura and the Alpha gis came out, they started with a bang. Known to have entered the BJJ scene by supporting the BJJ Hacks documentary about the Red Belts, they were a mysterious bunch since there was no website, or any social media page at that time for the company. What makes the company unique is the contrast sunburst stitching pattern that they implemented with both their debut gis.
Gi Addict, do you have a favorite small gi company in mind?
