What do I wear to my first judo class?

Many dojos lend a judogi for your first session — just bring a plain t-shirt and durable athletic pants (like sweatpants or track pants with no zippers, buttons, or pockets) to wear, plus a water bottle. If they do not lend one, wear the same and message ahead to check. You train barefoot, so no shoes — bring sandals for stepping off the mat. Under the jacket, women (and beginners who prefer to) wear a plain t-shirt or rashguard.

A judogi is the traditional judo uniform: a heavy cotton jacket, reinforced drawstring pants, and a belt that shows your rank. It is noticeably thicker and tougher than a Brazilian jiu-jitsu gi because it has to survive constant gripping and hard throws. You and your partner grip the jacket and lapel to throw, control, and pin, so that sturdy weave is part of the sport. Beginners start in a white belt, which usually comes with the gi.

Single weave or double weave judogi?

Single-weave gis are lighter, cheaper, and cooler to train in, which makes them ideal for beginners and warm dojos — expect about $40 to $90. Double-weave gis are heavier, more durable, and harder for an opponent to grip, which is why competitors often prefer them; they typically run $100 to $200+. For your first year, a good single-weave gi is perfect.

Do I need to buy a judogi to start?

Usually not for your very first class, since many dojos have loaner gis. Once you commit, buying your own is more hygienic and comfortable. A solid single-weave beginner judogi costs about $40 to $90 and lasts for years. Check whether your dojo wants a specific colour — traditionally white — before you buy.

Do you wear shoes in judo?

No. Judo is trained barefoot on the mat (tatami), which keeps it clean and lets you move and pivot naturally. Wear sandals or flip-flops (zori) any time you step off the mat — to the bathroom especially — and take them off before you step back on. Bare feet on the mat, shoes never on it, is a core hygiene rule.

What to wear to judo

Good news first: you do not need to buy anything to start. Many dojos lend a judogi to newcomers, so athletic clothes and water are often enough for day one. Here is exactly what to wear to a first class, what a judogi actually is, the difference between single and double weave, why competitors wear blue and white, the hygiene rules that matter on the mat, and the order to buy your own gear — with honest price ranges and no upselling.

What to wear on day one

A quick message to the dojo settles whether they lend a gi. Then keep it simple:

If they lend a judogi: wear a plain t-shirt and durable athletic pants (sweatpants or track pants) underneath, with no zippers, buttons, or pockets that fingers and toes can catch on.
If they do not: wear the same comfortable, tough clothing for your first class of falling and footwork, and buy a gi once you decide to keep going.
A water bottle and a small towel.
Nothing on your feet. You train barefoot on the mat; bring sandals for stepping off it.

Leave jewellery, watches, and anything sharp at home or in your bag, trim your nails, and tie back long hair. That is genuinely all you need for a great first class. For the full first-timer picture — how a session flows and how the sport works — read our welcoming intro to judo.

What a judogi is

The judogi is the traditional uniform of judo: a heavy cotton jacket, reinforced drawstring pants, and a belt that shows your rank. That thick fabric is not just tradition — it is essential to the sport. In judo you grip the collar, lapel, and sleeves (your own and your partner’s) to break balance, throw, and control, and the jacket takes enormous strain during throws. That is why a judogi is noticeably heavier and tougher than a BJJ gi, with a looser cut and reinforced stitching built to be gripped and thrown all day.

Judogi come in lettered or numbered sizes and in different weaves and weights. For a beginner, any well-fitting entry-level gi is perfect. The main thing to check before buying your own is whether your dojo wants a specific colour — traditionally white. Ready to start? Browse beginners programs near you.

Single vs double weave

The one bit of judogi jargon worth knowing is the weave, which affects weight, durability, and price:

Single weave ($40–90) — lighter, cooler, and cheaper. Ideal for beginners, warm dojos, and everyday practice. Start here; a good single-weave gi lasts for years.
Double weave ($100–200+) — heavier, more durable, and harder for an opponent to grip. Popular with competitors, but more than most beginners need at first.

There is no wrong choice for learning — a comfortable single-weave gi that fits the rules is all you need for a long time. Because a judogi shrinks a little on its first washes, follow the sizing guidance and wash it cool.

