Alongside the rise of jiu-jitsu on the world stage comes the rise of jiu-jitsu gear. Happily, today, we have more jiu-jitsu gear – and, importantly, jiu-jitsu gear of reasonably quality – available to us than ever before. For those of us who remember the Dark Ages of paper-thin, see-through spandex and constantly popped stitching, this is a welcome change, to say the least!

However, in this brave new world where most jiu-jitsu gear is actually good, what separates the good from the great? Here at Gaidama, we’re constantly striving not only to answer that question, but put it into everyday practice. By investing in premium fabrics, clever design choices, and durable style that makes a statement on the mats, we continue to pave the way for fashion innovations in grappling gear. In a constantly growing marketplace, we set the precedent for excellent jiu-jitsu wear that suits all bodies – and here’s how. 

Fabric Choices: Why We Always Go Premium

In a full contact sport, the last thing an athlete wants to deal with is fragile, scratchy, or see-through fabric. When it comes to performance fabrics, striking the ideal balance between fashion and function can be a challenge for even the best of designers. Athletic material – particularly for a grappling sport – needs to be a jack of all trades.

On one hand, there’s the performance considerations: the fabric needs to be capable of wicking sweat, stretching with an athlete’s movement, and somehow still being durable enough not to tear on the mats. On the other hand, there’s also the matter of comfort and style: lighter colors should never be see-through no matter how far a garment stretches, and the fabric should ideally feel soft to the touch despite its hardy durability. It’s a lot to ask of one piece of material, to say the least! Nevertheless, here at Gaidama, we’ve managed to crack the code.

How, you ask? What sets Gaidama’s selection of fabrics apart from the rest? Well, here are just a few features of our unique, best-in-class athletic material:

• Higher-than-average GSM, which results in thicker and more durable material that promote higher levels of compression to support muscles and promote blood flow.

• Sleek, buttery soft fabrics that sit comfortably on the body – you won’t find any itchy rashguard material or scratchy waistbands here!

• A vibrant selection of colors and patterns designed to move beautifully with our fabrics – without showing off anything you’d rather keep private.

Don't just take our word for it. Below, check out what our customers have to say on the quality and construction of our materials!

What Our Customers Say About Our Fabrics

“[My Gaidama rashguards] have been with me since day one, and I've had them almost a year now. I wash and use them multiple times a week, and they have yet to tear or unravel, which is not something I can say about my non-Gaidama gear.” Source

“These are the best spats on the market! They feel like butter, compress exactly where needed, allow great movement, and hold up extremely well!” Source

“These shorts are just awesome. Smooth, soft fabric both on the compression shorts and outer shorts.” Source

“The fabric is high quality, not thin and see through like some spats. I feel great in these.” Source

“When I tell you this is the highest quality rashguard I have ever purchased, you won't really understand until you are wearing one. It's like something that came straight out of the matrix. The material is incredible, the fit is incredible, and the art is nothing short of inspired. This is decades beyond the rest.” Source

Designing for Comfort: Feeling Your Best on Fight Day 

A lot goes into ensuring the comfort of a jiu-jitsu outfit. Over the years, most of us have dealt with everything from the dreaded see-through spats, constant cameltoe, poor breathability, and clothing that simply won’t stay put during training.

Happily, at Gaidama, we’ve come up with a few unique features to address the most common jiu-jitsu garment ailments. These include:

• Ventilated underarm panels on rashguards to maximize breathability.

• Anti-cameltoe design on all our women’s bottoms.

• High-waisted designs on shorts and spats, plus built-in liners to ensure full coverage – no unwanted peep shows over here!

Sure enough, our customers have enthused over everything from our comfortable true-to-size fits, to the addition of classic Gaidama features like comfy undershorts and built-in armpit ventilation. Below, check out a small selection of observations from happy Gaidama shoppers who have been training in unparalleled comfort ever since their first purchases.

