what is the best karate gear and sparring? i live in usa

[matbla]

i live in the usa

what is the best karate gear and sparring gear?

if you have a link post it

from matt blake

Edited May 1, 2006 by matbla

[RichardHangHong]

IMHO if you are able to spend the money Tokaido gi's are the best ones around. They do white and black gis in 4 different weights. I prefer medium weight no. 11 myself as I'm only a little fella but the heavyweights are just as good. You also have a choice of traditional cut (full length sleeves and trousers) and tournament cut (3/4 length sleeves & ankle length trousers).

Check them out at https://www.tokaidojapan.com

For sparring gear it really depends on what your main method of sparring is. I use T-Sport's elasticated shin/instep protectors for my legs and my own custom made mitts (similar to the WUKO open hand mitts but with a single pad and elasticated instead of pvc) for jiyu kumite for in class and PU competition mitts for tournaments. Oh yeah, and I use a PU groin guard and Shock Doctor mouth guard.

I don't think there's any difference in quality when it comes to mitts and pads. PU ones are the same whatever the brand name, as are the elasticated ones and dipped foam although I've never used the latter, they seem the same anyway.

Hope that helps.

Richard

[Adam]

century martial arts supply..u can request a free color catalog

https://www.centuryma.com

[Killer Miller]

I second Tokaido and a good wood floor...

- Killer -

[GOM]

I find tokaido shrinks and turns into cardboard after about a year.

I always use kamikaze uniforms as I find these feel the best on my skin and are a better fit for westerners (bigger legs, bodies, stomachs).

[RichardHangHong]

All gi's shrink a bit. Especially when they are hot washed. I find it's the only way to get all the crap out of it and I won't bleach it as it'll kill the gi. If only there was another way......

As for them turning into cardboard, just use plenty of conditioner in the wash. That'll soften it right up.

I tried a kamikaze one and yes you're right, they're a good fit for westerners but apparently according to my instructors I have more of a japanese build, and there I was thinking I was just short! LOL!

[Jussi Häkkinen]

All gi's shrink a bit. Especially when they are hot washed. I find it's the only way to get all the crap out of it and I won't bleach it as it'll kill the gi. If only there was another way......

...there is. Try Shureido's new NW-series. They don't shrink much (3% tops in the hot cycle), won't need conditioner (which should be avoided anyway - won't do good to the cloth in a long run) and can be ironed to be soft enough.

Tokaido (NST) and Hirota (Pinack) also have similar materials. Shureido has three different weights, Tokaido and Hirota have the lightweight fabric only. Kamikaze has their Sovereign, which is also one of these new style karatedo-gi - lighter than cotton, still durable and staying off the skin (i.e. all the good sides of a heavyweight uniform in a lighter package).

[RichardHangHong]

All gi's shrink a bit. Especially when they are hot washed. I find it's the only way to get all the crap out of it and I won't bleach it as it'll kill the gi. If only there was another way......

...there is. Try Shureido's new NW-series. They don't shrink much (3% tops in the hot cycle), won't need conditioner (which should be avoided anyway - won't do good to the cloth in a long run) and can be ironed to be soft enough.

Tokaido (NST) and Hirota (Pinack) also have similar materials. Shureido has three different weights, Tokaido and Hirota have the lightweight fabric only. Kamikaze has their Sovereign, which is also one of these new style karatedo-gi - lighter than cotton, still durable and staying off the skin (i.e. all the good sides of a heavyweight uniform in a lighter package).

I've just ordered a Tokaido TAW medium weight last week which should be arriving any day now. I don't think I could go any lighter than that. I really like the medium and heavyweight uniforms but could never go back to lightweight.

I'll try the Shureido gi some time though as I've seen a few people with them at my Goju Ryu class.

[GOM]

I could NEVER go back to a lightweight, just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.

.

[Fairfax_Uechi]

I'll second Shureido. I love mine and am currently saving up to order another one.