by Shawn Longmore |
Last Updated: July 30, 2021 What's In This Post?
The Karate Gi
The Karate Gi (pronounced as ‘gee’) is the uniform some martial arts schools (dojos) require students to wear. I’ve bought many martial arts uniforms over the past 20 years, and in my opinion, quality is the most critical factor. I want something comfortable and sturdy enough to be worn throughout a whole class, not just the first 15 minutes.
I discovered it’s not always the name-brand Karate Gi that has the best quality. Instead, I’ve found that some of the lesser-known brands have better quality. After reading reviews online, I’ve discovered most people have had poor experiences, such as the stitching coming apart and the seams ripping within two months.
I wrote this article to help Karate students find a quality Gi and understand how to clean and maintain it properly. So let’s get kickin’!
What To Look For When Buying a Karate Gi
I generally use the following list to help determine if it’s worth buying. Just be cautious in your search and avoid imitation Karate uniforms that don’t provide the same level of quality and protection as an authentic Gi.
The list below and additional information within this article should help with your decision.
- Is the material cotton or synthetic? Most Gi’s are 100% cotton or 50/50 cotton/poly blends. You’ll pay a little more for one that’s 100% cotton because it lasts longer than a synthetic or 50/50 blend. Just getting started in Karate and unsure how long you’ll stick with it? Choose a synthetic blend to save money.
- Is the Gi form-fitting or loose? A quality Karate Gi should fit snugly and allow you to move freely without bunching up in the wrong places. Some people prefer a looser fit to layer it over sweatpants or another clothing item.
- Does it have quality stitching and reinforced seams? Stitching is a critical factor when buying a high-quality uniform. Most uniforms will rip apart at the seams within months of light use if there isn’t extra reinforcement. Make sure you look at this before spending your money.
- Is there a warranty? I’m still using one of my Gi’s over ten years old and bought from an online retailer. The company offers lifetime replacement if it rips or tears, and I’ve never had to use it, but I feel more comfortable buying from someone who stands behind their products. Most companies will provide a warranty on their quality which is nice.
- Is it fully lined? A Gi can catch on your skin when you’re doing self-defense techniques if not fully lined. It also tends to rip or tear more easily if it doesn’t have a lining.
- What type of shoulder strength does it have? If you’re planning on doing any grappling and throws as part of your karate training, then look for a Gi with durable shoulders. On the other hand, if kicking and punching at air are all you’re planning to do (like me), it doesn’t need to have reinforced shoulders.
- Is the top a pullover or open tie? Open ties are more comfortable to wear, but they’re easier to rip off if someone grabs them. Pullover styles are more challenging for someone to grab from the outside and spin you around. Some people like open tie better because they feel it’s more traditional and authentic, but I prefer a pullover top.
How Much Should You Pay for a Karate Gi?
A quality Gi will typically cost between $70 and $150 depending on the size, brand name, and material used. For uniforms with extra thick padding, expect to pay $150 to $250. I found one Gi while researching that was very high quality and priced over $250.
What are the Top Five Brands?
Elite Sports (Kids Karate Gi)
Elite Sports is the Gi for kids. This lightweight uniform is made from 100% cotton and includes a reinforced collar & extra stitching across shoulders and cuffs to resist tearing. The pants are ultra-thick and double-layered at stress points such as the knees, crotch, and ankles.
Tiger Claw
Tiger Claw is a great-looking uniform. It’s made with 100% cotton and weighs around 4 pounds – that’s very lightweight! This Gi has reinforced stitching, extra shoulder padding, and double-layered at the pants’ stress points, such as knees and crotch. It also has a reinforced collar which many uniforms lack. The material is super soft and breathable, making it comfortable to wear in class.
Ronin Heavyweight
The Ronin Gi is 100% cotton for maximum breathability. The material is very durable and reinforced to withstand extreme use like tournaments and MMA training. This Gi has a free size fit meaning it will fit anyone 5’2” to 6’9”. I like the one-size-fits-all Gi since it’s easy to tailor the fit with a quick stitch.
Adidas Student Karate Gi
I bought this one in the past, and it’s pretty comfortable. The material is 100% cotton and has similar features to all the other Gis listed, such as reinforced shoulder stitching and double-layered knees and crotch. The Adidas is a comfortable uniform that will support hard sparring during class.
Seishin Premium Karate Gi
Seishin is another nice uniform designed for kids, women, and men of all sizes. The material is 100% cotton, but it’s twice as thick at the knees, crotch, and collar area than other uniforms, providing extra protection for hard sparring.
Recommended Best Choice
Ronin Super Heavyweight Karate Gi
I selected this Gi as the best choice because it’s double-layered denim and reinforced at stress points such as the collar, shoulders, knees, and cuffs. It also includes two-piece matching pants with extra stitching in stress areas. In addition, I’m surprised by how comfortable this uniform is, which makes it perfect for hard sparring training. In my opinion, this Karate Gi is suitable for kids right up to full adults who want a comfortable, durable, and well-fitted uniform.
