Gi for Aikido

[Kanku65]

Hello KF

I am wondering what style of gi would be most appropriate for aikido training.

eg. judo gi, jiu jitsu gi, heavy karate gi?

I'm not looking for brand specifics here, just style, and what the gi is meant for.

Thank you.

[Wastelander]

I believe most Aikidoka wear the same white keikogi used in some styles of jujutsu, kenjutsu, iaijutsu, etc. A judo gi or karate gi won't work, because the skirts of the jackets are slit up the sides, and so is the hakama that Aikidoka wear, so you'll be showing everyone your upper thighs if you wore them together. That said, if you're wearing gi pants instead of a hakama, I've seen lots of Aikidoka just wear single weave judo gi.

[Spodo Komodo]

I have a specific Aikido gi, soft canvas so it is strong but doesn't give the snap of a Karate gi. It has a short uwagi and zubon that only reach to mid shin in order to be worn under the hakama when needed. They are easily available in the UK so I guess they should be available most places.

[Kanku65]

I believe most Aikidoka wear the same white keikogi used in some styles of jujutsu, kenjutsu, iaijutsu, etc. A judo gi or karate gi won't work, because the skirts of the jackets are slit up the sides, and so is the hakama that Aikidoka wear, so you'll be showing everyone your upper thighs if you wore them together. That said, if you're wearing gi pants instead of a hakama, I've seen lots of Aikidoka just wear single weave judo gi.

Is it uncommon to wear gi pants under the hakama?

It appears most students at the dojo I've looked at train without the hakama. It appears that the more senior students and instructor only wear the hakama, and they appear to be wearing gi pants beneath.

And thank you for your input.

[Wastelander]

I believe most Aikidoka wear the same white keikogi used in some styles of jujutsu, kenjutsu, iaijutsu, etc. A judo gi or karate gi won't work, because the skirts of the jackets are slit up the sides, and so is the hakama that Aikidoka wear, so you'll be showing everyone your upper thighs if you wore them together. That said, if you're wearing gi pants instead of a hakama, I've seen lots of Aikidoka just wear single weave judo gi.

Is it uncommon to wear gi pants under the hakama?

It appears most students at the dojo I've looked at train without the hakama. It appears that the more senior students and instructor only wear the hakama, and they appear to be wearing gi pants beneath.

And thank you for your input.

I don't know that it's uncommon, but I did forget that some people do that--I think it's just a personal preference, like wearing an undershirt with your gi.

[Kanku65]

I don't know that it's uncommon, but I did forget that some people do that--I think it's just a personal preference, like wearing an undershirt with your gi.

Good to know!

I wound up going with a single weave judo gi from Mikado for just over $100.

I saw a handful of the students at the dojo wearing the brand, and it's a company whose products I've trusted throughout my karate training.

I considered purchasing the double weave gi, but it was an entire $100 more, and the store employee advised against it as a novice student.

[Spodo Komodo]

The club generally goes for one style or another. The first club I trained with wore just a gi for everyday training and brown belts (1st kyu) and above wore hakama for advanced classes and formal occasions, with pants underneath. The second club I trained with had everyone in hakama from green belt (3rd kyu) for all training, pants optional. They started training in hakama origami from 5th kyu though so everyone was folding like a master by the time they had to wear them.

[singularity6]

My aikido gi is from E-Bogu, and it's quite nice. It's a single-layer, so it wasn't terribly expensive. Overall, it's well-made and fits great (I'm 5'10", <190lb. A size 3 was perfect for me.)