Hm... Wonder if anyone could help me, please? I currently own a Shureido KW-11 gi, which is a great "middle-weight" gi made from Japanese #11 canvas. Having previously owned an "economical" Danrho suit, it was sort of a revelation. Better quality allround and with use it has gotten quite soft (being quite stiff to start with, at least compared to the raggy Danrho) and smooth. Even in summer it's great. To put this in a different perspective, the (being pants and jacket) Danrho weighs in at about 900 grams while the Shureido weighs in at about 1600 grams. Both size 6 (190 - 200 cm). Quite a difference but I retired the Danrho permanently. Now, I'm looking to buy another quality gi, but this time I'm tempted to try a "heavyweight" one, which would be more suitable for winter practice, while the KW-11 would be for spring-summer practice. I have narrowed it down to a couple of models but the thing that bothers me is... weight. I have tried the Kamikaze America, which is quite a bit stiffer and somewhat heavier than the KW-11. The America suit, size 6, (jacket and pants, as before) weighs in close to 2100 grams so that will be a reference point. What interests me is how these models below compare to the Kamikaze America. I'm looking forward to personal experience, I read all the product descriptions on every page from the manufacturers. * Shureido K-10: This is the next step from KW-11. How does it compare to Kamikaze America? How stiff and heavy is it? * Tokaido TSA/SAW: Same as above. * Kamikaze Europa, Monarch, Emperor and Sovereign: Same as above. For those that have been using the abovementioned "heavyweight" models - how much softer and smoother do they ger with use. The America is frighteningly stiff when wet, and although comfortable to wear when dry, it's still stiff and not the type of suit that feels like second skin. More like armor. The Danrho was raggy to begin with and got raggy-raggy with use, the KW-11 was stiff but soon became perfectly smooth and soft (although far from raggy), what about America and other heavyweights mentioned? Thank you very much!
