Hayabusa has released new BJJ gis, and we have brought in three of them. Core for adults, and two models for kids: Ascend and Essential. All three are new to us, and all three are made for what actually happens at an ordinary training session - many rounds, lots of collar and sleeve grips, and a wash afterwards.
The most interesting thing about the adult gi is not the fabric, but the way you buy it. Core is sold as a jacket and pants separately, each in its own size. If you have long arms and short legs, or a broad chest and a narrow waist, you no longer have to choose which part should fit badly.
Core: light jacket, pants in soft twill
The Core jacket is made of 320 g/m² pearl weave. It is a light gi. It breathes well and is comfortable to train in several sessions a week - which is exactly what Hayabusa made it for. The seams are reinforced where a gi wears the most, and the jacket holds its shape without becoming stiff.
The pants are made of twill, a soft fabric with a traditional feel and a slightly heavier drape than ripstop.
The design is understated. No large prints, just Hayabusa's falcon and the name along the collar. It looks just as clean in black as in white, and it suits most clubs.
If you are looking for a heavy competition gi, this is not it. Core is a training gi for those who train a lot and want something that is light and fits well.
Precision Fit: jacket and pants in separate sizes
Hayabusa calls it Precision Fit, and it is the reason we chose this particular gi. Instead of one size for the whole gi, you choose the jacket and pants separately, and each size comes in several variants:
- Men: A0 to A5. A1, A2 and A3 also come as L (extra length) and H (more width without extra length).
- Women: F0 to F4, with L for extra length and C for more width in several of the sizes.
It solves the most common problem with BJJ gis: the jacket fits and the pants do not, or the other way round. If you are tall and slim, go for L. If you are broad across the chest without being tall, go for H or C. And if you need A3 in the jacket and A2 in the pants, that is exactly what you buy.
Ascend and Essential for kids
Both kids' gis come in kids' sizes (Y), and both come with a white belt, so they are ready for the first training session. The difference is in the fabric.
Ascend is the sturdiest. The jacket is 550 g/m² gold weave, the pants are cotton ripstop, and the gi is reinforced at the collar, armpits, knees and hips. It can handle a lot of pulling and a lot of washing, and is a good choice for kids who train often, or who have outgrown a simple beginner's gi. We stock it in black, sizes Y1 to Y4. Hayabusa states that the colours white, black and navy are approved by the IBJJF for competition.
Essential is lighter. The jacket is pearl weave, the pants are cotton ripstop, and it is reinforced at the collar, knees, sleeves and exposed seams. It is easy to move in, more affordable and comes in more sizes - from Y00 to Y4, in white and black. A good first choice for the youngest, and for kids who have just started.
About kids' sizes: measure their height and check the kids' chart on the product page. If your child is between two sizes, take the larger one. Kids grow faster than a gi wears out.
Which one should you choose?
We sell a lot of gis, so honestly:
Core is right for you if you train three times a week or more, find heavy gis hot and stiff, or have never found a gi where both the jacket and pants fit. If you have an average build and train once a week, Core is still a good gi - but then it is not the sizing system you are paying for.
Ascend for kids who train regularly, and whose last gi wore through at the knees or tore at the collar.
Essential for kids who are brand new, for the youngest, and when you would rather buy a new size in a year than a gi meant to last three.
If your child is going to compete, check the rules for the event before choosing a colour. The colours approved by the IBJJF are white, blue and black, and many events follow the same rules.
Washing and shrinking
All three gis should be washed cold and hung to dry. A hot wash and a tumble dryer make cotton shrink, and that is the most common reason why a gi that fitted perfectly in September is too short in December. Wash after every session - a BJJ gi left damp in your bag overnight starts to smell, and the smell does not go away again.
What we carry now
Men, jacket
1,040 kr. Black and white, A0 to A5 with L and H. 320 g/m² pearl weave.
Men, pants
610 kr. Black and white, A0 to A5 with L and H. Jacket and pants together:
Women, jacket
1,040 kr. Black and white, F0 to F4 with L and C.
Women, pants
610 kr. Black and white, F0 to F4 with L and C. Jacket and pants together:
Kids, sturdy
940 kr. Black, Y1 to Y4. 550 g/m² gold weave, ripstop pants and white belt.
Kids, light
830 kr. White and black, Y00 to Y4. Light pearl weave, ripstop pants and white belt.
Belt
290 kr. White, blue, purple, brown and black, A0 to A5. Not included with the adult gi.
You will find our full BJJ range under BJJ.
Frequently asked questions
Does it come with a belt?
The kids' gis, yes - both come with a white belt. The adult gi, no - there you buy the belt in the rank you hold.
Can I have different sizes for the jacket and pants?
Yes, that is the whole point of Core. The jacket and pants are bought separately, each in its own size. If you buy them together, you still choose the size of each part.
What do L, H and C mean?
L is extra length. H (men) and C (women) are more width without extra length.
Can I compete in the Core gi?
Hayabusa made it for training, and does not state that it is approved for competition. The colours black and white are permitted by the IBJJF, but if you are going to compete, check the rules for the event. For the Ascend kids' gi, Hayabusa states that the colours white, black and navy are IBJJF approved.
Does the gi shrink?
A little, like all cotton gis. Wash cold, hang to dry, and do not use a tumble dryer.
What if the size does not fit?
You can exchange it, and you have a 14-day right of withdrawal. Contact customer service and we will sort it out.
