Gi Opinions...for Hot/Humid Climate...

[Island Style]

Hello,

I've been lurking for a while...but I need to find out what everyone is wearing..

Currently, I reside in Hawaii and practice Heiwa-do (JIKC), which Soke Kiyohisa Hirano adapted from traditional Wado-Ryu. Previously I practiced Shito-Ryu Karate and TaeKwon-Do. I will soon supplement my training with Sabaki.

During the summer's here, the temperatures can get as hot as the low 90's...

Traditionally, I've enjoyed the heavyweight Tokaido Gi's (TSAU)...but as of late, getting older might have something to do wtih it, I've gravitated toward the lightweight kumite gi's for my daily workouts...currently I own the following gi's

BTW: None of the dojo's I train in have air conditioning....

1. Tokaido TSAU (heavyweight gi) for tournaments

2. Tokaido NST (lightweight gi) for daily workouts

3. Adidas Master WKF approved (kumite gi) for daily workouts

4. Kamikaze Europa (med weight gi) for Sabaki Training.

Please chime in on what you wear and the climate in which you workout in...

For those that have not had the chance to live in Hawaii, it is a Martial Artists Paradise!

My kids and I have had the opportunity to meet and train under World Champions such as Soke Kiyohisa Hirano (JIKC), Chuzo Kotaka, George Kotaka, John Fonseca, and Elisa Au (International Karate Federation).

The talent pool here is incredible...

[Zanshin]

You've got to love that Adidas Master Gi in hot weather. We don’t tend to get a lot of it here in the UK but when we do I drag mine out.

I still tend to feel a bit naked in it though.

Welcome to the Forum

[Island Style]

My cousin is living in England as a civilian on one of the Air Force bases...as a Fireman...he took on a 5 year stint from Hawaii...

I tend to alternate between my Adidas and the NST...both work well in the hot weather...I almost threw my NST away though...

What I found was that in this hot weather (I'm not use to sweating so much as I do here), due to my sweating...my gi was not smelling so fresh, in fact it was downright foul (my sleeves around my forearm, where I would wipe my face)...

in desperation, I put a capful of Clorox Bleach (I never used bleach before on my gi's)...and the smell did not come back!!! I am so relieved...

As a cleaning tip for those with odor or discoloring of their gi's:

1. Wash your gi after every workout...preferably before the sweat has dried on the gi...you can keep you gi looking like new.

2. To get rid of the body odor on your gi, put a capful of Clorox in when you wash you gi...let it soak for about 10min...you will see that the odor causing bacteria will have been eliminated...remember, don't put too much...