What Our Customers Say About Function and Comfort

“Snug fit while being stretchy. Cozy, soft, super breathable, and stays put. I rarely have to touch or adjust [my rashguard] while in class. Highly recommend! Also, I really hate high necks so the [V-neck] is fantastic.” Source

“The best spats. When I saw it’s the best, I truly mean it. I believe I have at least 7 just of the black ones alone. I feel safe and comfortable to train and to lift in them, knowing I don’t have to worry about it being see through. Highly recommend it!” Source

“I got the Cyber Fox set and was skeptical about the shorts, as I have had issues with every pair of shorts rolling up during workouts/BJJ/Muay Thai. Oh my goodness. These fit so nicely and the under-shorts are perfect. No rolling up! I love these so much that I’ve worn them just going out during the summer.” Source

“[Gaidama rashguards are] very comfortable! I find myself always coming back to them. And, I love that these have the ventilated material under the arms for those extra hard days at the gym.” Source

“I absolutely love the fit! I came back to order more. These [rashguards] are so comfortable, they keep me cool and dry, and they stay in place while rolling on the mats. Five stars all around!” Source

Gender, Sizing, and More: Investing in Body Diversity

At Gaidama, we believe that athletes of all body types and sizes deserve a place on the mat, and we design our gear accordingly. We’re proud to carry extended sizing ranging from XXS all the way up to 4X, and we’ve outfitted athletes who compete at the highest levels in all weight classes.

Here are just some of the measures we’ve taken to ensure that athletes of all shapes and sizes feel at home in our gear:

• Gi sold with mix-and-match jacket and pant sizes to guarantee the best possible fit for every body type – plus elastic in your gi pant waistbands to make sure your kimono stretches comfortably with your movement on the mat.
• Soft, adjustable built-in drawcord waistbands on shorts and spats for a fully customizable fit.
• Multiple inseam availability on grappling shorts – never risk a DQ for your hemline at the IBJJF uniform check again!

We’re happy to report that when it comes to size inclusivity, customers of all body types have provided heartfelt testimonials. 

What Our Customers Say About Fit and Size Inclusivity

“Great spats! I was reluctant to order because as a plus size woman I do not typically appreciate multiple seams but these are exceptional! They are super secure so I never need to adjust while rolling. The inner tied waistband is a dream. No complaints and the functionality is worth the price.” Source

“I'm not a traditionally sized grappler – I'm 5'3”, top heavy, and over 200 lbs. I felt pretty much resigned to doing no-gi only, because I figured no gi would fit me right, but I was so pleasantly surprised by the Gaidama gi. Amazing and so easy to move in.” Source

“I was so nervous in the fit [of the spats] around my middle, as I’m more midsize and have 3 kids. But the drawstring feature let me have the waist as loose or tight as I choose and it really just made everything smoothed out. No cutting into my waist. Also really liked how I didn’t need to adjust at all during class.” Source

“I was worried that I got too small of a size as I have wide hips and butt, but [the board shorts] held up really well!! I do Krav Maga, which includes moving around on the ground, so these exceeded my expectations!” Source

“The length, quality, and extra coverage with the underlayer built in [on the board shorts] is everything I’ve been looking for, and this is it.” Source

Style With Substance: Look Your Best, Fight Your Best 

Comfort and great construction are all very well – but what about, well, the actual visual statement of it all? Is it just boring, same-same utility wear that’s all function with zero fashion appeal?

We think not. Thanks to our team of keen-eyed designers, not to mention partnerships with some of the most celebrated gallery artists around, we’re proud to dress our athletes in eye-catching fits that make them look just as good as they feel on fight day.

For example, look no further than our no-gi sets. In addition to multiple lines of fully IBJJF-compliant ranked gear, we offer everything from sleek monochrome color sets, to detailed prints that amount to wearable artwork.

Here are the highlights of our design features:

• Flattering yet breathable V-neck collars on women’s rashguards for a subtle touch of elegance.

• Body-contouring fit on rashguards that minimize bulk and shows off each athlete’s beautiful silhouette.

• Artwork for no-gi prints commissioned exclusively for Gaidama by some of the most celebrated visual artists working today.

Best of all, according to our customers, when it comes to matching function to fashion on the mats, we’ve hit the mark every time.

What Our Customers Say About Our Style and Aesthetics

“Not only is the design so cute, but the fit and material [of this rashguard] are awesome too. I love how feminine and comfortable the V-neck is as well. So durable AND fashionable.” Source

“The design on this set is SO cool. I love the meaning of koi fish! Can’t wait to have a whole closet for Gaidama stuff!!” Source

“The colors are vibrant & fun. I get compliments on this set every single time I wear it. It’s buttery soft, high quality, comfortable to roll in, durable in the wash, and it’s my favorite thing to wear to no-gi!!” Source

“[These spats have a] fantastic fit, beautiful pattern/colors, [and] excellent performance. Gaidama makes the best!” Source

“I get a bunch of compliments on how awesome the design is. Definitely one of my favorite rashguards.” Source