GI Question

[NightEagle]

Thanks everyone for answering my question.

[isshinryuaaron]

I have lightweight gis... and I think they are fine since my style doesn't do grappling. My understanding is that you absolutely have to have a heavyweight gi if you're going to be doing grappling (since a lightweight gi can rip during grappling). Since we don't do grappling, I prefer the lightweight gi (not as hot)

[stoneheart]

Aaron, you'd be surprised what lurks in those kata.

[Jussi Häkkinen]

I have lightweight gis... and I think they are fine since my style doesn't do grappling.

Umm, you're a student of Isshinryu? Okinawan Isshinryu, Tatsuo Shimabukuro's style?

Hmm. interesting. What I've seen and heard about the style has left me an image that Isshinryu - such as other Kyan and Miyagi derived styles - contain quite a bit of grappling and close fighting. Actually I'd be willing to say that there's lots of grappling in Isshinryu.

However, that's interesting. Still, if your branch doesn't do a lot of grappling, I think that lightie uniforms will do.

Hmm. Weird.

[isshinryuaaron]

Yes, that Isshin Ryu. I am only a green belt, though... so, I suppose it is possible that there will be grappling as I get more advanced. However, I haven't seen the upper belts grappling. So, maybe it is just my dojo (and not Isshin Ryu generally) that does not do a lot of grappling. At any rate, I plan on continuing to use a lightweight gi (I'm in Los Angeles, so I'm usually too warm... and the lighter the gi, the better) unless we start grappling.

[Sensei Rick]

The only problem is length of time you train tho. With a lightweight gi, you will have to replace about every 2 years, in fact, I would be surprisedif they lasted that long. They cost about 25 bucks a pop. after ten years you spend much more than a good quality heavy weight. All heavy's are good, but tokaido feel good on the inside, against your skin. So soft and comfy. I hope you stay in the art for a long time, and get into grappling too. take care.

[Fairfax_Uechi]

The only problem is length of time you train tho. With a lightweight gi, you will have to replace about every 2 years, in fact, I would be surprisedif they lasted that long. They cost about 25 bucks a pop. after ten years you spend much more than a good quality heavy weight. All heavy's are good, but tokaido feel good on the inside, against your skin. So soft and comfy. I hope you stay in the art for a long time, and get into grappling too. take care.

Well I hate to break it to you but if you spent $25 every year for 10 years that's only $250. Even twice that is $500. My good instructors Gi cost over $200. As good as it is, I'd be suprised if it lasts 10 years. Hard training multiple classes in a week, even with 2 Gi's it's still a lot of washing, and wear.

The high quality Gis offer several benefits. First, they just look and fit better. Then they can handle just about anything you throw at them or get thrown with On top of that they make a nice snap when you throw a good punch or kick.

My recommendation is for beginners to get an inexpensive Gi. Train for awhile and see if they're going to make a commitment. After 6 months or a year, then get a good Gi. Until then, there's just no point in spending the mondy. But after your art becomes part of you, it makes sense to get the best Gi you can afford.

[Killer Miller]

A good Tokaido will last a year or two of heavy training. However, the cheap Gis won't last a month... But, beginners won't train that heavy, a a cheap Gi is fine for a couple of years.

- Killer -

[Hobbes]

Tokaido all the way!

- Killer -

I've had many Tokaido Gis and love them.. one of the nice things about their Gis is the fact that I can have my name embroidered

into it before the lapel is stitched. I have gone for the Kamikaze brand which are much cheaper and fit my body type much better. I don't have to get my Europa tailored like I do with the Tokaido. I have very thick legs so the room in the pant is very important.

My Tokaido is 15 years old and my Kamikaze is 9 years old. I just bought a new Kamikaze, but my other two are going strong. I will say that the Tokaido seems to hold up better over the long haul, but the Kamikaze is softer and more comfortable and less expensive.

check kamikaze out at http://www.kamikaze.com/

A good Tokaido will last a year or two of heavy training. However, the cheap Gis won't last a month... But, beginners won't train that heavy, a a cheap Gi is fine for a couple of years.

- Killer -

Holy wacko.... is your sweat like acid? I sweat a lot, and I mean "a lot" and yes you have a point.. I've seem some people go through a gi in a year and others in 20. back in the late 80's and early 90's I trained full time for 7 years and we are talking about a lot of training...

I one of the things that saves my gi is that I hang dry it. I had one gi that I wore for a year and it just fell off me. My judo top is 22 years old and it is still in excellent condition.

I also store my gi folded with rarely an exception with the belt tied around it. I never bleach it ( had a tokaido fall apart not long after I did that) and I inspect the stitching ever couple of months for weaknesses and pull out the needle and thread to mend it.

[stoneheart]

I also like Kamikaze uniforms, but be sure to buy from the real company: http://www.kamikazekaiten.com. The url provided above is from a Canadian company who at one time was a business partner of the German gentleman who started Kamikaze, but the two have since parted ways. The Canadian company being more savvy with technology registered the kamikaze.com domain name, and now they legally produce their own line of Kamikaze uniforms since they trademarked the name in Canada. It's still not what anyone could reasonably consider the original, though.