How to choose the best judo kimono for your level

Choosing a judo kimono (judogi) isn’t always easy. Between differences in weight, cut, rigidity and standards, it’s easy to make a mistake, especially when you’re just starting out!
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain which kimono to choose according to your level, your objectives and your training frequency.

🥋 1. Which judo kimono should I choose if I’m just starting out?

When you start judo, the most important thing is not the rigidity or competition homologation of the judogi, but its comfort and durability. Indeed, at first, training in a judogi feels strange, sometimes heavy. You have to get used to it, and for that, there’s nothing better than a judogi you feel good in!

Beginners generally train 1 or 2 times a week. The judo kimono must therefore :

• Pleasant to wear
• Don’t restrict movement too much
• Resisting first prints and projections
• Easy to wash
• Do not cause irritation

The ideal weight for a beginner’s kimono

The grammage corresponds to the weight of the fabric per m². Judogis weights vary according to model and brand. Beginners use lighter weights, while advanced judokas use heavier weights.

👉 For beginners: 350g to 500g/m², these are light weights, ideal for new judokas.

Why lightweight?

• Lighter → more comfortable
• Dries faster
• More flexible for learning movements
• More comfortable to wear, less “weight” on you

A kimono that’s too heavy at first can be tiring and uncomfortable, especially for a child.

At Fighting Films, we offer a range of judogi ideal for teenagers and adult beginners, the Red Label 500Gr judo kimono.

Cutting the kimono

For the first few months of judo practice, we recommend a standard cut, so there’s no need to wear a judogi that’s too tight, close to the body, which will restrict movement a little more. This is useful when you’re competing, so you don’t give your opponent too much grip.

What’s more, ease of movement to familiarize yourself with the techniques will be easier with a judogi that’s less tight-fitting.

🥇 2. judo kimono for experienced judoka

When you practice judo regularly, between 2 and 5 sessions a week, and also compete, your kimono becomes a strategic piece of equipment. It’s no longer just a question of comfort or style, but of performance, durability and compliance with the expectations of referees and opponents.

🎯 Why this grammage range (650 g to 750 g/m²) is ideal

A kimono too light:

• Wears quickly
• Loses its shape
• Can give the opponent an advantage

A kimono too heavy:

• Hinders movement in fast-paced combat
• Can be penalising for certain sizes

👉 A judogi between 650 g and 750 g/m² offers excellent balance:

✔️ Sturdy enough to withstand intensive training
✔️ Dense enough to limit an opponent’s grip
✔️ Comfortable even after several fights
✔️ Quicker to dry and maintain than an ultra-heavy kimono

At Fighting Films, you can choose from two competition judogis, the lighter IJF Superstar 650Gr judo kimono, which comes in a Super Slim, more slim-fitting cut, ideal for slender cadets and juniors. This judogi is preferred by judokas of all levels, even international champions, who sometimes prefer a lighter judogi for greater freedom of movement.

📏 Competition compliance: national vs. international

Depending on the level of competition :

🏆 Local and national competitions

The rules are often more flexible than in international competition:

• There are few restrictions, and you can fight in just about any judogis, except in the first division, where standards may be closer to IJF norms.
• Kimonos between 650 g and 750 g/m² are accepted by many federations.
• They offer comfort + performance without requiring the maximum grammage.

🌍 International competitions

For official international competitions, standards are much stricter. Judokas must wear competition-approved judogis:

• The grammage should be between 650 and 750 g/m².
• Have a certain skirt length
• A certain width in the sleeves and pants
• Only a few brands offer IJF-approved judogis.

At Fighting Films you can choose between two IJF-approved kimonos, one 650 g and one 750 g/m².

After discovering the Superstar 650Gr IJF judogi. Here is the best-seller, the judogi most appreciated by judokas all over the world, the Superstar 750Gr IJF judo kimono. This judogi is recognized by all judokas for its quality, its slim fit and its design with the magnificent Fighting Films logo embroidered on the shoulders.