Best belts

[Nidan Melbourne]

What is the best type of belt you have come across over the years? As in they last a long time as they keep their shape without wearing down, they don't fade etc.

My Black Belt is made by adidas and have had it for the last 6 years. It has faded only a little tiny bit, it has remained in otherwise perfect condition even with the amount of blood, sweat and tears that have seeped into its fibers. I have not washed it at all (as you shouldn't).

Do you have a belt like that or even a brand that you give to students that are of a good quality, but still is of good value?

[Hawkmoon]

Isami belts.

Or rather belts made by Ismai for Kyokushin karate.

They are specially made , effectively branding them 'Kyokushin Belts'.

e.g: The pic at the top of this dojo site!

http://www.kyokushin.org.nz/getting_started.htm

[Lupin1]

I don't have too many years of experience and have never tried any high end belts, but for my brown belt, knowing I'd be wearing it for awhile, I decided to get a Judo belt rather than a karate belt-- I got a Mizuno. I've had it for two years now and the thing is just starting to get broken in... Still thick and stiff. Took over a year and some working it just for it to stay tied. I have a feeling it would last a very long time. I've also used Fuji belts for Judo and they're not nearly as thick, so they have that "broken in" feeling right away and stay tied, but they're still very well made compared to most karate belts in that price range. Belts made specifically for Judo are thicker-- they're basically made to allow you to be picked up by them and to withstand lots of rubbing and torque against gis and mats.

[Wastelander]

Judo belts are definitely harder-wearing than karate belts. Shureido is pretty much the standard for quality karate black belts, but I've actually been impressed at how well Pine Tree Brand belts wear! My old instructor preferred them over Shureido for himself, although he bought Shureido belts for all his black belt students. I use a hemp black belt from Datsusara.

I do feel the need to mention this, again, though: please stop this "tradition" of not washing your belt! The belts were invented for judo, and judoka wash them every time they wash their gi--if you don't, you're putting yourself and others at risk for skin infections! Their belt tradition is older than the karate tradition, if tradition matters to you, and it's much more hygienic. It's not a magical piece of cloth that loses its power when exposed to detergent, and it's not going to fall apart when you wash it.

[Spartacus Maximus]

When I first discovered karate many many years ago, both my gi and belts were from Century, a very large North American martial arts supply company. The belts were of good quality and did not deteriorate quickly, except for some black belts that were made with a type of surface layer that frayed after a year or so of intensive use. Since my teens I have used only Shureido brand and have found those belts to be the best and longest lasting.

[IcemanSK]

EosinPanther.com has great, handmade belts that they ship anywhere. A few years ago, I asked about great belts here on this forum. I'm so glad I chose these folks.