Daruma Green Store

Notes from the mat and the workshop

七転び八起き — fall seven times, rise eight.

On gear, materials, and building things that last.
Close-up of the Daruma Signature Hemp Gi in natural white
What's Actually in Your BJJ Gi? The Label Says Cotton. The Truth Is More Complicated.
Most BJJ athletes assume their gi is cotton. Most of the time, it isn't. Here's how to read a composition label — and why it matters. Read more...
The True Cost of Cheap BJJ Gear — What You Actually Pay Over 5 Years
The True Cost of Cheap BJJ Gear — What You Actually Pay Over 5 Years
EUR 198 for a gi sounds steep — until you run the real 5-year numbers on replacements, cost per year, and durability. Read more...
Athlete training in a natural white Daruma hemp Gi
Hemp vs Cotton Gi — Which One Lasts Longer? (We Trained in Both)
We trained in premium cotton gis for years before building Daruma. Here's the honest, firsthand comparison of hemp vs cotton — durability, odor, and 5-year cost. Read more...
Close-up of bamboo plants with water droplets
Why Your BJJ Gi Smells — And What the Material Has to Do With It
Your gi smells by Thursday even though you wash it every session. It's not your routine — it's the fiber. Here's the science of polyester vs. hemp and bamboo. Read more...