My name is Justin and I'm a gi addict. It's been a month since I acquired a new gi. I have often lost track of how many I have. I just did gi laundry and I'm having trouble finding my computer in my office. It's hidden behind a wall of clean gis.
A couple years back I made a deal with myself that I couldn't use "new money" to get a gi. I had to sell a gi to get the money for a new gi or I could make trades. That ended up with me finding package deals on Poshmark, OfferUp, or Facebook marketplace. I decided to feed my addiction by acquiring gis and giving them away at the dojo. At this point, almost everyone in 6am classes with me has received a gi.
I keep telling myself I have enough. But then I see another HCK for sale and I have trouble letting it go. I realized the other day that I've never owned a tatami gi, and theres a really cheap tatami tank gi in my size online. And I can't help but notice that the sleeves in my white keiko raca are too short so I feel like I have to replace that one.
I'm sure I don't have the biggest gi problem around here. But I figured we could use a safe space to talk about our struggles.
"I started making a list of all the Gis I ever owned, notes about the fit and such... and had to stop after I passed 90 entries. To be fair, I only ever owned, at most, maybe 12 at a time... (I think I have a problem.) (Help.)"
Thank you for sharing James. This is a safe space. You're among friends
I use to unnecessarily gather more Gi's and rashgaurds than I could ever use when I was a white/blue belt.
Now I just use the same one until it's worn out. I order about 1 new cheap Sanabul GI per year and will probably never run out of the old backups.
I have 2 Comp Gi's for when I compete at IBJJF as they have stupid rules for requirements. Other than that I just use the normal Sanabul for all other comps.
- 2023: Silver Sanabul
- 2024: Black/Red Sanabul
- 2025: Black/Silver Sanabul
It's kinda cool going forward when I look back at what Gi I'm wearing in comp I know what year it was by the color lol
"I use to unnecessarily gather more Gi's and rashgaurds than I could ever use when I was a white/blue belt. Now I just use the same one until it's worn out. I order about 1 new cheap Sanabul GI per year and will probably never run out of the old backups. I have 2 Comp Gi's for when I compete at IBJJF as they have stupid rules for requirements. Other than that I just use the normal Sanabul for all other comps. - 2023: Silver Sanabul - 2024: Black/Red Sanabul - 2025: Black/Silver Sanabul It's kinda cool going forward when I look back at what Gi I'm wearing in comp I know what year it was by the color lol"
I don't know how many gis I've had since I started training or how many I've got now. I couldn't tell you the last time I bought one. But at the same time I really enjoy getting a new one every once in a while. I've probably got 8-10 in a normal rotation, which means they last a long time. Sometimes I see a cool one that I can't live without and buy it for no good reason; and sometimes I see a sale I can't pass up. Once in a while I see a new brand that I haven't tried and wonder how it will fit. But I really don't believe I have a problem.
"I don't know how many gis I've had since I started training or how many I've got now. I couldn't tell you the last time I bought one. But at the same time I really enjoy getting a new one every once in a while. I've probably got 8-10 in a normal rotation, which means they last a long time. Sometimes I see a cool one that I can't live without and buy it for no good reason; and sometimes I see a sale I can't pass up. Once in a while I see a new brand that I haven't tried and wonder how it will fit. But I really don't believe I have a problem."
Its only a problem if its causing a problem! But that's just the therapist in me talking.
I believe that every new Gi makes you better ... because you go happier into training. And I can use it :) My latest one is the Garuma Hemp Gi. Bought it during the Euros in Lisboa. I was looking into it for a while but wanted to make it a test because of the fitting. Was a smart decision.
"I believe that every new Gi makes you better ... because you go happier into training. And I can use it :) My latest one is the Garuma Hemp Gi. Bought it during the Euros in Lisboa. I was looking into it for a while but wanted to make it a test because of the fitting. Was a smart decision."
YES! A new gi is a powerful antidepressant. I couldn't agree more.
I decided yesterday that I'm gonna try to sell a couple Keiko Raca gis and pick up that Tatami Tank I was looking at.
I am at 16 or 17 😆. Always only owned 3 at a time. Got my vlack belt and decided it was time to buy a couple more since I was teaching so many classes. Now I need to find a group...