People are always posting on message boards about what type of gi is best for them and those of us who’ve been on them forever see the same answers time and time again. The thing is, that on each message board, there are popular answers that are not ever mentioned on other boards.
In this article, we’ll discuss the best gis for skinny and lean guys. Are you a bigger guy, like me? Don’t worry, we have you covered with an article about the best gis for big guys.
Hey, skinny guys (and gals)! If you are over 6’ and under 200lbs, or under 6’ and under 170, we’re probably talking to you. You guys struggle because every time you get a gi that fits the length of your arms and legs, you can probably wrap it around you twice, and the girth of the sleeves and pant legs are twice what you need.
How frustrating.
Luckily, there are gis out there that come highly recommended for you. Here’s a solid list of gis that are sure to fit you.
Ok! Kimonos
Although primarily a kids bjj gi company, Ok! Kimonos makes adult gis once or twice per year and offers a TON of slim (A0S) and tall sizes (A1T, A2T, and A3T):
Typically, Ok! Kimonos carries an understated adult and a totally blinged out adult gi (both pictured to the right).Click here to check out Ok! Kimonos adult gis
Keiko Raca
Keiko Raca is known to fit skinny and lankier athletes much better than those who are short and stout. If you’re looking for a gi, that will fit around your thinner midsection, but also have decent length in the sleeves, then this might be the gi for you.
Click here for the best price on Keiko Raca gis (affiliate link)
Shoyoroll
An answer that isn’t mentioned too often, but is still a great option, is Shoyoroll. They aren’t mentioned too often because if the infrequency of their availability. Whether you like their gis or not, or agree with their business model or not, they do make a gi that will fit you perfectly. The Shoyoroll A3S (short for “A3 slim”) is for bjj athletes that are between 6’2″ – 6’5″ in height and 170-205lbs. in weight. There are many gi reviews for Shoyoroll both on this site and around the internet.
Click here for the best price on Shoyoroll gis (affiliate link)
CTRL Industries
CTRL Industries has also gone above and beyond to sell in-between sizes including an A2T and an A3T (short for A2 Tall and A3 Tall).
Click here for the best price on CTRL Industries gis (affiliate link)
Gorilla Fight Gear
A fourth option is the Slim cut Silverback gi by Gorilla Fight Gear . They’ve really gone out of control with these gis. They are absolutely perfect for skinny guys. Unlike the Shoyoroll that is only made in A3S, the Gorilla Fight Gear Slim Silverback ranges from A2S (5’5” and 120lbs)to A4SS (6’4” and 160lbs). See the chart below for more information.
| Size | Height | Weight | Sleeve 2 Sleeve | Sleeve Width @ Armpit | Gi Jacket Width | GI Pants Out Seam | GI Pants Waist Width | Leg Width* |
| A2S | 5’5″-5″9″ | 120-145lbs | 64″ | 9.75″ | 21″ | 38″ | 19.5″ | 10.75″ |
| A3S | 5’9″-6’0″ | 140-180lbs | 67″ | 10″ | 22″ | 41″ | 20.5″ | 11.25″ |
| A4S | 6’2″-6’4″ | 175-200lbs | 70″ | 10.25″ | 23″ | 43″ | 21.5″ | 11.75″ |
| A4SS | 6’2″-6’4″ | 160-185lbs | 70″ | 10″ | 22″ | 43″ | 19.5″ | 10.75″ |
Summary for the lean and skinnies:
Shoyoroll A3 slim (affiliate link)
CTRL Industries A2T and A3T (affiliate link)
Gorilla Fight Gear A2 slim – A4 Superslim
Other brands worth considering:
Redstar
Killer Bee
Looking for a specific gi review? Check out all of the GiReviews.Net reviews here.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
The Tatami Fightwear Estilo gi is also very nice for skinny guys:
http://tatamifightwear.com/product.php?id_product=106
For me the biggest problem is usually sleeve length. After a couple months, most gi sleeves are usually halfway up my forearm…
That happens to me too! But only with my Fuji. And they’re notorious for that. But I really appreciate the suggestion and you taking the time to post. Do you have any other suggestions for gis for skinny guys and gals?
If I may make a few suggestions:
(Just for reference, I’m 6’2 and 162 pounds)
1) Redstar
2) Killer Bee
3) Keiko Raca (already mentioned)
4) Shoyoroll (already mentioned)
5) Fushida
6) CTRL Industries
7) Origin
8) Omegamaniac
9) Gorilla Fight Gear (already mentioned)
All of the brands I’ve listed have a size for those mentioned in this article. I have a Redstar A2L, a Killer Bee in A3, a Keiko A3 (arms are a tad short, but still comp-legal), and a Shoyoroll in A3S. These gis that I own are in order of my preference. I have long, lanky arms, I’m skinny, and I’m tall, so it was not easy looking for a gi. At one point, I even considered having a gi custom made! After shopping around for a year now, trying out a lot of different brands, I’ve compiled that list. I still plan to buy the others, so stay tuned and I’ll let you know how they fit!
Abi. Your comment was so informative, I hope you don’t mind that I added it to the article!!! THANK YOU!
Hey! I actually wanted to give you a small update on some of those brands I listed (which I didn’t own at the time). I managed to get a hold of a few more on that list:
CTRL Industries- Supreme Standard in A2T
Fushida- CompGS in A2x
Gorilla Fight Gear- Slim Cut Silverback in A4SS
I just wanted to reiterate that I’m about 6’2″ and 165 pounds, and I have long gangly arms (longer than even my friend who is 6’5 and 188 pounds).
The Gorilla Fight Gear gi is really for those super-skinny, super-tall guys. I would say it’s for guys that are tall and “really” skinny. It’s built like a tank and I highly recommend it. It is a heavy weight gold-weave, so I would think twice about training in the summer with it. I’m curious to see how an A4S will fit, so if I do get a hold of that I will update here once again.