Ronin Heavyweight Karate Gi - Unlike ordinary uniforms, this gi is fine crafted of 100% premium duck canvas cotton. Cut in traditional style, this heavyweight karate uniform will be your best friend during competitions or trainings.
Best Budget-Friendly
Hawk Sports Karate Uniform
This lightweight uniform is perfect for anyone on a budget. It also provides a high-quality fit with unrestricted movement during fights. Hawk uniforms are poly/cotton fabric. It has a full-length traditional style Gi jacket and pants with an elastic waistband for a quick fit. A minimum price for maximum quality plus a five-year replacement warranty makes this uniform a steal!
The Hawk Sports Lightweight Karate Gi for kids & adults provides full unrestricted range of movement in all planes of motion, from low stances to high kicks. Karate jacket design allows the karate suit to be personalized with club logos and associations.
What Colors are Available?
Most Gi colors are standard (black, white, blue, brown, red). But I’ve found some companies that also offer a wide variety of custom-color Karate uniforms. Of course, the most popular is white since it’s the traditional color for karate uniforms.
When I was studying Wing Chun Kung Fu, all the students had black uniforms, and the instructor (Sifu) typically wore a white uniform. My Sifu would tell me to wear white, but I didn’t own one, so I just wore black like all the other students.
Do All Martial Arts Styles Wear a Gi?
Not all martial arts require a uniform when training. For example, Muay Thai does not need students to purchase a Gi (uniform) since they wear shorts instead. However, most martial arts styles will require some uniform that is usually black or white. The shortlist below will help you understand the uniforms in each training style.
- Karate, Taekwondo, and Jiu-Jitsu it’s known as the Gi.
- Wing Chun Kung Fu it’s known as the “Pakfu” or white uniform
- Judo it’s called a “Judogi.”
- Aikido it’s called a “Dogi.”
Where to Buy a Karate Gi
Adults can often buy their Gi uniform at martial arts supply stores. Most of these shops are locally owned, small businesses that offer excellent customer service and uniform repair. Kids or adults may also order online from a supplier like Amazon, with more options available ranging in prices.
Do I Need to Wear Anything Under The Uniform?
It seems a bit personal, but I’ll do my best to answer that. In the early days of Karate, students only wore a fundoshi (loincloth) under their Gi. Then some karate schools started to make underwear mandatory, so most wore briefs or boxers. I prefer something form-fitting like boxer briefs since they stay close to the skin, letting the uniform move without interference.
Proper Karate Gi Care and Cleaning
How to wash them
The majority of uniforms are machine washable, but some require washing by hand. If washing them in a machine, I recommend using cold water on a delicate cycle. However, there should be instructions someplace on the Gi to let you know the proper wash temperature. Also, fabric softener and bleach can cause discoloration, so avoid those if possible.
How to dry them
A dryer can damage the uniform, so shake the excess water out then hang it to dry. Many martial arts schools dry uniforms this way, so I recommend doing the same at home. Excessive heat from a dryer can reduce the life span and shrink the fabric of your Gi.
How to keep them white
The most important tip to keep your Gi white is to avoid staining them. Wear underwear (just kidding). But seriously, avoid eating messy or greasy food while wearing your uniform. Also, when working out, be careful if you’re sweating too much. Sweat can cause the white to appear yellow or brown after it’s washed. For this reason, I generally wear a t-shirt or rash guard under the top.
How to remove stains
So you just had to eat that sloppy Joe while wearing your uniform, and now you have a big stain on the sleeve. I recommend soaking the entire uniform in cold water immediately after it happens and letting it sit overnight. The next day washes as usual by hand or machine. If the stain is still visible, a little spray-n-wash might help. I’ve removed some pretty nasty stains this way, including red sauce and ketchup.
How to soften them
Sometimes a new uniform can be pretty stiff and hard to move around in. I recommend washing it a few times by hand or machine to break it in. It also helps if you air-dry it for several days before using it.
How to iron them
I don’t recommend ironing uniforms since they are usually thin, and the heat can melt or even discolor them. Besides, no one will notice wrinkles if you’re sparring and training hard.
How to store them
You’ll usually need to hang your Gi after washing it or drying it. I recommend folding or rolling it when it’s dry rather than placing it on a hanger, which can cause creases in the fabric and break it down over time.
Final Thoughts
A quality Karate uniform is an essential part of training and practicing martial arts. Outside of a mouthguard, it is one of the most important investments you will make in your training. Make sure to clean it regularly and keep it in top condition so that you can use it for many years to come.
Thanks for reading!
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