TL;DR: I am 178 cm, ~70 kg and Ippon Gear Rookie size A2 BJJ gi is the only gi that fits well so far. Tatami Absolute Nova A2 is huge/baggy and Progress Academy A1L is just short. See more about BJJ gi sizing…
At the beginning of the year, Ippon Gear Brazilian jiu-jitsu gis appeared in our local fightwear shop. Usually, only Tatami gis have been available and also Starpro to fill the most affordable end. Ippon has been well known for its judo kimonos so this caught my attention.
Ippon Gear gis seem quite affordable. The jacket, pants and white belt are just 79 euros altogether.
Alternative options for beginner uniform would be Tatami Absolute, Kingz Kore, Kingz The One (105 euros) that also have white belt included. If you are convenient with ordering from the UK then Valor has couple of models with belt included (Bravura and Bravura Classic model) and Progress as well.
I have seen their blue and white Ippon Gear Rookie gi in the gym. They are a great fit, have nice fabric and nice cut. They have a very minimalistic design with just little logos on pants and jacket. This gi comes with a free white belt which makes it an even better deal. So initially looked like worth buying. I have ordered the black one and looking forward to wearing it.
First impressions
I have worn only Tatami Absolute gi so far. So the first impressions with Ippon Gear Rookie were a bit… surprising… and disappointing.
Jacket is just 60% cotton, 40% polyester, fabric density 350g/m². Feels semi decent and thinner when compared to Tatami which is 100% cotton and feels really good. Both are pearl weave.
Pants 52% polyester, 48% cotton, fabric density 220 g/m². Feel is like regular thin cloth, cheap, fragile. Nothing like Tatami’s 10oz (283.5 g/m²) cotton tapered pants.
For some reason labels inside the jacket and pants have Starpro logo on them. So it at least Ippon Gear Rookie gi seems like it is just Starpro gi with Ippon Gear logos embroidered on it.
Two months later
This gi actually has pretty good fit and decent feel on the mat. I am 178 cm, 68 kg and wearing A2. I belive I can recommend this gi.
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