heavy karate gi for beginner?

[sbaker10]

I trained karate for 3 months at my college and decided to keep it up at the sensei's dojo. I am using street clothes but want to order a gi, after class the sensei often will teach some jujitsu or bjj techniques or even incorporate the occasional throw in class. As I am a beginner I dont really want to spend 150$ on a gi but at the same time I want something durable . I was considering the KI international heavy gi. Is there ant better options around that price?

I was considering a single weave bjj gi but wasn't sure how hard it may make some techniques or how much it might stand out

[Archimoto]

Welcome to the forum!

As to the gi - I'm a fan of the heavyweight gi.

I love a high quality fabric!

[sbaker10]

Will a heavy weight karate gi survive some light grappling then?

[Wastelander]

A heavyweight karate gi will stand up to fairly regular light grappling for a while, but it will eventually start to tear. Mine seem to last about 2-3 years. If you're being cost-conscious, I would go for a single-weave judo gi. They tend to be cheaper than karate or BJJ uniforms, and will last quite a bit longer. They just don't look/feel as nice when you're doing kata.

[Wado Heretic]

I favour medium weight for the best of both worlds. Relatively durable without being a hindrance to flexibility, and also it is not too cold when it is cool, or too warm when it is hot.

Taking into account that it sounds as though there is more grappling training than average in your classes, and that is has a basis in BJJ, I do suggest investing in a BJJ Gi top or Judo Gi top at least.

Karate Gi, even of the heavier weave, are not designed implicitly for the stresses the techniques of BJJ or other Gi based grappling arts place on the Gi. However, saying that I have found a good medium or heavy weight Gi will generally last 2-3 years with regular light to medium grappling training. Yes, that is grappling integrated into a Karate class. I used a regular Karate Gi when I took up some BJJ cross training and it did not survive three weeks of training twice a week. I now do wrestling to save money

Really, it depends on the intensity you find in your classes which should determine what you get. Personally, I would advise using your money to buy two good quality medium weight Gi and a Judo Gi, rather than splash out on one excellent heavy Weight Gi. My preferred makers are Taisho or Shureido, though the Taisho are generally more durable with the Shureido being more comfortable. Shureido can be expensive but Taisho is usually very reasonable.

I hope this helps.