Gi advice

[MiddleEarthNet]

Hi, I'm looking for some advice about the different karate gis available. I'm not a beginner and I'm very happy to buy multiple gis (in fact I'm planning to) but finding the right ones seems challenging.

Gi 1:

I'm looking for a good all round gi for regular training. I'd like something that is probably 10oz - heavy enough to give the sound with my techniques but not so heavy that I just hate it.

Gi 2:

I'm looking for a gi for kata tournaments. I'd like something that isn't covered with the over the top labelling I have seen on the shoulders and rear of some gis.

Gi 3:

I'm looking for a gi for kumite tournaments. Otherwise same comments about labelling.

All three gis, I would like something that is long in the body. I really hate it when the ties get caught around my belt. I know the Japanese cut is long in the body, that would be ideal. Except for the training gi, the shorter legs and arms of the Japanese cut isn't really acceptable. I also would like an elastic waistband. I just find it more comfortable. Something that won't shrink is also appealing.

It also needs to be child size as I'm short.

Can anyone recommend anything specific? My current gi is from Blitzsport. And I hate it so I won't be going back there. I don't have the money for the really expensive gis out there.

Also I was wondering if anyone could answer these questions. I've looked on Google but can't seem to find the answers.

Do heavyweight gis shrink more than lightweight gis?

Does a heavyweight poly cotton gi exist?

When ironing a poly cotton gi, can you get the nice sharp edge along the sleeves?

Thanks for the help.

[sensei8]

Also I was wondering if anyone could answer these questions. I've looked on Google but can't seem to find the answers.

Do heavyweight gis shrink more than lightweight gis?

Does a heavyweight poly cotton gi exist?

When ironing a poly cotton gi, can you get the nice sharp edge along the sleeves?

Thanks for the help.

Speaking about my own experience...

I believe that gi's, depending on the manufacture/material, heavyweight gi's don't shrink more than a lightweight; shrink ratio's are nominal across the board.

I've not ever seen a heavyweight poly cotton gi. That doesn't mean anything, I've just not looked that hard, nor have I any request on my inventory.

I usually make the crease with my fingers. Then I'll spray some water on the crease and iron. When that doesn't work, I let the local dry-cleaner perform their magic.

[Nidan Melbourne]

Currently I own a Jols Gi (Jols I think only serves Australia), A Seishin Gi (It is amazing even though it had to be shipped from Sweden) and it is an amazing gi to both Train and Compete in Kata with. Then i also have a Tokaido Gi which is of a heavier weight which I hardly use cause it is so starchy

[JohnASE]

Hi MiddleEarthNet! Since your current gi is a Blitzsport, I'm going to assume you're in the UK. Most of my knowledge about specific brands is for the USA, but I have some general answers. If you're here in the USA, let me know, and I'll try to give you more specifics.

SHRINKAGE: Almost every 100% cotton gi will shrink at least a little. Using material that is more pre-shrunk typically costs more than using material that is less pre-shrunk. Heavier gi tend to cost more than lighter gi, so it's been my experience that heavier gi tend to shrink less than lighter gi. Of course, there are plenty of heavy gi that use coarse, looser weave material that can shrink quite a bit, too, so I'm talking in very general terms here. Also, there tend to be more synthetic blends in lighter weights which won't shrink very much, so that confuses the issue.

HEAVYWEIGHT POLY/COTTON: I'm not familiar with any P/C heavy weight gi. Shureido's New Wave line has heavy P/C, but I've never actually seen one in person. The Shureido KC-10 is rayon/polyester, and I've heard good things about it. I've seen this gi, and it was very nice, but that was 15 or 20 years ago, so my info might be even less reliable than my memory. Again, not sure about UK availability. Of course, you mentioned not wanting something especially expensive, so Shureido is probably out.

ELASTIC WAIST: You mentioned wanting an elastic waist. Almost all our gi have elastic waist in children's sizes, because many kids have trouble with drawstring waists, but heavy weight gi tend to bunch up with elastic, so we don't use them for adult sizes. For us, that means elastic only for size 2 (size 150) and smaller. You mention being short, so if you're set on heavy weight elastic, you might fine a decent selection in your part of the world.

KUMITE GI: We sell the Tokaido Kumite Master Gi and Tokaido Kumite Master Gi Pro, and we used to sell the Adidas Mastergi and Adidas Grand Mastergi. Most of our customers for these are WKF competitors. The US distributor for Adidas stopped carrying that brand, so we stopped. I hear someone else is distributing now, but it's a different product, and I'm not familiar with it. The Tokaido Kumite Master Gi is poly/cotton and the Tokaido Kumite Master Gi Pro is 100% polyester. The Pro is lighter and thinner and has vents (the non-Pro is unvented), but the Pro costs more. The Pro is very popular anyway, but not everyone likes their gi THAT thin. They're both kinda pricey, but not made-in-Japan pricey.

Hope this helps!

[MiddleEarthNet]

Thank you for everyone's replies.

I'm pleased to hear that the shrinkage on the heavyweight gis isn't worse than a lightweight one (and may even be better).

JohnASE, yep I'm in the UK. I'm not against importing a gi, so long as I'm doing it because the imported one is a better option than anything i can buy in the UK. It just means I'd but the three gis one at a time rather than all together.

I had a look at Shureido. Nice gis but currently way out of my price range.

I've also had a look at Cimac, Arawaza and BCSports. BCSports are all lightweight gis but my very first gi was from there and (so far) is the only gi I've ever found comfortable.

Size 2 - 150cm is the gi size I would be buying and though most have elastic waist, I noticed as I started to look at the better gis, it became less consistant (certainly with the UK suppliers).

I've not looked at Tokaido. I'll take a look what they have got.

Thanks.

[wayneshin]

I can highly recommend the Arawaza light weight kumite gi's. I have 3 Opals and 2 Onyx Evolution

They are easily the most comfortable Gi I have worn. Microfibre, so as well as being very light it has sweat wicking properties. Prior to that I have had a number of Adidas and Tokaido.

They are bringing out a new model - Onyx Air -I will be grabbing one as soon as they get to Australia.

I can't speak for their kata gi's.

[chiliphil1]

You could also look at KI, they make excellent GI's in the Mugen line. Tokaido is going to cost you about the same as Shuriedo would.

There is also Ronin, they make quality gear at good prices. Check discountmas.com they are an american suplier but they have awesome prices and I believe they ship international as well.

[JohnASE]

Tokaido gi made in Japan are close in price to Shureido gi made in Okinawa, but there are also Tokaido made in China that are lower priced but still good quality.

I know for sure that discountmas.com does ship internationally. I'm not sure whether KI does, but I agree that their Mugen line is nice. Both companies have been around for longer than the 22 years we've been in business, so they're reputable.

[MiddleEarthNet]

Thanks, I'll take a look at all of those suppliers.

[chiliphil1]

Tokaido gi made in Japan are close in price to Shureido gi made in Okinawa, but there are also Tokaido made in China that are lower priced but still good quality.

I know for sure that discountmas.com does ship internationally. I'm not sure whether KI does, but I agree that their Mugen line is nice. Both companies have been around for longer than the 22 years we've been in business, so they're reputable.

John, first off let me apologize for not recommending your store, I completely forgot about it I'm sorry for that.

Secondly you are right, I wasn't even thinking about the Chinese Tokaido line. I have heard that their quality is not very good and lifespan can be under 6 months on one of those, have you had any experience with them?