How to Choose the Right Youth Jiu-Jitsu Gi: A Parent’s Guide
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Buying your child's first BJJ gi can be confusing, especially if you don't train jiu-jitsu yourself. You'll see different sizes, fabric weights, colors, cuts, and competition requirements, and kids don't exactly stop growing while you're figuring it all out.
The good news is that choosing a youth BJJ gi doesn't have to be complicated.
Start with fit and sizing, then look at comfort, durability, your academy's requirements, and whether your child plans to compete. You also don't need to buy the most expensive gi available just because your child is starting jiu-jitsu.
At Toro BJJ, we've spent years around jiu-jitsu and building gear for adults and kids. In this guide, we'll walk through what parents should look for so you can choose a gi that fits your child and their training style.
How Should a Youth BJJ Gi Fit?
A youth BJJ gi should give your child enough room to move comfortably without looking excessively baggy or hanging off their body.
They should be able to squat, move their arms, bend their knees, and train without the jacket or pants restricting their movement. At the same time, buying a gi that's much too large just so they can “grow into it” can create its own problems.
Kids grow at different rates, so use age only as a general reference. Weight and the manufacturer's actual size chart are usually more useful starting points.
If your child falls between sizes, don't automatically size up without checking the measurements and the manufacturer's shrinkage information. Some gis are heavily preshrunk, while others may shrink more depending on how they're washed and dried.
Toro Youth BJJ Gi Size Guide
Use your child's weight as a starting point when choosing a Toro youth jiu-jitsu gi. Age is provided as a general reference.
| Size | Weight | Typical Age |
|---|---|---|
| M0000 | 30–45 lbs | 3–5 years |
| M000 | 35–50 lbs | 4–6 years |
| M00 | 45–55 lbs | 5–8 years |
| M0 | 55–75 lbs | 6–9 years |
| M1 | 70–85 lbs | 7–10 years |
| M2 | 75–95 lbs | 8–11 years |
| M3 | 85–105 lbs | 9–12 years |
| M4 | 100–135 lbs | 10–13 years |
Note: Sizing is approximate. Children with the same weight or age can have different builds, so use this chart as a starting point when choosing a size.
What Fabric Weight Is Good for a Kids' BJJ Gi?
You'll often see BJJ gi jackets described using GSM, which stands for grams per square meter. In simple terms, it tells you how heavy the jacket fabric is.
A youth gi should be durable enough for regular gripping and training without feeling unnecessarily heavy on a child.
Toro youth gis use a 380 GSM pearl weave jacket with 10 oz ripstop pants. We've found that combination gives kids a good balance between durability and freedom of movement for regular training.
But don't choose a youth gi based on GSM alone. Fit, construction, reinforcement, comfort, and how often your child trains also matter.
What Makes a Kids' BJJ Gi Durable?
Kids can be hard on BJJ gear. Jackets get pulled during grip fighting, knees spend a lot of time on the mats, and a gi used several times a week goes through a lot of training and washing.
When comparing youth gis, look beyond just the fabric weight. Pay attention to the overall construction, stitching, reinforced stress points, pants material, and how the gi is designed to handle regular training.
Toro youth gis use reinforced stress points because those are the areas that take repeated abuse during jiu-jitsu. A well-built gi should handle regular training without making the gi unnecessarily heavy or uncomfortable for a child.
No gi will last forever, especially when a growing child is training several days a week, but good construction and proper care can help you get more life out of it.
Check Your BJJ Academy's Gi Requirements Before Buying
Before ordering a gi, ask your child's academy about any uniform requirements.
Some BJJ schools allow students to wear almost any properly fitting gi. Others may require a certain color, academy patch, or even a specific academy gi.
This is especially important if your child is brand new to jiu-jitsu. The last thing you want is to buy a gi and then find out at their first class that the academy requires something different.
Ask the instructor or academy:
- Are certain gi colors required?
- Does the gi need an academy patch?
- Are outside brands allowed?
- Are there different requirements for classes and competition?
If the academy has a uniform policy, follow that first. Then worry about brand, fabric weight, color, and everything else.
Does Your Child Need a Competition BJJ Gi?
Not necessarily.
