Why the Same A2 BJJ Gi Can Fit Differently Across Brands？

Why does the same A2 fit so differently across different brands?

This is a question we come across often when making BJJ gis.

When people buy a gi, they usually judge the size based on their normal clothing size, or based on a brand they have worn before.

For example:

“I always wear A2, so I should be A2 again.”  
“My height and weight are similar, so why are the sleeves longer on this one?”  
“Why is this brand’s A2 more relaxed than another brand’s A2?”

The truth is, BJJ gi sizing doesn’t really have one universal standard.

A2 and A3 are common size categories in the industry, but every brand may have its own fit and sizing logic. Jacket length, sleeve length, pant length, shoulder width, chest width, waist, and shrinkage after washing can all affect how the gi feels when you wear it.

A mature brand usually has a more detailed size chart. Not because they got it perfect from the beginning, but because their sizing system has been built through years of market feedback, athlete feedback, and constant adjustments.

That’s why you see more specific sizes like A2, A2L, A2H, and A3S. The purpose is to give people with different heights and body types a better chance of finding a gi that fits them properly.

For some smaller brands or factories, the size range is often not as detailed.

To cover more people, many products are made slightly more relaxed. The benefit is that most people can wear it, and it won’t affect training. But the downside is also clear: it may be wearable, but not always the best fit; it may work for training, but not always look the best.

A BJJ gi is not a regular T-shirt.

It needs to consider grip, range of movement, competition rules, shrinkage after washing, training habits, and different market preferences. Some people prefer a more fitted gi, while others like a more relaxed fit. Some care more about sleeve length, while others care more about pant length.

So “fit” is also strongly connected to personal habit.

When someone changes from one brand to another, it also takes some time to get used to a new size chart.

Because the A2 you were used to before may only be that specific brand’s A2. It doesn’t mean every A2 from every brand should feel the same. Once you change brands, the fit, sleeve length, pant length, shoulder width, jacket length, and even the way it changes after washing may all be different.

Sometimes the gi size isn’t wrong — you’re just getting used to a different sizing system.

Size may look like just a number.

But in BJJ gi manufacturing, it is actually the result of brand experience, market feedback, pattern design, and production control working together.