Double weave is a thicker fabric construction for gi jackets, built from a denser weave than single weave to increase durability. It has traditionally been popular in judo, where heavy, repeated gripping puts real strain on the jacket fabric over years of training.
The main advantage of double weave is longevity, since the denser construction resists tearing and fraying better under constant grip fighting. The tradeoff is weight and stiffness, particularly when new, since a heavier fabric takes longer to break in and can feel less flexible until it has been washed and worn a number of times.
Because of this extra weight, double weave has become less common on modern Brazilian jiu jitsu gi, where lighter pearl weave fabrics are now more typical, while judogi and some traditional karategi still favour double weave, or a similarly dense fabric, for its toughness. Federation rules such as those from the IJF also set overall gi weight limits that a double weave jacket needs to fit within. See our gi sizing and shrinkage guide for practical buying notes.