White vs blue

If you watch elite judo, you will see one athlete in white and one in blue. The blue judogi exists purely for clarity in competition — it lets the referee, crowd, and cameras tell two grappling athletes apart at a glance, and it has featured at the Olympics since 2000. For club practice, the traditional white judogi is the standard, and it is what almost every beginner should buy first. If you start competing, your dojo will tell you when a blue gi is worth adding. We cover the competition side in our Olympic judo guide.

Your belt

Everyone starts at white belt, and it usually comes with your gi. Your belt marks your rank, and in judo you climb through the kyu grades — white, yellow, orange, green, blue, brown — before earning your black belt, which we explain fully in the belts and ranks guide. Tie it with a simple double-wrap knot; a training partner will show you on day one. And ignore the old myth about never washing your belt — it is cloth like the rest of your gear, and hygiene comes first.

What the dojo provides

This varies, so ask when you book, but the common pattern is:

Usually provided: the mat, and often a loaner judogi for a new student’s first class or two.
You bring yourself: comfortable, tough training clothes for underneath, a towel, and water.
Soon after: your own single-weave judogi, once you have decided to keep training past the free trial.

Because loaner policies differ, a quick message before your first visit removes all guesswork — many dojos list their free trial details and what to bring right on their site.

Hygiene and mat rules

Judo is close-contact, skin-to-skin training, so hygiene is not optional — it protects you and everyone you train with:

Clean gear every session. Wash your judogi after every class; never re-wear a sweaty one.
Trim your nails — fingers and toes — to avoid scratching partners during grips and throws.
Shower soon after training, and cover any cut or skin condition. If you have a contagious skin issue, stay home until it clears.
Sandals off the mat, bare feet on it. Never walk to the bathroom barefoot, and never step on the mat in shoes.

A clean dojo that enforces these rules is a great sign — it protects everyone from skin infections and shows a club that takes its members seriously. Browse the best-rated dojos near you to find one.

What to buy, in order

No need to spend it all at once. A sensible sequence:

One single-weave judogi with belt — buy once you decide to keep training. This is really all you need to begin.
A second judogi — once you train several times a week, so one can dry while you wear the other.
A double-weave or competition gi — only if and when you start competing.
Optional extras — sandals (zori), a ventilated gear bag, and a spare belt, whenever you feel like it.

All in, a starter kit can be as little as a single judogi around $40–90 and lasts for years, so it works out to very little per class. Our cost guide puts gear alongside membership prices so you can budget the whole picture. Then find your dojo on the beginner-friendly list or grab a free trial and go.

Common questions

What do I wear to my first judo class?: Many dojos lend a judogi for your first session — just bring a plain t-shirt and durable athletic pants (like sweatpants or track pants with no zippers, buttons, or pockets) to wear, plus a water bottle. If they do not lend one, wear the same and message ahead to check. You train barefoot, so no shoes — bring sandals for stepping off the mat. Under the jacket, women (and beginners who prefer to) wear a plain t-shirt or rashguard.
What is a judogi?: A judogi is the traditional judo uniform: a heavy cotton jacket, reinforced drawstring pants, and a belt that shows your rank. It is noticeably thicker and tougher than a Brazilian jiu-jitsu gi because it has to survive constant gripping and hard throws. You and your partner grip the jacket and lapel to throw, control, and pin, so that sturdy weave is part of the sport. Beginners start in a white belt, which usually comes with the gi.
Single weave or double weave judogi?: Single-weave gis are lighter, cheaper, and cooler to train in, which makes them ideal for beginners and warm dojos — expect about $40 to $90. Double-weave gis are heavier, more durable, and harder for an opponent to grip, which is why competitors often prefer them; they typically run $100 to $200+. For your first year, a good single-weave gi is perfect.
Do I need to buy a judogi to start?: Usually not for your very first class, since many dojos have loaner gis. Once you commit, buying your own is more hygienic and comfortable. A solid single-weave beginner judogi costs about $40 to $90 and lasts for years. Check whether your dojo wants a specific colour — traditionally white — before you buy.
Do you wear shoes in judo?: No. Judo is trained barefoot on the mat (tatami), which keeps it clean and lets you move and pivot naturally. Wear sandals or flip-flops (zori) any time you step off the mat — to the bathroom especially — and take them off before you step back on. Bare feet on the mat, shoes never on it, is a core hygiene rule.