GI REVIEW – Balistico 4.0

The hottest selling competition gi that has ever passed through the Kingz warehouse is back… and it’s better than ever before. The Balistico 4.0 Jiu-Jitsu Gi features fresh new aesthetic details and built to withstand everything you can throw at it… including the kitchen sink. We tested it… for science.

Okay, maybe that last part is a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s no lie that the Balistico has been and continues to be the toughest gi model in the Kingz lineup. And with the latest updates, it’s equally as stylish.

What makes the Balistico 4.0 different from the rest? Read on…

Superior Construction

The Balistico 4.0 is built like a tank. We’ve had customers tell us they still have – and use – their original Balistico 1.0 jiu-jitsu gi, after untold hours on the mat. It’s that tough.

This is due to its high-quality materials and superior construction. The jacket of the Balistico 4.0 is made from 480 GSM Pearl Weave material, which is 100% preshrunk (so what you see is what you get, right out of the bag). While ultra-lightweight gis are useful in shaving off those much needed few ounces when you’re trying to make weight, they can often feel a bit too flimsy for regular, daily training. And heavy weight gis… well, they just feel too heavy sometimes. The Balistico 4.0 is right there in that mid-weight sweet spot for jiu-jitsu gis.

To compliment the durable jacket, the Balistico 4.0 is paired with a lightweight 8 oz polyester ripstop material. Let’s talk about ripstop for a second. Ripstop was developed during World War II as a tough, tear-resistant fabric for military combat uniforms. During the 1980s, it was co-opted by the outdoor industry for various applications, including for packs, tents, sails, etc. They started to be used in jiu-jitsu gis in the early 2000s. Why? Because if you’ve been training long enough, you’ll know that the pants are typically the first to rip from age and overuse. These ripstop pants will last you twice, if not three times, longer than any cotton pant.

Innovative Details

The Balistico model has always been the most technologically advanced gis in the Kingz lineup. Not only because of the ripstop pants, but also because of the inclusion of Coolmax® lining on the inside of the shoulders and side vents of the jacket.

Coolmax is a stretchy, polyester-based fabric developed in the 1980s as a more breathable, moisture-wicking option for performance clothing. Obviously, this provides a huge benefit to jiu-jitsu practitioners. Instead of damp, uncomfortable cotton fabric chaffing against your shoulders as you train, the Coolmax keeps you dry and cool, allowing you to train just that tiny bit harder and longer. Additionally, Lycra (one of the biggest Coolmax users) is committed to making their Coolmax fabric from recycled materials… so you can feel good about the lower carbon footprint of your gi. Because “yeay environment”.

The original Balistico had a layer of ripstop on the interior of the sleeves, which was designed to make it a bit harder for your opponent to grip. But the IBJJF quickly put the cabosh on that, as  they required jacket tops to be made from 100% cotton. Wah, wah. However, keeping with that same spirit – but fully in line with regulations – the Balistico 4.0 sports extra-wide seam taping on the inside of the sleeves and pant openings.

Fresh New Aesthetic

The most unique feature of the Balistico jiu-jitsu gi is the iconic Kingz Eagle emblem. For the Balistico’s cult following, that’s a hard line. It’s here to stay. But what we do love to do is change up the color scheme of that emblem, as well as add other clean, timeless details throughout the gi body. The Balistico 4.0’s color scheme? Well, we shook it up a bit this time. The black and white men’s versions feature a clean, James Bond style white-and-black aesthetic, while the blue men’s version features a cool blue-on-blue aesthetic. And the women’s versions? We hit it on the nail with this one, as they feature a gorgeous sage mint color. Ooo-la-la.

And to make the Balistico 4.0’s embroidered details just as tough and long-lasting as the rest of the gi, they’re all high-stitch count. Even if, in a hundred or so years, the rest of the gi disintegrates back into the earth, those logos may still be going strong.  

In sum, we love the Balistico 4.0. And if this gi review doesn't convince you, try it, and we know you will love it, too.