Beyond White and Blue: Why Your Next Gi Should Break Tradition?

You should switch to unique Jiu Jitsu Gi colors such as orange, red, and yellow for a number of reasons: personal identity, ease of washing and keeping your Gi clean, fewer fading issues, options for custom patches, and team building. But this does not mean you should stop wearing the classic ones, because without them, you cannot compete in IBJJF matches. But ensure you consider a few factors when choosing your BJJ Gi color, such as your gym and IBJJF rules, and that the color is durable, easy to clean, and high quality.

Jiu Jitsu uses the same colors as Judo. Three main colors, which are approved for anyone to compete in IBJJF matches, are:

• The black color denotes power and authority, and it is famous for its sleek, serious, and modern look. Mostly, the Jiu Jitsu black belts wear this color.
• White is the oldest color and denotes humility and purity. Mostly, the Jiu Jitsu trainers wear this color.
• The primary aim of the blue color was to better hide stains and sweat than the classic white Gi color. So it was started as a better alternative to white. But it still denotes a classic look.

• Brands and grapplers use unique colors, such as orange, red, and yellow, to brand and express their personal identity.
• With unique colors and branding, brands and grapplers can follow Jiu Jitsu fashion trends. They use their gear as a style to stand out from the crowd.
• For young grapplers, unique Jiu Jitsu colors often help engage them with the martial art by providing a fun training culture.

Many grapplers are switching to unique Gi colors such as orange, red, and yellow, and you should too, due to the reasons given below:

Enter into any Jiu Jitsu training gym, and you will see that 90% of the grapplers training there are wearing only three colors: black, blue, or black. Firstly, they will all look similar to you because you do not know anyone.

But what if one of them was wearing a orange colored Jiu Jitsu Gi? He will look different and will leave an impact on your mind. The next day you will come, you will not know anyone except the one wearing an orange colored Gi.

The first reason to switch your Gi to the new color is to stand out from the crowd. You try to be unique in your Jiu Jitsu skills, so your Gi should follow suit.

The oldest and most widely used Gi, i.e., white Gi, is not easy to keep clean because it shows stains and dirt clearly. If you have only one white Gi, you have to wash it daily after training because it will get very dirty.

On the other hand, if you switch to unique colored Gis, such as orange or red, they will hide stains much better and are easy to maintain. You will also need less time to clean them.

They are also much better at hiding mat burns, chalk, and sweat marks. Other classic Gi colors, such as blue or black shows chalk and sweat marks clearly.

Color fading in Jiu Jitsu Gis is a common issue that many grapplers have to face. This issue is more serious with the classic colors such as white, black, or blue. For example, black starts looking like a gray Gi after washing a few times.

But these fading issues are less common with unique colors such as orange and red. These retain their shades, and you can wear them for a long time without worrying about them. But it is also on the brand you are buying a Gi from. The quality of their fabric and the color shade both affect how they fade. Overall, unique colors tend to fade less than classic colors.

Classic Gis are less likely to offer custom patches. The brands focus on making IBJJF approved Gis in only three colors, with no option for custom patches.

Young grapplers mostly prefer stylish Gis with custom patches and embroidery, often available in unique colors. If you want a custom patch, a unique design, or any other feature on your Gi, you might have to choose colors such as orange, red, or yellow.

Many Jiu Jitsu gyms use unique colors for team building purpose. You cannot form a team with classic colors, as there are only three, and most teams wear white or black.

This becomes easy with the unique colored Gi, which are available in red, yellow, orange, brown, and purple. These teams can compete against each other and take part in matches to learn and grow together.

Some factors that you should consider while choosing the color of your Gi are given below:

Some Jiu Jitsu gyms or dojos allow only specific colors for Gis, mostly the classic ones. So, ensure there are no limits on choosing the color of your Gi at your academy. If your gym does not allow you to wear a unique colored gi, you can switch to a flexible one. 

Some schools also limit wearing the colored Gi to only the higher belts. So keep this in mind when choosing the gym and your Gi color. Moreover, if your gym uses a team format, you may need to use the team's specific Gi color.

If you want to compete in IBJJF matches, then you can only wear the classic color Gis because they only allow three colors for their Gis: white, black, and blue. Also, you cannot wear a mixed color uniform. For example, if you are wearing a white Gi jacket, you also need to wear white pants. You cannot wear black pants with the white jacket. 

If you are training to compete only in the local events, then they often follow relaxed rules. But you need to always ensure they allow the Gi color that you want to wear.

You should choose just whatever color you like for your Gi. You should consider something given below:

• Focus on darker colors, as they are easy to maintain. The light colored Gi will show stains, sweat marks, or mat burns more clearly.

• Unique, modern colored Gis are easy to clean.

• Don’t choose a Gi color that is too vibrant, as it will fade over time.

• Some intensely colored Gis may bleed after the first few washes on your partner’s gi or on your belt.

• Each color has its own meaning and denotes something unique, leaving an impact on everyone watching you grapple. Draker colors look serious or like an expert in something; the highest ranked belt in Jiu Jitsu is dark in color (black). 

• A clear, unique, and vibrant color will make you stand out from the crowd and help you look different. Dark or unique colored Gi can make you more visible than lighter or classic Gis. 

• But it depends more on how you think of these colors. Choose the color that you think looks good on you, because this will boost your confidence.

• Grapplers often make one mistake when choosing their Gi: they focus only on the color, not on anything else. You should always focus on one thing: the quality of your Gi. 

• Don’t buy the Gi if it is the color you want but has low quality, because it will not last long, and you will have to buy a new one.