I had to take the dive and grab a Fushida. Everyone was raving about it. It received the number 1 spot in this year’s Aesopian list, and it was only a matter of time before I bit the bullet and ordered one. I’m glad I did. Whoever is at the top of that list of companies has some serious competition. The fit is amazing! A true competition cut and feel. The pants are a little heavy, but that’s just the way I like them for training.
I’m really surprised that I hear so little about CTRL Industries. The Supreme Standard is fast becoming my favorite gi to roll in. I’d say it’s a bit wider than the GFG, but definitely one to keep in mind for the skinny folks and, of the three I listed in this update, is definitely my favorite. The other two, however, are certainly not far behind.
I hope this helps for all of those BJJ enthusiasts who are “in-between” sizes. Good luck!
I have a Bad boy pro series gi – size A2G. Fits me great I am 6,0 180p, like it was made for me. Usually i find A2 too short, a3 too bagy, this is perfect. I’d recommend it highly. There’s one problem though- it says lightweight pro, but it’s 2 kilos. A LOT! Not great if yu cut weight for comps…
Great point Miha. That’s really heavy for a lightweight gi. I’ve tried to stay away from the Bad Boy gis. When they first came out, they had a huge body and short arms. Just an awful cut for most people. I see they’re working on more sizes though so that may have changed.
Just to complete the list. Tatami will be offering inbetween sizes by mid-summer 2012. They told me like a A2x and A2L amongst others. Basically replacing their mix and match pant options with proper mid range sizes.
Also, and this might not work on all of theirs but I’m 6ft1 175 or so and wear an A2 Bull Terrier and it fits great…but I do have shorter legs at like 32-32 in jeans.
I battle this problem and have owned 6 different gi’s. I’m 6-1″ and my weight is anywhere from 155-165 on any given day. My first gi wasn’t purchased by me or even for me. It was purchased for someone that was 5-8 120 lbs. It was an Adidas special addition jiu jitsu gi http://jordan.run2sport.com/adi-uni-jj500-w.html. Their sizing chart is by cm and they got the 180 cm gi for the really small gi (5-5″ – 5-8″ they don’t list weight). This today is probably the best fitting gi I own. It’s pretty old and beat up so I don’t wear it too often but it’s a great fit, plus it was only $70 in 2009. From there I bought my first gi and it was an Atama new gold weave. It was only 150 when I got it, but in the last year their prices have sky rocketed. It was a little big in the chest and the arms were too short for me but still the softest and most comfortable gi I own. My third gi was the Keiko Raca special gi. Got a A3 and it fits great. Good length in the arms and nice fit around my waist but it’s a double weave gi and mine is black so it’s pretty hot to train in so I don’t wear it here in Oklahoma too often. My 4th gi was the Shoyoroll Americana size A3s. I liked the idea of having a gi that the world wouldn’t have plus a size that would fit me better. The sleeves were LONG. After washing and drying several times, just wasn’t going to fit me in the arms. The jacket was fine through the mid section but the sleeves were to my fingertips. My 4th and 5th were the same gi, Jiu jitsu progear rip stop gi’s. I bought two because from the size chart, I would wear a A2. I was wrong. fit until I washed it (didn’t dry it either) and then the arms were to mid forearm. I loved how light it was though for the money so I purchased a second one in a3. It fits good in length, but a little baggy on me. But for $100, not a bad training gi. I got a little ripstop happy after that gi, I loved how light it was, but the collar was so thin it was like having a belt around my neck getting choked. I was looking into buying a koral light weight but saw a Hakai ripstop gi for $100 in a A3 so I decided to purchase it. Great fit through the arms but again too baggy. So by this time, I was just thinking the Keiko was just going to be my best bet at a good fit for my body (but I don’t want a bunch of the same gi’s because I’m weird like that). A smaller guy in our gym was selling a shoyoroll A2 and I just wanted to try it on to see the fit of the A2 knowing the A3 was huge and the A3s was too long. Low and behold it was a perfect fit. Sleeves went to palm, chest and belly area were perfect. I now know that the shoyoroll A2 is going to fit me perfect so I will just wear those and the Keiko Raca A3 for now on. I just recently sold my americana and purchased (for a lot of money I may add) the shoyoroll uniblue. It is one awesome gi and better yet, I won’t see anyone wearing it in Oklahoma or Texas where I usually do tournaments which is a huge plus. Believe me, 350 for a rare gi, that fits perfectly, and will be pretty much a one of a kind is worth every penny for me. It just sold me on next years GUMA by shoyoroll if they have it. I’ll buy every gi they have.
Glad you’ve found one of the perfect gis for you, Ryan! I was going to say that you likely need a long version of an a2, much like the one Ronin makes in their samurai model, but if the syr a2 fits, great! Check out all of our recent SYR articles to make sure you get one of the upcoming Rio Koi gis =o)
Hi all,
Just to add to those already mentioned, you can pick up the Ronin Samurai in inbetween sizes, I recently purchased an A2L. Also Tatami are producing the Estilo in other sizes including A2L and A2XL.
Red Star should be near the top of this list, not just a brand worth considering. there regular gi is a leaner fit then most companies, and the have a1L and a2L sizes which are even lankier. and as a bonus, they are a super high quality gi.
I think the Howard gi should get special mention. They have like ten sizes and they’re almost guaranteed to have one that will fit. Not just one that “runs a little slim” like they say about the Keiko Raca. I’m 6’3 and around 175 pounds, HCK’s 5.75 fits perfectly.
We’re HUGE fans of CTRL (as you can probably tell from our Rook review haha). I’m putting together the ebook and will make sure this gets in there!
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