Belt lengths

[sojobo]

In mainland Japan anyway, the original way to wear a belt, was always with the ends tucked back into the waist of the belt, to stop them getting in the way.

This was especially important if you were working on grappling or weapon work.

It was in the early collegiate karate clubs, in universities like Todai, where students started to move away from this and would wear their belts with the ends dangling down - as a statement of youth / newness of karate perhaps.

Sojobo

[IcemanSK]

I noticed that a lot of higher ranked Koreans in TKD tend toward wearing shorter belts. As in thi video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrNGqhzUfBc

[bushido_man96]

I've also seen some TKDers turn the belt around for sparring, so the lengths are bouncing in the back.

[IcemanSK]

That was a big thing in the 80's when chest protectors were re-introduced. Now, turning the belt around is frowned upon.

[Daisho]

my belt sticks out hardly 4inches on either side of the knot and i keep them flat to the belt itself insted of hanging down or sticking out. took me forever to find that size by ordering online!

great belt for judo, and i like the very tight and clean look.

I never thought of smaller belts on fat guys due to improper fitting… i have a VERY narrow waist, and large chest/shoulders, so my belt was big and floppy when i bought my first judogi with belt

[Shizentai]

Normally I wear my belt just an inch or so longer than the top of my jacket (which is not terribly long either). However my favorite belt used to belong to my sensei, and being a smaller-than-average person I don't quite fill it out. It doesn't reach the tops of my knees, but it's not far off. What's pathetic is it's only a size 4. =_=

[Dobbersky]

Never really paid much attention to belt sizes. we have 3 sizes (in Centimetres) in the uk 250, 280 and 320 mainstream although 230 and 340 are available.

For me and my students it more on waist sizes and about 6 to 12 inches hangdown on each side, Kids well even the 230 looks huge on some of them.

[ninjanurse]

I wouldn't say that the length of belt tails means anything really. You can't judge someone's style or skill based on how long their belt is or what color gi they wear, etc. Preferences aside-it's just a belt and not a reflection of the content.

[mal103]

Is there a set length for Karate? I am split between a 280 belt being slightly too short for my liking but the 320 is almost to my knees and does sometimes flick up.

I might just take a pair of scissors to them to get a comfortable/practicable length. As i'm now on Brown belts I suspect I will have them longer......

[Rateh]

TBH I'm quite surprised that there are only 3 belt lengths in the UK. In the US most places sell sizes 0-8, with some selling 000, 00, 9, 10, 11, and 12. So you can purchase 9 different belt lengths at almost any martial arts place, and as many as 15 at some places. You might want to look online and see if one of the US based websites will deliver to the UK.