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Choosing a Gi

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Ok i currently have a light gi, and i was wondering what are the benitfits of having a light or heavy gi?

"Time is what we want most, but what we use worst"

William Penn

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I use a heavy gi because in Combat Hapkido we do lots of grappling and throws and such and a light gi would rip.

If it works, use it!

If not, throw it out!

Lightweight cotton (cheap ones): No benefits. When you sweat, sticks to your body and restricts the movements. Becomes transparent.

Lightweight ribbed poly-cotton (competition uniforms): Doesn't stick to your body. Breathes well (keeping you cool). Evaporates moisture fast. Looks raggy.

Heavyweight cotton canvas: Doesn't stick to your body. Can absorb huge amounts of moisture. Very warm, although breathes well as it keeps away from your body. Can take some serious punishment (doesn't rip). Looks very good. Good quality ones last forever (like my older Shureido).

Special lightweight canvas (such as Tokaido NST, Shureido FA and Hirota Pinack): Durability and unsticking abilities of heavyweight cotton in a lightweight canvas. Currently probably the best stuff there is for a karate uniform. Most expensive, though.

Jussi Häkkinen

Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Seibukan Karate-Do (Kyan Chotoku lineage)

Turku

Finland

A heavy Gi is stronger than a light...

But in light you can move easier (and you sweat a bit less).

- The Road to Perfection never ends...

Lightweight cotton (cheap ones): No benefits. When you sweat, sticks to your body and restricts the movements. Becomes transparent.

Lightweight ribbed poly-cotton (competition uniforms): Doesn't stick to your body. Breathes well (keeping you cool). Evaporates moisture fast. Looks raggy.

Heavyweight cotton canvas: Doesn't stick to your body. Can absorb huge amounts of moisture. Very warm, although breathes well as it keeps away from your body. Can take some serious punishment (doesn't rip). Looks very good. Good quality ones last forever (like my older Shureido).

Special lightweight canvas (such as Tokaido NST, Shureido FA and Hirota Pinack): Durability and unsticking abilities of heavyweight cotton in a lightweight canvas. Currently probably the best stuff there is for a karate uniform. Most expensive, though.

Amen

Moon might shine upon the innocent and the guilty alike

  • Author

So iam guessing the heavy gi is best to train with...

"Time is what we want most, but what we use worst"

William Penn

So iam guessing the heavy gi is best to train with...

It depends. For daily training I'd suggest you either a good heavyweight do-gi (if you want the best price/quality ratio, get a Kamikaze America) or a nice "special lightweight" do-gi (Tokaido NST, Shureido FA, Hirota Pinack, Kamikaze Sovereign).

A cheap lightweight do-gi isn't good training at all, I think.

Jussi Häkkinen

Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Seibukan Karate-Do (Kyan Chotoku lineage)

Turku

Finland

  • Author

Ok thanks for all the help everyone!

"Time is what we want most, but what we use worst"

William Penn

My personal recomendation:

100% Cotton 12Oz canvas no. Not too heavy not too light. Perfect balance.

Brands (Tokaido, Shureido, etc....)

If you want the perfect fit and better finished visit http://www.satori-gi.com/ and order a custom gi for less money that the other brands.

Ed.

6TH. Kiu (Green Belt)

Shotokan SKIF

  • Author

What are the cons of getting a custom gi?

"Time is what we want most, but what we use worst"

William Penn

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