Hi,
A few months ago, I made one of the dumbest buying mistakes of my jiu-jitsu journey.
I was browsing Amazon for a "cheap gi" to throw in my gym bag. Thought I'd save money by buying the most discounted option. $45. Seemed like a steal.
Three months later, the seams were separating. The collar was permanently stretched out. The fabric pilled everywhere. Basically, I was training in rags.
So I did the math: that $45 "deal" cost me way more than a quality $120 gi would have.
That's when a training partner told me about BJJ Superdeals—the gear division of BJJ Fanatics. And here's what blew my mind: they had pearl weave gis for barely more than that garbage Amazon option. Except these gis actually last.
I realized I'd been shopping completely wrong.
So I dove deep into figuring out where to actually find quality BJJ gear that doesn't overprice you. And I put everything I learned into a guide: BJJ Superdeals Ultimate Buying Guide—Save Big on Legitimate Gear.
Here's the breakdown:
The Quality Difference (And Why It Matters)
Cheap gis fail because they skip critical reinforcement in stress points. Quality gis at BJJ Superdeals include:
Triple-stitched seams at armpits, knees, and crotch
Pre-shrunk fabric (stays true to size)
Reinforced collars that don't collapse after a month
Tapered ankles (harder to grip during passes)
That $45 Amazon gi? Single-stitched. No pre-shrinking. Flimsy collar. Straight ankles.
One lasts 3-5 years. The other dies in 6 months.
Pearl Weave = The Sweet Spot
There are three main gi types:
Weave | GSM | Best For | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
Single | 300-400 | Hot climates | Budget option |
Pearl | 450-550 | Most training | Best value |
Double | 600+ | Competition | Premium |
Most white belts should get pearl weave. It's durable enough for hard rolling, comfortable for long sessions, and priced fairly. BJJ Superdeals' pearl weaves are solid in this category.
No-Gi Gear That Actually Stays Put
If you train no-gi, rash guard and spats quality makes a huge difference:
✓ Flatlock seams (no irritation against skin)
✓ 4-way stretch fabric (moves how your body moves)
✓ Sublimated graphics (won't crack or fade)
✓ Anti-microbial treatment (doesn't smell like death)
✓ Silicone grip waistband (stays in place, doesn't ride up)
Cheap no-gi gear slides around during rolling, causes mat burn, and smells after two washes. Quality gear does none of that.
How to Actually Save Money (Without Sacrificing Quality)
Here's where it gets interesting. You don't have to overpay, but you also can't go too cheap.
1. Monitor Seasonal Sales
Black Friday/Cyber Monday: 50-60% off
New Year: 40-50% off
Summer sales: 30-40% off
Wait for these. A $150 gi becomes $60-75. That's not "cheap," it's actually smart.
2. Bundle Deals Stack the Savings
BJJ Superdeals runs bundles like "Gi + Rashguard + Shorts + Belt" for $99-149. That's normally $200+.
If you need 2+ items, bundles almost always win.
3. Email Subscriber Codes
Sign up for the email list. Subscribers get exclusive early-access codes to sales. Often an extra 10-15% off.
4. Buy Slightly Off-Season
Late summer = heavyweight gis at clearance
Late winter = lightweight gis on discount
5. First-Time Buyer Discounts
New customers sometimes get 15-20% off first purchase. Don't skip this.
What You Actually Need (And Timeline)
First 3 months:
1 training gi ($80-130)
1 rashguard ($30-50)
Total: $110-180
3-12 months (add to collection):
2nd gi (rotation/laundry)
2 rashguards (short + long)
Spats or fight shorts
Budget: Additional $200-350
1+ years (upgrade phase):
Competition gi (if competing)
3-4 rashguard/spats sets
Specialty gear
Budget: $300-600 spread over time
Don't buy everything at once. One quality piece beats five cheap ones.
The Trust Factor
BJJ Superdeals is the gear division of BJJ Fanatics—the company that's sold over 1 million courses with partnerships with world champions like Gordon Ryan and Bernardo Faria.
Their team actively trains. They test products on their own mats. If they wouldn't wear it, they don't sell it.
This matters. You're not buying from someone trying to squeeze profit from jiu-jitsu. You're buying from practitioners who genuinely care about the product quality.
What I Covered in the Full Guide
Complete gi buying checklist (sizing, weave, colors)
No-gi gear specifications (what makes quality rashguards)
Seasonal sale calendar with expected discounts
Bundle deal breakdown
Quality indicators you should look for
FAQ (shipping, returns, competition legality)
Maintenance tips to extend gear lifespan
Prioritized shopping strategy by experience level
You can read the full guide here: 👉 BJJ Superdeals Ultimate Buying Guide.
And if you're ready to grab gear: 👉 Shop BJJ Superdeals Here.
My Honest Take
Don't cheap out on gear. But don't overpay either.
Spend enough to get quality that lasts. Wait for sales to bring the price down. Buy strategically based on what you actually need.
A $120 pearl weave gi that lasts 4 years is $30/year. That $45 Amazon gi that dies in 6 months? $90/year.
Quality looks expensive upfront. But it's actually cheaper long-term.
Talk soon,
Ben—The Grappler's Toolkit
P.S. Want to level up your technique too? BJJ Fanatics has some of the best instructionals online. Definitely worth checking out.