How to Soften a New BJJ Gi

A new BJJ gi can feel much stiffer than expected. The fabric may not move with you easily at first, and the stiffness can be especially noticeable during the first few training sessions.

If you look up ways to soften a new gi, you will find plenty of suggestions: wash it with vinegar, use fabric softener, put it in the dryer, or simply wash it several times.

In this article, we will look at why a new gi can feel stiff, what these common methods actually do, and what to consider before trying them.

 

 

Why Is My New BJJ Gi So Stiff?

 

A gi’s stiffness is not determined by the material alone.

The fiber and yarn, the weave, the density of the fabric, and the finishing process can all affect how a gi feels to the touch and how flexible it is when worn.

Some gis feel relatively soft straight out of the package, while others start out firm and less flexible. Even two gis made from the same type of fiber can feel different if their yarns, fabric structures, or finishes are different.

That initial stiffness may ease over time. As the gi is worn and washed, the fabric may gradually become softer and more flexible.

 

 

How to Soften a BJJ Gi

 

Four commonly suggested ways to soften a new gi are:
• Washing it normally
• Using vinegar
• Using fabric softener
• Putting it in the dryer

These methods do not all affect fabric in the same way. Each comes with different considerations, including shrinkage, absorbency, and wear.

 

 

1. Washing Your Gi

 

The simplest approach is to wash your gi normally, following the instructions on its care label.

After it has been worn and washed several times, some of the initial stiffness may begin to ease.

There is no need to repeatedly wash a gi in hot water simply to make it softer. Gis made from natural fibers such as cotton can shrink depending on washing and drying conditions.

If you do not want the fit to change, follow the manufacturer’s care instructions.

 

2. Can You Use Vinegar to Soften a BJJ Gi?

 

Vinegar often comes up in discussions about BJJ gi care. It is often suggested as a way to deal with odors, and sometimes as a way to soften a new gi.

However, there is little reliable evidence that vinegar meaningfully softens a finished BJJ gi.

It is a common suggestion, but it is not a necessary part of breaking in a new gi. If you choose to use vinegar, check both the gi’s care label and your washing machine’s instructions first.

 

3. Should You Use Fabric Softener on a BJJ Gi?

 

Fabric softener can make fabric feel softer to the touch.

Many softeners leave ingredients on the surface of fibers, reducing friction between them and changing the feel of the fabric.

However, feel is not the only thing that may change. Studies of cotton fabrics have found that fabric softener can reduce water absorbency. The effect varies depending on the formulation, the amount used, and the fabric, but a softer feel may come at the cost of lower absorbency.

These studies were not conducted specifically on BJJ gis. Even so, a gi absorbs sweat during training and is washed frequently.

For that reason, we do not recommend using fabric softener repeatedly just to break in a new gi faster.

 

4. Can You Put a BJJ Gi in the Dryer?

 

The movement inside a dryer can make fabric feel softer. Some gi manufacturers say that a short, low-heat cycle is acceptable if you want a softer feel.

Care instructions vary by manufacturer and model. The main concerns are shrinkage and wear.

A dryer exposes fabric to heat, movement, and friction. Studies of cotton fabrics have found that machine drying can increase softness, but repeated drying can also contribute to shrinkage and gradual fiber damage.

If you do not want the fit to change, or if the manufacturer does not recommend using a dryer, air-drying is the safer choice.

The quickest way to soften a gi is not necessarily the best way to care for it over time.

 

 

The Simplest Way to Break In a BJJ Gi

 

The simplest way to break in a gi is also the most obvious: wear it for training and wash it afterward.

Wear it.
Train in it.
Wash it.
Wear it again.

There is no special treatment involved. A gi is made to be trained in.

If there is no need to rush, keep training in it and washing it according to its care label. It can break in naturally over time.

 

 

How a Hemp BJJ Gi Changes With Use

 

We noticed this most clearly during the year-long testing of our 100% hemp gi.

The hemp fabric we use is noticeably stiff when new. We did not use any special treatment to soften it. We simply spent a year wearing it, training in it, and washing it.

Hemp fiber comes from the stalk of the plant. However, the feel of the finished fabric also depends on how the fiber is processed, how the yarn is made, how the fabric is woven, and how it is finished.

That means not every hemp gi will change in exactly the same way.

Our test involved using the gi for a year under normal training conditions. It was not a laboratory test, and we did not use instruments to measure changes in stiffness or strength.

After a year of use, the gi was considerably softer and more flexible than when new, while still retaining some of its original firmness.

 

 

Do You Really Need to Soften a New Gi?

 

A new gi does not need to be softened immediately just because it feels stiff.

People use vinegar, fabric softener, and dryers to change the feel of a gi more quickly, but each method has its own drawbacks.

A gi will not become softer while sitting in storage. It is made to be trained in.

Before trying to speed up the process, give it a few training sessions and washes, follow its care instructions, and see how the fabric changes.

 

 

Related Journal

How Long Does a BJJ Gi Last?
What affects the lifespan of a gi, from training frequency and washing to fabric and wear.