Would/Have you bought a gi for $60-$100?

[hazeleyes202]

Would/Have you bought a gi for $60-$100? Is that too much?

[Harkon72]

I don't know the exact exchange rate; but I would never spend more than £35 on a gi, especially if you have not tried it on. Some gi's cost £45 to £200, and all can become mis-shapen and if colored, lose their color. The Heavier the gi, the more it can lose it's color by the way. What if you send for a £50 gi and it doesn't look right? Expense doesn't guarantee quality. My Sensei put an expensive gi in the wash and his little daughter put a non-colorfast red sock in with it! Now he has the most expensive Pink gi in Wales! I'm about to gain a new gi in the new year, I should be able to get an Adidas 10oz Kumite gi for £32; can't go wrong!

[ShoriKid]

I've had 2 century Iron Man gis, which these days run over $100. Tough, good quality and cut. A Piranha that was super tough, that shrank too much and a Break Point JJ gi that retails for well over $100. Being that I like a heavier, 12/14+oz gi, I can't find one very well put together for much less than $100 and that's on the low end. Light weight gis don't hold up well with the amount of grabbing and pulling we do as part of our normal training.

There are risks sure. But, if you check the reviews and read the care directions a lot of the troubles can be avoided. Hang dry, not machine, cold water wash and soak a color gi in water/vinegar solution before washing etc. If you can find a place to try on one or two of the brands you are interested in, that can't hurt.

[Harkon72]

I'm planning to have two white gi; one 14oz for winter and a 10oz vented gi for summer. I might buy a black gi for training; a 9oz Nine Circles gi, just to see what they are like; I don't think £20 is too much of a gamble. At the end of the day it's not the gi that matters; it's what's in it!

[ps1]

In Jiu-Jitsu, an inexpensive gi is gonna run you almost $100. So yes, I've paid much more than that for a gi.

[Lupin1]

I believe mine was about $60 for a century middleweight uniform. I like it for my purposes. It's held up fine the past few years (besides the stains I put on it wearing in a graveyard on Halloween night...). I don't want nor would I need a very heavy weight gi, but I do need something more than a lightweight.

For an adult beginner, around $50-$75 for a decent middleweight gi is probably where you want to be.

[pittbullJudoka]

I've had century iron man that was a bit over $100 and 2 Kurgen BJJ gis and 2 Break Point gis one being limited edition all running well over that $100 mark. I'd say for a decent Gi you're looking at at least $100. Just remember you get what you pay for.

[Harkon72]

Pittbull, I think there's another variable in this debate; I think it depends on the Style. In a grappling style like Jui Jitsu or Judo it really matters, but for a stand up style like Karate it matters less. We don't have that much gripping of the gi. I say if it is comfortable and neat then all is well; but if it is to take some contact and wear, then I agree; a better quality gi is to be sought to improve your performance and the value you get from the garment.

[Wastelander]

I have bought and worn quite a few different gi for different reasons, and they have ranged from less than $60 to more than $100. In your specific price range, I only own one gi, and it was given to me--a KI Intl. brand heavyweight gi. I can say that my more expensive gi have held up better for longer, but this one is still serviceable (despite being discolored and frayed) after several years of service. In the end, the more expensive gi is a slightly better buy, but not by much, and then only if you know you are going to be training for the rest of your life. If you have just started training, it doesn't make sense to spend $130+ on a gi when you can buy a $25 lightweight one while you figure out if you like martial arts. After you decide you like it, a gi in the $60-$100 range is a rather reasonable choice, as it will probably last you 3-5 years (depending on how hard you train). If you love training, then a $130+ gi is probably in your future .

[Hawkmoon]

Up until a little while ago there wsa only one official source for the Gi worn in Kyokushin.

These can cost:

£150 = $240'ish

or

26540 JPY = $260'ish

Worth it IMO awhen I think back as the first Gi I brough 20+ years ago was only thrown out last years .....when the seat of the trousers (pants) fell out!