Nowadays the karate uniform or karate gi has been adopted by many martial arts. Modern manufacturing processes and requirements for personal style and fashion have turned the lowly pair of okinawan pyjamas into a great variety of choices for the begining martial artist.
This webpage can assist you choosing karate apparel that is right for you and your martial art. There is a huge variety of karate uniforms available, both at the club level and over the internet. Some karate apparel may not be suitable for you.
Most traditional karate clubs prefer white uniforms although quite a number do allow black martial arts apparel. Check with your club instructor to see what colour they prefer before purchasing a new uniform. Also, if you do require a black karate gi, always remember to wash it seperately from everything else. Black martial arts uniforms can lose black dye when they are new and turn all your other wash items black. Be warned !
There are three basic "weight's" of karate uniform. 8 ounce, 12 ounce and 16 ounce cotton are often seen. These weights may be varied a little from one manufacturer to another, but basically these are the three categories we will discuss.
The 8 ounce cotton karate gi is the least expensive and probably the most common karate gi or karate uniform. 8 Ounce cotton uniforms are quite light, they should last you quite a long time if you spend time doing only kata or forms or basic techniques. 8 ounce karate uniform are often very inexpensive and are not always made to last. The tie strips on the jacket portion often come off after frequent wear due to the stitching not being strong enough. If you are handy with needle and thread, or can take the jacket to your local garment repair shop, this is not always a big deal. Also you might want to replace the tie strings completely with "Velcro" hook and loop fasteners. Many people find this works much better.
The other problems with an 8 ounce gi involve sparring and grappling. Once you start to spar, you may find your 8 ounce karate uniform gets ripped easily. As speed of techniques increase, hands and feet become like slashing knives and spears and a lthough you might not get hurt, your karate gi can often take a pounding. Grappling is also a problem. If you start learning and practicing self defence techniques, your 8 ounce karate apparel can be ripped easily.
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8oz. 100% cotton material Reinforced stitching at seams provides strength for even the most strenuous workouts. Traditional drawstring waistbands. Set includes jacket, pants and white belt. |
The 12 ounce martial arts uniform is a step up that many martial artists find more suitable for sparring and vigorous workouts. Typically a 12 ounce karate uniform has better and stronger stitching. The uniform resists ripping to a better degree. It's still light enough not to be too restrictive when sparring but tough enough that you get more durability out of it. Still a 12 ounce karate gi may still not be suitable for grappling and self defence techniques that involve throws. These techniques involve your opponent grabbing your uniform and eventually the uniform may rip. For frequent use with this kind of technique you may need a Judo or Hapkido uniform with its special reinforcements. The 12 ounce karate or martial arts uniform can frequently be the best compromise between cost and durability.
| Breathable and very comfortable 100% cotton canvas heavyweight uniform. Traditional drawstring waistband. Set includes jacket, pants. Belt not included. 10oz.. |
| 100% Cotton Canvas. Traditional drawstring waistband. Set includes jacket, pants and a white belt. 12oz.. |
The heaviest karate uniforms are 16 ounce cotton. They are used in tournament kata by advanced students who appreciate the snap or cracking sound that these uniforms make when you perform certain striking techniques. The stitching and construction of this karate apparel are usually very strong and very good. Your 16 ounce gi should last a lifetime. The uniform is also good for self defence techniques involving throws and grappling because the uniforms are reinforced. One possible drawback is that the 16 ounce uniforms are so stiff you tend to get friction burns on your elbows and knees while doing rolls and breakfalls. This is not so much a problem as the uniforms get worn in with constant use. Also the 16 ounce holds a lot more perspiration and becomes heavy during hard practice. 16 ounce karate uniforms are usually quite expensive.
| These Japanese made Tokaido karate uniforms are the traditional standard by which all karate gi's are judged. Many long time practicioners treasure them. |
| These are somewhat less expensive heavyweight uniforms. Cut oversized, providing extra room for the movements of both workouts and competitions. Reinforced stitching. Jacket and pants feature six rows of stitching along the hems. Traditional drawstring waistband. Set includes jacket, pants. Belt not included. 14oz.. |
There are also judo and hapkido uniforms which use 16 ounce cotton, but also incorporate special materials and reinforcement for throws and grappling. These uniforms are more like suits of armour made of cotton. They need to be because of of the abuse they have to endure. Typically these are the most expensive of martial arts uniforms. Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do uniforms may differ from traditional karate uniforms in the jacket. Typically Tae Kwon Do jackets have no tie strings and do not open like the traditional karate gi, they are put on more like a "T" shirt or a sweater.
| Deluxe heavyweight double weave judo gi. Jacket features deluxe stiffer lapel, reinforced stress points at side vents, taped sleeves, reinforced shoulders and armholes and taping at waistband and around the collar to add extra strength. Drawstring waist pants feature sewn down, padded knee to ankle, full gusset, taped ankles and reinforced side vents. Designed by Mike Swain to meet the expectations of the elite competitor. 100% cotton. |
| Heavy Weight Hapkido Uniform (Black w/ Red Stitch) 14 oz. 100% cotton black canvas w/ red diamond stitched jacket, pants w/ drawstring waist but no belt. |
Many clubs have their own custom uniforms for their tournament teams with fancy colours and styles. Some styles even incorporate pockets and features that allow them to be worn frequently on the street. There are even "name brand" karate uniforms by companies like Adidas and others. Who knows we may yet see a karate gi by Tommy Hilfiger or Hugo Boss. Regardless of the source, they should still be classified in the three basic cotton weights as described above.
Some of these uniforms incorporate features such as pockets and linings over areas that experience heavy wear and tear. One useful addition is the boxing trunk style elasticated waistband on some brands of karate pants. Many people find this preferable to the traditional drawstring pants simply because it holds the pants up better and its not necessary to fiddle with a tight sweat soaked knot to get your pants off and your street clothes back on. Whatever the style you buy, make sure when you purchase that you are getting a uniform that suits the kind of practice you will use it for.
| Brand new "Adidas logo-embossed" fabric designed for experts, black belts and masters. This is a Tae Kwon Do style or Korean style uniform. This special fabric only from Adidas has been treated w/ "E-Bion" technology which reduces odor causing bacteria. Features 3 stripes on shoulders and side of pants. |
How to fix a drawstring that has come out of your karate uniform pants. This tends to happen quite often with drawstring karate pants. Sometimes the drawstring can get pulled out in the washing machine. Other times you may accidentally pull it out yourself. Just keep an old wire coat hanger in your workout bag. Or use the hangar to make a special tool by cutting a 12 length of coat hanger wire and bend a hook in one end with a pair of pliers. Make sure the hook end will fit through the drawstring channel in your karate pants. It's then easy to tie the drawstring to the hook end of the wire and use the wire like a giant needle and thread, passing it through the drawstring channel and pulling the drawstring behind it. It's quite easy to push the wire from one side of the pants to the other and get the drawstring back in again.