The Complete Guide to Soften a BJJ Gi
Picture this: It's my first week training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a white belt, and I unbox my brand-new Tatami gi. Excited to roll, I slip it on only to feel like I'm wrestling in sandpaper. Every guard pass and armbar attempt chafed like crazy, turning what should have been a breakthrough session into a scratchy nightmare. If you've ever asked yourself how to soften a BJJ gi, you're not alone—especially us MMA fighters who cross-train in BJJ and need gear that performs without the irritation. As a black belt and strength coach who's broken in dozens of gis for clients from beginners to pros, I've mastered the art of gi softening. In this guide, I'll share my hands-on methods to get your gi competition-ready fast.
Expert Perspective: Why New Gis Feel Like Cardboard
From my years coaching at high-volume MMA gyms, I've seen it time and again: a crisp, new gi straight from the package is stiff as a board. That's no accident. Manufacturers like Hayabusa and Shoyoroll use sizing agents—think potato starch or synthetic stiffeners—to maintain shape during shipping and give that premium "crisp" look. Pearl weave gis, with their looser 550-gram fabric, hold onto these more than the tighter gold weaves at 450 grams.
For MMA fighters blending BJJ with striking drills, this stiffness kills mobility. I remember prepping a pro client for a UFC camp; his Venum gi was so rigid it restricted his hip escapes during no-gi to gi transitions. Softening isn't just comfort—it's performance. The goal? Remove those starches without wrecking the fabric's durability or IBJJF-spec dye that fades under harsh treatments. Trust me, a well-softened gi lasts 2-3x longer in sweaty sparring sessions.
Pro tip from the mats: Always check sizing first. A gi too tight amplifies stiffness—head to our [size guide]( /pages/size-guide) to nail the fit before softening.
Industry Insights: What Top Fighters and Brands Say
In the BJJ and MMA world, softening gis is as routine as tape jobs. Elite grapplers like Gordon Ryan swear by multiple sea salt washes, a trick passed down from old-school judo dojos. Brands like Tatami now offer "pre-washed" options, but even those need a tune-up for heavy training. At Apollo MMA, we stock everything from entry-level Fighters Inc. to premium Scramble gis, and feedback from our pro customers shows 80% prioritize softening rituals.
Material matters hugely. Single-weave gis (350-400gsm) soften quickest but tear faster in wrestling-heavy MMA sessions. Double or gold weaves take longer but grip better for kimura battles. I've tested Hayabusa's H3 gi—its bamboo-blend fabric softens in 3 washes versus 7 for pure cotton. Wrestlers crossing into BJJ love these for their balance of softness and control.
Competition rules play in too: IBJJF bans overly faded gis, so softening must preserve color. Muay Thai and kickboxing fighters training BJJ ground game often complain of rash from stiff collars—softening prevents that, keeping you drilling clinch-to-takedown flows injury-free.
Practical Advice: Step-by-Step Methods to Soften Your Gi
Here's where the real value kicks in—battle-tested protocols I've used for home gym warm-ups, commercial dojo grind sessions, and tournament prep. Start with cold water washes to avoid shrinkage (up to 10% on new cotton). No hot water until round three. Aim for 5-10 cycles total, depending on weave.
Method 1: The Salt Wash (Best for Beginners and Quick Results)
- Dissolve 1 cup sea salt (not table salt—iodine damages dyes) in a tub of cold water.
- Soak gi 4-6 hours or overnight; agitate by hand every hour.
- Wash on delicate cycle, no detergent. Air dry flat.
- Repeat 3x. Result: 70% softer in days, ideal for white belts building grip strength without blisters.
For MMA how to soften a BJJ gi, this mimics ocean training—salt abrades starches gently, perfect for fighters doing beach grappling.
Method 2: Vinegar Soak (Pro-Level Durability Boost)
- Mix 2 cups white vinegar with cold water in a basin.
- Submerge 8-12 hours; vinegar neutralizes starches and sets dyes.
- Rinse twice, then machine wash with color-safe detergent like Sport-Wash.
- Air dry. Fighters grinding 10+ hours weekly see collars soften without fraying.
I use this on Shoyoroll Wave gis for clients—enhances breathability for humid gym environments.
Method 3: Full Wash Cycle Marathon (For Gold Weave Beasts)
- Wash 1-2: Cold water, no soap—flush initial starches.
- Wash 3-5: Add 1/2 cup baking soda for deodorizing; gentle spin.
- Wash 6+: Eucalan wool wash (no rinse needed) for softness lock-in.
- Between washes, wear it rolling lightly—sweat naturally tenderizes.
Advanced tip: For no-gi MMA hybrids, tumble dry low once after cycle 5 to mimic shrinkage-fit. But measure first via our [size guide](/pages/size-guide).
Safety first: In home workouts, avoid pools—chlorine yellows whites. For kids or petite frames training kickboxing takedowns, kid-sized gis soften faster but need gentler handling.
Training scenario breakdown:
- Gym sparring: Salt + vinegar combo—ready in 48 hours.
- Competition: 7-10 washes; test fit with our [size guide](/pages/size-guide).
- MMA camps: Baking soda for odor control during 6-week cuts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid: Don't Ruin Your Investment
I've salvaged more mangled gis than I can count—here's what not to do. Bleach? Hard no—rips weaves and voids IBJJF compliance. Hot dryer from the start? Shrinks 15%, turning A2 into A1 disaster. Skip our [size guide](/pages/size-guide), and post-softening shrinkage makes it unwearable.
Over-softening is sneaky: Too many washes without Eucalan leads to "mushy" grips, bad for wrestling stand-ups. Fabric softeners like Downy coat fibers, killing breathability—sweat pools in Muay Thai clinches. And sun-drying? UV fades dyes fast, useless for black belts chasing white-belt illusions.
Price-to-value honesty: $150 premium gis like Hayabusa justify the effort; $50 no-names soften poorly and pill after 20 washes. For intermediates, mid-tier like Tatami hits sweet spot.
Future Outlook: What's Next for BJJ Gis?
Exciting shifts ahead. Bamboo-rayon hybrids from brands like Origin are 50% softer out-of-box, blending BJJ tradition with no-gi comfort for MMA. Recycled polyester blends promise zero-starch factories. We've seen prototype "self-softening" gis with enzyme washes—game-changer for pros shipping gear worldwide.
Expect IBJJF to loosen dye rules, allowing more vibrant, pre-broken-in options. For home gym enthusiasts, antimicrobial silver-thread gis will cut wash needs by half. At Apollo MMA, we're curating these innovations—stay tuned for our next drops tailored to your discipline, from Boxing heavy bags to BJJ seminars.
One caveat: These won't replace proper break-in for feel. Nothing beats mat time in a personalized gi.
Summary: Soften Smart, Roll Hard
Mastering how to soften a BJJ gi for fighters and training boils down to patience, salt, vinegar, and avoiding pitfalls. From my white-belt woes to black-belt coaching, these methods deliver plush comfort without sacrificing grip or longevity. Whether you're a beginner in commercial gyms, an MMA pro chasing belts, or a wrestler adding subs, a softened gi elevates every session.
Ready to gear up? Browse our premium BJJ gi collection at Apollo MMA—top brands like Venum, Hayabusa, and Tatami, all primed for your softening ritual. Grab the right size with our [size guide](/pages/size-guide), soften like a pro, and tag us in your first soft-roll pics. Oss!
By Sarah Chen, BJJ Black Belt & Apollo MMA Gear Expert
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