If your child is just starting jiu-jitsu and training in regular classes, focus first on getting a gi that fits properly, is comfortable, and meets their academy's requirements.
If they decide to compete, check the rules for the specific tournament or organization they're entering.
Competition rules can cover things such as:
- Gi color
- Fit and sleeve/pant length
- Patches and where they're placed
- Fabric and construction
- Condition of the gi
- Other uniform requirements
Don't assume that a gi allowed at your child's academy will automatically be approved for every tournament.
Before competition day, check the event's current rules and ask your child's coach if you're unsure. Their coach can also help check the fit before you arrive at the tournament.
For most young athletes, you don't need one gi for training and another completely different gi for competition. If their regular gi meets the tournament requirements and fits correctly, it may do both jobs.
How Many BJJ Gis Does a Child Need?
If your child is brand new and only training once or twice a week, one gi may be enough to get started.
As they begin training more often, a second gi becomes much more useful. It gives you a backup while the other is being washed or dried and takes some of the pressure off constantly turning laundry around between classes.
You don't need to buy several gis before you even know whether your child enjoys jiu-jitsu. Start with what they need now and add another when their training schedule actually calls for it.
And remember: kids grow. Building a huge gi rotation for a child who may need a different size six months from now usually doesn't make much sense.
If you're trying to decide when it makes sense to add another gi, read our guide on how many BJJ gis you should own
How to Wash and Care for a Youth BJJ Gi
Kids' BJJ gis need to be washed after every training session, just like adult gis.
Don't leave a sweaty gi sitting in a gym bag after class. Wash it as soon as practical, follow the manufacturer's care instructions, and make sure the jacket and pants are completely dry before your child wears them again or you put them away.
Pay close attention to drying instructions. Heat can cause shrinkage in some gis, and the last thing you want is a properly fitting youth gi suddenly becoming too small.
For a complete breakdown, read our guide on how to wash your BJJ gi and keep it fresh.
What Other BJJ Gear Does Your Child Need?
If your child is brand new, don't feel like you need to buy every piece of BJJ gear on day one. What they need depends on whether they're training gi, no-gi, or both, along with their academy's requirements.
BJJ belt: If the gi doesn't include a belt, ask the academy what your child needs before ordering one.
Rash guard: Some kids wear a rash guard underneath their gi for comfort, and your child will likely need one if their academy also has no-gi classes. Check whether the school requires specific colors or ranked rash guards.
BJJ shorts or spats: These are primarily for no-gi training. Again, check the academy's uniform requirements before buying.
Mouthguard: Some parents and coaches choose mouthguards for training, but requirements can vary. Ask your child's coach what they recommend for their program.
Water bottle: Not exciting, but probably more important on day one than half the gear somebody can sell you.
Looking for youth training gear? Browse our Toro youth BJJ rash guards and Toro BJJ belts.
How to Choose the Right Youth BJJ Gi
When you're comparing youth BJJ gis, don't get overwhelmed by every specification on the product page. Start with what actually affects your child.
Ask yourself:
- Does it fit correctly? Use weight and the manufacturer's size chart as your starting point.
- Is it comfortable to train in? Your child needs to move freely.
- Is it built for regular training? Look at the fabric, stitching, pants, and reinforced areas.
- Does their academy allow it? Check color, patch, and uniform requirements before buying.
- Will they compete in it? If so, check the current rules for the specific tournament.
- How quickly are they growing? Don't spend money building a large rotation they'll outgrow.
For a child who's just getting started, you don't need to overcomplicate it. A properly fitting, comfortable, durable gi that their academy allows is enough.
If you're looking for a youth gi, you can compare the current Toro Youth BJJ Gis and find the size, color, and style that works best for your child.
Choosing Your Child's First BJJ Gi Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
Your child's first BJJ gi doesn't need to be the most expensive, lightest, or feature-rich.
Start with fit.
Make sure it's comfortable, durable enough for regular training, and allowed by their academy. If your child decides to compete, check the tournament rules before competition day.
Most importantly, give them some time to actually fall in love with jiu-jitsu before filling the closet with gear.
If they stick with it, they'll have plenty of time for more gis later.